By Aisha Knotts ~ Staff Writer
QR Code for Students to Scan to Request a Care Box. Graphic by Student Government Association.
In a collaborative initiative led by the Student Government Association, Hornet Cares, the Spiritual Life Center, and the Student Activities Board, care boxes containing menstrual products have been launched to promote period accessibility for students at the University of Lynchburg.
The initiative which launched on February 14 addresses a critical need for menstrual equity on campus, recognizing that lack of access to period products can negatively impact students’ well-being and academic performance.
By providing care boxes with essential menstrual products, the collaborative hopes to support the health and dignity of all students, ensuring that no one is disadvantaged by period poverty.
Director for Wellness and Traditions in the Student Government Association, Oluwatimilehin Mayowa’27, a public health major said, “The decision to centralize menstrual product distribution to the health center was made after consideration of various factors, including budget constraints and the need to ensure that the products are distributed in a controlled environment where it is received by people who actually need them.”
Emma Myers, a senior English major, expressed her frustration saying, “Not having menstrual products readily available doesn’t feel very inclusive.”
She pointed out that relying on the health center for necessities isn’t always realistic. “I remember seeing them in the bathrooms a few semesters back and thinking, ‘Finally!’ but it only happened once. These products need to come back and be prioritized. I don’t understand why the university stopped providing them in the first place.”
Along with this, Myers also suggested adding these products in both men’s and women’s bathrooms to foster more inclusivity on campus.
“It’s unrealistic to expect people to run across campus just to get a product they urgently need. If I’m in class and need a menstrual product, having to leave and go across campus is disruptive. I need to be in class, I need to know what my professor is talking about. It shouldn’t be a hassle. It creates a problem where there shouldn’t be one. If I’m in Schewel, I can’t get to the health center in five minutes, and suddenly I’ve missed ten minutes of class just trying to change a pad—that’s crazy,” said Myers.
Satin Taylor, a senior biology major, has also voiced her concerns, recalling how menstrual products were once briefly available in campus restrooms before disappearing. “Every women’s bathroom should have these products available. For inclusivity, consideration, and fair treatment, they need to be readily accessible in all restrooms. It’s kind of ridiculous that you have to walk across campus just to get a menstrual product or rely on a friend for help. It just doesn’t make sense—it’s illogical,” said Taylor.
Addressing this issue would be a small but significant and impactful step toward improving the campus environment for Taylor. “If not in every bathroom, then at least in every building, these products should be available,” she said.
She noted that not having access to menstrual products can cause unnecessary panic and even affect students’ academic performance. “It takes time away from class and time to do assignments, which can impact grades and understanding of critical concepts.”
Both Myers and Taylor would support a student-led initiative advocating for better access to menstrual products. “If you want to be inclusive, you should show it; and this is a very good way of doing that,” Taylor said. “Providing these products wouldn’t harm the university in any way.”
Mayowa said, “The SGA Cabinet Members understood the importance of accessibility which was why we launched the Carebox Initiative to better serve our student community. The Careboxes went live on the 14th of February so the students could submit request forms for their care needs and we are able to supply them as much as we are able to.”
To find menstrual products on campus, please visit the Student Health Center located in Hundley Hall on the terrace entrance level or go to this link and fill out the form for a care box: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegi0TRu2p8S2hZOjFfWlVG13Z5K_J9GRyouMiLMtg8Frsa-Q/viewform