The price for safe sex is expensive, especially when considering the cost of condoms, sexually transmitted infection screenings, and, for women, pap smears.

Students, however, can sign up to be a Rubber Lover and receive a free pack of condoms every month from the Health Education Resource Center.

Amanda Woolard, a sexual health education coordinator for the HERC, walked new and returning Rubber Lover members through the steps to successfully applying a condom at Wednesday night’s first Rubber Lovers meeting of the semester.

Woolard, a graduate student in the family and consumer sciences department, said she wants students to become aware of the risks of unprotected sex.

“I hope (the students) get the basics,” Woolard said. “I hope they understand the 18 steps, and that the most common symptom of an STI is none at all. I hope they understand they can come to us for any kind of health related topic that they’re concerned with.”

Woolard said she hopes more students attend the next meeting and feel comfortable because the presentation offers a relaxed atmosphere.

“We hope to inform students of the precautions they need to take when they’re sexually active,” Woolard said. “We also hope they use condoms to lower the STI ratings and pregnancy ratings.”

While a couple of students joined Rubber Lovers for the first time, most students were returning members, Woolard said.

Among those returning members were Lisa Techman and Robert Flowers.

Techman, a junior family consumer science major, said her experience Wednesday was more of a reminder of the 18 steps when practicing safe sex.

Flowers, a junior psychology student, said he was reminded of the percentage of people in the U.S. who have STIs.

Woolard said the HERC is a place for students to get help and information about the precautions of sexual activity.

The HERC offers flavored and unflavored male condoms, female condoms, dental dams, lubricants, and other forms of protection against STIs and pregnancy.

The Health Service offers pregnancy tests, STI testing for males and females for $30. Also, if females choose, a pap smear can be added to the STI screening for an additional $15.

Students who join Rubber Loversnow will receive a pack that includes condoms from the HERC once a month until August. To continue receiving the pack, students are encouraged to join Rubber Loversagain in August.

The HERC is located on the top floor of the Student Services Building and can be reached at 581-7786.

Kacie Berry can be reached at 581-2812 or klshreve@eiu.edu