2025 Update on Fat Tax In SPH Pop-Up-Shop

Since its genesis in Fall 2022, the SPH Pop-Up Shop has become a source for transformative social justice efforts within our community, thanks to the vigilance and advocacy of faculty member Sarah Andrea and the Fat Justice Working Group. These dedicated individuals highlighted a significant issue regarding price disparity where vendors were charging up to 20% more for clothing sizes 2X and larger compared to sizes XS to XL, a form of financial injustice in the clothing industry.

Despite exhaustive efforts by Dawn Richardson, then in her capacity as Associate Dean of Social Justice, to collaborate with numerous organizations focused on fat justice, finding an alternative vendor who offered equitable pricing proved challenging. The realization that larger-bodied individuals routinely face unjust financial penalties when purchasing apparel was a concern that could not be ignored.

In response, the Fat Justice Working Group, alongside Dawn Richardson, now Senior Associate Dean of Academic Operations, and Kelly Malakaua, Communications, Outreach & Marketing Manager, initiated an immediate solution. They developed a coupon mechanism, financed by the Anti-Racism and Social Justice budget, for sizes 2X and up. This initiative was supported by the SPH Leadership to mitigate the discriminatory pricing, or “fat tax,” on our community members.

We are now thrilled to announce a significant step towards inclusivity and size equity. Through sustained advocacy and dialogue, Premier Press, our partner in handling SPH merchandise orders, is inspired by our cause. An advocate within the company has successfully sourced a vendor that upholds our values by offering uniform pricing across all sizes. This achievement marks a pivotal step towards removing barriers and advocating for fairness and equity.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all members of the Fat Justice Working Group, faculty, staff, and students, as well as Sr. Associate Dean Dawn Richardson, Director of Anti-Racism and Social Justice Adri Jones, and Communications Manager Kelly Malakaua. Their commitment to our ethos of equitable practice has ensured that our SPH merchandise is inclusively priced, reflecting our dedication to promoting equality and respect for all body shapes and sizes.

Shop is closed now. It will re-open from June 6th – 20th 2025 for Commencement Season.