Student Government Association is starting a Pads and Tampons Project to supply free feminine products on campus.
SGA plans to supply pads and tampons in the bathrooms of the Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center for the rest of the year. Emma Grey, SGA secretary of public relations, said she is hopeful the initiative can expand to other buildings on campus in the future, but it is dependent on the project’s reception by the campus community and how much it is utilized.
“I think it’s important for women on this campus to know they don’t have to worry if they left their products at home,” Grey said. “It’s nice to know the university cares about our health and feminine hygiene.”
PATS will officially launch at an event from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Oct. 16 in the student lounge outside the caf in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center. They will give away period care-packages at the event, Grey said.
Grey said SGA has discussed creating a program like PATS since last year.
“I think free feminine care should be a no-brainer, so it’s nice that the university and SGA are taking an initiative,” she said.
Haley Holmberg, business marketing sophomore, said she appreciates SGA’s initiative in supporting free-feminine care, despite the state’s tampon tax.
“What may seem a small, insignificant gesture is really influential,” Holmberg said.
The “tampon tax” refers to state sales taxes placed on menstrual products. Many products considered necessities are tax exempt, but tampons and other feminine hygiene products still have value-added taxes despite being considered medically necessary.
According to The New York Times, 35 states, including Oklahoma, still tax feminine hygiene products as of July 2019.
“Feminine hygiene is a necessity, and no woman should be forgotten,” Holmberg said. “It’s cool to know that in an emergency, pads and tampons have been paid for and provided so we can feel safe. I’m glad OCU is taking that step to support women.”
Kaylila Pasha, acting junior and social media and marketing manager for the Female Empowerment club, said feminine hygiene products are taxed unfairly.
“There’s this thing called the Pink Tax where, on average, women’s personal products are taxed 13% more than men’s,” Pasha said. “I think what SGA is doing is a step in the right direction to correct that by providing free resources for women. Since FEM’s goal is to empower women on campus, I think this is a great idea.”
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