Menstrual Equity Project seeks to become university-wide

At the start of the spring semester, the University of New Mexico launched the Menstrual Equity Project, which provides free menstrual products in Zimmerman Library's high-traffic bathrooms.

The project was inspired by another that was implemented by the UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center in 2021, according to Amy Jackson, the associate dean for the College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences. That project included menstrual products in both men’s and women’s restrooms because the library did not have gender-neutral restrooms.

Zimmerman has followed suit and provided products in both women’s and men’s restrooms. The project is funded through the Student Fee Review Board, Jackson said.

“We've ordered less than $1,000 worth of products so far, but we're planning to continue through the full $5,000,” Jackson said. “I know the products are moving very fast, and they need to be refreshed every day.”

In a follow-up email, Jackson wrote that UNM has spent about $500 on 1,700 products since the end of January.

Since the project’s implementation, menstrual products have been repeatedly thrown in the trash in men’s restrooms on the third floor of Zimmerman, according to a Feb. 14 email to Center for Teaching and Learning employees from Stephanie Sánchez, the center’s interim executive director.

“I am writing to remind all employees of CTL's firm stance on professional and respectful conduct,” Sánchez wrote in the email.

Over the course of two days, products were placed in the trash multiple times, Sánchez wrote.

Zimmerman is combating the issue by continually replacing the products in the men's restroom to offer them to whoever may need them, according to Jackson.

“We've actually been rather surprised at the number of responses so far. So, I think people are feeling very strongly about this,” Jackson said. “A lot of the feedback has been very positive. People are very thankful to have access to the products. There has been some negative feedback.”

The Student Fee Review Board approved funding last fiscal year and has been keeping an eye on the project as ASUNM President Anthony Tomaziefski, Boards & Committees Coordinator Taya Demianova and Governmental Affairs Executive Director Alana Baca work with state Reps. Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque) and Michelle Paulene Abeyta (Diné) (D-To’hajiilee) to implement projects like these at universities across the state.

House Bill 151, sponsored by Anaya and Paulene Abeyta, requires state educational institutions such as UNM to provide menstrual products in each women’s and gender-neutral bathroom and at least one men’s bathroom. The bill passed the House Health & Human Services Committee and, as of Sunday, March 2, awaits a hearing in the House Appropriations & Finance Committee.

HB 151 is modeled after a 2023 state law that ruled that public middle schools, junior high schools, secondary schools and high schools were obligated to provide free menstrual products to students.

Demianova said she was optimistic about the bill’s chances in the statehouse this session.

“Even if it doesn't pass this year, I'm hoping to expand the efforts next year so that we can come back stronger and more prepared and kind of have a more solid foundation and more connections to work off of what we've got going this year already,” Demianova said.

Part of those expanded efforts would include using research from the Lobo Pantry on how to potentially include other basic hygiene items, like deodorant and toothpaste, in the bill.

“This is an important topic, and I'm really glad that we're able to do this and bring resources to students to support their student success and make sure we have an inclusive campus,” Jackson said.

Elizabeth Secor is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @esecor2003

Elliott Wood is a beat reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. They can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

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