Eastern Michigan University Changing the Cycle expands efforts with “Anybody, Any Building” initiative to end period poverty

Illustration of multi-colored hands holding hygiene products with the text: Anybody. Any Building.

YPSILANTI –  Eastern Michigan University’s Changing the Cycle initiative launched “Anybody, Any Building” – a new campaign designed to equip every EMU campus building with menstrual products and help end period poverty among students on Eastern’s campus.

This campaign is an extension of their recent efforts to install 20 Aunt Flow dispensers with more than 1,000 free, organic products in seven buildings. The “Anybody, Any Building” campaign will install 11 new product dispensers and provide 47 baskets in 35 more bathrooms – solidifying placement in more than 70 locations across campus.

“The support from campus and surrounding communities have been amazingly rewarding to the success of our initiative,” said Janelle Polasek, student project manager of EMU Changing the Cycle. “With a lot of hard work, partnerships and diligence, we have been able to secure funding to expand our efforts to every building at EMU.”

EMU Changing the Cycle’s mission is to end period poverty – inadequate access to menstrual hygiene supplies and education on campus by ensuring that everyone at EMU has access to free organic period products when needed. The initiative was created by students enrolled in EMU’s bachelor of social work program and interned at Swoop’s Food Pantry. The internship encouraged students to take on projects. The interns learned that 1 in 10 women in college are unable to afford period products and wanted to create a solution to the problem.

To increase awareness about EMU’s Changing the Cycle, the initiative’s team and campus partners will host two upcoming events to further educate and discuss solutions to ending period poverty. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend the following events:

  • Paint Your Flow on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m.: Join EMU Changing the Cycle and the Women's Resource Center to paint what menstruation means to you while learning about the importance of fighting the stigma of talking about periods and period poverty. Painting supplies are provided for free, but space is limited. Participants are encouraged to pre-register at this link. This event LBC credit approved.

  • EMU Changing the Cycle Movie Night on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.:Interns from the  Social Work 350-course will convene for a movie night and also learn why it's important to be a part of the fight against the stigma about periods. Snacks will be available for purchase and all proceeds will go toward buying more 100% organic pads and tampons to keep dispensers filled.

The program is funded by EMU Student Government, donors, and sponsors. It is coordinated by the following EMU offices: Women's Resource Center, Swoop’s Food Pantry, the School of Social Work, the University Grounds and Custodial Services Office, and President Smith's Office.

To learn more about becoming a donor or volunteer, visit Eastern’s Changing the Cycle website or email emu_changingthecycle@emich.edu for more information. To donate, visit the EMU Changing the Cycle Support the Change webpage. 

 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.

November 02, 2022

Written by:
Brittany Mobley

Media Contact:
Brittany Mobley
bmobley1@emich.edu
734-487-4402