Loyola Marymount Introducing ‘All-Gender’ Bathrooms on Campus

In an April 26 letter titled "Toward a More Inclusive LMU," university president Timothy Law Snyder announces several measures he says "highlight our diversity and inclusion efforts, inspired by our continuing dialogue to improve our campus climate."

So-called gender-neutral bathrooms are one of several moves to make the university more "inclusive." At least eight other Jesuit Catholic universities have non-gender-specific bathroom facilities, including the University of San Francisco, Santa Clara University, Creighton, Marquette, Georgetown, Fordham, Fairfield and Boston College.

Snyder's letter also lists other solutions to make the school more "inclusive." He mentions the implementation of an "implicit bias training program" for students, faculty and staff beginning in the fall 2016 semester.

He assures that future faculty, administrators and staff will "reflect our commitment to diversity, inclusion and our Catholic, Jesuit and Marymount mission" and "demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and educational needs of all LMU students."

The document also mentions an "Equity and Inclusion Task Force" at Loyola's law school appointed to "advance community training programs and address incidents when the dignity of community members is threatened or compromised."

It also mentions the expansion of the LMU Cares program to have a "new component on inclusion, respect and community." The program already addresses dating and all kinds of sexual violence.

Snyder writes, "I am encouraged by the emerging partnerships formed among students, faculty, academic leaders, student development professionals and staff to respond to incidents throughout the year, and more importantly, to promote candid dialogue and constructive progress toward achieving inclusivity for all."

LMU philosophy professor,= Dr. Christopher Kaczor maintains the university will cease to be Catholic in less than a generation. Currently only four of its professors are Catholic.