Potty privacy

A perfect world would consist of much more focus on real life problems like pollution, the depletion of natural resources, and nuclear weapons with potential of world wide catastrophe. Instead, we allow our precious time to be swamped with petty news that belongs in the tabloid section at the grocery store. Recently, one of these events has taken place right on our very own warm and fuzzy Green Mountain College campus.

This particular incident occurred when a  student felt there was a lack of privacy in the bathrooms on campus.  The student brought the issue to college officials and requested a separation of bathrooms for males and females. The student referred to the fact that the bathroom situation at GMC violates state-adopted building and plumbing codes. The bathrooms on the student’s floor were specifically labeled “female” and “male.” Unfortunately, the occasional drunk freshman boy ignored these signs, and stumbled into the bathroom violating the labels.  After no serious change was made, the student’s father stepped in and took things to the next level.  This complaint turned into a legal case against the Vermont Department of Public safety (not Green Mountain College for anyone that is still confused).  The civil complaint stated that there is no potty privacy at GMC and that all bathrooms in the residence halls are co-ed.

Unfortunately, the case was not as successful in court as they hoped.  The DPS showed that the code requirements do not apply to existing buildings in which the plumbing has not been changed, which was the case in the college dorms. The bathrooms at GMC will continue to remain co-ed.
Many students expressed their opinion towards this situation. Junior Kalene Lauther states, “I am torn. Some people are overreacting because it’s college; it should be expected and we’re supposed to be ‘adults’ by now, but at the same time some people are not as mature as others so co-ed bathrooms could have the potential to be uncomfortable for some.” Jake Robinson, a sophomore, states, “I believe that co-ed bathrooms promote diversity and in general, foster an understanding between genders.”  First-year student Mollie Trow states, “It’s totally ok to have co-ed bathrooms and doesn’t bother me at all. If everyone has respect for each other it’s not a problem.” At a liberal school like Green Mountain College, there is much support on gay/ lesbian/ bi/ and transgender rights. Gender advocacy groups have actually encouraged the use of co-ed bathrooms so transgender students are not required to choose a gender oriented bathroom when it comes time to use the facility.

According to Chris Marquart, Director of Residence Life, the benefits of co-ed bathrooms include, “providing support for gender neutral individuals and housing in the GMC community which also allows flexibility with housing, making room changes easier.” This satisfies the needs of others, especially because GMC has many unique floors giving students the opportunity to find the right place for them to succeed to their potential while in school. In response to the benefits of the co-ed bathrooms, Marquart replies, “The older buildings and facilities allow us to do this.”  This is also the reason that the Vermont Department of Public Safety was victorious in court, and why the bathrooms at GMC will continue to remain co-ed.

Whether or not this problem is a legitimate problem at GMC, Marquart responds, “This is not a common issue in our community, and I have actually received many emails from students supporting the co-ed bathroom policy.” He went on to state, “I support students’ right to free speech and rights to pursue legal action.”

Short URL: http://www.themountaineer.org/?p=1220