Gender Inclusive Policies
UMD Housing & Residence Life, in accordance with the University equal opportunity statement, will recognize and respect the stated gender identity of each student. H&RL will make every attempt to provide students with safe and comfortable housing assignments in keeping with their gender identity and expression.
Students will be allowed to select All Gender Apartments, in which the student make-up of the apartment can consist of any combination of genders. All student apartments have 2 bedrooms for 4 students (2 students in each bedroom) and have one private bathroom within the apartment.
Additionally, students can select to live on a Gender Inclusive Housing Floor in the residence halls which is designed to be a community open to all students regardless of gender, including trans and gender non-conforming students. On this floor, the bathroom will be designated as gender neutral and will allow for students to live with other students of any gender identity.
Notes on Gender Inclusive Housing
- No student will be assigned to the Gender Inclusive Housing Floor or an All Gender Apartment without having selected it as a housing option in the Housing Application.
- Housing & Residence Life will still continue to offer single gender housing options for students throughout our facilities.
- Housing & Residence Life discourages students in relationships from living together.
Vacancies in Gender Inclusive Housing
If a vacancy occurs in a room, H&RL will keep in mind the original requests of the students in that room or apartment when filling the vacancy. If the remaining occupants in a space are of one gender, H&RL will assign a student of that same gender to the open space. If the remaining occupants of the space are of differing genders, H&RL will assign a student who has indicated preference of living on the Gender Inclusive Housing Floor or an All Gender Apartment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Gender Inclusive Housing, Gender Neutral Housing, All Gender Housing, or Gender Open Housing?
Each campus approaches gender-inclusive housing in a different way and uses different terminology to describe it. Ultimately, the titles are referring to the same concept. UMD students and staff felt the term Gender Inclusive Housing and All Gender Apartments as the most appropriate terms for us to use on our campus.
Why should UMD offer gender-inclusive housing?
Offering gender-inclusive housing is supportive of UMDs Strategic Plan Goal #2 in creating a more inclusive campus climate & community. Adopting of this policy not only supports LGBT students, but also provides an additional housing option to all students which may aid in their success.
Will any student be forced into gender-inclusive housing?
No. Students will not be forced into a gender-inclusive housing environment. Students will need to select this as a housing option in the Housing Application. If a student does not select it, they will not be assigned into it.
Won’t this take away options for students who don’t want to live in gender-inclusive housing?
No. Students will still have the opportunity to live in a single-gender environment if desired.
Can students in a relationship live together under this option?
Certainly they could, however, students are encouraged to think through the decision of living with a significant other.