Say No! The Cardboard's Gotta Go!

Period Care through Better Period Products

Ben Franklin prides itself on its diversifying experiences for those of all races, genders, and cultural backgrounds. Despite this, those of the Franklin population who experience menstrual cycles feel neglected in the grand scheme. Jammed product dispensers, low-quality pads, and painful cardboard tampons don't exactly sell the picture of "power to periods."

We propose an entirely renovated system: replacing our dispensers, restocking regularly, supplying higher-quality products, and, most importantly, drawing in the student body. Through these efforts, we can make genuine gains towards truly 'diversifying our experiences.'

Our current period products are inadequate, uncomfortable, and degrading to use.

The tampon applicators are made entirely of rigid cardboard. At the same time, the pads are incredibly painful and prone to leakage. Furthermore, the period product dispensers in the bathroom are consistently broken and empty. We came together as a unified front and made an executive decision.

Something has to change. We cannot continue to settle for less-than-adequate products and broken dispensers when so much else can be done.

What can we do from here? We recommend that the administration look into better-quality products, available to the students and faculty, and better distribution methods, such as dispensers that aren't always jammed or unfilled, as well as period products of different sizes and higher quality. 

Trade-offs

• Period products can be expensive.

• The process to find them and stock the bathrooms can be time consuming.

• If the administration does not have periods themselves, they may need to consult with someone who has personal experience with periods to improve the situation.

Benefits

• Better period products and period dispensary methods will help the students and faculty that have their periods feel more comfortable and productive at school.

• Better period products can help alleviate serious health concerns and prevent other product-related distractions from daily activities.

• Increasing the availability of better period products could increase equity, productivity, and overall morale of the student body.