In an effort to further accommodate members of a diverse University community, several River Campus restrooms have been reassigned as all-gender. To date, 16 restrooms have been converted to provide single-stall, all-gender accessibility, and University Facilities and Services is currently evaluating other single-use type restrooms that may similarly be converted in future months.<\/p>\n
John Cullen, coordinator of outreach for the Susan B. Anthony Center, noted that the LGBTQ Advocacy Committee formed this past spring to provide leadership on enhancing the LGBTQ climate at the University was very instrumental in moving this initiative forward. And this past spring semester, the Students\u2019 Association Government adopted Resolution 13, which advocated in part for individuals of all gender identities and expressions to have access to safe and inclusive restrooms.<\/p>\n
\u201cA group of students, faculty, and staff have been interested in moving this initiative along for a while now, and we are glad that our University community has responded eagerly in taking steps to demonstrate our appreciation for all of its members, most specifically members of our transgender community,\u201d said Cullen. \u201cThe designation of \u201call-gender\u201d is a matter of safety and dignity for everyone who doesn\u2019t conform to the traditional gender norms. These newly redone bathrooms are individual spaces that are accessible to everyone, and also accommodate individuals with disabilities, such as those\u00a0who have a caretaker of a different gender who assists them in restrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a simple but high-impact change that was exactly the kind of thing we like to be brought to our attention,\u201d said Bruce Bashwiner, associate vice president of Facilities and Services. \u201cFor us, it was a reasonable request to which we could respond, and we were happy to help.\u201d<\/p>\n