U of M Best in Nation at Sex Ed

The University of Minnesota was rated as the best college in the nation at keeping its students informed about sex, according to a study sponsored by Trojan condoms.

Researchers surveyed schools in 11 categories, including availability of HIV testing, student health center hours of operation, student peer groups and sexual assault programs. The researchers assigned letter grades based on performance.  The U received an overall grade-point-average of 3.91, slightly ahead of the University of Wyoming.  Minnesota significantly improved its showing from 2006, when it was ranked 54th overall.

Read more“We were quite surprised and gratified by our findings,” said Bert Sperling, whose company conducted the survey, in a statement. “The top-ranking schools made significant improvements to their programming — due in part, we hope, to last year’s study results — and they deserve to be commended.”

The Big 10 conference fared well overall, with two schools in the top five and four in the top 20.  Purdue University ranked fifth overall, Wisconsin 14th, and Penn State 19th.  The Ivy League had the best overall grade point average of any conference surveyed.

“The fact is, college students are at serious risk for STIs and unplanned pregnancies,” said Jim Daniels, vice president of marketing, Trojan brand condoms, in a statement. “It’s time to evolve the way we address the realities of sexual health and provide students with the practical resources they need to protect themselves. The Trojan Sexual Health Report Card helps students and their schools celebrate areas of excellence and focus on opportunities to improve.”

The survey covered 139 colleges across the country.