East Lansing Free Emergency Contraceptives (EL FREE EC) received approval for the installation of a Health Vending Machine at Michigan State University’s Union. This move aims to promote student wellness and increase access to essential health care resources on campus.
The health vending machine underscores the importance of accessible, affordable health care by offering a range of reduced-priced items and life-saving resources like free Narcan. This access allows students to obtain the medication when needed, while also working to reduce the stigma associated with its use.
"Having access to Narcan is important, especially at a Big Ten school where students are often experimenting with different substances," human medicine freshman Arianna Paa, who advocated for free Narcan, said.
Located in the Union, the health vending machine serves as a one-stop shop for a variety of health and wellness products. It is stocked with items such as over-the-counter pain relievers, condoms, bandages, pregnancy tests and Narcan. From safe-sex products to feminine hygiene items, the vending machine ensures that students have access to what they need, when they need it.
"It’s extraordinarily critical for students to have easy access to health care," co-founder of EL FREE EC and law sophomore Julia Walters said. "Their lives are extremely busy, and they deserve not to have that extra burden."
EL FREE EC has been in operation since October 2023. With the support of volunteers, the organization distributes free emergency contraceptives and other safe-sex products through peer-to-peer meetups and various on-campus resource locations. The group began working on the health vending machine initiative in the winter of 2023, aiming to improve health care access on MSU’s campus following the closure of the Olin pharmacy.
"We recognized that once Olin (pharmacy) moved off campus, it wasn’t accessible for students by CATA bus," Harsna Chahal, co-founder of EL FREE EC and an MSU graduate, said. "Contraceptives at Olin are $15 compared to those at Target, which are $50. This creates a significant barrier for students who lack access to transportation."
The university’s decision to introduce this service stems from a growing recognition of the importance of easily accessible health care. By providing these items in a self-service format, MSU helps students avoid the inconvenience of traveling off-campus, balancing their schedules and managing financial burdens.
"We need to have control over our sexual and reproductive health so that we can achieve academic success," Chahal said.
MSU’s health vending machine marks a step forward in the university’s broader efforts to create a healthier, more supportive environment for its students.
"The health vending machine allows us to provide a service that means something to students and, in return, means something to us," Associate Director for Culinary Services Stacy Dawson said.
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