Students will notice a few changes when they return this fall, including the addition of gender neutral restrooms on campus.

The change was made after a resolution passed by the Student Government Association went into action.

Jody Cofer Randall, LGBT program coordinator, brought the issue to the attention of previous SGA president Jeremiah Johnson when a transgender student came to Cofer Randall after being out’ed in class.

Cofer Randall said over the past several years he has discussed the need for a gender neutral or inclusive restrooms with individuals on campus.

“These restrooms are of particular importance to transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, but it is important to point out that many people beyond those that identify with those two populations support the idea of gender neutral or inclusive restrooms,” Cofer Randall said.

During the 2012-13 academic year, Cofer Randall asked the chief facilities officer for a listing of all restrooms on campus and which were classified as single stall restrooms.

“I was exploring various ways to come at this issue recognizing fiscal constraints, as well as some areas of campus are of higher traffic than others,” he said.

During the fall of 2013, SGA passed a resolution that included a call for more inclusive restrooms on campus.

The Resolution for LGBT Equality states the following:

“Be it resolved that the Student Government Association of Murray State University supports making Murray State University more inclusive by providing students a policy that allows a preferred first name on the Murray State University myGate system, and will help prevent our students from being treated differently.

Be it also resolved that the Student Government Association of Murray State University supports including partners of Murray State University employees in the current tuition waiver policy for undergraduate tuition waivers. Be it also resolved that the Student Government Association of Murray State University supports making more gender neutral or family restroom facilities available to the Murray State University students and campus community.”

Cofer Randall said there has not been opposition at any point along the way, but there have been some complications.

“This process has involved efforts by a variety of offices including Facilities Management,” he said. “Things such as compliance with plumbing codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) had to be explored.”

The restrooms are single usage and have locks on the door for privacy.

There are three bathrooms that have been designated as “gender neutral” on campus. They are located on the first floor of the North Business Building by the elevators, the second floor of Wells Hall near the LGBT Programming location and the first floor of the Curris Center, near the SGA office.

The designated restrooms may be used by anyone, regardless of gender identity.

Plans to install gender neutral restrooms in Sparks Hall and Faculty Hall are in the works.

Cofer Randall said he’s had several students over the years approach him about gender neutral bathrooms.

“Beyond the individual’s comfort using a particular restroom, the issue of safety must be considered,” he said. “Is it physically safe for a transgender person that biologically has male parts, but lives as a woman and presents as such to enter a ‘man’s’ restroom?”

Michael Dobbs, president of SGA, said students should know the changes were made to already existing restrooms.

“The only money spent was on the signs and the locks,” Dobbs said. “This is a highly insignificant amount when broken down among the thousands of students at Murray.”

“Secondly, there is no need to speculate on whether or not it will cause any more issues for the students that want to use them. If they want to use them, they are there for use. If they don’t want to use them, they don’t have to.”

Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, said the committee has been a strong supporter and advocate for this alternative. Robertson is also president of the President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.

“This is something that is common in many buildings across the country,” he said. “It provides an alternative for those wishing to use these facilities in a safe environment.”

Cofer Randall said the restrooms represent another step forward in efforts to make Murray State inclusive to students, staff and faculty.

Said Cofer Randall: “We have transgender and gender non-conforming students — that is an undisputable fact. We must provide safe and accessible restrooms for their use and that is what we are doing through a methodical and realistic approach. Nobody is being required to use any restroom they are uncomfortable with, but we are ensuring that a student needing these facilities does not have to travel to the other side of campus to find a restroom they are comfortable using.”