Cycle Sisters campaign for free tampons
Caitlin Graveson
Issue date: 9/22/09 Section: News
Feminine products are not something that people often think about-and that is exactly the problem, or so believe a group of students on campus. The Saint Mary's campus was forced to think about feminine products last Monday morning as approximately 350 flyers were distributed around campus with a specific demand, "THE WOMEN OF SAINT MARY'S DEMAND THE FREE DISTRIBUTION OF TAMPONS AND MAXI PADS."
The message was meant to raise awareness about what the so-called Cycle Sisters claim is a major issue for a majority of the student body. A lead woman in the self described Cycle Sisters movement argued that serious issues arise when such products are not available. "This is something that doesn't go away… It's something that you can't hide and we are concerned for our health because of limited to no access to supplies in case of an emergency," she said.
Although the flyers were not ASSMC-approved, nor were they hung in the designated flyer areas, they were not intended to vandalize or deface the campus. The lead woman said, "We wanted to inundate the campus with simple flyers that contained a powerful message. It's a medium that we knew would be effective. Students can't ignore the message when it is everywhere."
The lead woman believes the flyers got the message across. She said, "I was pleased to see that immediatley after posting the flyers that free tampons and maxi pads were available in Garaventa. However, this just seems like a short term solution. These have to be everywhere, in every bathroom, without us demanding them."
Although women's bathrooms contain tampon and maxi pad vending machines, the group of women is demanding free feminine products. "Other things are provided for free because of health reasons: sanitary toilet seat covers, soap, paper towels. They even put up hand sanitzer despensers. Who is to say our health is not equally important?"
However, not all women on campus agree with the demands. Senior Sarina Crivello said, "They are just going to buy the cheap, cardboard kind. That's a waste of tampons, a lot of girls can't handle that kind of friction. Besides, it's just an excuse for the school to charge another $1,000."
While the women involved argue that the school does not refill the tampon machines in the bathroom, Scott Kier, the dean of students responded saying, "We have been in communication with Facilities Services to insure that all vending machines in all women's restrooms are regularly replenished with products."
Michael Viola, the associate director of Facilities Services, said that he would check in with his "staff who actually complete the work" for standard procedures.
Editor's note: The Cycle Sisters submitted their "manifesta" of demands to The Collegian as a letter to the editor. This letter can be found on page 6.
The message was meant to raise awareness about what the so-called Cycle Sisters claim is a major issue for a majority of the student body. A lead woman in the self described Cycle Sisters movement argued that serious issues arise when such products are not available. "This is something that doesn't go away… It's something that you can't hide and we are concerned for our health because of limited to no access to supplies in case of an emergency," she said.
Although the flyers were not ASSMC-approved, nor were they hung in the designated flyer areas, they were not intended to vandalize or deface the campus. The lead woman said, "We wanted to inundate the campus with simple flyers that contained a powerful message. It's a medium that we knew would be effective. Students can't ignore the message when it is everywhere."
The lead woman believes the flyers got the message across. She said, "I was pleased to see that immediatley after posting the flyers that free tampons and maxi pads were available in Garaventa. However, this just seems like a short term solution. These have to be everywhere, in every bathroom, without us demanding them."
Although women's bathrooms contain tampon and maxi pad vending machines, the group of women is demanding free feminine products. "Other things are provided for free because of health reasons: sanitary toilet seat covers, soap, paper towels. They even put up hand sanitzer despensers. Who is to say our health is not equally important?"
However, not all women on campus agree with the demands. Senior Sarina Crivello said, "They are just going to buy the cheap, cardboard kind. That's a waste of tampons, a lot of girls can't handle that kind of friction. Besides, it's just an excuse for the school to charge another $1,000."
While the women involved argue that the school does not refill the tampon machines in the bathroom, Scott Kier, the dean of students responded saying, "We have been in communication with Facilities Services to insure that all vending machines in all women's restrooms are regularly replenished with products."
Michael Viola, the associate director of Facilities Services, said that he would check in with his "staff who actually complete the work" for standard procedures.
Editor's note: The Cycle Sisters submitted their "manifesta" of demands to The Collegian as a letter to the editor. This letter can be found on page 6.