IMU implementing gender-neutral restrooms

The Indiana Memorial Union is taking steps to transform some single-sex bathrooms into gender-neutral bathrooms.

The Union Board and the IU Student Association passed a plan last week to create gender-neutral bathrooms on the first, second and eighth floor of the student activities tower.

On the first floor of the IMU, the bathroom that is turning into a gender-neutral bathroom has two stalls, but a lock will be installed so that only one person can use it. By May 18 the main entrance to the bathroom will be open, and the two stalls will be fully enclosed from floor to ceiling so that two people can use them at the same time.

The second- and eighth-floor bathrooms are already single units, so they will now have a sign stating that they are gender-neutral bathrooms.

The restrooms that were chosen to be converted were the most equipped to become gender neutral bathrooms, said senior RJ Campbell, director for Diversity for IU Student Association.

The gender-neutral bathrooms are being implemented “as quickly as possible,” said Bruce Jacobs, executive director of the IMU.

“Gender-neutral bathrooms provide for the entire campus community no matter what one’s sexual preference is,” Jacobs said. “It is the best way to go to become more welcoming to the entire community. The Union’s basic purpose is to be a place that serves the entire community.”

The first floor only had a women’s restroom, so men would have to go to the Mezzanine or third floor to use a bathroom. The restroom modification means anyone can use the one by Starbucks, Campbell said.

This undertaking was a collaborative effort of IUSA and Union Board.

“It benefits IUSA and Union Board when we work together,” said junior Andrew Dahlen, Union Board President. “It was completely student-driven. Students passed the proposal and students took ownership of the building.”

IUSA President Luke Fields said this plan underscores the efforts both organizations are making to increase campus diversity.

“This initiative shows forward thinking on the part of both organizations,” Fields said. “We are bringing about a positive change on campus.”

More gender-neutral bathrooms will soon be added to the IU campus, Campbell said.
IUSA is trying to get in contact with other academic buildings, such as Ballantine Hall, to make gender-neutral bathrooms accessible there, too.