By Jasmin Shirley
Women’s bathroom located on the second floor-photo by Jasmin Shirley
On Monday, March 25, a student had an emergency during a class when she discovered her period came and she had no feminine hygiene products. After trying several women’s bathrooms, the student found all the vending machine’s empty. She then tried the nurse’s station on the first floor, but no one was there when they were supposed to be. Finally she tried the Women’s Center in 3C01, where they were able to accommodate her. After returning to class, her professor asked where she had been. After explaining her plight, the professor walked with her to the Health Services office in 1F01. The lights were on, but the door was locked and nobody answered the telephone.
Like so many basic amenities available to students on most (if not all other) CUNY campuses, like a cafeteria or a bookstore, the lack of feminine hygiene products is just downright disgraceful and insulting to the students who deserve a healthy learning environment.
“I think that not having any products accessible in the women’s bathroom is a struggle especially if you get your period while on campus,” said Irene La Spisa, an English major. “To adapt, I just carry a little makeup bag with all the products I might need.”
Another student named Jennifer Duverge, a chemistry major, says, “I have noticed that all the bathrooms have feminine product dispensers but none of them have any. Ever. I find myself having to go to the women’s center a lot of times which can be inconvenient if I am on the other side of campus. It’s just not right.”
York is notorious for its filthy bathrooms and shortages of basic supplies like soap and hand towels. It is not uncommon to find raw sewage on the floors and black garbage bags duct-taped over broken toilets.
”I have noticed that not only are there no feminine products in the bathroom but I have also witnessed there being no soap in there,” said Nakaya Emanuel, an English major. “It’s not right that we have to not only hide it but also not be able to clean up after ourselves.”
An email sent out in early April by administration officials highlighted updates on construction projects throughout the campus. There was, however, no indication of updates for the bathrooms.
