The University of Sydney Union (USU) has implemented plans to expand its 2021 program for distributing sanitary products across campus using Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). This follows the University Executive declining to expand the service to general university buildings.
Starting in 2021, the USU’s sanitary distribution program provides students and staff access to free, sustainable, and organic sanitary products. 51 dispensers are currently installed in USU-operated buildings, and over 50,000 pads and 45,000 tampons have been distributed across campus. The USU has plans to order the products in larger quantities in future due to recent supply issues.
Following a positive response from students on campus, the Campus Operation Services recommended the program’s expansion into university buildings that are not operated by the USU in 2024. These recommendations were rejected by the University Executive on the basis of the cost and logistics.
At a USU Board Meeting on the 28th of February, USU Chief Executive Officer Janina Jancu stated “USyd executive was considering roll out but the motion did not proceed – some agitation and interest in re-invigorating that from the USU is on the table at some point this year. The USU is supportive of greater sanitary access”.
The initial expansion recommendation, which was rejected by the University Executive, was estimated to cost roughly $1.5 million annually, with additional concerns regarding the logistics of distributing the products to more than 1500 bathrooms.
The USU’s improvement and expansion plans include installing new dispensers in the Queer Room and Women’s Room in the Manning building, as well as implementing a QR code system on current dispensers to allow users to advise when facilities are emptied. As of semester 1 of 2025, the USU has also been providing sanitary products to the SciTech Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Study Space, and the Gadigal Centre. They’ve also provided additional sanitary products to the Dubbo campus, with plans to also include the Conservatorium and Camden campuses moving forward.
