UMass Amherst has a long-standing commitment to social progress and social justice. The university affirms this responsibility by creating and ensuring a respectful, safe, and inclusive campus for all members of the community.
As part of fulfilling this responsibility and its obligations under Massachusetts law, the university has established a formal policy on the rights of trans people in campus restrooms. The intention of the policy is to enable trans and gender nonconforming people on campus to use restrooms without harassment. The policy states:
“The University of Massachusetts Amherst strives to create and sustain a campus environment that supports and values all members of our community. One aspect of creating a supportive environment is providing safe, accessible, and convenient restroom facilities. Students, staff, faculty, and campus guests should use the restroom facilities that correspond to their sex or gender identity, or utilize single-user facilities that are designated as a “restroom” or “gender-inclusive restroom.”
In practice, the policy means that people may use the gendered restrooms (i.e. a restroom labeled “men” or “women”) in which they feel safest and most comfortable. If a person experiences harassment while using a gendered restroom, there are number of options for filing a bias report and connecting to support systems. Anyone in fear of their safety should immediately call university police at 413-545-3111 or 911.
Locations of Gender-Inclusive Restrooms
Most gender-inclusive restrooms/bathrooms on campus are single-user, lockable facilities. There are 180 gender-inclusive restrooms in academic and service buildings, approximately 150 gender-inclusive restrooms on the first floors of residence halls, and more than 50 gender-inclusive bathrooms (with showers) on residence hall floors, outside of the single-user bathrooms in apartments and suites. Off campus, a number of local businesses provide gender-inclusive restrooms.
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