A Columbia College game design student is accusing the college of denying his father access to the bathroom last week in the building at 916 S. Wabash Ave.

The family of the student, Jose Palencia III, told TV reporters on Tuesday that a security guard at the building would not let the father into the building to use the bathroom even though he is disabled and it was an emergency. The family said the security officer told him to leave the premises or risk getting arrested. 

The father had two strokes previously, the family said in a press conference outside the campus building, with lasting effects of paralysis and incontinence that has limited mobility on one side of his body.

In the background: Columbia’s guest policy has changed multiple times since the start of the pandemic in 2020. At one point, all guests were required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination. Children also were restricted. 

Last December, the school changed that policy to allow minors to accompany their parent or legal guardian that is an employee or student on campus.

Guests now can enter regardless of vaccination status.

Columbia’s visitor website does not include information about families using campus bathrooms.

What the administration is saying: “Members of the Columbia community, including parents, are allowed to use restrooms on campus,” the college said in a statement emailed to the Chronicle. The statement also said the school’s contracted security firm is “taking steps” to make sure policies are followed correctly. 

The full statement:

“On April 4, a parent of a Columbia student was denied access to a campus building to use the restroom. Columbia deeply regrets this incident and has apologized to the family privately and would like to take this opportunity to do so publicly.

The college is making sure that its contracted security firm is taking steps to ensure its personnel is following college policies and applying them appropriately throughout all of our buildings. While Columbia does not have public restrooms, members of the Columbia community, including parents, are allowed to use restrooms on campus. Columbia College Chicago does not discriminate based on race, age, gender, disability, and any other basis prohibited by law.”