Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
UTRGV announced that Texas Senate Bill 8, also known as the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, requires public institutions to ensure multiple-occupancy private spaces, including restrooms and changing facilities, are used according to biological sex.
The Nov. 25 email announcement included maps of the Brownsville and Edinburg locations for single-stall and family restrooms across campus.
According to the bill, it is a “regulation of individuals in certain spaces and facilities according to sex.”
“S.B. 8 amends current law relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex and authorizes a civil penalty and a private civil right of action,” according to the bill’s statement of intent.
The bill states a female is any individual who has, had, will have or would have had a “reproductive system designated to produce, transport, and provide eggs for fertilization.” A male is any individual who naturally has, had, will have or would have had a “reproductive system designed to produce, transport, and utilize sperm for fertilization.”
The Rider tried to contact the UTRGV Department of Facilities Planning Tuesday for information about the signage changes on single-stall and family restrooms. As of press time Friday, it was not available for comment.
Patrick Gonzales, vice president for University Marketing and Communications, said the campus community will not see any changes to their daily routines since Senate Bill 8 goes only over restrooms and facilities.
“Restrooms and facilities will continue to operate as they always have, and single stalls and family restrooms remain available for anyone who prefers or requires a private facility,” Gonzales said.
He added UTRGV has always had single stalls and private facilities on campus, so what comes with the bill is that those facilities are clearly marked.
Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
Yaretzi Torres, a theatre junior, said she had heard about the bill but did not know what it was about.
“It’s just, like, dangerous in some aspects to have people that aren’t actually the gender for the restroom in there, but I think it’s honestly just very complicated,” Torres said.
Gonzales said he wanted students to know that UTRGV, as a state public university, complies with all state laws, and the university is taking all the steps under law to remain within compliance.
“We are also continuing to support the safety, dignity and privacy of everyone in our campus community,” the vice president said.
In a Thursday email, he said not all signage has been updated in the facilities on campus as marked on the maps, but it is being worked on.
Gonzales added if students have questions or concerns about the bill, they can seek assistance with the Dean of Students at dos@utrgv.edu.
Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
