Not sure what advice I'd give but I can understand students having difficulty
using a different type of toilet to the ones they have been used to for so
long. I am from Bangladesh and I have seen that most homes their nowadays
have both types of toilets. Most public places also have both types of
toilets. In the UK a lot of mosques also have both types of toilets. The low
toilets can be found not just in Asia but I believe also in most of the
Middle East. So a significant proportion of the world population use the low
toilets. At Uel I am not aware of any such issues, but it doesn't mean it's
not happening. I think it's reasonable if a couple of cubicles were provided
with the low toilets.
Regards
Abdul Wahab
Equality & Diversity Officer
University of East London
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Julie Bullimore
Sent: 23 September 2008 09:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Delicate Enquiry
Dear Colleagues,
It's interesting the queries that come your way when you work in E&D. This is
one I need to share but it is on a delicate subject so those of a less robust
nature, please look away now.
Last year we had to replace a huge number of toilet seats in one particular
faculty. Over the summer all has been quiet, but last week, it started again.
We believe the seats are being broken because of people standing on them when
going to the toilet. Now I understand that the most likely explanation for
this is that some of our overseas students will be used to a different type
of toilet and find it difficult to use a western toilet.
I'm sure that we can do simple things like put signs up asking people not to
do it but my question is - have any of you come across this problem and have
you made any adjustments such as changing some of your facilities to be more
accommodating? I.e.. installing Asian or hole in the floor toilets? Or
perhaps some other novel way of dealing with the issue.
Any advice much appreciated.
Julie
Julie Bullimore
Equality and Diversity Adviser
Newcastle University
[log in to unmask]
0191 222 3440
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