Access to functional bathrooms is a basic necessity for many students’ well-being, yet at FC, bathroom access has become a serious concern.

The fact that construction means that some bathrooms are sometimes not available, coupled with the frequent locking of bathrooms, has left students scrambling for the nearest open facilities. With limited bathrooms available in the building and the trailers, FC’s restrooms are often inaccessible— either because they are completely full or because they are locked.

Students who need to use the restroom must submit an online hall pass through E-hallpass, although there are only a limited number of passes available for each bathroom. This limits students’ bodily autonomy.
If the bathroom closest to a student’s classroom has no available passes, a student may create an E-hallpass for a different restroom. By having to use the farther bathroom, the student misses more class time.

JagTime, a period in which students rotate between different class periods to catch up on work, ironically seems like the ideal time to use the restroom without missing instructional time; however, restroom use during JagTime is prohibited at FC this year. When the few available bathrooms are locked during JagTime along with passing periods, students are being restricted from properly taking care of their health.

In an environment where students frequently have to travel long distances between classrooms, being denied limited and inconsistent bathroom access during passing time is a glaring oversight. Moreover, the strain is not only on students but also on teachers, who find themselves with limited facilities to use between classes.

Rather than locking bathrooms, implementing a system where administrators and security monitor bathrooms could solve some of this congestion, ensuring a safe and accessible space for everyone, while keeping the restroom open for more extended periods of time.

Restricting bathroom access entirely risks students’ health, especially as they may hold back from using the bathroom due to overcrowding or long waits. A basic necessity such as restroom access is critical for students to fully engage in their education. Without these essentials, schools fall short of providing a supportive and health-conscious learning environment.

Ensuring reliable access to bathrooms is not just about convenience— it’s a core factor in the maintaining of students’ health and education.