There is a door in the basement of the University of Washington physics building labeled "Liquid Nitrogen and Lactation Stations." The door is locked. My key does not open it. I like to think that working in the academy means that you are forever safe in the assumption that your place of employ is a bastion of liberal sensibility, however, it is impossible for me to escape the obvious, somewhat regressive explanation for what goes on behind this door.
Please, help me escape. What do you think happens behind this door? Points will be awarded based on awesomeness.
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As usual, Occam's Razor wins. Last night, the door was still locked, but the lights were on. The liquid nitrogen is stored in the main room off of which the lactation stations open. Any window that might peak into a lactation station is papered over. The doors to the lactation stations have signs that say "(un)occupied". Apparently, we make you nurse your child in the very bowels of our building. I'm not entirely sure what offends me about that set up (it's better than nothing, right?). It just feels wrong.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably for women who are pumping (something that goes on up to a year post-birthing), not to bring actual children to. Is there a sink of any type in the room or nearby? Lots of equipment to clean post-pumping. And the location makes some sense as a person needs 20ish minutes to pump.
ReplyDeleteAs a public institution, I don't think the UW can enforce breastfeeding locations ourside of places w/ sanitary concerns (pool decks, for example).
The only equipment in the room seems related to the liquid nitrogen part of the set-up (though there are rubber hoses dangling from the ceiling; maybe it's for lactating cows....)
ReplyDeleteLess concerting is that the room kitty-corner across the hall is labeled "Warning: Radiation area; authorized personnel only." Though I guess I've seen that on rooms containing large lasers (it's what the R stands for, right?)