The University of Iowa is working to become more gender inclusive — starting with gender-neutral bathrooms.
By Kendrew Panyanouvong
Gender-inclusive restrooms seen on national headlines are becoming a reality for the University of Iowa.
In the university’s effort to create a safer, more inclusive environment for students, the UI is converting 147 single-user restrooms on campus to gender-neutral.
“The purpose of this project is to create inclusive and accessible restrooms for our entire community and being supportive of all of our community members, including those who identify as transgender or non-binary,” said Teri Schnelle, the Student Life coordinator strategic initiatives and assessments.
A few years ago, the idea was proposed by UI graduate Avi Deol, and it is now spearheaded by Student Life. The team includes Schnelle, Meagan Schorr of the Women’s Resource and Action Center, and UI graduate Cindy Ann Kilgo.
More than 40 volunteers were recruited to start project “Restroom Revolution” last spring, with volunteers and UI staff and faculty auditing more than 1,000 public accessible restrooms and more than 100 buildings on campus.
UI faculty, community members, and volunteers scattered across campus to collect information and to evaluate restroom signage, how signage was being depicted, and locations of restrooms in order to determine which ones could be converted.
Schnelle said that because of the large number of volunteers, audits were conducted quicker than expected.
“We really appreciate this campus community; we wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” she said.
Barry Schreier, the director of University Counseling Services, said the UI stepping behind this project echoes what he sees as the institution’s values.
“When students don’t have to worry about discrimination, violence, or even having the tension of the decision to use the restroom, it’s one fewer hurdle,” Schreier said.
The UI’s efforts in repurposing restrooms across campus have been widespread, he said, with faculty from different departments collaborating on the common goal.
The UI’s push for a more inclusive campus comes at a time in which gender- inclusive restrooms have sparked national debate. In addition to the university’s efforts, incoming and current students are now presented with the option to list preferred names and pronouns on applications and student records.
“These changes give students the agency to tell us what name and pronoun to use in our communication and interaction with them,” Jodi Linley, a UI assistant professor of education, said in a video released from the UI earlier this week.
In 2013, the UI became the first public university in the United States to allow students to identify as transgender on their admission applications. Now, the UI has become one of the first to ask incoming students their preferred names, pronouns, and gender identities on admission applications.
“I’m excited that the UI is incorporating pronouns of reference and providing space for students to list their preferred names as part of their application,” said Schorr, the WRAC violence-prevention coordinator. “It’s absolutely an amazing step forward in creating affirming and supportive spaces for students.”
This summer, incoming freshmen during Orientation are given nametags that can specify their pronouns of reference.
Schorr said the relabeling phase is in the hands of Facilities Management and there are plans to have it completed by the end of this year.
“I’m thrilled that steps have been taken in creating inclusive space, and I’m excited what progress we can make in the future,” she said.