Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
Editor’s Note: Cassandra Barron, the writer and reporter of this story, is co-president of Pepperdine Feminist Club.
As someone who menstruates, I have experienced the afternoon-destroying moment of realizing I do not have a tampon tucked into the corner of my backpack after starting my period.
Whether this occurs due to financial circumstances or poor planning, students who menstruate deserve access to free menstrual products at Pepperdine.
Period poverty is defined as having insufficient access to menstrual products according to the National Institute of Health.
Contrary to popular belief, period poverty is not exclusive to low income countries. People who menstruate in wealthy countries such as the United States also face challenges in obtaining menstrual products.
Nearly 16.9 million menstruating people live in poverty in the United States according to estimations from the National Institution of Health. Two-thirds of people who menstruate in poverty are food insecure and can not afford menstrual products.
Multiple severe and adverse mental health effects were associated with period poverty in college students in the United States a study conducted in 2021 published in the BMC Women’s Health journal found. Of the students surveyed, 14.2% had experienced period poverty in the past year.
The additional adverse mental health effects that people who menstruate face due to an inability to access menstrual products creates an inequitable environment. To reduce this inequity, Pepperdine must address this issue.
In California, the Menstrual Equity for For All Act of 2021 (CA) -AB 367 passed, requiring public schools with grades 6-12, CSU’s and community college districts to provide free menstrual products in restrooms. Private institutions and the Regents of the University of California’s are encouraged to provide menstrual products as proposed by this bill.
Despite Pepperdine’s position as a private institution, the university is still encouraged to implement this program.
Many other private universities have implemented period product access programs according to previous reporting.
In 2021, the Student Government Association passed Resolution #11-S21 to implement complimentary menstrual product dispensers in public feminine-identifying and gender neutral restrooms. The substantiation and proposed action plan disclosed that the author of the resolution had met with Seth Bamburg, the former assistant Director of the Department of Planning, Operations and Construction.
The action plan calls to meet with the University Management Committee to discuss the implementation of this initiative after garnering support from the student body. 100% of the Senate passed the resolution.
No further action was taken on the resolution until Spring of 2022 according to the SGA Google Drive. In Spring 2022, SGA passed a general fund request of $2,264.75 to cover 41% of the costs to implement five menstrual product dispensers in restrooms across campus.
The menstrual product dispensers were not implemented into these five restrooms until the fall semester of 2024.
Three of those restrooms are located in the Center for Communication and Business, one restroom near Waves Cafe and one in the Black Family Plaza Classrooms.
Although these initiatives and resolutions put in place by SGA are important and vital in advocating for students on campus, SGA should not be responsible for funding complimentary menstrual products. Since SGA receives funding from the Student Life Fee, through SGA-sponsored initiatives, students still pay for access to menstrual products.
In the Fall of 2024, the Feminist Club provided complimentary menstrual products in seventeen restrooms across campus. Some products were collected through Feminist Club’s ICC funds, and the rest were provided by professor donations. Feminist Club’s ultimate goal is to make this initiative a fully funded institution on campus according to previous reporting.
Since the implementation of the SGA and Facilities menstrual product pilot program, 5,500 tampons and pads have been dispensed and accessed Marilyn Koziatek, Director of Facility Services and Campus Operations for Pepperdine said.
“We are always willing to partner with SGA on any future expansions or any changes to this program,” Koziatek said when asked about the future for complimentary mesntrual product dispensers.
SGA and Facilities’ partnership will determine the future of the program Koziatek said.
“This partnership to me is integral in the continued success of this program. I think that this student led initiative really speaks to how, when students are empowered to make these decisions and move forward with these exciting programs, they can be successful,” Koziatek said.
Students should not be required to continuously advocate for access to basic tenets of health care. Instead, students should have the opportunity to focus their initiatives and energy on other issues on campus.
The Facilities Department is open to dialogue with the departments and student body to further discuss the possibilities for an open bin program similar to the Feminist Club’s initiative on campus Koziatek said.
Facilities will not be taking on this initiative separate from SGA in the future.
“We would be looking to them to see where they would like to take it in the next few years,” Koziatek said.
How many years and resolutions must pass before the university takes this issue seriously and supports its menstruating students equitably?
The university must implement a complimentary and maintained menstrual product program on campus. Access to menstrual products is a dignified human right, and students at Pepperdine who menstruate deserve equitable access to basic forms of health care.
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Contact Cassandra Barron via email: cassandra.barron@pepperdine.edu
