Under the Button is part of a student-run nonprofit.

Please support us by disabling your ad blocker on our site.

Penn Can No Longer Afford The Tampons

By DAVID AKST

December 1, 2016 at 2:42 pm

It's no secret that President-elect and Penn alum Donald Trump has a less-than-ideal stance on women's health issues. We all knew that his positions could and would affect us, our loved ones, and many people on this campus. But we didn't know it would affect the campus itself.

A beloved if oft-mocked campus installation, the Tampons are a landmark on Locust. Unfortunately, Penn can't afford to keep them.

In an emotional address to Penn students and local news outlets, President Amy Gutmann announced the University's decision to sell the Tampons. 

"For years students have learned, laughed, and lived around the Tampons. It is with great sadness in my heart that I announce the departure of the popular sculpture," said Gutmann. "As much as we are committed to art, beauty, and expression on campus and beyond it, we must be realistic. The cost of women's healthcare and women's products under Donald Trump will be too high to keep this remarkable structure at Penn, so we're letting it go now."

It's unclear what will replace the sculpture but some members of the Penn community are urging the administration to install an intrauterine device (IUD) on campus, "before it's too late."

PennConnects