Following its re-launch in fall 2024, the period products committee has been temporarily disbanded.
According to previous reporting from The Scribe, the period products committee was created in Oct. 2024 to make progress on the free period product initiative that was launched in 2021. The free period product initiative sought to install free dispensers across campus.
Senator of Innovation and Chair of the committee, Isabella Polombo, said the decision to disband the committee was made after reflection on the committee’s lack of financial resources. Additionally, members’ availability conflicted, making it difficult to meet and discuss strategies to execute the initiative.
During the committee’s two meetings, they established three teams: marketing development, survey development and an events team, with the collective goal of spreading awareness about period poverty and access to resources, according to Polombo.
These teams did not accomplish anything major by the time of the committee’s disbandment, but Polombo says the committee will return and continue where they left off.
“Things unfortunately slowed down … and we had to take a break. At this time, we don’t know [when it will be restarted]. Personally, I would like it to be restarted by the end of the semester,” Polombo said.
Despite the committee being disbanded, former members, including Polombo, will be collaborating with campus organizations and departments to promote the accessibility of period products and dispensers.
Polombo plans to raise awareness for the free period product initiative by collaborating with student led clubs and organizations. She hopes to host an event with the Wellness Center to spread period product health awareness.
“We hope to be able to give students the results they deserve in terms of basic needs access through SGA and other departments on campus,” Polombo said.
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