I am a current junior, and I've lived in South Quadrangle on Central Campus for 2 years now. I had learned previously, before coming to the University of Michigan, that free period products are available in the public restrooms on campus.  

Awesome right? 

That's what I thought until I was stuck at midnight with no period products and had to go down 3 flights of stairs and into the basement to try and find a tampon. While this may seem like a personal issue, it reflects a larger pattern at this university of not prioritizing student menstrual health. (For other stories, see "Interviews")

As I found out very quickly when beginning research for this project, implementing free menstrual products in public bathrooms on the U of M campus was not by the kindness of their own hearts, but because it became *legally required.* (For more information, see "History")

There is something that feels fundamentally off about the fact that 2,000+ public bathrooms on the U of M campus have free period products, but 0 dorm bathrooms have any sort of period products.

This is an issue that the University has the means and funds to solve, but chooses not to. I believe that this is unfair and we should be prioritizing period product access at this institution.