Washrooms
Mount Royal University is continuing to fulfill its commitment to EDI and implementing change for a more equitable and inclusive campus. Providing more washrooms that people of all genders feel comfortable and safe using is another step in this journey.
All members of our campus community have the right to an environment that is safe and supportive of their needs. Providing a greater range of washroom types by including more all-gender options promotes safety and ease of use by all, including increased comfort through choice, privacy and accessibility.
All-gender (also called gender inclusive) washrooms cultivate a sense of belonging for gender diverse students and employees on campus, ensuring that all community members can focus on and succeed in the work of teaching, learning and information sharing.
Anyone, regardless of gender identity, can use an all-gender washroom. Your washroom at home is a good example, as are single-user washrooms in the community that everyone uses, such as those on airplanes, at outdoor festivals and in some coffee shops. Other all-gender washrooms are multi-user, with a mix of toilets and urinals, some of which are in stalls, others that are shielded and some that are in the open.
This type of facility increases privacy and accessibility for more members of our campus community, including those who have personal health requirements or mobility challenges, and those providing assistance to someone of a different gender, such as parents and caregivers.
Locations of all-gender/gender-inclusive washrooms on campus
Some washrooms in the Riddell Library and Learning Centre and across campus are all-gender, multi-user facilities. This means that everyone can use them. Signs on the door show what facilities are in each space. Additional signage indicates that these locations are all-gender washrooms and include the locations of nearby gender-specific washrooms.
While we are providing additional choice in our washrooms and creating a more equitable campus, not everyone will choose to use an all-gender washroom. These members of our community can choose the existing gender-specific washrooms on campus. Choose the washroom that you feel most comfortable using.
The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Facilities Management have identified the most effective locations for additional all-gender, multi-user washrooms. The following washrooms have been redesignated as all-gender as of Sept 1:
Faculty of Arts building (EA)- First level: EA1028, EA1030, EA1036
- Second level: EA2038, EA2036, EA1044
- Third Level: EA3084, EA3082, EA3106
Roderick Mah Centre for Continuous Learning (EC)
- First level: EC1104, EC1108, EC1110
- Second level: EC2106, EC2108
Contact us at EDI@mtroyal.ca with any questions.
Frequently asked questions
Anyone, regardless of gender identity, can use an all-gender washroom. Your washroom at home is a good example, as are single-user washrooms in the community that everyone uses, such as those on airplanes, at outdoor festivals and in some coffee shops. Other all-gender washrooms are multi-user, with a mix of toilets and urinals, some of which are in stalls, others that are shielded and some that are in the open.
Access to a washroom is a basic right. All-gender washrooms cultivate a sense of belonging for gender diverse students and employees on campus, ensuring that all community members can focus on and succeed in the work of teaching, learning and information sharing.
For some members of our community who are trans or gender non-conforming, public washrooms can be stressful spaces, with stares, questions and even verbal harassment or physical violence. As all-gender washrooms are for everyone, they are safer spaces.
These facilities also benefit other members of our community, including parents with small children, those with health issues who need privacy and caregivers who may be accompanying someone of another gender. Everyone can access the washroom they feel most comfortable using. Refer to signage for the functions in the space: toilets, urinals, accessible washroom facilities and change stations.
Mount Royal has a range of all-gender washrooms, including many single-user washrooms. There are all-gender, multi-user facilities on the first floor of the Riddell Library and Learning Centre — as well as at many other locations on campus. The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Facilities Management have identified the most effective locations for additional all-gender facilities.
Searchable map of campus: search "gender"
Use the washroom that you feel most comfortable using. We understand that some members of our community don’t want to use an all-gender washroom. There are many gender-specific washrooms available. Signage on all-gender washrooms indicate the closest gender-specific facilities.
In the past, Mount Royal used “gender-neutral” to describe washrooms everyone could use. This can be seen on the signage for existing facilities on campus. Language (and people!) evolve, however. Following consultation with a range of community members on- and off-campus, Mount Royal is using “all-gender washroom” going forward.
Rather than removing and replacing our existing “gender-neutral” signage, which is very expensive, Mount Royal is adding “all-gender” in new signage.
Just as there are reasons for wanting to use an all-gender washroom, there are reasons for not wanting to use them, from religious beliefs to comfort levels around different genders in a washroom setting. With a range of facilities on campus, choose the washroom you feel most comfortable using.
Mount Royal University is committed to providing safe, accessible and inclusive spaces to our campus community, including all-gender washrooms. This type of facility will be included in new construction projects on campus, as well as in renovations such as G-wing.
The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion worked with Facilities Management to identify areas of need. This work is ongoing as we continue to improve equity, safety and accessibility on campus.
Please contact the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at EDI@mtroyal.ca with any further questions.