When Queen’s students return in September, they may notice a small yet significant change to the lower ceilidh in the John Deutsch University Centre.
As part of large-scale washroom renovations taking place in the JDUC, the lower ceilidh will soon house the first official unisex washroom on campus.
Brian Cheney, AMS vice-president of university affairs, said the new washroom is part of an initiative among universities to meet the needs of both disabled and transgendered students.
Cheney said the project aims to “increase the comfort level” of students who use the facilities at Queen’s and to prevent students in the transgendered community from feeling segregated.
JDUC director Bob Burge said he hopes the project will allow students to feel more comfortable with the facilities on campus. He said the joint venture between the AMS, the JDUC and Accessibility Queen’s should create an “open and welcome environment” for all students.
Other universities taking similar steps include Brock University, University of Western Ontario, the University of Chicago, Concordia University and McGill University.
The plan involves renovating the existing women’s washroom in the lower ceilidh to accommodate the construction of a unisex washroom beside the existing washroom.
The single stall facility will have a fully functional baby changing station and will be separated from the existing washrooms by its own door.
Presently there is no official opening date. Students will be notified when the project is near completion.
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