Sun, Jan 2, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.

correct me if I'm wrong, but this "policy" must be for sophmores or higher. My understanding is that freshman do not get to chose their roommates, only identify qualities like, neat, messy, late night, early riser, etc. The U assigns you a roommate blind. A great way to meet new people, learn to live in a 'global community', expand your horizons, etc. Only students returning to the dorms for a second year can choose their roommates.

Michael K.

Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 2:39 a.m.

"No problem from my end until you want to make a rule saying I have to accept and approve of your lifestyle." Wow, I know, right? Like, I really **hate** those blood guzzling cannibal vampires called Christians. Yet the law says I have to treat them as human and can't discriminate! I say - "no special rights!" / satire As an Old - I really apologize for my fellow Olds! The good news is that we will die out soon enough and leave the world to you Youngs. So... Carry on. And ignore the static. Cheers!

Mike

Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 11:54 a.m.

@kesey I was wondering when the homophobe or bigot label would be thrown around, thanks for not disappointing. It always amazes me how the "tolerant" amongst us are first to label those who don't agree with them as racist, child hating, anti environment, bigoted, homophobes. I'd say that makes you the intolerant one, we at least listen to what you have to say and don't come up with names to call you. We may not agree but we do tolerate and listen, whereas you won't tolerate those that don't agree with your point of view.

a2citizen

Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.

To everyone that says: "It's none of your business". After you finish your taxpayer subsidized education and move out of your taxpayer subsidized housing you will be able to enjoy all the rights and privileges of real adults. Good Luck!!!

kesey

Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 1:23 a.m.

@Somewhat Concerned I do think the university and Ann Arbor should be largely separate. I've been on both sides of this ever-lasting conflict between the two. Believe me, I know the frustration an Ann Arborite feels concerning the students and the University, I've experienced it for the past 18 years. And I still agree with the Ann Arborites on many issues regarding UofM. However, in this case, On-campus housing has nothing to do with the wishes of the Ann Arborites besides the few who have children attending the University. And to those bigoted individuals who have an issue with this, simply don't have your child sign up for gender neutral housing. Simple as that.

Mike

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:56 p.m.

Another example of the majority having a policy rammed down their throats by a vocal and well organized minority. People are accepting of all kinds of lifestyles and personal choices these days which is fine, but making something a policy which I'm sure will have penalties for those who don't follow it is wrong. The "accepting", "permissive" progressives always attach harsh penalties to ram the acceptance down your throat. What ever happened to freedom of choice? You choose your lifestyle and I'll choose mine. No problem from my end until you want to make a rule saying I have to accept and approve of your lifestyle. You want to be transgender, well then good for you. It doesn't mean I have to go to your coming out party. There are people who like sado masochism and live it as a lifestyle. More power to them but I don't think we need to have a floor in the dorms dedicated to that lifestyle anymore than we need a floor dedicated to those who practice sharia law. We as a society accept a lot of things but I for one am getting tired of special interest groups ramming stuff down my throat and my kids throats. If you're so accepting then accept the fact that a lot of people don't want to share in your lifestyle choices and get your rules out of our lives. As for these students being old enough to make their own decisions then why does the University employ so many counselors to help these mature, worldly kids out on campus? They choose to drink, do drugs, have unprotected sex, drive drunk, shop lift, try to kill themselves, and a host of other choices they make. Do we really need to support every choice they want to make? Once they're out of school, paying their own way then they're adult in my mind until then they are dependents working on becoming responsible adults.

Dog Guy

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:56 p.m.

As with any business, U. of M. competes for paying customers. Maybe some official concern about whether students can get an education at the U. would help.

Somewhat Concerned

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:39 p.m.

If Kesey is correct, if what happens at UM is none of the business of Ann Arborites (despite UM being in Ann Arbor), if UM and Ann Arbor are sufficiently separate that what happens at one is none of the business of the other, then UM students have no business being involved in Ann Arbor affairs. Neither proposition seems to make any sense, but if Kesey wants Ann Arborites to view UM as a place that is none of their business, let's be logically consistent.

LindaE

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:38 p.m.

Some people have questioned why this issue is anyone's business. The last time I checked, the University of Michigan was a public university supported partially with public funds, that we all pay into.

Terri

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:42 p.m.

Kesey FTW!

Heardoc

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:21 p.m.

There is a ridiculous idea. Why -- for what purpose would you mix male and females? We seperate sexes for obvious reasons -- bathrooms and sleeping arrangements are best made by those with life experience rather than a group of very young individuals with very little life experience -- and if this is the best idea they have -- there is a reason we call them children......

Andrew Smith

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8:45 p.m.

