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University delays free sanitary products
Est 1948
The independent voice of Newcastle students
Grace Dean Editor Students at Newcastle University have been disappointed to discover that the University has not followed through on its commitment to introduce free sanitary products across campus in time for the start of the new academic year. Following sustained efforts by NUSU President Raff Marioni and Marginalised Genders Officer Charlotte Boulton throughout the 2018-19 academic year to introduce free-ofcharge sanitary products for students in need, machines offering a range of tampons and sanitary towels were due to be implemented at eight sites across campus. These include the Business School, Medical School, the
Marjorie and Philip Robinson Libraries, and the Armstrong Building, and the machines would be accessible to any student simply by swiping their smartcard.
The machines were expected to be in place for the start of term
Despite being proposed and heavily supported by the Students’ Union, the venture would actually be a joint partnership, with the University responsible for financing and maintaining the machines. This, in turn, would lead Newcastle to be the first university in England to offer free sanitary products to all students financed by the University, although
these products are already available for free at the Students’ Union. This projects echoes recent developments in Scotland, where many universities have started offering free sanitary products to students. Unfortunately, however, the machines are still not in place at Newcastle. Sally Ingram, Director of Student Health and Wellbeing, said: “We have been working hard to try to get the machines in place for the start of term but the project has been more complicated than anticipated and has encountered some delays. “Together with colleagues in estates and the Students’ Union President and Welfare and Equality Officer, we are looking to install the eight machines as soon as possible. The project is in its final stages, with sanitary product options and machine designs being finalised. “As has always been case, students can con-
tinue to access free sanitary products from the Student Advice Centre.” It is to be noted that the Student Advice Centre is a branch of the Students’ Union and not of the University.
“Students can continue to access free sanitary products from the SAC”
Sally Ingram, Director of Student Health & Wellbeing
President of the Students’ Union Katie Smyth said: “Obviously it is disappointing they’re not in place yet – ideally the machines would be in place for term start. However we’re working hard to ensure they’re installed as soon as possible, so students can right-
fully access free products and the university can play its part in tackling the wider issue of period poverty. Thanks to everyone who was involved in the campaign last year, and rest assured this year’s team will ensure that what you campaigned for is followed through.” Commenting on the news, Charlotte Boulton said: “It’s really disappointing that the machines haven’t been introduced yet, especially after being told that they would be up and running for the start of the academic year. The University needs to take responsibility for letting the launch fall through the cracks as it’s not good enough; we should be celebrating their launch, not wondering where they are. There will be people missing out on the great benefits that free period products will give, so I hope the University gets their act together soon.”
Newcastle residents strike for climate change Joe Molander Comment Editor
On Friday 20 September, Newcastle residents took part in a climate strike, billed as the General Strike 4 Climate Newcastle. At the demonstration, the signs held up by protestors (highlights of which included “I’ve seen better Cabinets at IKEA” and “Fossil Fools”) jostled for space three feet in the air above the crowd with banners from organisations as diverse as the ‘North East Pensioners Association’, ‘Trade Unionists Support School Strike for Climate’, and a myriad of socialist organisations. The extinction symbol, referred to by The Guardian as “this generation’s peace symbol”, was found dotted around the many flags, banners and home-made signs at the protest. Just as diverse as the organisations supporting the strike was its demography. Often accused of being a movement made up of middle-class hobbyists, the march featured several working-class voices, and walking through the city centre, people stopped to look not with disapproval, but genuine interest. An hour of speeches at the Civic Centre was given by a diverse range of speakers. An anti-establishment vein ran through most of the speeches: one speaker accused the state of being “in the hands of multi-national corporations”, and defended his decision to strike by asking “what education do I need when… politicians threaten to break the world?”. Newcastle University student Charlotte Paige Boulton said: “What I found the most interesting about the climate strike was the diversity of people there. The cause really brought different groups of people together.” This came just days before Extinction Rebellion held a die-in on campus during freshers’ week. This saw about a dozen students from both Newcastle and Northumbria Universities lie on the floor by the Arches holding cardboard cut-outs of gravestones embroidered with messages such as “death by drowning” and “died of famine”.
The march was attended by a diverse range of lobbyists Image: Holly Rich