Columbia Univ. Ranks Highest in Sex Education

Oct. 9, 2010— -- Students aren't the only ones being graded on college campuses these days. And the grades are about more than academics.

Trojan Condoms released its Sexual Health Report Card this week, which grades universities' efforts to educate students about sexual health. Each campus received a report card, with grades for 12 areas, including condom availability, STI testing location and available lecture programs.

Columbia University, in New York City, came out on top, while the University of Idaho in Moscow received a GPA of 1.17 (scale of zero to four) on its report card, making it the lowest ranked of all.

Columbia Health Policy and Management graduate student Jovan Mitchell told ABCNews.com, "We deserve it," citing "a plethora of activities on campus, especially the medical campus, that promote sexual health."

Mitchell, a member of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Action Group on campus, says the school offers numerous clubs that provide learning, activism and skill building opportunities when it comes to public health.

Trojan partnered with Sperling's BestPlaces, an independent research firm, and Rock the Vote. The study, now in its fifth year, found that sexual health is becoming more and more of a political and social issue for young adults.

The top five schools this year included Columbia, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Brown University.

Others didn't fare so well. Chicago State University, Marshall University, DePaul University, Brigham University and the University of Idaho all ranked in the bottom five.

Ivy Leaguers Harvard and Princeton made leaps in sexual health. Harvard jumped from No. 62 to No. 16, Princeton from No. 61 to No. 8.

"Students are really rallying to get their hands on accurate and intelligent material with respect to sexuality," PhD certified sexologist Logan Levkoff told ABCNews.com. "They're fighting for classes, they're fighting for access to services."

Columbia implemented a new program on its website called "Ask Alice." The feature allows students the opportunity to submit questions anonymously online versus going into the clinic.

"A lot of schools are outsourcing their info to places like the 'Ask Alice' program," Bert Sperling, president of Sperling's BestPlaces, said. "It doesn't matter if you're tapped into your school's website or Columbia's, other schools are using it."

Also important this year were health centers' hours of operation.

Students' health needs "don't run from eight to five," Sperling said. "Being able to walk in anytime in is important."

Bruce Tetreault, group product manager for Trojan Condoms, says Trojan's overall goal is to "ignite conversation around sexual health."