Following the implementation of the project, our group has come up with the following outcomes and challenges:
Outcomes:
1. All the toilets in the SK buildings have been fully provided with toilet paper. According to the dean of the school of social sciences, the soap will subsequently be provided to the SK building toilets probably next week. All these facilities have been supplied by the dean of the School of Social Sciences.
2. The soap has been provided to some of the toilets in DK building including the library's toilet following the proposal.
3. The Dean has approved our project and is in support of its cause.
4. Many students who completed our questionnaires wanted these outcomes, as well as those many students who offered their signatures in support of our project. with so many students wanting these items in washrooms, it will be difficult to ignore.
5. USM has hundreds of international exchange students every semester. With this in mind, campus should ensure that everyones needs are met, and that all students are comfortable with the facilities on campus.
Challenges:
Some toilets in the campus still cannot be provided with toilet facilities following our proposal because:
1. According to the Development Department; the department in charge of maintaining SK and DK building toilets, the university does not include all the toilet facilities in the budget. The budget merely covers cleaning service. The budget should be increased to cover these items in the future, but right now it is unrealistic for our group to consider increasing the university's budget as a possible goal.
2. The Department also seriously emphasized that students had misused the facilities provided. For example, some students wasted a lot of toilet paper. They even took the paper from the paper containers all at once. Therefore, the Department has not provided the toilet paper until now. In order to reduce the wastage, cleaning staff should monitor the washrooms daily, ensure that these items are stocked, and they could use toilet paper dispensers that lock.
3. According to Malay, they do not prefer using toilet paper. Hence, not having toilet paper is not the major concern for them. But due to the fact that there are many other students on campus, including international students, these items should be provided so that everyone is content with the washroom facilities.
4. According to the Student Affairs and Development office, the toilets in USM are divided into four zones. Different zone are managed by different companies. These companies do not take providing these items in toilet facilities into much consideration as they perceive those facilities as not common in Malaysia, especially for Malay students. Therefore, it was very difficult for us to convince those companies to provide toilet facilities in their zone.
Future:
We believe that with the impact that we had made with this project, and the awareness that was spread amongst the students and staff at USM, that within the near future all washroom facilities on campus will be provided with these items. Changing the university's budget and convincing cleaning companies to place more emphasis on providing certain items might be beyond the scope of our project, as these outcomes may be difficult to achieve in the allotted time over the duration of a semester. Overall, we are pleased that our project has been brought to the attention of staff and the dean of the university, and that there will now be toilet paper and hand soaps in many of the washrooms on campus. We challenge a group from the next section of malaysian studies students next semester to continue on with our project, and help ensure that these items are provide in EVERY washroom on campus, and that they continue to be clean and tidy.
Note:
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete our questionnaires, sign our petition, and join our group blog. We would also like to thank the dean of social sciences for recognizing our project and supporting it.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Improving USM Washrooms: Blank Survey Form
Here is an example of the questionnaires that were distributed to various students on campus...
Initiation to a Hygienic Lifestyle: USM Student Signatures
The following is a list of student signatures that were obtained at USM. These students are all in favor of our project and of the campus offering these items in all washrooms.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Hand vs Hose
One of most the indispensable acts of human life, right from the times when lavatories were a thing of future and man liked to think of the world as his playground. It is the deed at some of which most people in this world are inspired to do great things. It is when grand ideas spring up into even smallest of minds. Every day of every man, woman, and child's life begins with the commission of it. And if you happen to miss it once...the day seems to be a stony path. It doesn't need any more introduction...it is...the act of defecation!Now, along with the ‘act' what is also ‘indispensable' is the part which comes after the act is done...i.e. the cleaning of the relevant areas...and this was Different people have different ways to do it. But after a major survey, it was found that two methods are quite commonly employed. They are viz. the use of HANDS and the use of TOILET PAPER.
TOILET PAPER :-
Description :- Paper-like, white in color, averagely 10 x 15 cms. size [comes in different sizes to suit the ...uh...size of the surface to be cleaned]. Strips are connected end-to-end and wound into a big roll. The intricate weave of the paper is individual to every brand
Advantages :- (1) Dry as a bone [Absolutely suitable for people having fear of water or who hate water so much that they allow themselves a bath once a year or so].
(2) Disposable.
(3) Cannot transmit any ‘wandering' bacteria from hand to mouth unless you cannot get rid of the paper from your hand.
(4) Excellent option in places where water isn't available for better part of the day [e.g.: Sahara dessert etc. and hostel loos.]
Disadvantages :- (1) the roll isn't exactly long-lasting and may choose to get exhausted right when you want it the most.
(2) If you happen to keep the used pieces lying around instead of honoring them with a proper disposal, you might find the need to spray on some extra air freshener.
(3) It costs money
HAND :-
Description:- soft, fleshy (not every though), comes in various sizes and shapes and colors. The elongated projections are mobile so maneuvering the hand becomes an easy task (except when the fingers are in use to grasp anything nearby when traveling in a long-distance train).
Advantages:- (1) absolutely free of cost.
(2) easily available and accessible [except in situations like that of Thakur from Sholay].
(3) reusable.
(4) washable, with soap and water.
(5) no chance of any foreign body reaction as it is self antigen.
Disadvantages:- (1) direct and disgusting contact with the above mentioned feces
(2) fingers are included in the elite list of disease spreading vehicles.
(3) improper and inadequate following of the instructions provided for sanitation may lead to
dangerous hazards like GI infections, various hepatitis, worm infestations , also the not-so-pleasant
‘fragrance' emanating from the fingers used to do the work.
Bathroom Hygiene Guide
Where are the germs?
1) Toilets: The toilet can be a depository of bacteria and viruses from feces. Toilets should be cleaned regularly by scrubing the inside of the bowl several times a week. disinfecting the seat, rim, lid, and the flush handle, which is frequently touched, is important when maintaining the cleanliness. By not providing toilet paper, this will make the toilets dirtier, spreading more germs.
2) Sinks: Washing your hands is still one of the best ways to prevent sickness. It is a good idea after using the bathroom to always wash hands. However, be aware that the sink can harbor bacteria and fungi. Contaminated hands may also leave colds and flu viruses on your sink taps. This is a problem if there are no soap or hand towels provided, and the taps should be disinfected and cleaned every day.
3) Showers: Although not every washroom on campus contains a shower, the ones that do can shelter bacteria and fungi, which can cause skin infections and trigger respiratory allergies. The showers should be cleaned regularly by cleaning the floor tiles, the walls, and the corners of the shower. Molds can form and damage the shower curtain. Wash the shower curtain with disinfectant, and replace the curtain ever so often.
4)Drainpipes: Hair, soap, and other substances can clog drainpipes if not clean regularly. Take out hair or soap particles that collect around the drains or plugs. Anti-bacterial should Periodically be poured down your drains to prevent unpleasant smells from developing and to keep residue from accumulating inside your pipes.
5)Floors and Wall Tiles: Wet floors can help spread ailments like plantar warts and athletes foot. Grime can easily accumulate in the grouting of tiled floors. All washroom floors should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. After washing, disinfect your mop and rag with an anti-bacterial solution to prevent transferring germs to other surfaces, and replace mops after a sufficient amount of uses.
Source: http://www.mobilityequipmentsupplies.com/health-tips/2010/08/bathroom-hygiene-tips/
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