The Sustainability Club submitted a budget request that included money to provide free menstrual hygiene products on campus as well as condoms and pregnancy tests. They were told not to publicly distribute condoms or pregnancy tests.
Leaders of the Sustainability Club said the initiative aims to enhance accessibility and promote social justice, reflecting a broader understanding of sustainability.
When club co-presidents sophomore Ronja Bakowsky and junior Medara Udoekong say they think about the Sustainability Club, they aim to create an inclusive environment where all students can meet their basic needs without financial burden.
The entire budget request was approved in the club business meeting held by the Student Government. However, they were told by Student Life not to publicly distribute condoms and pregnancy tests.
In a recent dialogue between Student Life representatives and the Sustainability Club members, Udoekong said Student Life said they thought the Sustainability Club charter’s “scope didn’t cover… how do I put it.” Before he could finish, Bakowsky jumped in, “social injustice.”
Bakowsky explained, “Their argument was that the sustainability club doesn’t cover social injustice.” she continued, “I think there is a lack of common language regarding what sustainability means on Prin campus.”
Udoekong said he has hope “for Student Life and higher ups to understand that sustainability is not just about plants, it’s working to improve people’s lives, making their basic needs more available to them… racial justice… social justice in general,” he said “sustainability encompasses all of that.”
Legislative changes in Illinois support similar pushes. According to Illinois House Bill 641, public colleges and universities are now required to provide menstrual hygiene products at no cost in all campus bathrooms. While Principia College is a private institution, Bakowsky and Udoekong said they feel that the bill shows the responsibility of educational institutions to ensure students have access to essential health products.
The Sustainability Club members said they hope to include menstrual products in female restrooms in the main buildings like Voney, School of Government, School of Nations, Hay, Howard Center.
