SB-2018-19-004: Bathroom Door Handles
Senate Bill No.: 2018-19-004
Date: October 15, 2019
Authored by: Lower Division Senator Cailou Yigezu and University Affairs Committee Chairperson Basia Czarnecka
Referred to: University Affairs
Committee Rec: University Affairs
Senate Action: October 29, 2019
Title: Bathroom Door Handles
1. WHEREAS: The Associated Students, Inc. (AS) is the official voice of over 40,000 students at California State University Northridge; AND
2. WHEREAS: AS is the primary advocate for students at CSUN and provides excellent, meaningful programs and services designed to create and enhance a spirited, learning focused campus environment; AND
3. WHEREAS: AS is always trying to get more students involved and increase student participation within the many programs and services we offer; AND
4. WHEREAS: It is known that bathrooms have bacteria, especially on the door handles that are touched every time someone enters or leaves it; AND
5. WHEREAS: Some students use paper towels to open bathroom doors in order to avoid touching the door handle; AND
6. WHEREAS: The lack of paper towels in some bathrooms at CSUN, while sustainable, does not solve the problem of avoiding contact of germs and other bacteria; AND
7. WHEREAS: Many students have expressed that they use extra tissue paper to open a bathroom door because they do not want to have to touch the door after washing their hands; this kind of practice is counterproductive to the push for sustainability; AND
8. WHEREAS: Not all bathroom doors on campus are push doors; for example, in the USU: so this means students still have to touch the door to open it; AND
9. WHEREAS: Other companies and locations have begun to use door handles that are opened by pulling a lever with one’s forearm; THEREFORE LET IT BE
1. RESOLVED: We call upon the USU and other departments to implement doors that are push instead of pull; AND LET IT BE FURTHER
2. RESOLVED: That if there are doors that are mandated to be push doors due to fire safety regulations, that their handles be replaced with touch free handles; AND LET IT BE FURTHER
3. RESOLVED: That copies of this resolution be distributed widely, including but not limited to the following: • Jason Wang, Senior Director PPM • Ken Rozenthal, Associate VP Facilities and Operations • Jimmy Francis, Associate Executive Director USU
