Results from the second annual Trojan Sexual Health Report Card showed improvement in rankings of sexual health resources on several campuses across the United States, though progress in Texas schools was not apparent.
UT ranked 53 in the last two reports. The other two Texas universities in the study were Texas A&M and Texas Christian University. Both A&M and TCU were ranked lower in the 2007 report than the 2006.
Trojan commissioned the study to promote improvements in information and access to sexual health resources on college campuses.
The Report Card judged American colleges and universities in 11 different categories based on the resources available at 139 colleges and universities this year, according to the company's press release. The categories included HIV testing, sexual health awareness programs and condom and contraception availability.
"The Trojan Sexual Health Report Card was commissioned by Trojan to raise awareness of the need for accessible sexual health information and resources on college campuses," Trojan representative Michael Bruno said.
Based on the 2007 reports, several colleges and universities gained prominence in the rankings.
Two of the most significant changes from the 2006 report were at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, which skyrocketed from 54 to No. 1 and the University of Wyoming, which now sits at No. 2 in the ranking from No. 92.
Andrea Coryell, the wellness coordinator at the University of Wyoming, said that part of the reason for the jump from 92 to No. 2 was because the Sterpling company, which conducted the survey in both 2006 and 2007, did a more thorough job.
They polled students on campus and held individual phone interviews with university health offices. In this way they were able to get a more comprehensive picture, she said.
Dave Gold, the director of public health promotions at the University of Minnesota, said they did not change anything in their programs to make the boost from No. 54 to No. 1.
"The changes they made in conducting the survey this year made a huge difference," Gold said. "They actually called the health service center for information about what we provide to the students."
Texas Christian University stayed relatively low in the ranking. In the 2006 Report, TCU ranked 78, and this year they fell to 85. Texas A&M fell from 39 to 90.
Lynn Rew, associate professor at the UT School of Nursing, addressed the sexual and health education in Texas schools.
"Texas, compared to other states, is not as forthcoming with comprehensive sex education at any level. In the public schools, comprehensive sexual education is not addressed," Rew said. "College kids coming from those schools are at a disadvantage."
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