100 signatures reached
To: Dean Rebecca Gadson
UTRGV STUDENTS DESERVE ACCESSIBLE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS
Menstrual products are not as accessible as they can be at UTRGV. UTRGV restrooms for both males and females should have menstrual products available in them at no cost. To provide a safe and accessible environment, we are advocating for UTRGV to join Intersectional Feminist Student Organization (IFSO) in ensuring menstrual products on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. For this initiative's beginning, we are proposing placing small baskets with menstrual pads and tampons in the female and male restrooms of the Student Unions/libraries on both campuses, the UREC and ESTAC. In total, 12 different accessible spots. UTRGV should not only allow this initiative but have an active role in it. UTRGV can donate pads and IFSO members will practice responsibility and community outreach by picking them up and ensuring that pads are refilled on a biweekly basis or as needed.
Why is this important?
IFSO and campus community members have placed menstrual pads in the female restroom of the ELABS building and IFSO members have noticed that they are gone the same day that they are left. There is a dire need for menstrual products, and not just for women.
We understand that the UTRGV Student Health offers menstrual products but factors such as embarrassment, shame, or fear prohibits many people from asking. Many students also do not know the health center provides free menstrual products. Others say it isn't accessible to them since it requires crossing the street on the Edinburg campus and that does not help in the moment.
We understand that the UTRGV Student Health offers menstrual products but factors such as embarrassment, shame, or fear prohibits many people from asking. Many students also do not know the health center provides free menstrual products. Others say it isn't accessible to them since it requires crossing the street on the Edinburg campus and that does not help in the moment.