No school I’ve ever been to has encouraged students to fail, but sometimes there’s a double standard when looking at the university’s grades.

In the Oct. 19 issue of the Tribune, columnist Paco Nava commends Marquette on its failed “report card” from Trojan, with the assertion that by withholding sexual health care from students, Marquette is actually respecting students’ privacy. However, Nava’s response to the Trojan Sexual Health Report Card horribly misrepresents the issue of sexual health at Marquette.

In his column, Nava claims arrogance and disrespect on the part of Trojan for assuming it knows what is best for American colleges, and states that sex is a personal issue which people have many and varied views on. While it is true that sexual activity is something each person approaches differently, and views range from ultra-conservative to completely free-form, sexual health is not quite as subjective.

The fact is, regardless of Catholic views of the matter, Marquette students are sexually active. No, not all Marquette students, but no one can deny that college is the time and place when people make connections, build relationships and, sometimes, just have some fun.

Nava thinks admitting this advocates a contradiction with Jesuit values, but when does Marquette’s identity as a Jesuit university begin to infringe on the health, both physical and psychological, of its students? Ignoring a significant part of student health does not promote Catholic values, and opening your eyes to reality is not the same thing as encouraging wild, rampant sex across campus.

Contrary to Nava’s statement that Marquette is a “sex-neutral” school, Marquette seems to distrust its students on matters of sexuality. Most students at Marquette tolerate those two years in the dorms during which the assumption seems to stand that if you are on the opposite sex’s floor after 1 a.m. (2 a.m. on weekends), your crazy college hormones will take control of your body and cause you to have sex. No such rule is in place for being on the floor of same-sex dorm mates.

Give us a little more credit, Marquette. A truly sex-neutral school would not withhold contraceptive access or make STI testing so outrageously priced. While discussion in classes may vary depending on the professor, Marquette’s actions show little respect for students who hold an alternate view.

Nava’s solution for this problem? Talk to a clergy member, go online or go to Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately, there is no replacement for real dialogue with a health care provider on campus, and sending people away to receive these services shows a cavalier attitude toward students’ health.

Nava’s conclusion is by far the most offensive, as he says the purpose of Marquette is to teach people, and that expecting more is unreasonable.

I came to Marquette because I expected an outstanding experience, not the bare minimum. I not only anticipate, but demand excellence from my school in academic, social, spiritual and health opportunities. Limiting my experience at Marquette is hands down unacceptable.

Respect of sex means understanding that it is a powerful force in relationships, but also that it is a physical act. As one of Marquette’s well-touted mottos states: cura personalis. In order to live up to its own standards, Marquette should provide resources to care for all aspects of the person — including sexual health.

Marie Sarra is a junior in the College of Health Sciences