Original article written by Emma Fabilli
Prior to the start of the Spring 2023 semester, Hofstra University’s bathrooms had coin-operated dispensers or no period products at all.
Now, Hofstra students can find Aunt Flow dispensers located in six bathrooms in the Student Center: four women’s and two gender-neutral restrooms.
The initiative to stock bathrooms on campus with free period products has been in the works since 2019.
I think that it’s a matter of necessity, not a luxury. It’s not like you can just not menstruate … It’s an involuntary biological function in people.
Alexa Cervo, former Student Services chair with Hofstra’s Student Government Association (SGA)
At the time, Cervo had been in contact with Aunt Flow. Finally, after four years, Hofstra has joined the thousands of schools that provide Aunt Flow period products to their students, employees and guests.
I’m really excited we were able to launch. They [SGA] did a really thorough proposal before landing on the product that they selected and the process to carry it out.
Severino Randazzo, Director of Student Leadership and Engagement
Currently, SGA is funding the dispensers that were put in the bathrooms in the Student Center, but they hope that Hofstra will take on funding in the future. They also hope the period product program will be extended so that free pads and tampons are offered in buildings on the academic side of campus.
I really hope that we are able to expand this in the future because even though this is a great win to have these dispensers and products in the Student Center. We’re far from being done or accomplishing our ultimate goal.
Kayla Stadeker, the Wellness and Campus Safety chair on SGA
