Imagine being late for a class presentation and having to make a quick trip to one of De Anza College’s bathrooms to powder your nose, only to find yourself standing in the filth center of campus.
The conditions of public restrooms at De Anza are deplorable, especially considering that the campus is located in one of the wealthiest areas in Santa Clara County.
The four custodial staff we have left can only do so much in the way of picking up after us, so it is up to students to treat the public restrooms with respect. Unfortunately, human nature dictates that common resources will be exploited, and in this case, also trashed.
Upon entering most bathrooms on campus, one will find toilet paper, water and possibly other excrement covering the floor, dirty toilet seats, random writings dripping down the wall and a smell that evokes the gag reflex. Additionally, it is not atypical for urine to be on the wall in the men’s bathrooms, as some find it amusing to play around at the urinal stalls.
The filthiest bathrooms are located in the L-quad, situated on the eastern edge of campus. Due to the convenient location, these bathrooms get the most usage – but that is not an excuse for people to trash it.
One of the only places on campus that has decent bathrooms is the Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies. The prevailing culture at the Kirsch Center promotes the conservation of resources and to respect the environment, which most likely has rubbed off on bathroom users there.
The Administration building besides the main quad is also a location that many covet for its cleanliness. It is also almost always clear of any crowds or lines that file out of the room during passing periods in the morning.
Other areas on campus, however, need to catch up and students need to start acting like adults instead of spoiled children whose mother always cleans up after them.
Most who attend community college are over 18, an age that implies adulthood. Once people reach this milestone, they should be capable of respecting public spaces and others who share it.
