The document discusses a resolution passed by ASUSF Senate to convert the two bathrooms in the Market Cafe into a single multi-stall gender inclusive bathroom. It notes that USF's mission emphasizes inclusion and diversity but that more can be done to support gender nonconforming students. Testimonies from students support having more conveniently located gender inclusive bathrooms. A survey found 70% of respondents supported the resolution while 18% opposed it. The resolution calls on USF to demonstrate its values by providing an inclusive space for all students, faculty and staff.

1. Market Cafe - Gender Inclusive Bathroom
ASUSF Resolution (​##-##-##​)
Whereas: ​The University of San Francisco’s mission statement states that :
“The core mission of the university is to promote learning in the Jesuit Catholic
tradition. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as persons and professionals, and the
values and sensitivity necessary to be men and women for others.
The university will distinguish itself as a diverse, socially responsible learning
community of high quality scholarship and academic rigor sustained by a faith that
does justice. The university will draw from the cultural, intellectual, and economic
resources of the San Francisco Bay Area and its location on the Pacific Rim to enrich
and strengthen its educational programs.”
Whereas​: Despite the progress that have been made by the University of San Francisco in
creating an inclusive space, by having a gender and sexuality center, promotions for LGBTQ+
related events, and a gender inclusive floor in Phelan residence hall, there is still work that
needs to be done in order to provide an environment that is modeled after the institution’s
mission statement; and
Whereas:​ Gender inclusive bathrooms are essential to this as it creates safe and comfortable
spaces for those who do not identify with a specific identity or is uncomfortable using
bathrooms assigned to either “male” or “female”; and
Whereas:​ The closet gender inclusive bathroom in the University Center is on the fourth floor,
which is inconvenient for those students who do not identify with “male” or “female” as it
would require them to walk up two or three flights of stairs to this nearest gender neutral
bathroom; and
Whereas​: Based on a testimony given by a USF student who identify as Queer and Non-Binary
on why this is greatly needed
“​I think that this is a great resolution. The UC 2 bathrooms are always busy so I know that
everyone uses them. Any way to make people more comfortable and to promote equality is
fine by me.” and
Whereas: ​“Having gender-specific restrooms can create unnecessary risks that lead to transgender
or gender nonconforming folks to be harassed,” says Sasha Buchert, a staff attorney at the
Transgender Law Center; and
Whereas: ​Based on a testimony given by a fellow student who identify as straight and female:
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2. “​Since there are multiple stalls in these bathrooms, I am concerned, if a woman were in the
bathroom alone, that a male might come into the bathroom when no one else is there and
be of danger to her. I am totally comfortable with gender neutral bathrooms, but I also
prefer to have at least a bathroom that is secure and safe for a time of day, say early
morning or late night, when a woman might rather go to a safe and secure bathroom.”​; and
Whereas​: By having a multi-stalls gender inclusive bathroom in Market Cafe, it is intended to be
an inclusive communal space for the entire student body, faculty, and staff of the University of
San Francisco; and
Whereas:​ A transgender student stated that:
“Having a single-stall gender inclusive restroom will not make anyone or her feel safe but the
opposite. It will single out that individual and expose that person identity, if not, already out to friends
and the community. Basically outing an individual.” ; and
Whereas: ​For those concerned about others safety and comfort using this proposed gender
neutral bathroom, the closest gender specific bathrooms are located on the first and third floor
of the University Center; and
Whereas: ​The Market Cafe is closed at 9pm; therefore, most students rarely use the bathrooms
on the second floor; and
Whereas:​ In conducting a Facebook survey with the USF community where we received 49
responses, 70% of the responses supports the resolution of changing Market Cafe two
bathrooms into a single multi-stalls gender neutral bathroom, 12% of the responses were
indifferent towards the changes and 18% disapproves the resolution; and
Whereas:​ Gender inclusive bathrooms are used not only by gender nonconforming or
transgender students, faculty and staff, but by the whole USF community; and
Whereas: ​ASUSF Senate finds that there is a lack of gender inclusive bathrooms on campus and
finds that the cafeteria, being the epicenter of student life, should be a place of inclusion and
have a dedicated space for all its guests; therefore, be it
Resolved by ASUSF Senate of the University of San Francisco, representing all the
undergraduate students of the University: ​that the University demonstrate its mission and
core values by providing a space of inclusivity for students, faculty and staff; furthermore, be it
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3. Resolved: ​That the University renovate the Market Cafe’s bathrooms into a single multi-stalls
gender inclusive bathroom with floor to ceiling walls and doors - like that of Phelan Residence
Hall - by the beginning of the 2017-18 school year; furthermore, be it
Resolved: ​That the University change the names of all single stall restrooms to be gender
neutral - by the beginning of the 2017 calendar year; furthermore, be it
Resolved: ​The University continue to strive for progressive change on campus for LGBTQ+
students, faculty and staff.
Submitted by:
Delvin Hodges, LGBTQ Representative
Tin Dinh, LGBTQ Representative
Supported By:
The Cultural Centers
Unica Jordan
College of Arts and Science Representative, ASUSF Senate
Signed on this day, (​May 03 , 2016)​:
Laureano Figueroa
ASUSF President
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