By Esther Wickham | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Chicago student launched a petition to restore bathroom doors after Oak Park and River Forest High School removed them.

At the start of the school year, students noticed that the exterior doors to the bathrooms had been removed.

In response, students were outraged, calling it a violation of privacy. High school junior Laila Rosenthal launched a “We Need Doors” petition to restore bathroom doors.

“Bathrooms should be a place where students and staff can have a moment of privacy and security,” Rosenthal wrote in the petition. “Oak Park River Forest High School’s decision to remove bathroom doors disregards these basic needs and inadvertently contributes to an atmosphere of anxiety and distress among students.”

The school’s decision to remove bathroom entry doors came as a crime prevention measure.

“One of the most frequent complaints that we received last year from parents, faculty, staff, and students was about inappropriate activities taking place in the bathrooms, such as vaping, skipping class, fighting, and so forth,” the school said in a statement.

Since the “We Need Doors” petition launched in August, Rosenthal’s goal was 500 signatures. It is now at 11,616.

With the absence of doors, “it compromises students’ privacy and exposes them to potential risks and uncomfortable situations that can significantly hinder their well-being and ability to focus on education,” the petition states.

“Reinstalling bathroom doors is a straightforward solution that would immediately enhance the safety and comfort of all students. Students would be able to use the facilities without fear of intrusion or harassment, creating a more respectful and supportive school environment where everyone can thrive,” the petition states.

Supporters of the petition have also commented that the policy does not solve unsolicited activity.

“As an OPRF alumni, I know all about the vaping and stuff in the bathroom. However, it happens everywhere in the school, not just the bathrooms. This is going to cause increased tension, paranoia, anxiety for students who feel they have no safe space where they can take a minute to recuperate,” Aimee of the Chicago suburb Rolling Meadows commented in a post on the petition website. Aimee apparently did not give a full name in the post.

The Center Square reached out to Rosenthal for comment, but has not received a response.