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Gender-neutral housing proposal to undergo administrative review

Gender Neutral
Kevin Clayborn and Terri Phoenix led a Gender Non- Specific Housing Rally where they discussed a new proposal for non-gender specific housing here on UNC's campus which they describe as "an issue of inclusion." Representatives from DSGN, Duke Students for Gender Neutrality, were also present. DSGN Co-Presidents Sunny Frothingham and Jacob Tobia wanted to share with TDH that "As Duke students and North Carolina natives, we are both very excited about UNC taking this historic step forward."

Supporters of a gender-neutral housing option on campus gathered Thursday for a last push of support before the proposal goes to administrative review.

Today at 5 p.m., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Winston Crisp will receive the proposal for the initiative, which would give students the option to live with roommates of the opposite sex.

The proposal includes a petition that has been signed by more than 2,500 students, said Kevin Claybren, the leader of the project.

Claybren led the Thursday meeting with Terri Phoenix, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Center, to explain and rally student support for the request. More than 100 students attended the meeting.

Claybren said he hopes the hard work he and other members of the campus community have put into the proposal will be evident to administrators.

He said student feedback at the meeting was empowering.
“Students were asking questions as if this were already passed,” Claybren said.

In order for the department of Housing and Residential Education to enact the new housing option, the proposal will have to be approved by Crisp and Chancellor Holden Thorp, Phoenix said. If approved by Thorp, the proposal will be sent to the Board of Trustees.

Phoenix said the proposal needs to be addressed by the board before its November meeting, its last of the semester, if the option is going to be implemented by the fall of next year.

More than 650 students have expressed interest in a gender-neutral housing option, Claybren said.

Student Body President Mary Cooper spoke in support of the proposal at the meeting.

“This is our chance to say we are going to have an inclusive campus,” Cooper said.

As of this semester, 33 public universities and 66 private universities have the gender-neutral housing option, Phoenix said.

In the meeting, Phoenix said that LGBTQ students are 19 times more likely than heterosexual students to be harassed at UNC, and that residence halls are the fourth most common location for this harassment.

“I think it’s crucial for every student to have a safe living environment,” senior Bethany Hargis said.

“I probably wouldn’t live in gender non-specific housing but I think it’s an important option for students who want that choice,” she said.

The proposal has garnered support from several large organizations on campus, including the Residence Hall Association, the executive branch of student government, Student Congress, the Campus Y and the Black Student Movement, Claybren said.

“All the administrators on campus are really supportive,” Phoenix said.

“They know it’s an issue of health and safety.”

Contact the University Editor
at university@dailytarheel.com.

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