Frequently Asked Questions
Housing & Residential Life remains fully committed to installing locks on the entrances to all of our bathrooms as we shared last spring with student government and others. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information, and contact us if you have further questions.
We are making this investment based on feedback shared last year regarding additional bathroom security when showering and using the bathroom.
Protecting the safety of our residents and our community is one of our most important responsibilities as staff at Housing & Residential Life. When bathroom incidents have occurred in residence halls, the perpetrators who were identified were not residents but, rather, unwanted trespassers. Please see our Safety Information page for more information for residents about ensuring unauthorized individuals do not enter our buildings.
We began working on this project during the 2021-2022 school year. Due to supply chain shortages, we were not able to complete lock installation during the summer of 2022 as initially intended. However, we are committed to completing the project as efficiently as possible now that supplies are available.
The following buildings will have locks installed: 17th Ave, Bailey, Centennial, Comstock, Frontier, Pioneer, and Territorial.
Because Middlebrook and Sanford have hallway locks in place already, those buildings will not be affected.
Installation will be completed on a building-by-building basis throughout 2022-2023. You will receive advance notice containing further details via email when installation in your building is approaching. You will also receive a confirmation email when work is complete in your building.
The scheduling of lock installation is dependent on availability of materials, degree of construction needed to the bathroom/door frame, and other factors. We appreciate your patience during this process.
During the lock installation process you may need to use a different bathroom if active work is occurring on your floor. Signs will be posted to notify residents when active work is occurring.
Once lock installation is complete, residents will need to use their current room key to open the bathroom door. Residents should carry their keys at all times to ensure easy access.
Once locks are installed, residents will retain access to multiple bathrooms either on their floor or across floors (depending on building configuration) to ensure they have options corresponding to their gender identity, and to be able to escort guests to bathrooms.
Locks will be installed on the doors connecting the hallway and communal bathrooms, and will not be installed for private/semi-private bathrooms or bathrooms that already have locks (those in apartments, Middlebrook, and Sanford).
Rather than being limited to a single bathroom, residents will be able to open any bathroom on their floor so they can give guests access.
Residents will be required to escort their guests to the bathroom as residents should never give their keys to others.
All buildings have restrooms which are accessible for residents and guests without key access. Consult your building’s information desk if you need help locating them. (Note: Restrooms do not contain showers)
Throughout our planning, we have taken particular care in ensuring equitable access to the bathrooms for people of all genders and individuals with disabilities.