While the strict Student Assembly Finance Committee guidelines intend to impart fairness in the distribution of funding to student groups, these rigid rules have instead prevented certain groups from fulfilling their mission. Such is the case with Sexual Awareness for Everyone, a student group that works to educate students on sexual health topics and promote safe sex practices.

In order to fulfill their goal, SAFE requested funding for condoms, lube and dental dams to distribute free of cost to the Cornell community. A clause in the guidelines prohibited the group from receiving funds. It is clear that the SAFC needs to revisit its guidelines so as not to thwart worthwhile causes due to bureaucratic practices.

Some students gasped and others giggled when Lisa Opdycke, ’11, president of Sexual Awareness for Everyone dramatically plopped down a large, 26-page-long petition of names and signatures from students who support the group’s request for funding from the Student Assembly Finance Committee for condoms, dental dams and lube. Opdycke presented the impressive list at last Thursday’s S.A. meeting as a symbol of campus-wide support when SAFE appealed the outcome of the SAFC’s funding decision to the Student Assembly.

To the Editor:

Re: “Alternatives to Condoms: The Catholic Church and Contraceptives,”

Opinion, April 1.

Despite the positive spin the Catholic Church may want to put on Natural Family Planning, it is a much less reliable method of contraception than condoms. While the perfect use (no human error, and used every time) rate of pregnancy for condoms is 2 percent, the low-end of the similar rate for NFP is three times higher. Additionally, while condoms are easy to use, NFP requires either meticulous record keeping or tracking biological signs of fertility like cervical mucous. Furthermore, NFP is only reliable in women who have regular cycles.

Recently, Pope Benedict XVI made headlines by saying that condoms are an inappropriate and counter-productive solution to HIV/AIDS. Some have expanded on the implications of the Pope’s comments and have considered Church teaching on contraception in light of overpopulation. However, many understand what the Catholic Church says regarding contraception, but few understand why it says it. As such, I now offer this information, assuming that overpopulation is a problem. It is my hope that, whatever moral view you ultimately take, you at least understand the Catholic position, and do not come to a decision without considering all of the ideas here presented.

Last week, Pope Benedict XVI told reporters that condoms exacerbate the spread of the HIV virus. Put another way: Last week, the Catholic Church confirmed, yet again, that it is stubbornly dogmatic, shamefully tone-deaf and far too willing to wield its influence in a grossly irresponsible and socially destructive way.

Even beyond its lamentable misrepresentation of the AIDS issue, the Church’s position on birth control turns a blind eye to a global trend that begs urgent attention: overpopulation. It is an issue that underlies a collection of environmental, economic and international health issues (beyond even the HIV virus), which together represent one of the most serious challenges to the continued prosperity — and, ultimately, to the continued survival — of billions.