Pizza with the President Event Shines Light on Period Product Availability at the Mount
By Sam LeMay | Observer Contributor
The Pizza with the President event, held last November at the Mount, became a platform for a crucial discussion that had perhaps been overshadowed by the daily bustle of campus life: the accessibility of period products in the women’s bathrooms and the lack thereof in the gender-neutral bathrooms. Currently, most women’s restrooms on campus appear to require a 25-cent fee for machines that dispense period products.
The issue at hand is the spontaneity of menstrual cycles–a biological occurrence that often chooses its own timing, catching individuals off guard during a quick visit to the bathroom. “Usually, I bring stuff with me, but [sometimes] I forget,” said MWCC student Elise Stone when asked about her experience. Many people don’t habitually carry period products with them at all times, resulting in an issue when faced with the sudden onset of menstruation.
For some, the scenario of having to walk back to one’s bag to retrieve both the necessary product and/or a quarter, all while dealing with the discomfort of unexpected bleeding, is not only inconvenient but also potentially embarrassing. “I once had a student on the first day of class ask for a product, and neither of us had a quarter. I walked around trying to figure out on the third floor where they might go and went around to other students in the class discreetly trying to see if any others had something that might help,” said Professor Katie Fuller. It is a situation that can be hard to navigate, even in an educational environment that strives to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
Another issue raised was the lack of resources in gender-neutral bathrooms. “The fact that there’s nothing in those bathrooms is really surprising,” said Associate Professor of English, Jessica Kuskey. She also feels that this could cause students to miss valuable class time. “Classrooms are on the third floor,” she explained, “bathrooms on the first, then you have to grab a product from the food pantry… That’s really bad.”
The existing solution of obtaining period products from the campus food pantry presents its own set of challenges. While the pantry does stock these essential items, the lack of clear signage in restrooms across the campus renders their location largely unknown. Consequently, someone facing an unexpected menstrual emergency may not be aware of this alternative recourse, exacerbating the difficulty of the situation.
During the Pizza with the President event, President James Vander Hooven expressed genuine surprise upon learning about this issue for the first time. “I had no idea this was an issue,” he admitted.
During the event, it was revealed that the applicators for the only tampons that are provided by the current vending machine are made of cardboard, an aspect that may add an unnecessary level of discomfort to an already challenging situation.
With this newfound awareness, as discussed during the event, there is an opportunity for systematic improvement. A collective effort from both the student body and administration can be mobilized to enhance the system, ensuring that period products are readily available in women’s and gender-neutral bathrooms. Modernizing the means of obtaining these products to make them convenient and free from financial barriers is a key consideration. Additionally, efforts should be made to publicize alternative locations, such as the campus food pantry, where these essential items can be accessed discreetly and without the need for payment.
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