Gender Neutral Housing Information

Gender Neutral Housing Information

The Office of Residence Life will offer Gender Neutral Housing for the first time in order to meet the varying and diverse needs of on-campus residents.  In keeping with BGSU Core Values and the Office of Residence Life’s Mission and Diversity Statements, Gender Neutral Housing at BGSU is a housing option created to foster an inclusive, safe, and respectful community where students can live together with any other student, regardless of sex, gender, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation. GNH will be located in Founders Hall, which provides private bathrooms inside a suite, and will be open to any interested continuing student through an application process that is similar to those offered for other special interest housing options, such as learning and theme communities.  The placement of GNH in Founders Hall allows for single bedrooms inside the suite for students seeking a single room, as well as double bedroom options within six person suites for those who wish to live in a GNH-designated suite and with a roommate.

Students who are interested in this housing option will fill out and submit a Gender Neutral Housing Community application to the Office of Residence Life during a specified enrollment period during Continuing Student Housing Sign-up.  GNH is never forced upon any student.  The community is completely voluntary, with students opting in. The Office of Residence Life discourages individuals in romantic relationships from living together, as that is not the purpose of Gender Neutral Housing. The applications will be available from January 14, 2013, to February 4, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. through the Office of Residence Life website here.  After all applications are received, the Office of Residence Life will assign students in to their room assignments for the 2013-14 academic year.  Space will be limited, so students must adhere to the dates above.   Room assignments will be available by Friday, February 8, 2013.

The Office of Residence Life will not pair roommates in GNH.  A student who is interested in GNH and living in a double room will need to request a specific roommate.  Students requesting GNH without a specific roommate request will be assigned to a single room.  The Office of Residence Life will match suitemates with other students who have submitted a GNH application, if space in a suite is available.   If a six person suite cannot be filled based on requests, Residence Life reserves the right to assign students to single rooms vs. double rooms.

Once room assignments are completed, if a space becomes vacant in the suite or room due to cancellation or room change, the remaining student(s) will be allowed a specified time to find a roommate of their choice.  If a roommate cannot be found, the Office of Residence Life reserves the right to consolidate GNH suites.  Consolidation will occur during the normally scheduled times. No student will be forced into a GNH room/suite.  A student will only be assigned to GNH after filling out the application and applying, even under consolidation processes.

The cost of GNH will be the same cost of a room in Founders Hall and varies depending on whether a single or double is assigned.  There are no additional costs with living in GNH.   If a student wants to remove him/herself from GNH, he/she will need to complete the standard room change procedures.

The process outlined above is intended for continuing students at Bowling Green State University.  If a new student is seeking a gender neutral housing accommodation, the student should contact the Office of Residence Life by July 1, 2013, to place the request.

Any questions about the Gender Neutral Housing Community can be directed to our office and to Joshua Lawrie, Assistant Director of Residence Life, at jlawrie@bgsu.edu or 419-372-2011.

GENDER NEUTRAL HOUSING APPLICATION FORM