No neutrality on gender-neutral housing

In 1968, a Barnard College student named Linda LeClair was nearly expelled after choosing to live with her boyfriend, a student at Columbia University, against school policy. Over forty years later, the concept of mixed-gender housing has become considerably less contentious in higher education, with several schools—including Dartmouth University and Stanford University—implementing gender-neutral housing. Last year, Duke made further strides in its implementation of gender-neutral housing with the creation of gender-neutral spaces on Central Campus. However, a recent push by students to make gender-neutral housing available on West Campus has been met with conspicuous silence by the administration.

Last month, Duke Students for Gender Neutrality submitted its “Proposal for Gender-Neutral Living” to the House Model Working Group. The more than 80-page document proposes the option for gender-neutral roommate pairs in all coed houses on West and Central campuses by the 2013-2014 academic year. The proposal also allows for the creation of gender-neutral bathroom in addition to already existing single-gender bathrooms.

However, the proposal has been stalled in the House Model Working Group for almost two months, despite repeated meetings with DSGN members. This slow bureaucratic process is disconcerting: If a decision is not reached before the summer, the proposal will likely have to be resubmitted during the next academic year. While the implementation of gender-neutral housing may prove complicated at first, we believe that DSGN is owed an immediate affirmative response from the House Model Working Group and, more importantly, from top-level administrators.

Commonly mentioned concerns about gender-neutral housing can be easily mitigated. The proposal preempts the possibility of exploiting gender-neutral housing to facilitate the cohabitation of heterosexual couples by including a clause in student housing contracts forbidding cohabitation with one’s partner. And similar to the current status quo with same-sex roommates, students that choose to cohabit and find the experience uncomfortable will be able to request room reassignment. Another concern is the discomfort of other students. However, the proposal suggests that gender-neutral housing be opt-in and only available to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students who are uncomfortable should be able to express their preference for a single-gender hall in their housing surveys.

A blanket gender-neutral housing option would significantly benefit the entire Duke community. The creation of more gender-neutral spaces could promote positive gender relationships on campus by creating safe mixed-gender living spaces, advocating healthy interactions between men and women that are not hypersexualized. Gender-neutral also provides a positive living arrangement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students that promotes safe and acceptable living situations with a member of the opposite sex.

It is no longer 1968. The administration should support DSGN in its mission and expedite the implementation process. It is increasingly recognized by many universities as a necessary component of residential life. Most importantly, it will improve the living experience of all Duke students, regardless of gender or sexual identity.