MIT DAPER Locker Room Facilities

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DAPER: Locker room and restroom use policy

The MIT Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER) has recently clarified their policy around locker room and restroom use by trans people at the various MIT sports and fitness facilities, as summarized below:

"DAPER understands that transgender individuals may have unique needs in terms of locker room and restroom facilities. We are committed to providing safe and accessible locker room and restroom facilities to all of our members and guests, and will work with them, if the need arises, to find workable solutions. Transgender individuals may use the locker room facility that is in agreement with their gender identity. The Z Center also maintains a Special Needs/Family Changing Room that can be used by individuals of any gender."

Z Center Special Needs/Family Changing Room Option

For trans individuals who are currently using the Z Center fitness facility on campus and who may not be comfortable using either the men's or the women's locker room, there is a small, private Special Needs/Family Changing Room available for those who may wish to use it (Room #W35-166). The door to the changing room locks so that a single occupant may have privacy while changing, and there is a bathroom facility inside the changing room as well. It is located next to the aquatic offices at the Dupont entrance.

Information on privacy features in DAPER locker rooms

The Trans Issues Group conducted a survey of privacy options within the current DAPER locker room facilities (i.e., private changing areas or shower stalls/curtained showers). A summary of these findings can be found below. 

If your gender identity does not conform to your physical sex and you are experiencing difficulty around using the locker room of your choice in any of the MIT athletic and fitness facilities, MIT and the DAPER will work with you to resolve any locker room usage issues in a manner respectful to all parties involved. Please contact the Trans Issues Group if you would like assistance or guidance in working out a solution.

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MIT DAPER Locker Room Facilities: Privacy Options
There are a number of fitness/sports facilities on the MIT campus. This document focuses specifically on locker room facilities with an eye toward privacy options for changing and showering.

The main fitness centers include the Wang Fitness Center/Alumni Pool on the East side of campus and the larger Zesiger Center/Dupont/Rockwell Cage/Johnson Athletic Center complex (referred to herein under the general heading "Z Center") on the West side of campus. Specific information about what athletics and fitness programming is offered in each of these facilities can be found at http://web.mit.edu/athletics/www/facilities/index.html.

Z-Center: 120 Vassar Street, Building W35
Wang Fitness Center/Alumni Pool: Vassar St. Building 57

The Zesiger Center
Locker rooms in the Z-Center are divided between the Z-Center building and the Dupont building; the specifics of which are described below. The Z-Center also offers a small Family Changing Room, which is located next to the aquatic offices at the Dupont entrance. The room locks for privacy and includes a changing area, lockers, and a bathroom.

Z-Center Family Changing Room
There is a small, private Special Needs/Family Changing Room available for those who may wish to use it (Room #W35-166). There is a shower available in the Zesiger family and special needs changing room. The door to the changing room locks so that a single occupant may have privacy while changing, and there is a bathroom facility inside the changing room as well. It is located next to the aquatic offices at the Dupont entrance.

Z-Center Men's Locker Rooms
The men's locker room in the Z-Center does not have any private changing areas; the lockers are arranged by row. The shower area is open (gang shower style). Private showers are not available in the Z-Center men’s locker room. The bathroom includes three stalls.

Z-Center Women's Locker Rooms
The women's locker room in the Z-Center features eight curtained, private showers with adjoining small, private, curtained changing areas. 

Dupont Men's Locker Rooms
The men's locker room in Dupont has four private showers with curtains on the far side of the showering area, as well as communal showering areas. The changing areas in Dupont are not private.

Dupont Women's Locker Rooms
The women's locker room in Dupont has sixteen private showers with curtains. The private showers do not include private changing stalls. Dupont also has communal showering areas.

Wang Fitness Center/Alumni Pool
The Wang Fitness Center/Alumni Pool in building 57 (attached to building 32, the Stata Center) is smaller than the Z-Center and has more limited hours.

Wang Men's Locker Rooms
The Men's locker room in Wang has four private showers with curtains and an open shower area. The changing areas in Wang are not private.

Wang Women's Locker Rooms
The women's locker room in Wang has two small areas with private showers with curtains. The changing areas in Wang are not private.

The old Alumni Pool locker rooms are no longer in use; the only locker rooms available are the new areas in Wang.