College of Engineering and Architecture Staff and Student Breastfeeding Room and Staff Wellness Room

The College of Engineering and Architecture has designated room 123a in the Engineering and Materials Science Centre as  a Staff and Student Breastfeeding Room and as a Staff Wellness Room. This is an initiative of the College Principal and an output from the College of Engineering and Architecture Athena SWAN bronze award.

Facilities within this private space include a refrigerator for the temporary storage of breast milk, couch, chair with footstool and a room heater. This room is located beside the Staff Common Room (where there is hot/cold water) and near the toilets.

UCD campus is entirely breastfeeding friendly and there are no restrictions on bottle or breastfeeding on campus. The breastfeeding room is in place should someone wish to avail of it but there is no requirement by those breastfeeding to use them.  

The intended use of this room is as follows:

• In line with other similar rooms across campus, Room 123a is available to Staff and Students as a breastfeeding facility for breastfeeding and storage of and / or expressing breast milk. Priority is given to those who require the room to breastfeed/express and store breast milk. Please also refer to the link below for UCD’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpage on Breastfeeding.
• Additionally, Room 123a is a Wellness Room for Staff to accommodate those who may be taking medication/feeling unwell and more broadly to offer staff who may need it, a quiet rest space (for mental health reasons, for example) for short periods of time.
• The intention is that the room is to be used for short periods of time e.g. 15-30 minutes recognising that the room serves staff, students and visitors. Under the legislation employees who are breastfeeding may choose to take 15 minute breaks to breastfeed/express milk. The room is not intended to be used for extended periods of time by any individuals.
• Due to the particular requirements of breastfeeding and / or expressing milk and the need to respect an individual's privacy, this room cannot be used for other reasons outside of those stated above.
• Therefore, this room may not be used as a private lunchroom/social space; as a work/study space; as a meeting space including zoom/ online events; as a waiting space for University visitors; or as a prayer room. For such purposes please use the Common Rooms, student areas, other designated areas (e.g. rooms in UCD Library, designated sensory spaces, contemplative spaces and prayer rooms), or book a meeting room.

Accessing and Using the Room:

• Room 123a is locked with a digilock. Those wishing to access the room may request the code from the College Offices:  Room 122 or Room 126 in the Engineering and Materials Science Centre, during office hours (Monday to Thursday), by calling Tel: +353-1-716-1868, or emailing (opens in a new window)eng.arch@ucd.ie (there may be a delay in email responses).
• When accessing the room, please note that there is a slider-sign on the door indicating “Available/Unavailable” to show if the room is occupied. Users should reset the slider to “Available” after use.
• However, when you are entering the room, all visitors are asked to knock beforehand to ensure that the room is not in use.
• Visitors using the room are asked to be considerate of other users and leave this room clean and tidy for the next person to use.
• Please wipe down surfaces using provided materials, and bring all litter away with you. There are bins outside on the corridor and in the Common Room 124.
• Please do not dispose of nappies in this room. There is a nappy disposal unit in the Ladies toilet on the entry level (near the beam engine).
• The intention is that the room is to be used for short periods of time e.g. 15-30 minutes recognising that the room serves staff, students and visitors. Under the legislation employees who are breastfeeding employees may choose to take 15 minute breaks to breastfeed/express milk. The room is not intended to be used for extended periods of time by any individuals.

It is envisaged that the room, and its access arrangements, will be suitable for most people’s needs but should this not be the case, please contact (opens in a new window)Sue Philpott, College Office Director.