Junior Michele Buzzelli was recently selected to participate in the Great American Condom Campaign, an underground, grassroots network that distributes condoms on college campuses around the country.
    Buzzelli is considered a “SafeSite,” meaning she offers students a safe place to get free condoms, as well as information on sexual health. Two weeks before Thanksgiving break, Buzzelli received a shipment of 500 Trojan condoms to distribute to students for free. Now, Buzzelli, a business administration and management major, is giving away condoms to promote safe sexual practices.
    Staff writer Lily Oberman spoke to Buzzelli about the application process to help the GACC and her work spreading the word about sexual health at Ithaca College.

Lily Oberman: How did you get selected to work for the GACC?

Michele Buzzelli: The application process was in September, and I’ve always wanted to be involved in something really important like this, especially with pregnancy and STDs being a little too rampant in college. I found the program through a friend and decided to apply, but I doubted I would be chosen. A thousand students are chosen each semester. I never thought I would be one in that thousand.

LO: How are you promoting your campaign for the GACC?

MB: When I got the box, I sent out a mass Facebook note to as many Ithaca students that I could that basically said, “Hey guys, spread the word.” I included a link to the Web site, gave my phone number and e-mail. I announced it in my classes and gave 250 condoms to Reslife to distribute in dorms. I’ve gone to some programs … . I’m trying to spread the word in a more underground, urban kind of way because people don’t look at posters. They don’t. So, I thought word of mouth was the best way.  

LO: How long do you work with the program?

MB: It’s just for the semester, and I’m going to apply again in the spring and next fall and next spring. This is something I really enjoy doing.

LO: How has your campaign been received so far?

MB: It’s been received really well. My roommates were so excited about it. In class people have come up to me, asking if they can have a couple. Whenever we have people over at my apartment, we have a bowl out.  

LO: Were you involved in anything like this in high school?

MB: Not really. I’ve done a lot of service work, but I’ve always wanted to actually take part in something that really would make a difference. Whether one student in a school of over 6,000 with a box of 500 condoms is going to make a difference or not, you never know, but if there’s even a chance that it’ll make a difference, I really want to try and do it.   

LO: Have you been met with any negative responses to your campaign?

MB: Not at all. Ithaca is definitely the greatest place to do something like this. Everyone is so open-minded to begin with. I announced it in some of my classes, and my professors were so cool about it. One of my professors even asked for a couple to put in a bowl in her office.