'Next thing them furriners'll want to marry our womenfolk too'

Loos seats of learning for some students

Foreign students used to squat toilets are being told at Waikato University to sit down on the job. Perspex-covered signs bolted to some toilet doors instruct students to sit on toilet seats, not squat. Waikato University pro vice-chancellor for public affairs Shirley Leitch said the signs went up after cleaners found footprints on toilet seats and several broken seats.

Students say initial paper signs were torn down by people who found them offensive.

Chinese students are crying foul over the signs, saying they do not stand on the seats.

"It's discrimination," said tourism student Eleanor Jia. "We know how to use a toilet – but it's kinda funny they think we're stupid."

The signs appeared in May, and are in the library and management lecture and computer lab blocks.

Finance and international student Yan Sun, 21, said she had seen footprints on seats and the toilets were dirty, but the signs made her mad.

Professor Leitch said squat toilets would be considered if students or staff asked for them.

Waikato Times, 24 August 2005

[There's a picture of the signs here. Looks like someone preparing to do a gymnastic manouever]