2016-09-23

Page 1

WILSON

THE BILLBOARD

FALL 2016 ISSUE 1

WILSON COLLEGE

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Campus Embraces Gender Equality IN THIS ISSUE... New Restroom Policy Enacted

By Aurora Ortiz

The United States has made many changes to help the country promote social equality. One of the changes made single-occupant bathrooms gender neutral. In May 2016, the federal government issued public schools to allow transgender students the use of the bathroom that corresponds to their identifying gender. The government threatened to cut funding if educational institutions did not comply. Many colleges jumped on board with the initiative despite the difficulty of public schools. Wilson College is one of the many institutions that joined this nationwide movement. According to Sherri Sadowski, Director of Residence Life, the designation of single-use bathrooms with assigned genders came about due to their proximity to areas with a higher prominence of one gender. The changes may seem to have come out of nowhere but the college administra-

son community has flourished since making bathroom changes. Dean Mary Beth stated that she has had nothing but positive responses from staff and students. “There have been some negative comments online,” states Sadowski, “but the students and alumnae have jumped on it very quick.” The all-gender bathroom signs make a statement of their own. Unlike most genderPhoto by Jenna Kauffman neutral bathrooms tion has discussed these that feature a half-male changes for a while. This and half-female stick figidea became a reality when ure sign, the ones at Wilson different residence halls have a toilet and a wheel changed to coed. Mary Beth chair. Dean Mary Beth exWilliams, Dean of Students, plained that the chosen said that she has wanted signs represent what they to see the changing of gen- are: “just a bathroom.” der specific bathrooms to The changes to the bathbecome gender-neutral. rooms allows for mak“There were students ing Wilson College a more who were not comfortable using divided bathrooms,” comfortable place for evDean Mary Beth explains, eryone regardless of differ“and we have the responsi- ences. Although there are bility to be accommodating no changes in the current to all students, regardless agenda for Wilson College, of any and all differences.” Dean Mary Beth and SherA team effort between ri Sadowski agreed that the Dean of Students, the if there is a need for more Residence Life Director, the changes to accommodate Resident Assistants, Physi- the Wilson Community it cal Plant and many others will be done. Wilson College made the process a realis taking many steps toity. Dean Williams talked wards a more accepting and to Sadowski last fall about community. the changes she wanted to comfortable If there any questions see. The RAs assessed their regarding the new changhalls and divided the other es or a proposal for a new buildings around campus to please contact look for places where this change, change would be possible. Dean Williams at marySupport from the Wil- beth.wiliams@wilson.edu.

Dorm Life

Editorials 2 Opinion 3

Presidential Debate

Politics 4 News 5

New Wilson Mission Statement

Campus 6-9

Interfaith Ally Retreat Preview Safety Concerns

Sports 10

Hope Solo Suspended

Issues 11

YouTube Enforces Ad Policy

Arts & Culture 13 Staten Island Reenactment

Entertainment 14-15 Uprise Festival Rocks Shippensburg

Calendar 16

Hey Phoenix! Are you an armchair sports commentator? The Wilson Billboard

WANTS YOU!

We need a few good sports writers to join our team! If interested, please contact The Wilson Billboard at billboard@wilson.edu or attend our next story budget meeting on September 28 in the Student Media Center across from the Post Office.


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