Video "Not all students who menstruate are female," Minnesota State Representative Sandra Feist "Not all students who menstruate are female," Minnesota State Representative Sandra Feist argues for menstruation products in boy's restrooms
Students at the University of Virginia (UVA) are raising concerns over why tampon dispensers are present in men's restrooms on campus, with some calling the move "absurd" and a waste of resources.
The dispensers, which offer free tampons and pads, have appeared in campus buildings, according to students.
"Whenever the dispensers are in male restrooms, I just think it is a waste of university resources," a student in the commerce school told Campus Reform in a May 4 article.
MARYLAND BILL WOULD MANDATE TAMPONS IN MEN’S BATHROOMS
The availability of feminine hygiene products in men's restrooms has become a divisive issue on college campuses. (Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket/Getty Images and Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/picture alliance/Getty Images)
"Instead of focusing on rising costs like tuition and food, the university is pursuing policy initiatives that don’t meaningfully help the student body," the student added.
A public policy student in his fourth year at UVA said he noticed tampon dispensers in a men’s restroom in Old Cabell Hall, where the university's Department of Music and the Music Library are located, which also happens to be the location of the school's main lecture and concert hall, and said he "thought they were odd."
A freshman told Campus Reform that having tampon dispensers in male restrooms on campus didn’t make sense, stating, "I think seeing these in a men’s restroom is weird, totally unnecessary, and absurd."
A UVA sophomore told Campus Reform that the only place that tampon dispensers belong is in women’s restrooms.
MAINE DEMS PUSH FOR TAMPONS IN BOYS' BATHROOMS AMID ONGOING DEBATE OVER TRANS SPORTS PARTICIPATION
Sink and mirrors in a bathroom. (Sylvie Bouchard/iStock)
"They shouldn’t be in the men’s bathroom because such a device is to be used by women — who already have their own, separate bathroom," the student said.
Another student, in his third year at UVA, called the presence of tampon dispensers in the men’s bathrooms "insulting to God."
"I’ve seen them. I find it both gross and insulting to God," the student said. "Men will never be able to menstruate, and we need to stop playing pretend and get real. It is common sense to get rid of silly policies such as tampons in men’s restrooms. Overall, society should return to respecting and honoring the inherent biological differences between men and women."
The "Free Period Products" page on UVA Health's website says that the institution provides "complimentary period products to employees, recognizing that access to these products is integral to health and wellness."
Recently, the Maryland House of Representatives considered legislation, the "Public Health - Public Buildings - Hygiene Products," sponsored by more than 10 Democratic delegates, which would require "public restrooms in public buildings to provide an adequate supply of certain hygiene products; and generally relating to hygiene products in public buildings."
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a university spokesperson said that "the University makes emergency feminine hygiene products available in academic buildings across our Grounds as part of a student-focused initiative to make them available for those who may need them. The overwhelming majority of these dispensers are in women’s restrooms in academic buildings."
NJ SENATE VOTES 38–0 TO REQUIRE FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AT PUBLIC COLLEGES UNDER ‘MENSTRUAL EQUITY’ BILL
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The spokesperson continued that UVA "installed dispensers in a handful of men’s restrooms located in buildings where gender-neutral restrooms are not available."
The spokesperson added, "As a reminder, the University remains bound by Fourth Circuit precedent which requires that the University allow individuals to use restrooms which correspond to their gender identity consistent with the Equal Protection Clause and Title IX. Grimm v. Gloucester County School Bd. (4th Cir. 2020). In that respect, although the University’s current practice was not implemented for legal reasons, it does demonstrate compliance with principles established in Grimm for equal protection. To be clear, these dispensers are not present in all — or even most — men’s restrooms, and the ongoing costs associated with the program are minimal."
Rachel del Guidice is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to rachel.delguidice@fox.com.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
