Gender Neutral Housing

Gender-Neutral/Inclusive Housing

Gender-neutral housing allows friends of different genders to be assigned to the same two-room double, suite or apartment in one of the gender-neutral designated residences at Stanford.

Students interested in this option must:

  1. Apply for the Draw as a group, selecting the gender-neutral/ inclusive housing locations they are interested in as their top choices. Group retention should be set at least through the gender-neutral/ inclusive choices. Draw applications are due May 3rd, 2015.
  2. If members of the group are assigned to the same residence and room type, they must formally request a gender-neutral/ inclusive room assignment by filing a Gender-Neutral/ Inclusive Room Assignment Request Form right after the Draw.
    1. Log on to Axess.
    2. Select Student Housing and Dining from the Student drop-down menu
    3. Click Forms and Petitions
    4. Select the request type Gender-Neutral/ Inclusive Room Assignment Request
    5. Submit the form by May 25th, 2015.
  3. Participate in the undergraduate in-house draw to receive a specific room assignment.

Please note that gender-neutral/ inclusive housing is never guaranteed and students are never forced into gender neutral/ inclusive assignments. 

Which Residences offer Gender-Neutral/ Inclusive Housing?

Residences that offer the gender-neutral/ inclusive option:

  • BOB (two-room doubles)
  • Branner (two-room doubles)
  • Castaño (two-room doubles)
  • Enchanted Broccoli Forest (EBF) (two- room doubles)
  • Governor’s Corner (four-person suites)
  • Mirrielees (two-bedroom apartments)
  • Narnia (two-room doubles)
  • Rains (two-bedroom apartments)
  • Terra (two-room doubles)
  • Yost (two- room doubles)

Why were these residences chosen?

These residences were chosen because:

  1. Each residence has rooms available which allow each roommate to have a separate private sleeping space.
  2. These houses offer additional privacy in bathroom and shower areas.

Who can take advantage of this program?

This program is intended for students who wish to share a room or apartment with friends of a different gender. It is not intended for romantic couples, who are encouraged to apply for Couples Graduate Housing.

No Random Roommates

Students will not be matched with a random roommate of another gender through this process.  This is why it is very important to file a Gender-Neutral/ Inclusive Room Assignment request in Axess after receiving your Draw assignment.

Roommate Pairings Match Room Size

Keep in mind that your intended roommate pairings must match the size of the room type you are assigned. Therefore, students wishing to have a gender-neutral/ inclusive room assignment:

  • Must form a pair if assigned to a two-room double.
  • Must be a group of four if assigned to Governor’s Corner four-person Suites. Note: This can be a subset of a larger draw group.
  • Please note that gender-neutral/ inclusive housing is never guaranteed, even if you file a petition. Gender-neutral/ inclusive assignments are only granted when accommodating the gender-neutral/ inclusive group will not force another student into a gender-neutral/ inclusive assignment. For example, in order to accommodate a gender-neutral/ inclusive pair in Mirrielees, there must be another pair of students requesting a gender-neutral/ inclusive assignment. Otherwise, if only one gender-neutral/ inclusive pair is accommodated, the last man and last woman selecting during the in-house Draw would be forced to live together. This is why we cannot guarantee gender-neutral/ inclusive assignments for all students.

What happens if one of the roommates cancels their assignment or leaves mid-year? 

If one student cancels or leaves during the year, the remaining student(s) can request another roommate from students who have been assigned to the same housing location, or the entire space will revert to single gender (based on the majority of students remaining in the room/apartment). This may involve reassignments of some students.

Confidential Process for Transgender Students

Transgender students who need special accommodation due to gender identity/expression can apply through the regular housing Draw and take advantage of Gender-Neutral/ Inclusive Housing or contact Housing Assignments for assignment assistance:

  1. The request will be handled through a confidential process and staff will not ask for more information than is required to meet the student's housing needs.
  2. Placement priority will be given to students who notify Housing Assignments well in advance of the assignment round for which they are applying and who require accommodations based on their gender identity/expression.
  3. Later requests will be handled as appropriate spaces become available.

Housing Assignments recognizes that students are not all alike and have different needs and desires. We will address concerns on a case-by-case basis.

Roommate Conflicts

If a student has a conflict with a roommate because of their gender identity/expression, the student should see their Residence Dean (RD). Residence Deans are full-time, professional staff members who have taken part in training specifically on gender identity/expression issues. Other resources available include the LGBT Community Resources Center.

Co-Op Housing Assignments

Co-Ops are self-governing houses and many determine their own independent room assignment process. Because these room assignments are made under the governance of the house, these houses often have some co-ed living arrangements that may or may not adhere to gender-neutral/ inclusive housing policies. The University does not forbid mixed gender assignments in co-ops, but no student will be assigned to a mixed gender room against his or her wishes. For more information on co-ops or on consensus room assignments, contact the House Managers or RA's of the individual co-ops.