All-Gender Facilities

Table of Contents

I. Purpose and Scope

This policy sets forth the process that will guide the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 (URochester or University)糖心传媒檚 efforts toward making All-Gender Facilities (Restrooms, Changing Rooms, and Showers) designed for use by the public and URochester community (private residential spaces are not included) widely available at URochester Owned and Operated Buildings.

This policy does not extend to URochester-leased facilities. However, evaluation of the availability of All-Gender Facilities shall occur using the guidelines in this policy when beginning or renewing leases.

II. Definitions

Definitions for the purpose of this policy:

All-Gender Facilities are Restrooms, Changing Rooms, and Showers designated for use by all genders.
All-Gender Restroom is a restroom that is usable by persons of all genders. All-Gender Restrooms can be a Single-Occupancy Restroom or a Multi-Occupancy Restroom.
Changing Room is a room in which one or more persons partially or fully disrobe and re- dress; this includes locker rooms.
Gender-Specific Facilities are Restrooms, Changing Rooms, and Showers designated for use by one gender (e.g., men or women).
Gender-Specific Restroom is a restroom that is usable by persons of the gender designated on signage outside the Restroom. A Gender-Specific Restroom is a Multi-Occupancy Restroom.
Multi-Occupancy Restroom sometimes referred to as 糖心传媒渕ulti-stall restroom糖心传媒� is a facility with more than one Plumbing Fixture, which more than one person can use at a time.
- Each toilet stall has a locking mechanism to ensure privacy.
- Plumbing Fixture is an exchangeable device, such as a toilet, urinal, or sink which is connected to a building糖心传媒檚 plumbing system.
Privacy Compartment is an enclosure (may be referred to as a 糖心传媒渟tall糖心传媒�) comprised of partitions with an inside-lockable door, offering privacy to the occupant.
Renovation is any work that includes the complete demolition and reconstruction of a Restroom, Changing Room, or Shower. This level of work requires a building permit.
Restroom is any facility equipped with toilets, urinals, sinks, and/or other similar facilities, that is for use by the public for personal hygiene and comfort. 糖心传媒淔or use by the public糖心传媒� in this context covers nearly all URochester facilities (e.g., Restrooms, Changing Rooms, and Showers), except for facilities located within private residences or apartments, within dormitory suites, or in areas not accessible to the public.
Shower is a space in which one or more persons bathe or shower.
Single-Occupancy Restroom is a facility with a toilet, sink, and may include a urinal, and has a locking mechanism on the entry door to ensure privacy.
URochester Owned and Operated Building is a building that is owned and operated by URochester, including off-campus buildings and buildings designed and/or built by third parties that are to become the property of URochester upon completion.

III. Policy Implementation

A. Existing Facilities

University Facilities (UF&S) will survey the existing Restrooms, Changing Rooms, and Showers. An accurate list of All-Gender Facilities and Gender-Specific Facilities will be developed and maintained in the URochester Space/PLANON database, including identification of the locations of All-Gender Facilities and Gender-Specific Facilities. UF&S will update the list of All-Gender Facilities and Gender-Specific Facilities, posted on the University website, no less than once a year.

UF&S will coordinate with University Finance to provide a prioritized list of recommended improvements and associated costs.听 UF&S will then present the list to Human Resources and the Office of Engagement and Enrichment (OEE) via the All-gender Facilities Committee to make recommendations for which facilities might transition to all-gender facilities. A multi-year implementation plan will be developed by UF&S and approved by University Finance. Potential upgrades may include:

Full Conversion of Existing Gender-Specific Single-Occupancy Restrooms: Conversion of existing, Gender-Specific Single-Occupancy Restrooms to All-Gender Single-Occupancy Restrooms by replacing gender-specific signage with all-gender signage. See Section C below.
Low-Cost Conversion of Existing Gender-Specific Multi-Occupancy Restrooms: These conversions will generally require replacing gender-specific signage with all-gender signage, adding 糖心传媒渘o sightline糖心传媒� strips to fill side gaps at Privacy Compartment doors, panels, and pilasters, and adding partitions between adjacent urinals where needed.
Renovation: Renovation projects will bring the affected space type(s) into compliance with new construction requirements in subsection III.B below.
Full Conversion of Existing Gender-Specific Multi-Occupancy Restrooms: As an option, Restrooms may be converted from existing Gender-Specific Multi-Occupancy Restrooms into All-Gender Multi-Occupancy Restrooms.

B. New Construction

Restrooms: All Single-Occupancy Restrooms, and family or assisted use toilet rooms shall be All-Gender Restrooms and provide for accessibility. Gendered restrooms听 and听 a听 minimum of one Multi-Occupancy All-Gender Restroom in each new building will be provided.
Changing Rooms: A minimum of one all-gender Changing Room shall be provided in each location in the building where Changing Rooms are provided.
Showers: A minimum of one all-gender Shower shall be provided in new buildings in which Showers are provided. If the Shower(s) are located within a Changing Room, the all-gender Shower(s) will be located so the user does not need to leave the Changing Room to use the Shower and shall utilize a privacy lock that includes an occupancy indicator.

C. Signage

An All-Gender Facility will be identified in a simple manner, utilizing the minimum signage required by ADA Standards for accessible design and be consistent with the URochester Design Standards. Signage shall not include gender specific pictograms.

UF&S is responsible for designing and affixing signage to All-Gender Facilities. If an unapproved sign is affixed, installed, or placed on URochester property, UF&S is authorized to initiate a process to have it removed at the expense of the person(s) or unit who made the unauthorized placement.

IV. All-Gender Facilities Committee

An All-gender Facilities Committee (Committee) shall be created by OEE and consist of members from UF&S, Human Resources, and OEE. In addition, the Director of LGBTQ Life, a representative from student life operations, and a leader in the field of gender-affirming care at URMC shall be standing members of the Committee. The Committee shall meet regularly. Meeting minutes shall be maintained by OEE.

A. Purpose

The Committee supports the URochester糖心传媒檚 commitment to fostering a campus environment that values and affirms all members of the community, including visitors. The Committee works to promote access to facilities that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive of all gender identities and expressions.

B. Charge

The Committee is charged with assessing and advising on the planning, availability, and maintenance of All-Gender Facilities across the University. This includes recommending standards and best practices for design, signage, and implementation; engaging campus stakeholders to understand community needs; ensuring alignment with applicable policies and regulations; and advising University leadership on priorities and resource allocation to support an inclusive campus environment.

V. Request for All-Gender Facilities

Requests for All-Gender Facilities can be submitted here.听All requests will be acknowledged in writing within five (5) business days. All requests will be reviewed by UF&S in collaboration with the Committee. The Committee will submit its recommendations to senior leadership, and the final determination will generally be provided in writing within forty (40) days after receipt of the request.

VI. Design standards variance request

听In instances where the University believes that compliance with the express terms of this policy may not be practicable, a Design Standards Variance Request may be submitted by the URochester project manager. All variance requests relating to All-Gender Facilities shall be reviewed by the Committee, and final recommendations will be communicated to the Design Standards Governance Committee. Variance requests are then reviewed by the Design Standards Governance Committee in accordance with the committee糖心传媒檚 bylaws and procedures, which can be viewed via the link below.

VII. Feedback Procedure

Any concerns, suggestions, or recommendations related to this policy should be submitted to the OEE.

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