When $37 million in renovations for Campbell Hall were completed in August, a key part of the renovations included the creation of gender-neutral bathrooms, the first for Michigan State University.

Now, three months after the hall reopened, the bathrooms were changed back to gender-specific following controversy among some students and parents.

The hall, which houses approximately 246 students, has informed residents that changes to the gender-neutral bathrooms will be made, a move that comes after a formal complaint was sent to MSU. The communication created confusion among some students.

Shortly following renovations, a survey named "The Campbell Hall Post-Move-In Resident Evaluation Survey" was sent to hall residents between Sept. 16-23. The results, which were shared with The State News by MSU Student Life & Engagement Director of Communications Kat Cooper, are as follows:

• Respondents were generally satisfied with the room renovations, with "Very Satisfied/Satisfied" scores between 67% and 77%
• Satisfaction varied regarding the floor bathrooms, with 22% of respondents selecting "Dissatisfied/Very Dissatisfied" for the showers
• Almost 60% of respondents rated the overall renovation as "Excellent/Very Good," while only 2% rated it as "Poor"
  • Approximately two-thirds of respondents had no concerns about the renovations.
• Students who selected "Yes" (about 26 students) for having a concern about the renovations were asked to explain.
  • Multiple comments included the need for better shower heads, some construction not being completed at the time, and issues with gender inclusive bathrooms.

Cooper said one of MSU’s initial goals for the gender-neutral bathrooms was flexibility, with the goal to "build quality facilities that are flexible for the next generation of students."

"Next to that, we were also hearing from students that they wanted more privacy in the bathroom spaces and by shifting from stalls to individual toilet and shower rooms, we were able to offer students that increased privacy for their private moments," Cooper said.

Residents of Campbell Hall received an email from the university informing them of the changes to specific bathrooms, with currently a third of the bathrooms in the hall being gender-neutral and another third gender-specific.

Biochemistry freshman Kendall Crawford said she doesn’t take any issue with the gender-neutral bathrooms, and that the specific bathrooms offer more spaces for people to use.

"I think it is very interesting that they decided to change it all of a sudden because I haven't noticed any issues with the bathrooms being gender neutral," Crawford said. "I think that it's nice because I can go to any bathroom that's open. So if I know that the one right next to my dorm is occupied, I can go anywhere; it doesn't matter. I don't see any negative side of the bathrooms being gender neutral ... I don't see any reason for it to be a problem."

As for the formal complaint issued by the parent of a student who lives in Campbell Hall, Crawford said any concerns held by parents should not determine such a significant change, as they’re not residents of the building.

"Parents aren't using our bathrooms unless they're here to visit," Crawford said. "I feel like if the students living here don't have an issue with it, then there's no reason for it to be changed, unless if there really were that many students that were concerned, then I think it would be reasonable to consider changing the bathroom situation, but if it's truly mostly parents that have complaints or concerns, I don't think that should hold very much weight."

Crawford said communication regarding the bathroom change after residents filled out the survey was confusing for her and other individuals in the hall.

"I got that email that they were planning on making those changes on whatever date and then those changes did not happen. I did not see anything. There weren't any signs up and I heard people in my hall talking about they're not doing it anymore. And then a couple of weeks later, they are going to change it," Crawford said. "I haven't heard anything else since that one email about it. I think if they are going to be making changes, I just want to be aware because it's my building and that's where I'm living and I want to know if it is going to be changed and when that's going to happen."

Crawford said that much of the current tension around the bathrooms seems to stem from misinformation and rumors circulating among residents. She recommended that those with concerns should form a group to speak directly with MSU administrators rather than spreading confusion in the halls. 

"I don't really think me or my roommate or anyone else that we know actually has the complete picture of what's happening," Crawford said.