Dear Illinois Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff,
The Dean of Students Office and Student Health and Wellness would like to announce a pilot program for providing free menstrual sanitary products (MSPs) to students, staff, and faculty as needed. Free sanitary napkins and tampons are now available in seven restrooms around Mies Campus and in both women’s restrooms on Rice Campus. The following Mies Campus locations will be regularly stocked:
- The McCormick Tribune Campus Center (main floor women’s restroom south of welcome desk)
- The McCormick Tribune Campus Center (main floor gender-neutral restroom)
- Keating Sports Center (first floor women’s restroom)
- Galvin Library (first floor women’s restroom)
- John T. Rettaliata Engineering Center (first floor women’s restroom)
- Kaplan Institute (first floor women’s restroom)
- Kaplan Institute (first floor gender-neutral restroom)
Each dispenser contains a QR code to scan so that the community may report back regarding any issues such as a dispenser needing to be restocked. The form linked to the QR code is open for users to provide feedback. Your feedback will be key in the success of this program!
The best part about this program is that it was founded by pre-medical student Barien Gad (Biochemistry 3rd Year). Barien is also the president and co-founder of Women and Gender Minorities in STEM (WiSTEM) and president of the Camras Scholars Program. After producing a research-based proposal during her fellowship for the Socially Responsible Modeling, Computation, and Design Journal (SoReMo) that shaped the pilot program, Barien continued to work closely with the facilities department on Mies Campus to make her efforts a reality.
We are proud to highlight this notable accomplishment and look forward to hearing from you regarding your experience with the program. Please feel free to visit our website for more information, and contact dos@iit.edu or facilities-helpdesk@iit.edu with any questions about this initiative.
Sincerely,
Katherine Stetz
Vice Provost, Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Gary Walley MS, LCPC
Associate Vice Provost for Student Health and Wellness
Director of the Center for Disability Resources