Gender Neutral Facilities

Since 2012, Western has worked to increase the number of gender neutral facilities on campus. In 2016, the University adopted and began implementing Guidelines for Gender Neutral Facilities that were developed by a committee of students, faculty, staff and administrators. On an ongoing basis, the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance and Capital Planning and Development share responsibility for implementation of the Guidelines. Today, at least 108 gender neutral restrooms are located in 52 campus buildings.

The new Interdisciplinary Science Building opened in Spring 2022 and all restrooms in the building are gender neutral. The new Alma Clark Glass Hall and renovated Ridgeway Commons, which opened in Fall 2021, include gender-neutral restrooms. In Summer 2021, gender-neutral restrooms were created in Campus Services and Environmental Studies. During Winter 2021 gender-neutral restrooms were added on the first floor of the Fairhaven Academic building and third floor of the Performing Arts Center.  During Summer 2020, gender-neutral restrooms were created on the first floor of the Communications Facility and the fourth floor of Academic West (near the sky bridge).

A gender-neutral restroom was created in the new Disability Access Center space in the Library and four gender-neutral restrooms are included in the new Multicultural Center in the Viking Union.  The renovation of the Carver facility, completed in August 2017, included creation of four gender neutral restrooms, a single-occupancy gender neutral locker room on the first floor, and another gender neutral restroom with a shower on the third floor.

The image used for Western’s gender neutral restroom signs was created by a former Western student during her time working in the AS Publicity Center.

This printable map and handout lists the locations of gender neutral restrooms. The interactive campus map contains a filter for gender neutral restrooms.

Academic building directories list the locations of gender neutral restrooms in the building, or the location of the nearest gender neutral restroom if there is not one in the building. Educational signs outside newly converted gender neutral restrooms help educate the campus community about the importance of these facilities.

Recent gender-neutral restroom additions include:

• The first campus multi-stall gender-neutral restroom opened Fall 2022 in Haggard 241
• The new Interdisciplinary Science Building opened in Spring 2022 and all restrooms in the building are gender neutral.
• The new Alma Clark Glass Hall and renovated Ridgeway Commons, which opened Fall 2021, include accessible gender-neutral restrooms.
• Accessible gender-neutral restrooms in Environmental Studies 120 and Campus Services 127 and 128 added Summer 2021.
• Accessible gender-neutral restrooms on the first floor of Fairhaven Academic and the third floor of the Performing Arts Center added Winter 2021.
• Accessible gender-neutral restrooms on the first floor of the Communications Facility and the fourth floor of Academic West (near the sky bridge) added Summer 2020.
• A gender-neutral restroom in the new Disability Access Center space in the Library.
• Four gender-neutral restrooms in the new Multicultural Center in the Viking Union near KUGS.
• During winter break 2018-19, creation of a gender-neutral restroom on the fourth floor of Miller Hall.
• Gender-neutral restrooms were recently created in many of the residence halls and are available to people with access to those buildings.

Acting with an awareness that some students, colleagues, and program participants use gender neutral facilities can help people be more included and successful in your class or program.

• In your syllabus, tell students where they can find the gender neutral restroom nearest the classroom.  See the sample syllabus language here
• If you provide a short break during the class period, provide enough time for students who need to access a gender neutral restroom. Remember that students may need to travel to another floor, or another building, to access one.
• On your office door, in your office, or at an event location, use this sign to share the nearest gender neutral restroom location.
• At the beginning of the academic year, and at other times when interacting with students and others who are new to Western, display the gender neutral restroom map too.
• When orienting someone who is visiting or new to campus, if you point out the nearest women’s or men’s room location, also point out the location of the nearest gender neutral restroom.