On November 27th, I was leaving class when IT happened. That’s right- I started my period midday in between classes with no tampons or pads handy. I immediately ran to the restroom in hopes of finding a dispenser with pads or tampons. I went to about four different buildings on campus and couldn’t find one dispenser in any of the restrooms. I decided to walk to Chestnut Hall and see if the clinic or pharmacy would have pads. I went to the third floor and came across The Condom Club which offers free condoms (male and female), lube, and a host of other things you may need for safe sex practices. They didn’t have any pads, of course, so I was directed to the clinic on the second floor; no luck there either. I finally end up at the pharmacy on the first floor where I found pads and tampon for sale at outrageous prices around $6 for a 2 pack and $8.50 for a 6 pack. I could purchase a 30 pack of pads at Walmart for about $8, so these prices were insane. I was so disappointed that there was a space on campus for free condoms, but I couldn’t find complimentary feminine products anywhere. Why aren’t there dispensers in the case of an emergency? Why aren’t pads available in offices or restrooms complimentary? Luckily, I ran into a friend on campus who had a pad on her that she was willing to spare. Now, I know you’re probably thinking ‘why wasn’t I prepared’? Well, I thought I had extra pads in my bag, but not that day. Regardless, accidents happen in life; there are too many women on this campus for there to be such limited access to feminine products. I am sure that other women have been in the same predicament that I was on that day. I spent well over half an hour looking for feminine products on campus. These products are a necessity for women and should be considered just as important as condoms on this campus.
I am proposing that the university introduce at the least pad and tampon dispensers in all women’s restrooms on campus. Free tampons and pads in women’s restrooms would be ideal, but I understand that these products do come at a cost. I’m sure that there is a way that funds can be allocated to initiate this in restrooms across campus. I think that all women on campus could benefit from this service being provided.