Lockers, Changerooms and Equipment

Biological Sex: is made up of chromosomes, genitalia, hormones, and internal reproductive organs. It is important to note that biological sex characteristics do not define a person’s gender.

Gender: the way a person identifies themselves internally and psychologically. It is the sense of being non-binary, woman, man, or another gender entirely.

Gender Expression: the way a person outwardly portrays themselves through clothing, makeup, hair, and body language. Many of these expressions are often seen as gendered, however, the way a person expresses themselves may not tell you what gender they are.

Sexual Orientation: a person’s natural attraction to other people, or to no one. Orientations are defined by feelings of attraction rather than behaviour.

Transgender: A person whose gender is different from the gender they were assigned at birth (Ie. Transgender women, transgender men, transgender non-binary people, etc).

Cisgender: A person who gender is the same as the gender they were assigned at birth (Ie. Cisgender women and cisgender men).

Non-binary: A person whose gender exists outside of, or between, the gender binary. The term can be used solely to describe one's gender, and it can also be used as an umbrella term for all identities that exist outside of the binary of woman and man.

Gender Non-conforming: Any person whose expression of their gender does not conform to traditional gender norms and expectations

Women’s Washroom/Change room: A washroom or change room for cisgender and transgender women as well as non-binary people who feel more comfortable within the women’s washroom/change room.

Men’s Washroom/Change room: A washroom or change room for cisgender and transgender men, as well as non-binary people who feel more comfortable within the men’s washroom/change room.

Gender Neutral Washroom: A washroom or change room for any person, cisgender or transgender, who wishes to use a space that is more private and/or is free from gendered labels.

Individuals can choose the facilities that they believe most closely align with their gender, which is in line with provincial and federal Human Rights legislation. We must take a very careful look at all non-discrimination policies and procedures and ensure that we are leading the way, especially when it comes to an individual’s human rights. All steps that we take to ensure a safe and respectful environment follow the legislation and recommendations of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

Safety is of utmost importance at the university and we take great measures to ensure the safety of all people who are on campus. In order to ensure that all of our students, staff, faculty and other community members who visit our spaces feel comfortable and safe when using university facilities, we have been working since 2018 to convert several single-stall unisex washrooms on campus to be inclusive washrooms, which are public toilets that people of any gender can use. In addition, the Physical Activity Complex (PAC) and Education Building have inclusive change rooms available to provide additional privacy to anyone who desires to use those facilities, and not use group spaces.

We do not anticipate people would seek to abuse the policy on gender inclusivity and certainly would not tolerate it, as all individuals are still responsible to maintain appropriate behavior when in change rooms. Any violation would be addressed on the basis that the behavior is inappropriate, rather than on concerns of gender. Be assured that the university goes to great lengths to ensure the safety of all members of our campus community, in all spaces on our campuses. This is a matter of Human Rights and in line with Saskatchewan Human Rights legislation.

Our facilities provide an option—change rooms and washrooms—to anyone who prefers not to use group spaces.

Since 2018, we have been working to convert several single-stall gender neutral washrooms on campus to be inclusive washrooms, which are public toilets that people of any gender can use.

The Physical Activity Complex (PAC) and Education Building have inclusive change rooms available to provide additional privacy to anyone who desires to use those facilities or anyone who prefers not to use group spaces.

The university does not decide this, the individual decides. Our facilities provide an option—change rooms and washrooms—to any individual or family who prefers not to use group spaces.

A person’s gender (whether they identify as male or female) and their gender expression (the clothing, hairstyle, and behaviours they use to express themselves) do not always align with societal expectations. For example, a woman may look more masculine, but just because they do not fit into traditional norms of femininity does not mean they are not a woman and do not belong in the women’s change room. While we actively monitor our facilities to ensure the safety of everyone using them, we do not police gender expression and gender and recognize that gender can be expressed in many ways.