Lab’s operations and custodial staff have noticed a recent uptick in inappropriate use of feminine hygiene products in Lab’s bathrooms and common spaces like the cafeteria. This has caused the staff to clean up for students, who are not doing the work themselves. 

In a Feb. 17 Schoology post, Dean of Students Ana Campos sent out a Schoology message to the Lab community to address the disrespectful behavior, noting how this inappropriate use has created a mess for the custodial staff to clean up.

“These behaviors are incredibly disrespectful to the custodial, operations, and other staff who have to clean that up and who have asked for help from students,” Ms. Campos wrote in the Schoology post.

She also said there has been an increase in students leaving waste behind in Café Lab and not cleaning up after themselves.

Tony Baker, associate director of operations, said this behavior dates back to before the pandemic and has a tendency to occur in waves. Some of the inappropriate behavior includes throwing wet menstrual products onto the ceiling and throwing spit wads around. 

“This issue can be putting a strain on our resources here, which includes our cleaning staff and our operations staff,” Mr. Baker said. “They’re tasked with doing a lot to begin with, with maintaining the school, so adding extra stuff like that, while it might not seem like a ton of extra work, it adds a lot.”

Mr. Baker noted the importance of caring for shared spaces and having respect for everyone in the community. 

“I think this school is good at fostering an environment that supports self-advocating. This is a situation to advocate for your spaces and your surroundings. Some of you guys will move onto college and have a dorm and a roommate, and you’re going to be living with someone who will hopefully be respectful of your space,” Mr. Baker said. “We have shared spaces here, and we’d like to see that everyone leaves those in good condition for the next person.”