ESF’s bathroom signage and menstrual product initiatives shared at SUNY Spectrum conference

“You saved my life: Restroom Stories of Safety and Survival - Messaging, Hygiene Products & Prophylactics” was recorded during the 3^rd annual SUNY SPECTRUM Conference, August 26, 2020.  Staff at ESF (Sue Fassler, Kerrie Findlay, and Heather Engelman), SUNY Upstate (Cristina Pope and Mattie Cerio), or both (Dr. Malika Carter) discussed menstrual product distribution, the signage in the bathrooms, and single stall and ADA accessible restrooms, as well as the lactation rooms on both campus—and normalizing the conversations about all these things. Upstate staff shared information about wudu stations, their distribution of complimentary prophylactic products, and how all of these impact their clinical Health Equity Index rating while ESF folks spoke about the unique challenges of field work.  The presentation shares some data and photos shared by members of the ESFWomen listserv, as well as work that moved forward because they kept asking questions. 

One of the most important commitments we can make in supporting a culture of belonging on our campuses is to provide safe restrooms. Join us as we share our successes and failures with leadership buy-in, messaging, restroom renovations, signage, and complimentary hygiene and prophylactic products.

Learning Objectives:

• Practical knowledge of project planning steps in creating ALL Gender restrooms
• Practical knowledge on communicating and celebrating successes
• Learn how to implement a complimentary hygiene product service
• Learn how to implement a complimentary prophylactic service

Convener:

• Karren Bee-Donohoe  (She, Her, Hers), Associate Vice Chancellor, SUNY Office for Capital Facilities

Speakers:

• Malika Carter (She, Her, Hers), Chief Diversity Officer, Environmental Science and Forestry and Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Upstate Medical University
• Mattie Cerio (She, Her, Hers), Medical Social Worker & LGBT Program Manager, Upstate Medical University
• Heather Engelman (She, Her, Hers), Instructional Support Technician, Environmental Science and Forestry
• Sue Fassler (She, Her, Hers), Sustainable Facilities Manager, SUNY ESF 
• Kerrie Findlay Coordinator of Education Abroad, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Rebecca Hoda-Kearse (She, Her, Hers), Title IX / Affirmative Action Officer, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Cristina Pope (She, Her, Hers), Director, Health Sciences Library Upstate Medical University
• Carl A. Thomas Jr (He, Him, His), Interim Affirmative Action Officer & Supplier Diversity Coordinator, SUNY Upstate Medical University