U of T piloting free menstrual products in campus washrooms

Facilities & Services, in partnership with the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, is developing a new program that is aimed at advancing equity and enhancing the campus experience.

In the first phase of this program, the Caretaking Services team is installing 75 free menstrual product dispensers in female, male, and gender-inclusive washrooms in seven buildings on campus. The dispensers will provide the community with access to free pads and tampons.

“This program will help remove barriers by allowing members of our community to access menstrual products on campus,” said Ron Atkins, manager of Caretaking Services. “This will contribute to building a more inclusive campus.”

The pilot program will launch in February. The Caretaking Services team will closely monitor product demand for six months and use their findings to inform how best to offer this program across the St. George campus.

“We wanted to fulfill the needs of our community,” said Atkins. “You don’t know when you may need these products and you shouldn’t be stuck without them.”

These dispensers will be in Robarts Library, Student Commons, Sidney Smith Hall, Goldring Centre for High-Performance Sport, Clara Benson Building, Warren Stevens Building, and the Exam Centre.

The Caretaking Services team has additional plans in store for washrooms.

The team is also preparing to launch a pilot program to enhance servicing washrooms on campus. The team plans to use large, visible QR code posters in campus washrooms for community members to quickly request service or a product refill.

Clean, safe, and accessible public washrooms are critical to making the St. George campus a better experience for our community. The Caretaking Services team works around the clock to ensure that washrooms are polished, stocked, and welcoming to everyone in our community.