@johnnya2: in your post, you wrote: "Remember these are ADULTS." I'd urge you to consider otherwise. Many of them are seventeen years old. Even those who are eighteen or nineteen are still in need of a structuring adult presence. Whatever the legal definition of "adult" is (18 or 21?), the common sense definition of adult says that if you're only a year or two out of high school, and you're a full-time student, you're not an adult. These kids are at the university precisely because they are not finished products. The question is not what they want, but rather what they need and what is beneficial to them. They are not always mature enough to know these things. Even the adults in charge of them don't always know exactly what is best, but grownups certainly have a better chance of knowing. If we don't let them purchase alcohol until age 21, why would we let them make decisions of equal or greater danger?

David Briegel

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 7:19 p.m.

I want the Govt to choose YOUR roommate! Really? Are you the same geniuses that want the govt out of your Medicare. I think that every racist, bigot, homophobe, zealot and bureaucrat should be allowed to decide who rooms with whom. Makes perfect sense to me. What do these Housing Professionals and young adults know about anyway? Your pastor, potentate and pope should make these monumental decisions!! And A2.com, those choice words aren't directed at anyone and do NOT deserve to be deleted.

Mick52

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:32 p.m.

EcoRon E, in reference to this from your post: "Some of my friends went to UM back in the 70's and I recall they had a choice of rooming with someone of the same or opposite sex. Bathrooms in those halls were not gender specific." Which UM are you referring to? Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, Minnesota, Maryland or Montana? I was a student at UM in the 70s and no dorm (legitimately) allowed opposite sex room mates or bathrooms for use by both sexes.

Mick52

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:16 p.m.

I didn't see anywhere in the story the necessary addition of infant and child care in each dorm, which will be necessary. I would love to see a vote of student parents. I wonder about restrooms. Many of the dorms have one large restroom/showers for the gender of that floor. Somebody is going to do some long walks to the can if this happens. Okay, it's time to raise the age of adulthood to 22 yrs. An interesting aspect of going to college is that first years go from being a child to a full blown, no restrictions or parental oversight adults in a matter of just a few hours. The best solution to this is off campus housing.

Urban Sombrero

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:15 p.m.

Pardon me, "willing to bet". I wish annarbor.com allowed us to edit our posts for spelling. Some of use type really, really fast.

Urban Sombrero

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:14 p.m.

I'm just wondering if all those who are against this on "moral" grounds would be in an uproar if UM was going to assign a dorm to only Christians. Or Virgins. Or, Christian virgins. It seems to me that the uproar here is mainly because we're talking about students whose lives don't necessarily conform to heteronormative, religious values. I'm willing to be that if UM were to dedicate a dorm solely to religious folk, you all would be joining hands, singing its praises and shouting from the rooftops about how that evil librul university got it right for once. And, yes, I fully expect this comment to get deleted.

Andrew Smith

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:03 p.m.

This sentence is both revealing and troubling: "The philosophy behind that is that students themselves are best equipped to make decisions about whom they should live with." The reader should remember that many of these students are seventeen years old. They are not yet at a stage in life in which they can make major decisions without the guidance of actual adults. That's why university food services work to remind them to eat their vegetables. That's why the university offers academic counseling and tutoring. The grownups are in supervisory roles at the university to offer direction, not to simply allow the students to do as seems best to them. The adults are there to distinguish between what students want, and what is actually helpful for them. The grownups at the university need to step forward, give instructions, and set limits. It is in encountering the limits in life the students will mature.

julieswhimsies

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:54 p.m.

Co-ed dorms are present in most universities. Some have separate floors for men and women. Some have men and women sharing the same floor. As was stated by another poster. College kids do have sex, whether they share a room or not. When I was in college I lived in a house with ten guys. It was not at all awkward. Sex was not involved. We were all good friends. Obviously we shared bathrooms. I felt perfectly comfortable, and actually safer in the student ghetto. Since this would be offered as an option, I don't see the problem. If a woman wishes to live with women, she will be able to do so.

johnnya2

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:42 p.m.

@cmr By your logic, nobody is holding a gun to anybody's head to go to UUM either. If you do not like what the STUDENT body is for, then go to a different school. i am sure Liberty University is willing to allow your 50's mentality. Nobody is forcing ANYBODY to do anything. If you are male and want to live with a male, YOU CAN, if you are female and want to live with a female YOU CAN, if you want to mix and match you can as well. By the way, these ADULTS are PAYING to live in these dorms. When you pay RENT to somebody, why should it be your business how we want to live? When YOU start paying for the rooms, then you can decide, until then it really is not your business.

lynel

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:41 p.m.

