Much of what is needed to implement a vending machine program is expertly laid out in the EC4EC Vending Machine Toolkit. Emergency Contraception for Every Campus (EC4EC), a project of the American Society for Emergency Contraception (ASEC), works with student activists on campuses across the United States to promote emergency contraception (EC) access on campus. The ACHA Reproductive Rights Task Force recommends utilizing their work as a foundation, with additional suggestions based on member’s experience.

Additional resources can be found here.

This is a campus-wide effort that will take time and patience. Establishing a task force at the onset with key stakeholders, especially student groups, is a critical step. Consider representatives from the following groups/departments in the task force: procurement, student health center, health center pharmacy, health promotion, student government (or other groups such as identity groups, advisory committee, etc.), legal counsel, facilities, and dean of students. Assign a project manager to support and lead this project, if possible.

 

Benchmark institutions.

Identify colleges/universities within your state who have specifically implemented vending machines containing EC.

  • Knowledge of successful implementation on other campuses in your jurisdiction will provide support for a proposal on your campus.
  • Assess products contained in their vending machines, names of suppliers and other information prior to meeting with legal counsel on your campus.
  • See the American Society for Emergency Contraception’s list of U.S. colleges and universities with EC vending machines.

 

Consult and engage with legal counsel.

Research legal implications regarding EC in your state.

  • State laws regarding vending machines and over-the-counter (OTC) medications may present barriers to establishing vending machines on campus.
  • Find an ally in your campus’ office of general counsel; share benchmarking information for institutions in your state.

 

Continue benchmarking if there are no legal roadblocks.

  • Review the American Society for Emergency Contraception’s list of U.S. colleges and universities with EC vending machines and this map from EC4EC.
  • See ACHA compiled resource list (coming soon)
  • Utilize contacts for questions/suggestions throughout implementation.
  • Utilize sample survey for additional peer institutions to gather further information.

 

Conduct needs assessment and identity campus resources.

  • Utilize sample needs assessment form from EC4EC
  • Use student surveys or focus groups
  • Suggested questions for discussion may include:
    • Do you feel a vending machine would be valuable for emergency contraception access?
    • What are the greatest barriers to accessing emergency contraception (and other items)
    • What products are most accessible vs least accessible currently on campus?
    • What other products are needed?
    • What is the optimal location?
    • The survey can capture demographic data to ensure a broad and diverse response.

 

Rally for support among allied student groups, alumni, academic/faculty groups, the office of the deans of students, health and well-being offices, legal counsel, etc. EC4EC has excellent resources for advocating for EC vending machines on campus.

 

Identify vending companies, supply options, and associated costs.

    • Review specific vendor information regarding options and cost from ACHA list or through specific benchmarking for your school.
    • Determine which model works best for your school (full service, university-owned vending machine with associated ordering and stocking, or a hybrid model).
    • Summary of questions to ask the internal team and vendors:
      • What vendors do you already have on campus and which have exclusive contracts in place?
      • Will the cost of these products be subsidized by the university, fully, partially, or for only certain items?
      • What are the start-up and implementation fees?
      • Who will be responsible for the sustainability of this project?
      • What are the options to buy or rent the vending machine?
      • What would be the initial and ongoing costs of each model?
      • What utilization data can be captured through the machine?
      • How to set up access (student ID card or entering ID number) and payment methods?
      • Is there a discount for multiple machines?
      • What energy/Wi-Fi sources are needed?
      • What is the best location on campus (access, privacy, security)?
      • What conditions can the machine withstand (outside vs inside) and how to protect the products?

 

Determine, curate, and procure supplies.

    • Options for supplies: Amazon, McKesson, and other vendors contracted for your university.
    • Highlight to leadership the benefit of having other products available such as items for harm reduction, cough and cold, testing, etc.
    • Review funding options with the goal of providing to the student low cost or no cost EC and safer sex supplies; determine how much the institution will subsidize the cost.
    • Determine budget for start-up and subsequent years. See this budget template.

 

Submit a proposal to your institution’s leadership.

  • Be clear and concise.
  • Emphasize student-focused need for vending machines.
  • Use this basic proposal template.
  • See this example of a recently implemented vending machine project
  • Seek out grants or other funding sources as well
    • The federal grants website provides information about national and statewide grants.
    • Many opportunities for funding exist at the state-level. Examples include:
      • South Carolina’s Office of Rural Health Choose Well Initiative is a contraceptive access initiative.
      • In Ohio, Abortion Fund of Ohio provides emergency contraception to organizations to provide it for free to community members.

 

Utilize directed communication strategies once implemented to continue to foster ally-ship across campus.

Draft distinct communications to specific populations: students, faculty, staff, parents, and the community as a whole.

 

Optimize EC with alternative methods in areas where inclusion in vending machines is prohibited.

 

EC4EC has been a tremendous partner and has given permission to share resources on their website.