The Daily Bulletin

At the December 8, 2023, meeting of the College Senate, the Student Welfare Committee presented a motion on Menstrual Hygiene Access, which the Senate voted to adopt and present as the following resolution:

WHEREAS, according to a 2021 study, 10 percent of women college students experience “period poverty” every month, disproportionately affecting students of color and first-generation college students; and 

WHEREAS, Buffalo State serves a student population who largely identifies as female, first-generation, people of color, and/or Pell grant eligible; and 

WHEREAS, the Student Welfare Committee passed a resolution in 2017–2018 calling on Buffalo State to develop and fund programs that provide access to free menstrual products in all campus restrooms; and 

WHEREAS, in March 2023, New York Senate Bill S.5910 was introduced and would require access to menstrual products in restrooms of public colleges and universities free of charge; and 

WHEREAS, in April 2023, SUNY issued a memorandum strongly supporting the passage and enactment of S.5910; and 

WHEREAS, in May 2019, the University at Buffalo introduced free pads and tampons in 20 restrooms across its campuses through a partnership between its Student Association and its Office of Inclusive Excellence using the Aunt Flow supply company; and 

WHEREAS, many faculty, staff, and student employees across our campus are using personal funds to stock emergency menstrual hygiene products in restrooms for students; and 

WHEREAS offering free access to menstrual hygiene products in public restrooms on campus would align with Buffalo State’s mission and Pillar 1 of its Strategic Plan: Commitment to Access, Equity, Social Justice, and Belonging. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Buffalo State Facilities Operations install and regularly restock free menstrual hygiene product dispensers in highly frequented public restrooms on-campus beginning with the Campbell Student Union.

I hereby accept the recommendation of the Buffalo State Senate and charge the interim vice president for management and operations with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of these changes and for communicating the changes to the campus community.