Dispensing nothing but frustration
Ashleigh Jack was five minutes away from a midterm exam when she got her period.
Unprepared, the second-year nursing student, raced to a second-floor washroom in Kerr Hall South only to find an empty pad and tampon dispenser.
Without time to run to a drugstore, Jack had to use an uncomfortable supplement — toilet paper.
Low-stocked pad and tampon dispensers across campus have stolen some women’s change and left other students in a panic. In protest, the Women’s Centre launched a poster campaign pushing campus planning and facilities, the department in charge of the dispensers, to restock the machines more often. The poster features an empty dispenser and the number for campus planning.
“We want campus planning to react and act,” said Ashley Mathew of the Women’s Centre. “Supplying students with sanitary supplies is a necessity.”
Campus planning pays Cannon Hygene, which owns the dispensers, approximately $10 a month to restock each machine, said Cannon Hygene representative Paula Robertson.
The company offers alternative restocking periods once every seven days or once every 15 days campus.
But custodial service manager Adrian Williams, who is the person in contact with Cannon Hygiene, has chosen to stick with the once a month option.
Though Robertson said Williams has not
put in any complaints or reports about the dispensers for more than a year, the Women’s Centre said some machines have been robbing students of their money.
Sarah Muzar, a second-year business management student has had her money eaten by one of the dispensers.
“It’s an inconvenience. The school is getting my money and didn’t even provide me with the service it claims to. I had to run to the grocery store and spend five bucks on a whole box,” said Muzar.
Mathew said campus planning is not taking into consideration the number of women at Ryerson.
“Restocking on a bi-monthly-basis is more realistic,” she said.
Williams made himself unavailable for comment and no one else in campus planning would say how many dispensers are on campus.
Comments
Anonymous, 7 months ago said:
If men had periods, they would be stocked, available, and free.
Flag this as spam/abuse
Anonymous, 7 months ago said:
Come prepared and there wouldn't be an issue: carry a purse and keep some pads/tampons in a zippered pocket just in case. I've never gotten my period and not had a pad with me.
Flag this as spam/abuse
Anonymous, 7 months ago said:
Yes, this is an inconvinence for most women and I disagree with the nature of it. But I think better inititives should be taken to educate women about alternative menstral products ie. menstral cups, sea sponges or re-usable pads. Yes, unexpected things happen, but with the economy shrinking maybe women need to do some more research about what's out there so they don't have to rely on disposables like pads or tampons. It will help your bank account and the environment.
Flag this as spam/abuse