On Sunday, Oct. 20, the MSU Union—a central hub for students to study and socialize—unveiled the campus's first health and wellness vending machine, located on the Union's first floor. This project was made possible by East Lansing Free Contraceptives, or ELFreeEC, in partnership with first-year MSU College of Human Medicine student, Arianna Paa.

 

Free Narcan kits, a lifesaving medication to reverse opioid overdoses, are available alongside affordable options for emergency contraceptives, condoms, pregnancy tests, Tylenol, Band-Aids and more. It’s a one-stop shop for various health needs that also helps to break down any stigmas around safe-sex products, feminine hygiene products, etc.

At events and gatherings across campus, ELFreeEC distributes free emergency contraceptives and other safe-sex products. Following the closure of the Olin pharmacy. The group ideated the potential for a health vending machine, aiming to keep many of the products within the machine as accessible as possible.

For Paa, the idea was spurred on by something close to her heart.

“I was personally motivated to advocate for increased accessibility to Narcan on campus after experiencing a personal loss to accidental opioid overdose my sophomore year in undergrad – my childhood best friend, Katy,” said Paa. “Throughout this 1.5 year-long project, I felt that the work that went into the machine would all be worth it if it meant potentially saving another Spartan’s loved one or their ‘Katy’.”

This initiative, focused on increasing accessibility and affordability, provides students with essential health resources in a convenient location. ELFreeEC aims to expand these vending machines to other campus locations, such as the MSU Library and on-campus residence halls.

For Cathy Fitzpatrick, director of the MSU Union and MSU Alumni Chapel, the addition to the Union is a great thing and is symbolic of the buildings effort to evolve and adapt.

“The MSU Union is committed to meeting the students' needs and I think that’s why collaborations like this are so important. The students wanted the machine to be here because they know what a great resource the building continues to be. We’re happy to have it,” said Fitzpatrick.

For more information on the health vending machines, visit @ELFreeEC on Instagram.