Clemson University is climbing the academic rankings, but a study sponsored by Trojan condoms found students aren't getting the educational resources they need when it comes to sex.

Clemson ranked 95th out of 100 schools examined in The Trojan Sexual Health Report Card. The report included public and private universities with at least one from every state.

Several Clemson students said they get sexual health information from The Toilet Paper, a poster inside restroom stalls that includes health statistics and information about available resources. But for the most part, people on campus just don’t talk about sex, they said.

"It’s something that’s overlooked," said Kyle Garcia, an 18-year-old freshman. "It’s one of those things everyone knows goes on."

Sperling’s Best Places - the first survey to grade colleges and universities’ sexual health - examined the schools’ sexual health resources, information available online, condom and contraception availability, sexual assault services, testing for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, lecture and outreach programs.

Schools received a letter grade in each category, which were combined to create their grade point average. Clemson received Ds and Fs in every area, resulting in a failing 0.6 GPA on a 4-point scale.

"You don’t really hear anything about sexual health awareness," said 19-year-old sophomore John Piacentino. He remembered getting an e-mail last year about a class, but not much else.

Resources are available at Redfern Health Center. The problem is that many students don’t know or feel comfortable taking advantage of them, said Rhonda Staley, a 19-year-old sophomore.

Peer educators, graduate assistants and professional health educators offer information, programming, counseling and referrals on alcohol and drug abuse, date rape, sexual responsibilities, AIDS and HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, according to the Clemson’s Web site.

"The resources that are out there, they don’t publicize them enough," Ms. Staley said. There’s also a stigma among students about seeking out sexual health information, she said.

"People don’t want to want to talk about sexual health, whether they might have an STD," she said. "I don’t think they realize how big of a problem it is."

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