Fordham Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA), an unofficial club, hosted a Plan B distribution on Feb. 19 outside of the Leon Lowenstein Center at the Lincoln Center campus. The distribution was run by four members and distributed free Plan B along with pamphlets starting at around 1 p.m. The distribution coincided with the launch of their new form for students to request Plan B.
The distribution was their third overall and their first at Lincoln Center, according to YDSA co-chair Matthew Smith, FCRH ’27.
Also on Feb. 19, the YDSA announced the launch of a form through which students could request Plan B on their Instagram, @fordhamydsa. According to Smith, the form is open not just to Fordham students, but to other members in the community and “anyone who needs contraception.”
“If they do need it and we’re not having an event, they can request it and we’ll just deliver it to them. [Plan B] and condoms as well,” explained Smith.
Smith added that the form is intended to address the need for timely access to Plan B.
“It’s not feasible to do Plan B distributions as often as is needed because it’s an emergency contraception,” explained Smith. “People need it in emergencies. If they need emergency contraception [and] we’re not doing an event that day, then what are they going to do?”
According to the disclaimer on the form, it is anonymous. The disclaimer reads as follows:
“Disclaimer: This form is anonymous, we will not use or know your name, nor will we keep your phone number on file. Distributions will be given outside of Walsh gate because Fordham University prohibits the distribution of contraceptives on campus.”
The distribution is the first YDSA has held at Lincoln Center. John, FCLC ’26, who asked only to be identified by his first name, has been attending YDSA meetings at the Rose Hill campus for about a month. He noted that the reception to the Plan B distribution on Wednesday was largely positive and reached people who knew of the distribution and even those who hadn’t.
“Most people who came up and got Plan B knew about it ahead of time,” he explained. “There were also people passing by who got some, and it’s just a better way for the YDSA to be integrated into the community.”
When asked about the future direction he hopes YDSA takes at Lincoln Center, John said that he would like students to walk away feeling politically empowered.
“I hope we have more meetings, more political education because generally I want students on campus to feel politically empowered,” he said. “Due to everything that’s happening, I think a lot of people feel powerless, but even little things like handing out Plan B to college students so they have bodily autonomy – even those little things do a lot.”
“I just want people to know that you don’t even have to do a lot to help out,” he said.
Editor’s Note: The version of this story originally published the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26 incorrectly stated that the YDSA stood for “Young Democratic Socialists Association.” However, the correct title is the “Young Democratic Socialists of America.” The website was updated to reflect this at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
