Period kits mailed to distance students
While on campus students already getting free period products, Massey’s distance students will now have a chance to do the same.
With 275 kits set for delivery, distance students can now access mail-order period products through a new initiative from the student association's advocacy team.
The kits include three reusable period pads, tea, and chocolate treats, available to students' studying half or more of their courses via distance.
The new one-off service allows distance students to apply for reusable period kits through an online questionnaire, offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
With distance students paying a student services fee of $7.70 per credit, just $1.70 less than internal students, questions have arisen about how this fee is used and what services are actually available to this cohort.
Online students make up 65% of Massey’s student population, yet face limitations in accessing healthcare, mental health support, and on-campus facilities.
A Te Tira Ahu Pae spokesperson said the university already supplies free period products to on-campus students, something the distance community misses out on.
“However we wanted to set up something that was more accessible to students studying via distance.”
The spokesperson said the distance cohort had previously called for a period initiative, noting the high cost of essential period products. And this year, they were successful in gaining more funding from the Student Services Fee (SSF) for distance-focused initiatives.
“We’ve seen a great initial response to the first announcements, with positive feedback on the posts and a good number of applications through our form.”
And positive social media comments also highlighted strong support from the distance community.
Concerns over access to period products at Massey campuses have emerged repeatedly. In late 2022, Massey committed to allocating $12,000 for single-use period products however this was quickly adjusted the following year to just $6,000.
Later, in early 2024 the university announced a collaborative effort with partners AWWA Period Care and HELLO Period to reduce period poverty experienced by Massey students. Through the partnership, single-use period products were introduced at 18 locations across all three Massey campuses.
Kits will be delivered via post from next week, with applications closing when all kits have been distributed.