At the very heart of UNC’s mission statement lies a culture of diversity — an attitude of acceptance and a strong belief in progress.
In acting out this creed, UNC should follow the lead of another UNC-system school that is making convenient, yet significant strides to make their university more welcoming to students who identify as transgender and gender non-specific.
At UNC-Asheville, single-stall bathrooms in residence halls and campus buildings alike have changed to gender non-specific bathrooms, allowing anyone to use them regardless of gender. This has alleviated the concerns of transgender students at UNC-A, many of whom feel uncomfortable in gender-specific restrooms. Lee Doyle is a student at UNC-A who identifies as transgender and has been in uncomfortable situations in gender-specific bathrooms.
UNC has 54 single-stall bathrooms around campus that could easily be changed to gender non-specific. This would be a simple solution to a difficult problem that affects transgender students on campus.
Terri Phoenix, director of the LGBTQ Center at UNC-CH, said that making these bathrooms would benefit a wide range of demographics at UNC, not just those who identify as transgender.
“It always benefits people with a disability who have personal care attendants,” Phoenix said.
Making this change would positively impact the University in more ways than one.
And because this problem can be so easily fixed by changing the sign, UNC would be morally remiss if it squandered the opportunity to foster a welcoming environment for students of different outlooks on campus.
If UNC truly hopes to be a center of progress, diversity and open-mindedness with a safe and accepting environment, it must prove that it is serious about extending benefits to all students.
The University could be a more welcoming place, and it can start with a simple change.
