The University Student Senate is providing menstrual hygiene products free of charge in the bathrooms of all six university buildings.
The initiative proposed by Senate Chair Serengeti Timungwa, began on Feb. 18. Timungwa and Senate Treasurer Kabeer, along with volunteers placed about 450 pads and tampons within the university buildings restrooms. All restrooms in the University Center and 16th Street building, four restrooms split between the two Lang buildings and various restrooms inside the Parsons and College of Performing Arts buildings now offer free feminine products — in women’s, men’s and gender neutral restrooms.
This initiative was put forth by Timungwa when she noticed how the university did not provide free menstrual hygiene products, but did provide free healthcare products for protection, such as condoms, female condoms and lube.
The New School has previously provided menstrual products at the cost of 25 to 50 cents. Costing only 120 dollars, the initiative is an inexpensive but important act to Timungwa. However, she worries about the USS being able to always provide tampons and pads, as already some of the bins are empty.
“We plan on replacing them throughout the semester, until we are able to find a solution with the administration,” Timungwa said.
All bins will be restocked by Mar. 11.