Princeton University Makes the Grade & Claims Top Spot in the 2013 Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card Rankings

EWING, N.J., Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Princeton University cracked the code and took the top spot in this years' eighth annual Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card, dethroning last years' leader, the University of Illinois. The annual study sponsored by the makers of Trojan™ Brand Condoms and conducted by Sperling's BestPlaces, calls attention to the state of sexual health on campuses nationwide, by ranking them according to accessibility of sexual health resources and information available to students on campus.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131106/NY11331-INFO )

After three straight years in the top 10, Princeton University finally reached No. 1, earning perfect scores in the critical areas of HIV testing and condom availability.

"The Tigers have done a commendable job across the board, and in 2013, scored highly in almost every category," said Bert Sperling, president of Sperling's BestPlaces. "Over the past few years, the university has invested time and resources to provide exemplary programming on campus, and it's no surprise it's paid off with a top ranking."

Ivies and Big Ten Battle: Social Media Changes the Game

The Ivy League and Big Ten conferences rekindled their annual rivalry, as the two leagues dominated the rankings with three schools from each placing in the top 10.  In addition to the aforementioned Princeton University, Columbia University jumped one spot to finish at No. 2, while Brown University made their fifth straight showing in the top 10, placing fifth. After recent years of conference shuffling the Big Ten finished just behind the Ivies, with the University of Iowa (No. 4), last year's winner the University of Illinois (No. 6), and the University of Wisconsin (No. 10) all finishing in the top 10.

"The internet has been the great equalizer in the rankings, and with the rise of digital and social platforms, even schools with minimal resources are keeping students informed," said Sperling. "This has greatly influenced the study year-over-year, and we're excited to see how this trend evolves as schools and students get savvier about their sexual health and campus resources."

Top 10 Sexually Healthy Schools

1.  Princeton University
2.  Columbia University
3.  University of Arizona
4.  University of Iowa
5.  Brown University
6.  University of Illinois
7.  Rutgers University
8.  The University of Texas At Austin
9.  University of Denver
10. University of Wisconsin

Campuses to Watch: Making Big Moves

Big improvements came from a wide range of schools across all categories, the largest coming from the University of Georgia, which jumped 15 spots from No. 27 to No. 12 in 2013. The University of Denver fittingly rose like the Rocky Mountains, climbing 10 spots to No. 7, and returned to the top 10 for the first time since 2008.  Perennial powerhouse Stanford University also earned a big jump, moving up 14 spots to No. 20. 

Conference Rivals Battle for Sexual Health Supremacy

The Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card adds a new spark to some of the more heated collegiate rivalries:

• Auburn University and The University of Alabama may be in competition on the gridiron, but when it comes to sexual health information on campus, the Tide rolls again, with Alabama topping the Auburn Tigers by more than 50 spots, coming in at No. 37. 
• The University of Michigan takes their heated rivalry with the Ohio State University outside the stadium, topping the Buckeyes for the third straight year, ranking No. 11 compared to Ohio State's No. 22. 
• The University of Oregon may have an edge on the storied football rivalry with Oregon State University, but for sexual health resources, the Beavers topped the Ducks, ranking in at No, 26 compared to the Ducks' No. 49.

"For eight straight years, the Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card has been about celebrating positive sexual health practices and the students who are making change on campus," said Colin Adamo, a sexual health educator, and member of the Trojan™ Sexual Health Advisory Council.  "Whether it's making condoms available at the health center or newly formed peer groups, each year we are seeing great strides in the advancement of resources on campus, many times led by the students themselves." 

Sparking Change on Campus

Students and school health administrators can obtain information on how to spark change on campus by downloading The Trojan™ Sexual Health E-Toolkit.  The kit is an easy-to-use, downloadable resource with the information and resources they need to stay sexually healthy on campus. Visit www.FactsAboutCondoms.com to download the kit or obtain fact-based insights, tips and resources on all things sexual health.

Rankings & Methodology

The Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card is an annual ranking of the sexual health resources and information available to students on campuses nationwide. Independent research firm, Sperling's BestPlaces, analyzed 140 major campuses drawn from conferences within the Bowl Championship Series and beyond. These schools include students representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Sperling's BestPlaces researchers collected extensive data via student health center representatives, along with follow-up secondary research on those centers and services they provide on campus. Student health centers were graded on services across 11 separate categories, including the following:

• Hours of operation
• Allow drop-ins or require appointments for student scheduling
• Quality of sexual health information and resources on website
• Contraceptive availability -- free or at cost
• Condom availability -- free or at cost
• HIV testing on-site (On/off campus, cost)
• STI testing on-site (On/off campus, cost)
• Lecture/outreach programs and student peer groups for sexual health education
• Sexual assault programs, resources or services
• Overall website usability and quality
• Extra credit

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TROJAN™ Brand Condoms are America's #1 condom and have been trusted for over 90 years. TROJAN™ Brand Latex Condoms are made from premium quality latex to help reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Every condom is electronically tested to help ensure reliability. There are over 30 varieties of TROJAN™ Brand Condoms. More Americans trust the TROJAN™ brand than any other condom. For more information, visit www.TrojanCondoms.com. 

ABOUT SPERLING'S BESTPLACES

Bert Sperling has been helping people find their own "Best Place" to live, work and retire for more than 20 years. His firm, Sperling's BestPlaces, puts facts in the hands of the public so they can make better decisions about best places to live, work, retire, play, or relocate. His bestselling books, Cities Ranked and Rated and Best Places to Raise Your Family, are published by John Wiley & Sons. More information about Bert and his work is available at www.bestplaces.net.

CONTACT: Lindsey Cooke, 212.704.8299, [email protected]

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