With the noted inadequacy of the funding and scope of our sexual health resources, students have commenced a campaign to hire a program assistant for Health Education Services and the Women’s Center. While the movement, illustrated through a hashtag, has gained traction among the student body, thus far it has been met with a less than enthusiastic response from the university.

Several students posted the hashtag #GUProgramAsst during the week before spring break, starting March 2. Each tweet addressed Provost Robert M. Groves, citing the need for more sexual health programming and better care for survivors on campus.

The initial appeal of the grass-roots social media campaign put forth: “Robert Groves and Georgetown University: We need a joint Health Ed/Women’s Center program assistant to make sure our confidential advocates have time to meet with students who need their help! #GUProgramAssistant.”Last semester, the administration’s discussions about consolidating the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, the LGBTQ Center and the Women’s Center prompted student and faculty outcries — and for good reason. Centers such as these are an integral resource for students who seek them out and deserve all the funding they require to remain relevant and able to specialize.

Funding allocation for this proposed position could not only serve as a show of good faith, but also reassure the concerned student body.

This campaign includes several student government representatives and sexual assault peer educators, with additional organization from GUSA Secretary of Student Safety and Health, Nora West (SFS ’15), among others. Current GUSA President Trevor Tezel (SFS ‘15), GUSA Vice President Omika Jikaria (SFS ‘15), GUSA President-elect Joe Luther (COL ‘16) all participated, and the official Twitter accounts of H*yas for Choice and the Georgetown chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon lent to the voices of concerned student organizations.

Such an outpouring of support from all walks of student life on campus is reassuring, and reminds us that health and well-being are priorities for all involved.
However, when contacted regarding his response to the #GUProgramAsst campaign, Groves referred the Hoya reporter working on the story to Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson. Responding by email, he evaded most questions, and, falling short of a satisfactory answer, only referred broadly to the administration’s past work to better health services on campus. For administrators, who should prioritize students above all else, Olson’s disregard is alarming.

Despite budgetary difficulties, as Georgetown’s sexual health resources continue to be found lacking, it is unacceptable for administrators not to prioritize efforts at improvement. The creation of this position should be considered a necessity, not a luxury.

Considering both the desires of the students and professors, along with the avowed stance of the university, this lack of action and communication is disappointing. If the administration is as serious about addressing issues of sexual health as it professes to be, it must acknowledge that this position is crucial to student well-being.