Kesey, it would be nice if your post put this matter to rest!!

kesey

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.

As a student at the University it seems to me that the only people who are objecting are Ann Arborites who think they should have a say/opinion on everything the University does. Frankly though, it is none of your business how we want to handle our housing. (And this isn't an attack on Ann Arborites because I was born and raised in Ann Arbor, so I know both sides of the fence). Ive heard people bring up how it may make students feel uncomfortable living in a mixed gender hall. NEWSFLASH: they already do that, there's halls with both men and women in it and no one minds. Or simply don't sign up for that if you don't want it. Everyone is saying "why should we cater to such a small minority?", well why not? Is it hurting you to allow a couple students of different genders to room together? Like I said, most of the students support this, but its not like we're all going to go and sign up for gender neutral housing next year either. We just don't see a problem with allowing others to do so. And this whole "boyfriend/girlfriend" crap is ridiculous. If you're dumb enough to room with a significant other and you end up breaking up, that's your problem. Switch rooms, it's not that difficult. And honestly, I think if you go to Umich, you're smart enough to know better than that anyway. At a certain point parents, administrators and everyone else need to accept the fact that college students ARE ADULTS, and sure, we make a hell of a lot of mistakes, but if we don't make mistakes, how will we learn from them? So stop trying to shelter us and mind your own business.

Soothslayer

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 2:49 p.m.

I have recently discovered that I am 30% Heaven's Gate, 30% space traveller and 50% Scientologist (yes I know that's 110%) and I demand that the University accomodate my housing requirements which are: 1) top floor room with crystal sunlight pyramids so that I may be able to leave my Earthly container at a moments notice, 2) no dorm mates within 5M that are hetero as they interfere with our transmission freqencies, 3) at least 2 of my kind within 20M as the grouping helps to channel our signals and 4) exactly 3 LGBTQ of any flavor placed between 8M and 15M to balance the aura. Please devote considerable time and effort in accomodating my unique requests. Live long and prosper.

scoobysnacks

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 1:57 p.m.

student are NOT mature enough to handle this. for the ones of us who are a little older and wiser, look back at yourself and all the friends we hung out with at 18-22 yrs old and the stupid things we did just because we were immature although we THOUGHT we knew it all and our parents were the "dumb" ones. the safety for all is priority on campus and this would cause a less safe atmosphere with sexual assults and harassment.

Emma B

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 1:44 p.m.

@GoblueinNE_PA When Mosher Jordan was about to reopen they let the returning students pick their rooms without regards to gender (co-ed by room halls, which exist elsewhere on campus too). My friend and I picked a random room, and then on move-in day found out that we were the only two girls in the hall-- the other residents were all male. They didn't care about us and the only way they bothered me was with their smell. That's a little different I suppose, but my experience has been that most students are mature enough to handle a co-ed environment without awkwardness or crossing any lines. My transgendered friend was actually quite popular in his co-ed hall-- but he's very social by nature. Certainly there are halls with bad chemistry where LGBTQ students might make the situation worse, but like I said before it's not that difficult to switch to a different dorm. And the current reality is that LGBTQ students are living among everyone else right now anyway without many incidents.

cmr

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 1:28 p.m.

Just make it simple--males room with males and females room with females no matter what they claim their gender is.If that makes one uncomfortable, then they should seek living space elsewhere. No one is holding a gun to their head making them room in the dorms! Why should establishments change the way they do things just to please a few people and disregard the feelings of the rest?!

GoblueinNE_PA

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.

I'm curious how this works for the other 50 to hundred kids on that floor that now have to share their living space with someone of the opposite gender? Sure, the two people that agreed to the arrangement are in great shape, but they've now put everyone else on their floor into a situation that none of them knowingly agreed to. You have a situation where a man, and it doesn't make a difference if he's a tranny or not, is on a floor that is a girls only hall. Do we think this will make any of them uncomfortable? Or is this not a concern because their straight? Obviously, I don't get it. When I went to UM in the late 80's, we had a couple of gay guys living on the floor (not together). There was a little more drama, but otherwise, it was not a big deal. As someone else pointed out, this issue looks to me more like resume polishing for some future politico's.

johnnya2

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 1:01 p.m.

@skotsky One, no parent is REQUIRED to pay for their kids education. Some CHOOSE to do so. Who PAYS for it is none of your damn business. These ADULTS sign binding legal contracts with the University. If mom and dad choose not to pay, it is the responsibility of the ADULT student to pay the bill. Funny how that works. I know people like you scream about the "nanny" state, but when it comes to who sleeps with whom in what configuration somehow it is your business.

EcoRonE

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 12:47 p.m.

