The Drew Student Government has been considering a number of hotly debated topics lately, including an initiative by a group of students who have approached StuGov with the goal of providing women’s health products free of charge to Drew students who might need them.
The initiative, planned initially by Aaran Robinson (‘28) as well as a number of other students and senators, aims to ensure the availability of various types of menstrual products, such as pads and tampons, around campus for anyone who may find themselves in need of them at any time. Ideas were floated at the StuGov meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 8, for implementations of such an initiative, such as a dispenser or a machine to distribute the products in or near some bathrooms, with a fund or drive set up to help mitigate cost.
Robinson said that he believed there were “very few” logistical hurdles when it comes to implementing a system of providing such products, as well as that there are other schools in the area that have successfully implemented these kinds of systems. He pointed out that the university does provide condoms for students (located in the Health Center). Citing the fact that approximately 54% of Drew’s undergraduate population is women, he said that providing condoms but not period products would perpetuate a “system of patriarchy” due to the apparent prioritization of products geared towards those who identify as men rather than women.
Robinson, while acknowledging his own position as a cisgender man, cited many experiences that he had watched others around him go through and struggle with as his motivation for bringing forth this measure. “Do not mistake my passion for unrealized idealism,” he noted; “Forgive me for coming off headstrong, but don’t [think] that I didn’t do my research.”
He also pointed out the current high cost of women’s health products around campus, especially in the C-Store, adding that “we’re all [college students] here; our pockets are not full of cash. We should not be having to worry about these very basic necessities.” He expressed hope that even if the initiative starts as something “small,” it could “hopefully grow” to something larger in scale over time.
Robinson also voiced a general frustration with Student Government as a whole during the meeting, as from his perspective it seemed as if he was “doing [their] work” for them and that StuGov was misplacing their focus. He encouraged StuGov to “host events that actually mean something,” and said he believed that “there [was] a simple answer to these issues.”
Much of StuGov was divided over the group’s proposal. Senator Dejanayha Hill (‘27) emphasized “balance” and pointed out that “these things are going to take time,” echoed by Senator Breena Stephen (‘27).
Senator Ann de Jesús (‘28) added that while she supports the proposal, the different needs of different people when it comes to menstrual products may complicate implementation of such an initiative. Senators Mari Centeno (‘27) and James Dempsey (‘27) commended Robinson’s “passion” and acknowledged the merit of the idea, but also noted that StuGov would need to gather data regarding funding and how often it would be necessary to refill any dispensers that would be installed. Vice President for Campus Life Frank Merckx, also present at the meeting, raised some concerns over this as well.
Many other members of StuGov were in favor of the proposal, including Senator Angela Loeser (‘27), who argued that providing “health necessities” would be more important than the current heavily event-based projects that StuGov has been working on so far. “What is StuGov’s purpose?” she asked. “Is it an event planning committee or is it to make the school better?”
Loeser added that she lives outside ofon the other end of campus away from Tolley-Brown Circle, and believes that students who live in herthat area should not have to travel across campus to the C-Store “in the middle of the night for something that [they] should be able to find in [their] bathroom.”
Elections Chair Jordyn Casanova-Ghosh (‘28) and Senator Sandra Faragalla (‘26) also supported the proposal. Casanova-Ghosh noted that while the Drew Food Pantry does also stock menstrual products that any student can obtain, that resource is not advertised well, and that “if those resources are provided in the food pantry, then they [should also] be provided everywhere.” They pointed out high-traffic areas like Brothers College, Commons and the Ehinger Center as potential spots where students could make use of these resources at any time they may need.
Casanova-Ghosh also expressed frustration about understaffing and underresourcing in general at Drew, citing many other departments in which means had been stretched thin. “As students recognize [the lack of action] more and more, they’re not going to like the institution that they’re at,” they added.
During the meeting, it was also announced by President Zaire Wright (‘27) that Drew’s cash deficit had been eliminated. Subcommittee reports were made and Vice President Daniel Ohr (‘26) also announced several upcoming events. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m., and the next one will be held Friday, Nov. 5.
Sabr Keres-Siddiqui is a junior who is majoring in political science and double minoring in journalism and sociology.
