From Thursday, Sept. 15 to Monday, Sept. 19, all water in McNally was shut off, including the restroom facilities. Students and faculty alike were left to anxiously search out relief. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Rather than leaving facilities blocked, would it be worthwhile to set up temporary solutions to otherwise avoidable problems?

Imagine that three-hour class in Dorothy English Hall. Sitting, waiting, squirming, hoping the 10-minute break happens soon, you sprint out the door the second the professor says, “Let’s stop here.” As you round the corner to blitz the door, you’re stopped by yellow tape and a sign that tells you the halting news.

Eliminating restroom access for an entire section of campus is extremely inconvenient. But more than that, there are professors, faculty members and administrative staff whose offices are located in McNally — they are there all day long. Walking a quarter of the way across campus to find the facilities stunts productivity. Though restrooms and water fountains were available in the business building, long lines increase the amount of time a venture out of McNally requires.

To be sure, Porta-Potties are smelly and gross, and the construction was just a temporary problem. Bathrooms were accessible in the business building, and trucking in portables means forking out money.

Nevertheless, campus construction without contingency creates confusion. Restrooms are a necessary part of the day, and to not provide for those who depend on these facilities means creating situations that would best be avoided.