Frequently Asked Questions About All Gender Housing

Is this just for Transgender students?

• It benefits all of our community to have the ability to choose a roommate with whom they’d be most comfortable. Transgender students obviously benefit because their housing and roommates are not contingent on the characteristic of gender…a characteristic that may be in flux for transgender students.

Is this for first year students?

• The housing selection process is different for first year students. They are assigned housing from our office and do not select it during the housing lottery, so this option is not available to them at this time.

What about a first year student who identifies as transgender?

• We will work with students on an individual basis to find an accommodation that works for those involved. Students self-identify their gender on the housing questionnaire and we house based on that information.

What about romantic relationships and couples living together?

• I would never encourage any couple, heterosexual or LBGT, to rush into living together on or off campus. That is not the intention of this policy. I am sure there are some students who have chosen to live together for that reason, but the majority of our all gender room residents are people who are friends and have similar living habits, regardless of gender.

What configurations of all gender housing exist on campus?

• We have all gender suites (where students share a bathroom)
• We have all gender rooms (where students share a bedroom)
• We have all gender bathrooms (where students in a corridor style hallway share a bathroom)
• We also have all of these configurations that are gender specific

How many people take advantage of these options?

• This year there are approximately 20 people living in all gender rooms
• MOST of our suite style (apartment or townhouse) housing are designated all gender. (Students live in single rooms and share common space and bathrooms)
• About half of our corridor style buildings have all gender bathrooms

What has been parent reaction about this all gender housing policy?

• This generation of parents is more involved with all aspects of their children’s college experience than past generations. That being said, we have not had an influx of parent calls or concern regarding this policy. I do think that parents are talking to their students about their roommate choices, however.

How long has it been in place?

• This policy was instituted in fall of 2004 as part of our housing lottery

Why was it implemented?

• A group of transgender students came forward and introduced their concerns regarding a housing lottery that relied so heavily on gender. They were having a difficult time securing housing without outing themselves as transgender.

Prepared by Carolyn O’Laughlin, Director of Residence Life, (914) 395-2575