SGA puts motion into act, offering tampons in various campus locations

JAMIE MCGUIRE

Staff Writer

Last school year, the Student Senate passed a motion requesting that the school provide Tampons and Pad dispensers in campus buildings such as the University Center. The motion passed through both the Senate and Executive Cabinet of SGA. Now after several months of deliberation, this motion was put into act on Sept. 25 and free feminine hygiene products are offered in various locations across campus.

Baskets filled with tampons and pads are located in the University Center and the Hurley Convergence Center. Additionally, signs have been posted on bathroom doors to direct students to the designated bathrooms where they can be found.

According to Matthew Good, the director of Communication for SGA, all the funds for this initiative were appropriated through the Finance Committee, however SGA will consider alternative funding streams if it becomes a permanent program.

At the end of the year, Good said, “we will be looking at consumption and popularity as to whether we continue the program, expand it, change certain aspects, etc…”

This semester will act as a trial run for the tampon program. With a campus population that is mostly women, the Student Government will be closely looking at the numbers. The cost of operating full year, how many tampons and pads are required to maintain an adequate supply and how many students are using the baskets. SGA members will be tracking this information to help see the impact of the program.

After a nearly ten-month period, the motion is being put into action with support from the student body. With the outlook of making the program permanent in the future, some students voiced their opinion on the matter.

“It was definitely important to have tampons available because there are times where girls might need them and they do not have time to run back to their room,” said junior Elizabeth Finto.

There are students on campus who feel like this initiative will be really beneficial and that it should have been created sooner.

“I’m pro baskets,” said junior Briana Lanigan who is a marketing major. “It is nice to have something assessable for when you forget your supplies or a period comes at an unexpected time. Also, that it is about time feminine hygiene products are available; this school was started as a female school, it’s ridiculous it took so long to have something in place.”

“The products are generic because tampons and pads are for emergency usage, in the event they run out of or unprepared for the day,” said president of Inter Club Association, Kate Barry. “They are not meant for luxury. The products are generic because tampons and pads are for emergency usage, and that they are not meant for luxury. This is a cost-effective way to buy enough for students and supply them with what they need.This is a cost-effective way to buy enough for students and supply them with what they need.”

SGA Vice President Theodosius Zotos explained why it took so long for this bill to be put into action.

“The process was prolonged because of our conversation on budgeting and questions occurred like SGA role and responsibility in this matter, and some administrators were hesitant,” said Zotos.

However, Zotos explained that this idea was brought to fruition with the help of former ICA president, Lauren Rainford.

A member of the class of 2017, Rainford graduated last spring. Good and Barry commented on Rainford’s impact on this initiative, including how she convinced SGA and administrators to not charge students for the tampons and pads.

Lauren Rainford argued that “given our dedication to the honor code, students should treat the initiative with respect and therefore should not be punished for the possible misuse by some students.”

By the end of the spring semester, the program began to develop.

“I am hopeful for the success of the drive and the stress it is bound to alleviate,” said Rainford. “Our students should know that the administration and SGA are working together to meet all of the needs of all of our students and this initiative is just one example of the ways in which they do.”

With the first set of baskets up and ready for the week of Sept., 25, SGA only has a few concerns left about the new program: since the baskets are unmonitored, they are worried students will abuse the baskets.

Good stressed the fact that these baskets are not meant to be a running supply for students, but rather an emergency supply. Even with these small reservations, SGA is prepared to maintain daily supplies, order more as needed, and to see this program blossom.