Housing and Residence Life launched a project group during fall quarter 2010 composed of students and staff members to research the concept of gender inclusive housing (GIH). The project group was charged with identifying components of successful GIH communities, the rationale for the option, and the potential for implementing GIH at Ohio University. Through the course of fall quarter, the group partnered with students to ensure that the proposed plans matched student interest. Since 2010, our dedication to gender inclusivity has expanded.
OHIO Housing and Residence Life offers two distinct and supportive options for our students to explore regarding gender inclusive living options.
Pride Experiential Living Opportunity
This Experiential Living Opportunity (ELO) is designed to offer a unique and enriching experience for residents who identify within the LGBTQ community or seek a gender-inclusive living arrangement. We believe in creating not just a living space but a community that understands, appreciates, and celebrates the diversity of gender identities. This community has a dedicated floor of gender inclusive rooms within Hoover House as well as an additional layer of programmatic support to continue to cultivate inclusive living.
Gender Inclusive Housing Options
Our commitment to inclusivity extends beyond a specific floor, building, or Experiential Living Opportunity (ELO). We have expanded the gender-inclusive housing options, providing a variety of hall choices for students who wish to live in a gender-inclusive room, while engaging in the traditional Bobcat Living Experience. These options are not confined to a particular section but are spread throughout the campus, ensuring that inclusivity is woven into the fabric of our entire on-campus community. While these spaces are not supplemented with additional programming, students are fully supported by our commitment to the Bobcat Living Experience. This encompasses a holistic approach to student life, integrating academic, social, and personal development opportunities. For students interested in programming efforts that focus on LGBTQ issues, we encourage students to consider applying to reside on the Pride Experiential Living Opportunity in Hoover House.
We invite you to explore our frequently asked questions below to learn more about the communities we offer.
Both opportunities are open to all students who reside on campus. Depending on which options students explore there will be further steps to take to indicate interest.
Students must specifically request to reside in gender inclusive housing. Students who do not indicate interest or/and complete the application will not be assigned to these spaces.
It is Ohio University’s practice that students select their rooms. We encourage parents and students to communicate about selecting a room and about any concerns or questions that arise during this process. In order to process a room change, the request must be initiated by the student.
The Pride Experiential Living Opportunity is open to all residential students who complete the supplemental application process. Students will indicate an interest in the option by completing this application.
Our Gender Inclusive Housing opportunities outside of Hoover House are open to all residential students who indicate interest on the Personal Information section of their Housing Self-Service page by the published deadline of February 28 at 8 a.m. for returning/upperclass students or May 5 at 8 a.m. for incoming first-year students. If incoming first-year students update their ELO preferences between May 5 and May 14, they should email housing@ohio.edu to be manually added to the Gender Inclusive Housing room selection process.
For the Pride community in Hoover House, all students should complete the application to express interest by the communicated deadline. Applications will be reviewed by a team of staff and students.
Participating students will be asked to sign a community contract prior to living in the community. The community contract summarizes potential benefits of living in the gender inclusive housing community and clarifies expectations of community members. Such expectations will be further clarified through the drafting of community agreements, which Housing and Residence Life already uses in the halls to empower residents’ voices in establishing community expectations.
Students who indicate interest in the gender inclusive opens across campus by the communicated deadline will be added to the Gender Inclusive Housing Room Selection process to be able to self-select from the available spaces.
The Pride Experiential Living Opportunity will be housed in Hoover House on South Green.
Other gender inclusive housing options are available in a variety of spaces across campus, integrated within the residence halls on each green. Gender inclusive rooms are strategically intermixed alongside male and female rooms. Typically gender inclusive rooms are near our single user bathrooms which are individual standalone bathrooms and do not have a specific gender designation.
There is no additional cost for either opportunity. The cost will be based on hall and room type and your respective OHIO Guarantee cohort.
Residence hall policies and procedures are consistent in all hall environments on campus. To see a complete listing of policies and procedures, review the Student Housing Handbook
All options are available to students whether they have a preferred roommate or not. If students have preferred roommates, all students need to complete the necessary steps to be eligible for gender inclusive housing.
Gender Inclusive Housing spaces: Students will be able to match as roommates on their Housing Self-Service page. If each roommate has requested to be a part of gender inclusive housing, students will be able to match with the student as a roommate.
If you are unable to find your desired roommate, ensure you have both updated your My Personal Information on your Housing Self-Service page to indicate YES to Gender Inclusive Housing.
Pride Experiential Opportunity community: Students should match with their desired roommate on Housing Self-Service but can also indicate any preferred roommate on the Pride application. Any desired roommate also needs to complete an application and denote their preferred roommate as well to assist with assignments.
Any gender mix will be allowed to live together in gender inclusive housing however, the focus of gender inclusive housing is creating an inclusive environment where students can live in the same room with any student - regardless of sex, gender, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation. All students in gender inclusive spaces must be welcoming and contribute towards an inclusive environment.
The best way to manage roommate conflicts is to have roommates proactively discuss expectations of each other and the shared living space. This includes guests/visitors, expectations regarding privacy, cleanliness, shared items/food, etc. One of the best tools to manage conflict is a roommate agreement. In-hall staff can assist roommates in creating a roommate agreement.
When/if disagreements occur, it is best to talk about them as soon as appropriately possible. If you need assistance initiating a difficult or uncomfortable conversation with your roommate(s), speak with your RA or Resident Director (RD).
Sometimes it is best not to remain roommates. If that is the best option, a Housing and Residence Life staff member can let you know of open room spaces on campus. If other gender inclusive housing spaces are available, you are welcome to choose a space in that designated area.
Students interested in leaving gender inclusive housing will pursue the standard room change process available to students throughout campus.
The student can work with the Resident Director (RD)/Graduate Resident Director (GRD), Senior Resident Advisor (SRA), or staff at the main Housing office to find another room.
Safety and security measures have been assessed and implemented to support students who opt into gender-inclusive housing options on campus, ensuring a conducive and inclusive living environment. These measures aim to foster a sense of safety, respect privacy, and promote the well-being of all students, regardless of their chosen housing arrangements.
As with all residence halls on campus, the exterior doors, as well as the mod doors of the building, are always locked with an exception made during move in.
Students are encouraged to either address or report any person who does not appear to live in the building. Students are strongly discouraged from allowing others who do not live in the building from following them into the building. All guests and visitors should be escorted.
All suspicious persons or activities should be reported immediately to OUPD.
Hoover House has one bathroom per mod wing which results in a person to bathroom ratio of about 1 bathroom for every 4-6 students. Students can utilize any bathroom on the floor that aligns with their gender. The bathroom has two sinks, a lockable bathroom stall, and a shower.
All other gender inclusive spaces offer access to gendered community bathrooms and access to a single user bathroom. Single user bathrooms are standalone bathrooms that are not gender-defined and only allow one occupant at a time.
Gender Inclusive Housing information can also be found on the Experiential Living Opportunities page. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions (text/call 740.593.4090 or email housing@ohio.edu) or if you're ready to embark on a journey of inclusive and supportive living.