With slogans like "It's a bangin' good deal," the Condom Co-Op carts located in commons areas across campus are drawing more attention from students.

Callie Rimpfel (freshman-liberal arts) and Jessica Herring (freshman-education), co-chairs of Pollock Commons' Condom Co-Op, said business for them has increased. This year, Pollock, the largest Condom Co-Op on campus, has sold a total of 1,073 condoms -- a significant jump from the 800 sold last year.

By providing condoms at cheaper prices than most drug stores, Rimpfel and Herring said business is booming. In addition to selling condoms, the business venture also provides pamphlets about other services on campus, including emergency contacts for women who have been raped and instructions on how to put on a condom.

"We can't preach abstinence; we can only support safe sex," Rimpfel said.

The Condom Co-Op carts debuted during the 1995-1996 academic year, after statistics were released about the increase of AIDS cases and other sexually transmitted diseases.

According to a January 2003 survey conducted by University Health Services (UHS), only about 25 percent of sexually active Penn State students reported using a condom every time they had sexual intercourse.

"If our goal for students is to increase awareness and condom use, we are only about a quarter of the way there," said Susan Kennedy, UHS associate director. "We have a lot of work to do."

Kennedy said she thinks programs like the Condom Co-Op positively help spread information about the practice of safe sex to students, but there still is more to be done.

One reason the Condom Co-Op carts are becoming more successful is the non-abrasive atmosphere they provide, said Adam Burget, North Halls Association of Students Condom Co-Op chair.

"We don't judge -- we just sell condoms as a health benefit," he said.

By playing songs like All-4-One's "I Swear" from his laptop in the background and using funny slogans including, "No glove, no love," Burget said he helps ease some of the pressure students may feel.

The Condom Co-Op carts are also attracting many women, Rimpfel and Herring said.

"I think women feel more comfortable when they see two other women selling the condoms," Herring said.

The non-profit service sells condoms for 25 cents individually or five condoms for a dollar. All the money raised through condom sales goes directly to the specific area government where the purchase was made and reused to purchase more condoms.