RHA is partnering with SGA to run a pilot of the Menstrual Product Program (MPP), which aims to provide menstrual products to the campus community for free, in accessible, gender-neutral settings.
About the Pilot
Pilot Duration: Monday, April 4 to Monday, May 1 (one month)
Pilot Contact: Bryan Gomez, RHA Executive President (rha-president@housing.gatech.edu)
Pilot Purpose: The purpose of this pilot program is to collect (1) quantitative data on the demonstrated use of free menstrual products in residential settings and (2) qualitative feedback regarding perceived benefit of the program from residents. RHA is supporting the MPP through the duration of the pilot, only; this is not, necessarily, a long-term initiative or implementation of the MPP that RHA, SGA, or Housing and Residence Life (HRL) are committing to support long-term. After collecting the above data for four weeks, RHA will write a report to both SGA and HRL regarding use case, resident interest, and perceived benefit. SGA and HRL will ultimately then decide whether they would like to support the program further. Do note that, unless either SGA and/or HRL take ownership of the residential implementation of the MPP, product dispensers will be taken down at the end of the pilot.
Participating in the Pilot
Participating in the pilot program is easy, discrete, and free! If you’d like to participate, simply take menstrual products as you need them, keeping in mind the following.
- Menstrual products are provided at no cost to the individual using them, and menstrual products are designed to be available for use by anybody who menstruates, regardless of their gender identity or their sex assigned at birth.
- Both pads and tampons are available for use. Both products are acquired directly from Aunt Flow, and all products are made from 100% organic cotton, with no added synthetics, rayons, dyes, or scents.
- Menstrual products are designed to be available to the entire community, not just one person, so please take products responsibly and ethically. We encourage individuals to take no more than enough products to support them through their current or upcoming menstrual cycle; that is, take no more than one month’s worth of products at a time.
- Individuals who use products from the MPP are not required to indicate their use, fill out any feedback forms, etc. That said, anybody who actively participates in the program is strongly encouraged to fill out the user feedback form (available both on this page and on each dispenser) so that we can collect information regarding use and perceived benefit of the program. This form is completely anonymous.
- If dispensers are empty, individuals should report that a restock is needed via the appropriate form (provided below and on the dispensers themselves). Dispensers will be restocked within two business days of reporting that a restock is needed.
- Signage explaining all of the above are provided near the dispensers, in-person.
MPP Dispenser Locations
Maulding 128 Bathroom
A public, gender-neutral bathroom on the first floor of Maulding residence hall, next to the 128B mechanical closet and near the first-floor community space
Fitten 136 Bathroom
A public, gender-neutral bathroom on the first floor of Fitten residence hall, in the main lobby and adjacent to the Area Manager’s office in the lobby
Eighth Street West 104B Bathroom
A public, gender-neutral bathroom on the first floor of ESW residence hall, across from the community space in room 105 and next to the Hall Director’s Office (104); there are two public-facing bathrooms here (104A and 104B), and the dispenser is in the left-most bathroom (104B)
GT Connector 2nd Floor Bathroom
A public, gender-neutral bathroom on the second floor of the GT Connector; there are two bathrooms in the Connector, and the bathroom on the right contains the dispenser
North Avenue North 1st Floor Bathroom
A public women’s bathroom on the first floor of North Avenue North, in the main lobby of the building adjacent to North Avenue North Area Office (NANO) and directly across from Room 111 (men’s bathroom)
Caldwell 005 Bathroom
A public gender-neutral bathroom in the basement community space in Caldwell residence hall, directly across from the mechanical room (006)
