Johari Canty
In Spring 2015 the University announced that a gender-neutral bathroom would be built in the Graham Center at the Modesto Maidique Campus. Although construction was projected to be done by fall 2015, the bathroom may be completed earlier that.
Sanyo Mathew, GC’s senior director, said he hopes to have the project completed before the start of the fall semester. Mathew feels that completing the restroom before fall would avoid the headache of construction during the busiest semester of the year.
However, Mathew has yet to confirm an expedite in the process, which places the current expected completion time between early to mid-September.
While this will not be the first gender-neutral restroom on campus, it will be the first one located in the Graham Center, the student center of the Modesto Maidique Campus campus.
Other gender-neutral restrooms on MMC include those in Parkview, Lakeview North and South, Everglades and the family restroom located in the Recreation Center for a total of nine restrooms.
By adding this gender neutral restroom to GC, FIU joins the ranks of other state universities that have gender-neutral restrooms in their student unions including USF, UCF, and FSU.
The gender-neutral restroom allows for individuals who identify as someone whose gender identity or expression is different from those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth to safely use the restroom. The restroom will also have a larger entryway to accommodate students who use wheelchairs and may need extra space.
The space for the restroom comes from a storage closet which was originally used for the Office of Orientation and Parent Programs. Once construction is finished, the restroom will be open for the use of one person at a time and it will also include a baby changing station.
The total costs for construction of the restroom have totaled out to be about $350,000. The funds for the project come from the Capital Improvement Trust Fund and a portion of the cost will also come from the student health fee that is currently included in the cost of student tuition.
Reactions to the gender neutral restroom have ranged from overall support to hesitance to disapproval.
There was even some concern that a bill proposed in February by Florida State Representative Frank Artiles would stop the restroom construction. However, the bill which would have made it mandatory for people to only use restrooms designated for the sex that they were assigned at birth, failed in the Florida legislature and is no longer a concern.
From the University, some have voiced their concern that the restroom will be abused by individuals who can safely use gender specific restrooms.
“A gender neutral bathroom is definitely a good idea for the consideration of the transgender community, but I have a concern that others may abuse the privilege of one,”said Alum Rohit Vinod.
However, Daniel Capote, the president of FIU’s Stonewall Pride Alliance said that it is “amazing” that the gender-neutral restroom is being created.
“Just let people pee,” Capote said. “It’s a matter of personal convenience I suppose. Also, it’s not accommodating for a disability or anything like that, it’s accommodating for humanity. It’s just being compassionate, being empathetic, being open to other people’s struggle and just hearing them and responding to them and I feel like the university is doing that.”
Other students like Jonathan Cedeno, a senior and double major in psychology and women’s studies, feel that the construction of the restroom is step towards the future for FIU.
“It’s revolutionary.” Cedeno said. “ We all have insecurities and this will aid those who are transgendered by making the transition process, if any transition is happening, a little easier. By creating something as simple as a restroom, FIU is showing its willingness to come to terms with modern times. As a society we are growing. Possible at a rate far from ideal but growing nonetheless. This is a good thing. Some might not be in favor of it but it’s happening for a reason. In life we all strive for one common thing, happiness. This is definitely going to make someone smile.”
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