Because of the budget crisis, Sacramento State is cutting costs wherever it can. One specific area is the Facilities Services department, which will no longer provide free tampons and other feminine hygiene supplies on campus.

This summer, Facilities removed tampon machines in all buildings owned by Sac State to eliminate the costs of providing free feminine hygiene supplies and replacing machines that were continually vandalized.

Ron Richardson, associate vice president of Facilities, said that removal of the tampon machines is strictly a budget issue and a cost-saving measure. Providing free feminine hygiene supplies cost facilities services about $12,000 every year.

“We have been providing them free of charge to the university community at a cost to us,” he said. “But back then, there was no budget issue,” he said.

Custodians had to refill the tampon machines once a week. In other buildings, machines had to be replenished more often.

Richardson said custodian productions has already been hindered because of furloughs.

With the 200 employees at Facilities working two fewer days a month because of the furloughs, custodians have less time to carry out their main responsibilities. Refilling campus tampon machines is not one of their high priorities.

Facilities is mainly responsible for cleaning and maintaining general-fund campus buildings, infrastructure, landscape and university grounds. General-fund buildings do not include the University Union, which is funded by student fees, and other buildings owned by University Enterprises, Inc., such as the Hornet Bookstore.

Aside from saving $12,000 a year, removing the tampon machines would allow custodians to work on their highest priorities, Richardson said.

Sac State has been providing free feminine hygiene supplies since the mid-1990s, Richardson said. Before the supplies were free, the machines were frequently vandalized and supplies were often stolen. Most CSU campuses decided to provide the supplies for free because the cost of replacing machines and supplies far outweighed the costs of providing them for free.

The cost of repairing one broken machine is roughly between $200 and $300, said lead custodian Harold Scott. Scott said that the cost varies depending on how damaged the machines are.

Aside from removing the tampon machines, Richardson said Facilities is looking at several other ways to cut costs.

“Having said that, I haven’t gotten my budget numbers yet,” he said. “But we’re going to continue to provide the best service we can.”

Other CSU campuses have removed their tampon machines as a cost-saving measure. Sac State is one of the last to do so.

“I know several campuses have removed them and, in fact, it’s always good to find out how other campuses are dealing with various situations,” Richardson said. “I try to do what’s right for my campus.”

Students can buy tampons for 25 cents from machines located in the Union. Tampons and sanitary napkins are also available at The Store in the Union.

For convenience, sanitary and emergency reasons, several female students think that Facilities should put back the tampon machines.

“It’s convenient,” said Chanteel Weber, senior child development major. “You can’t really run to the store and go get one when you need one.”

Other female students expressed concerns about it as well.

“It’s out of women’s convenience if they’re on their period, and they have to walk to the Union to buy tampons,” said Anastasiya Karnaukhova, senior communication studies major.

Weber said the tampon machines were usually empty when she tried to use them last semester.

“I would suggest that if the Associated Students, Inc., which has a budget, is willing to fund installation and ongoing cost for feminine hygiene products, then I would be willing to discuss it with them,” Richardson said. “I don’t have funds, and I’m dealing with budget issues as best as I can to provide the basic services.”

Heather Diaz, assistant professor in the department of kinesiology and health science, said that with the current budget issue at Sac State, not providing free tampons on campus shouldn’t be a problem.

“I think the fact that we even offer them for free is an exception,” Diaz said. “With all the budget cuts we’re experiencing, it’s a very small resource to take out. And it’s not like they’re not available.”

Student Health Services Director Joy Stewart-James said that not having free tampons on campus is more of a hygiene and convenience issue rather than a health issue.

“If someone doesn’t wear a tampon or pad for several days, that’s a health issue,” Diaz said. “But if you’re just waiting to get to the store and buy one, that’s not a health issue.”

She added it is just an adjustment to hard times.

“These times are not normal and having that convenience is a luxury,” Diaz said.

Kristine Guerra can be reached at [email protected].