For some, it may be of little significance, but like myself, many people have strong opinions about where they use the bathroom. Bathrooms on campus can hold some of our most vulnerable moments — both emotionally and physically. It is only natural we poll the greater community on what spots they do and do not recommend. 

The Opinions Desk put out a poll to determine once and for all what the best and worst bathrooms on campus are. Thirty-four respondents weighed in with their opinions and experiences. I am well aware this may not be a large enough sample size to make any official scientific conclusions, so consider these unofficial if you must.

Coming in strong with the most votes of five for the best bathrooms on campus is the Northrop Auditorium. I have to admit, although I did not vote in this poll, these bathrooms are by far my number one choice. I love that they came out on top so I can further promote my agenda. 

I often plan my campus routes around stopping at Northrop for a bathroom break. 

Clean, spacious and inviting, the Northrop bathrooms are the perfect location for a midday intermission. They have lights bright enough to see how bad your under-eye circles actually are, and enough room to take some outfit pictures if the day calls for it. 

If the Northrop bathrooms have no fans or supporters, particularly the ones on the third floor, then I am dead. 

With a close second, the McNamara Alumni Center came in with three votes. I Cannot say I have ever been invited to an event fancy enough to be held here, but I will take your word for it. 

Other bathroom mentions include Folwell Hall, Tate Hall and Ford Hall. 

Kalybe Vanwatermeulen, a third-year student, described the Ford bathrooms as “quiet, private and great to cry in.”

Noted. 

Now onto the real controversy. Which building has the worst bathrooms?

The votes for this answer were a lot less evenly distributed and I do not know if that is a good or bad thing. 

At number one for worst bathrooms on campus, we have Coffman Memorial Union reigning strong with seven votes. I personally have not used those bathrooms since Welcome Week freshman year, and for good reason. Based on my only experience, they smelled funky and never seemed to be at a normal temperature. Unfortunately, it seems like not much has changed. 

Tied for second with two votes each, we have Keller Hall and Blegen Hall. I have a 9 a.m. statistics class in Keller next semester, so I will definitely make sure to avoid it while I am learning more about sample sizes. 

Eleanor Kelly, a second-year student, described the Blegen bathrooms as either “literally at the entrance or at random floors of the building that you have to climb one or two flights of stairs for.” 

Another specific honorable mention goes to the bathrooms in the Mayo Building. 

One graduate student said, “A specific bathroom in Mayo Building D hallway has a ten-inch wide gap when the stall door is closed.”

Both of these sound like some major design flaws. However, Rapson Hall, the center for the University’s College of Design, received a vote for worst bathrooms. I cannot really defend you there, Rapson. 

On a more serious note, third-year student Neil Standerwick brought up an important point when thinking about bathrooms on campus. 

When asked which building has the worst bathrooms, Standerwick responded, “Almost all of them. We need more gender-neutral bathrooms on campus. There are many buildings that don’t even have one.” 

This is perhaps the most significant concern about campus bathrooms. Public restrooms are always a hit-or-miss experience in terms of pleasantness, but all members of the University community should feel safe to use them. 

Students, staff and faculty of all identities should be able to see how incredible the Northrop bathrooms are.