EDITORIAL: Elmhurst University needs to expand their all-gender bathroom options
In a world where gender expression is being antagonized, Elmhurst University needs to set a precedent and include more all-gender bathrooms on campus.
It is noted on the campus map on the website, despite it being from when EU was Elmhurst College, that all dormitories on campus include at least one all-gender bathroom for students on campus to use.
While it is good that those who live on campus can safely use a bathroom, it is important to note that for the typical EU student, they do not have access to the dorms, as most are commuters.
There are some buildings that promote having all-gender bathrooms, with the more notable ones being Schaible Science Center, Old Main, and the A.C. Buehler Library.
Graphic by ABBEY MARK
Out of the 24 buildings on campus, it is advertised that 10 buildings on campus have an all-gender bathroom; however, six of those are all dorms.
It also is interesting to note that the Schaible Science Center is listed on the campus map online as not having one, when it is one of the few that actually have a correct all-gender bathroom.
The Frick Center has one single stall all-gender bathroom, but for the main part of campus, there needs to be a full bathroom for students to use.
There needs to be more all-gender bathrooms on campus for all students to use. Students should not have to walk across campus just to simply use the bathroom, or have a friend let them into their dorm.
All buildings that hold lectures should have an all-gender bathroom, and proper ones at that.
Most all-gender bathrooms on campus are notably single-stall rooms, and some even have a changing table. It is evident that EU just took a family restroom and slapped an all-gender bathroom title on it.
While it works and does its purpose, it is singling out individuals who have to use this bathroom.
With the all-gender bathroom in Schaible, there are built in stalls for multiple people to use at once. This is an ideal space for students and staff to use, and this style of all-gender bathroom should be implemented more.
On top of making sure that all-gender bathrooms are suitable for all genders, EU needs to make sure that the proper products are available in each bathroom.
In Schaible, only one all-gender bathroom has a slot for period-care products, similar to the female bathroom above it.
Period care products have slowly started to make their way into EU bathrooms recently, all thanks to Girl Up Elmhurst University. But, students on campus should not be the ones raising money to have this accessible to students: the University needs to make this change.
If it is an all-gender bathroom, period products are a necessity. They cannot be in just some of them or, worse, none of them — they need to be in all of them.
Not every single bathroom needs to be all-gender, but there needs to be more, especially in the prominent buildings on campus that all students have access to.
Making sure that more all-gender bathrooms are included will help more students feel welcomed and safe on campus. Elmhurst University, it is time you do better.
