EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University remains committed to engaging and serving EMU and regional communities. EMU Changing the Cycle has maximized this effort with “Anybody, Any Building” – a campaign designed to equip every campus building with organic menstrual products, with an overall goal to help end period poverty among students on Eastern’s campus.

The “Anybody, Any Building” campaign recently achieved its goal of installing 11 new product dispensers and 47 baskets in 35 additional bathrooms which solidified placement in more than 70 locations across campus.

“It’s exciting to share that we have been able to provide organic period products within arms reach in every building on campus,” 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 efforts to every building at EMU. This is a big deal because not only does this increase access to products, but organic products which help with sustainability and improved health.” 

EMU’s Changing the Cycle 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.

EMU Student Government, donors and sponsors fund the program. 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.