UVA installs tampon dispensers in men's restrooms, students call move 'absurd'

The dispensers, which offer free tampons and pads, have appeared in campus buildings, according to students.

"Instead of focusing on rising costs like tuition and food, the university is pursuing policy initiatives that don't meaningfully help the student body," the student added.

A UVA sophomore told Campus Reform that the only place that tampon dispensers belong is in women's restrooms.

"They shouldn't be in the men's bathroom because such a device is to be used by women - who already have their own, separate bathroom," the student said.

Another student, in his third year at UVA, called the presence of tampon dispensers in the men's bathrooms "insulting to God." 

"I've seen them. I find it both gross and insulting to God," the student said. "Men will never be able to menstruate, and we need to stop playing pretend and get real. It is common sense to get rid of silly policies such as tampons in men's restrooms. Overall, society should return to respecting and honoring the inherent biological differences between men and women."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a university spokesperson said that "the University makes emergency feminine hygiene products available in academic buildings across our Grounds as part of a student-focused initiative to make them available for those who may need them. The overwhelming majority of these dispensers are in women's restrooms in academic buildings."

The spokesperson continued that UVA "installed dispensers in a handful of men's restrooms located in buildings where gender-neutral restrooms are not available."

The spokesperson added, "As a reminder, the University remains bound by Fourth Circuit precedent which requires that the University allow individuals to use restrooms which correspond to their gender identity consistent with the Equal Protection Clause and Title IX.  Grimm v. Gloucester County School Bd. (4th Cir. 2020).  In that respect, although the University's current practice was not implemented for legal reasons, it does demonstrate compliance with principles established in Grimm for equal protection. To be clear, these dispensers are not present in all - or even most - men's restrooms, and the ongoing costs associated with the program are minimal."