The ZONE is a volunteer group sponsored by Gannett Health Services that promotes sexual health through street outreach. Members of the ZONE provide sexual health information, supplies, resources and service referrals to students and campus organizations. You may have seen them with their bright blue bags around campus. ZONE students have given away thousands of safer sex packets, hundreds of red ribbons in honor of World AIDS Day, Halloween candy with condoms and lube, candy hearts on Valentine's Day and information about sexual health services on campus. ZONE students are coordinated and supervised by professional Gannett staff.

The  National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey revealed that of the Cornell students who reported that they are sexually active (and many reported no sexual activity in the last year), a significant proportion do not engage in safer sex practices consistently.  Students who engage in higher risk activities such as anal intercourse report even less consistent safer sex practices. Other concerns raised by the NCHA data include the role that alcohol or other drug consumption play in sexual decision-making and underreported sexual assault. This data confirmed the need for educational efforts like the ZONE, which will work in conjunction with other health promotion activities to increase awareness of the importance of sexual health.

But the ZONE also celebrates human sexuality. The ZONE's  focus is on positive sexuality, sexual decision-making and informed choice. Human sexuality is a natural and exciting part of life. The ZONE highlights this in it's work.

 "Street outreach" has become a popular method of reaching individuals with health information. ZONE Volunteers equip themselves with information, handouts, safer sex supplies and other interesting, fun, sexuality-related items and span out across campus. In teams, they initiate conversations with indiividual students (e.g.outside libraries, in dining and residence halls, fitness and community centers) about sexual health needs and offer information and supplies. ZONE volunteers meet other students and give them something they need, either for themselves or for friends. These are quick and fun interactions.

ZONE volunteers serve a minimum of two semesters. The first semester includes 12 hours of training in activities designed to strengthen skills in communication, outreach and sexual health knowledge. Potential ZONE volunteers must be able to commit a minimum of 4 hours per week to the program.  The four hours is divided between training/meeting needs and outreach activities.

Yes! We are looking for volunteers who are committed to raising sexual health awareness and wanting to make a difference. Training on how to initiate conversations, as well as direct hands-on experience and role-playing will enable most students to feel comfortable as ZONE outreach volunteers.

Why not? We welcome all students. We are looking for students who are comfortable discussing and promoting sexual health, which includes the choice of abstinence. Volunteer's personal decisions about sexual activity are not the issue; rather, ZONE volunteers must be committed to increasing the health and awareness of our campus community. Students who want to provide information and facts about sexual health and are comfortable doing so are the most important component of the ZONE! 

No. We cannot provide course credit for the volunteer hours. However, if you are eligible for Cornell Tradition hours, you might be able to apply some of the hours spent in the ZONE.

Applications are accepted each spring for the following fall training.

Spring 2008 recruitment is now closed. Check back here Spring 2009 for applications for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Questions about recruitment, training or other ZONE issues? Contact Nina Cummings at nc18@cornell.edu.

Feel free to direct questions related to the ZONE to Nina Cummings, Health Educator, or call Health Promotion at 255-4782.