The Students’ Association (SA) Government’s free pads and tampons initiative is looking more sustainable with every passing week, according to former SA Vice President Lance Floto.
Two weeks ago, the Campus Times reported on the struggles of the initiative in its first two weeks. Since then, Floto said, SA has seen the usage of tampons and pads decline to more reasonable rates.
“We have seen the usage drop from around 5,800 the first week, to around 3,400 the second week, to 1,900 the third week,” Floto said.
Nothing is being done differently by SA or Facilities to precipitate the plunge, he added.
The pads and tampons are still being purchased by Floto and former SA Chief of Staff Linda Shackles, who deliver them to Facilities once a week for stocking in bathrooms across campus.
Floto believes the novelty of the free tampons and pads contributed to high usage in the first few weeks of the initiative.
“Students get excited when a free service is being provided to them,” he said, “and, therefore, will take more supplies in the early weeks.”
Fewer baskets have been stolen or thrown out, as well. Four baskets went missing in the first week of the initiative, compared to just one basket per week thereafter.
“If this program becomes permanent, Facilities will be the one to order the supplies,” Floto said, explaining that this would simplify the logistics of the initiative.
SA Government is currently in the process of meeting with Facilities, which is also investigating the cost of ordering tampons in bulk.
Long-term funding of the initiative would be a joint effort between Facilities, the administration, and SA Government.
Floto confirmed that, pending approval from the other parties, SA Government does hope to make the free tampons and pads a permanent fixture of campus life.
