Courtesy of Katherine Fishman
By James Bennett III
Student Government’s proposal to give students access to free tampons was unanimously passed on Oct. 7.
Although there wasn’t any pushback, the proposal went through minimal wording changes to be more gender-inclusive.
For example, a line that said “we should show the support of women’s students’ health,” now says “we should support students’ health.”
“I’m so excited, now we will see how we can fund it! I’m excited to work with my club, the Health Science Student Organization, to use the Engage St. Pete Project from the League of Women Voters to fund the trial run,” said Lynnsey Trantham, the author of the proposal, in an email. “I know the Wellness Center is fully behind this measure, so it is exciting to see where this goes.”
SG Senate President Katherine Fishman said the organization is getting closer to figuring out the details.
For starters, SG has begun fleshing out how the trial run — which would help collect data on student needs — will work.
A dispenser full of feminine hygiene products will be placed in the University Student Center women’s bathroom, and a basket full of tampons and pads will be put in the gender-neutral bathrooms as late as midway through next semester.
Fishman said there were initially plans to put tampons in male bathrooms as well, but SG decided against it “because we thought that some immature men might be inclined to use them for non-hygienic purposes.”
SG is also considering making feminine hygiene products available in the Wellness Center.
“If we see that the products are being consistently used, then we can discuss expanding the program and get the students’ voices on where they’d like to see more,” said Jadzia “Jazzy” Duarte, SG’s student body president.
They are also narrowing down which vendor will supply the tampons. Duarte said the organization has a “strong eye” on Aunt Flow, an organization that specializes in getting menstrual products to students at college campuses.
According to Fishman, SG will likely pay for the program.
Some questions are still up in the air, though. For example, SG members are still trying to figure out whether they will refill the tampon dispensers or baskets, or if the school’s custodial team will restock supplies.
“I feel hopeful that this is going to become a big thing. And that’s why we’re doing the trial run — to see if it can become a big thing,” Fishman said. “But I think it has been necessary and that we’re heading in a good direction on this.”
“I’ve seen free hygiene products given out on other campuses and I’m so proud to say that we can bring it to the students here at USFSP,” Duarte said. “Major shout out to Lynnsey Trantham for proposing this idea and helping draft it as a resolution.
“This should be a major stepping stone in student involvement with Student Government. If you have an idea, tell us about it. We’re super eager to get legislation passed and make some changes!”
