Campus Services and the Columbia College Student Council (CCSC) have partnered to install tampon and pad dispensers in the laundry room of the major undergraduate residence halls. The products are provided free of charge.
This is an expansion of initial pilots conducted in four residence halls (Carman, East Campus, McBain, and Wien), as well as ongoing distribution in select academic spaces on campus. According to data collected by the CCSC, the Spring 2024 pilot revealed a greater demand for menstrual products and highlighted the need to expand access points.
Council representatives Sarayu Bethamcherla, CC ’26, president of the Class of 2026, and Matias Hernandez, CC ’26, student services representative, presented the results to Campus Services leadership and a shared vision for a year-long, expanded pilot, in line with peer institutions and state universities.
Residence halls are where undergraduate students live most of their lives in college, so creating easy access to essential products here was logical.
Sarayu Bethamcherla, CC ’26
The initiative was voted on and passed in a referendum this past fall by the Columbia College student body.
The Aunt Flow dispensers installed are already in use at other campus locations like the International Affairs Building (SIPA) and are widely used in other schools and educational institutions. Students can scan the QR code on the dispenser if the product needs to be refilled or if a repair is required.
We have enjoyed collaborating with our students to expand their pilot to all residence halls. We look forward to receiving student feedback on the program this spring and next fall.
Scott Wright, Vice President Campus Services
