Michigan State University’s first foray into co-ed community bathrooms ended with a partial reversal last week when officials put up signs in Campbell Hall to designate some of the facilities by gender.
The change occurred after a formal complaint and an MSU survey indicated that some residents of the dorm were not comfortable after a $37.1 million renovation made all 20 of the community bathrooms unisex. The dorm houses honors students.
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The university did not inform parents that bathrooms would not be separated by gender, leading at least one student to seek alternative bathing facilities, according to a letter written by the parent of the student.
The facilities were the first co-ed community bathrooms of their kind at any of MSU’s 27 dorms — and possibly among Michigan public universities. MSU said it made the change to unisex community bathrooms at Campbell Hall to offer the university flexibility as student populations shift in the future.
“Following review of the survey data, the decision was made to provide options for students,” MSU spokesperson Kat Cooper told the media outlet Bridge Michigan in an email.
Campbell Hall has four floors with 20 community bathrooms and five single-use bathrooms.
Cooper said she did not know how many of the 20 bathrooms remain unisex and how many are now designated for males only or females only.
In an email MSU officials sent to Campbell hall residents, it said that “bathrooms will be configured as much as possible to the gender make-up of the community” on the ground and first floors, where there are two community bathrooms, and “gendered bathroom options” on the second and third floors of the dorm, where there are eight community bathrooms, along with single-use restrooms.
“We wanted to ensure that no room moves were required as part of these changes,” the email said. “The updates are intended to offer more choice and help residents feel more comfortable in their daily routines”.
Some MSU trustees said Tuesday that the university should take steps to address concerns of students and parents.
“I’m happy that the university listens to the concerns of its students,” Trustee Mike Balow said.
Added Trustee Dennis Denno: “It’s important for our students to feel comfortable and to have options. This is the right move by the university.”
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This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.