This petition was created by Temple School of Social Work students. We are asking that the University create and implement a policy to have gender-neutral wheelchair accessible bathrooms on every floor in every new building built on campus. The use of accessible and safe bathroom facilities is essential for the comfort and safety of the Temple University community. Former student Loran Grishow-Schade did a comprehensive assessment of the bathrooms at Temple in Spring 2019 and found there is one toilet for every 21 men, one toilet for every 28 women, and only 1 toilet for every 40 transgender and nonbinary people. At Temple University on any given day 721 transgender/gender non-conforming students and physically disabled students experience health problems due to bathroom access disparities (Grishow-Schade, 2019).

For these reasons, the following members of the Temple community have signed the petition below:

I am a member of the Temple University community.  I demand that President Richard Englert (with the necessary approvals) create and implement a policy to provide gender-neutral and wheelchair accessible bathrooms on every floor in all new buildings on campus.

Transgender and gender non-conforming students do not have accessible bathrooms to use while they are on campus. By creating gender-neutral bathrooms, students and other members of our community will have access to safe bathrooms free of harassment.  

Temple University does not have many bathrooms that can be accessed by people in wheelchairs. We need bathrooms on every floor with automatic doors so that disabled people can go to the bathroom without assistance. 

If you have questions, feel free to contact Renee Mackintosh at renee.mackintosh@temple.edu

Thank you for supporting this important initiative.