News
Women fight for feminine hygiene products on campus
Pointer Contributor
It’s a scenario females know all too well. The dreaded surprise visit of “aunt flow,” the “crimson tide” or, as it’s more commonly referred to, her period. It’s not a pleasant thing to talk about, but some women are talking nonetheless, specifically about the lack of feminine hygiene products on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus. Leading this discussion is the Women’s Resource Center, who has been trying to draw attention to this issue since the spring.
A decision was made two years ago to stop supplying feminine hygiene products dispensers on campus after a suggestion to end the program was proposed. Since then the machines have fallen into various states of disrepair and those that look alright simply steal the quarter of any unsuspecting victim in need of a tampon since they have run out of stock long ago. In the past the responsibility to restock and maintain the machine was the job of Academic Custodial Services, but since the program was considered too costly and labor-intensive they dropped it.
“It’s a women’s rights issue,” said Dana Smith, executive coordinator of the WRC. “If a female on campus, student or faculty, is unfortunate enough to need a tampon or pad they are forced to
go off campus and miss their class or meeting. This puts the women at UWSP at a terrible disadvantage.”
Progress to bring attention to this issue has been slow but with the new school year, advancements have been made. “The Battle for Tampons,” a Facebook group geared to raise awareness of this campus-wide problem, boasts a strong membership of concerned women and empathetic men. With the public outcry getting louder, Greg Diemer, vice chancellor of Business Affairs is pursuing a solution on this service and there is currently legislation being brought to Student Government Association to protect the machines in the future.
Although it’s a step forward, Smith warns that right now everything is just talk. “This news is uplifting but the battle isn’t over and it won’t be until we can get the machines stocked and the right protected.”
For more information or to get involved in the cause join the Facebook group online: “The Battle for Tampons.” Females in need of feminine hygiene products can go to the Women’s Resource Center room 065 of the Dreyfus University Center for supplies.