Some of my friends went to UM back in the 70's and I recall they had a choice of rooming with someone of the same or opposite sex. Bathrooms in those halls were not gender specific. So the UM has been there and done that - just nobody seems to remember. It's not a moral issue. It's a compatibility issue and choosing an environment that is best for one's 'escape' from the home and into the pursuit of knowledge including knowledge of oneself.

Seasoned Cit

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.

Student leaders (those building resumes) elected by less than 10% of students, have to have a cause and gender-neutral is this year's way of tweaking the administration. Seems to me the only change from present rules is that now a male and female can request to room together. Two gay men or two lesbian women can room together now. I agree with Trespass in that a prime problem I see is the male/female couple decide that they want to be with someone else. I remember orientation leaders warning about getting football tickets with a "friend" cause it's possible that by the end of the season you might not be dating and would find yourself next to that person at Saturday's game. What happens when the relationship sours and you have a semester to go with a roommate you had been sleeping with?

Emma B

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 12:36 p.m.

I stand corrected, but $2,974 is still quite a bit more to pay for housing just because the University can't fairly accommodate the (yes, minority) LGBTQ population. Of course my friend could have lived off campus his first year much cheaper, but there is a community environment that exists in the dorms that does not necessarily exist off campus-- evident in all the friends he has made through the dorms he probably wouldn't have met otherwise.

Kafkaland

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.

If you don't like gender-neutral housing, don't sign up for it. It's just another option for those who prefer it; no one is forced into it.

a2chrisp

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.

Gender Neutral housing is not about letting a couple room together, its about letting someone who is gay or lesbian room with the opposite sex. Its for general comfort of all parties involved. It has nothing to do with straight people rooming together. And frankly, if there are as many overbearing parents as there were when I was in college, that problem will never come up. Moreover, I'm not sure I understand the objections. It seems to me that most students are supportive of this. It is only those who have no affiliation to the university that have a problem. Well, its none of your business anyway, so leave it alone.

LindaE

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:55 a.m.

Sure, colleges had dorm mothers and closing times for admittance to dorms.... and people found ways to get around that. But the message that those closing times sent was that dorms were for studying, sleeping, and socializing at appropriate times. College was for getting an academic education without distraction from what may have been going on down the hall.

Urban Sombrero

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.

"Why do the "family values" crowd see sex everywhere? Does it have to do with their own inadequacies and neuroses? Or are they just busybodies who think that their lifestyle is better than everyone elses?" It's because they're as obsessed with it as everyone else. They just scream moral outrage to deflect. Newsflash, people: college kids have sex! They've been doing it for ages. It's not going to change, no matter how much hand wringing you do and how much you scream about morals being lost and/or corrupted.

engGEEK1988

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.

Emma B... $4000 more for a single room is quite an embellishment: http://www.housing.umich.edu/billing/undergrad-rates

bugjuice

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:28 a.m.

Why do the "family values" crowd see sex everywhere? Does it have to do with their own inadequacies and neuroses? Or are they just busybodies who think that their lifestyle is better than everyone elses? Soldiers having sex in the showers, adult age students having sex everywhere... Some people just cannot get over their obsession with sex, especially when it's none of their business. All this complaining and value judging when the hetero divorce rate is around 50%, rampant teen pregnancy, unwanted children born out of wedlock etc... All the things that the conservative family values crowd decries, all of it without equal rights for everyone to marry, honest sex education and a greater social emphasis for all families, parents and children. All of this happened on their watch, with their rules and see where we are? Maybe it might be a change for the better to allow people to seek their own happiness with whomever they choose, in the manner they find fulfilling? It's so sad to see all the crying and hand wringing about the downfall of society by all the "family values" crowd, when it's been them and their rules that lead us to this point.

Tony Livingston

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.

Universities need to change with the times. When I was in college, the dorms were all one gender with a house mother and closing hours! Things have changed drastically since then and will continue to change. Let the students select their own roommates. I don't see the big deal in it.

Basic Bob

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:23 a.m.

The current Open Housing policy accounts for the needs of transgender individuals on a case-by-case basis. This is reasonable, given the unique situations of each of the people. So this is simply Open Housing for the 99% of students who are gender comfortable. I'm sure they support this for a variety of reasons. But there are also serious risks for the university and its students. Perhaps young adults are more mature than they were 30 years ago, but I doubt it. There is already an alternative to campus housing for those people who don't like the rules, or have matured enough that they don't need them. It is called Off Campus.

shepard145

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:14 a.m.

As others have written - this is a bad idea and the gay issue is only a distraction trying to wrap it in some absurd rights claim - see medical weed. Kids are in and out of girlfriends-boyfriends all the time so not only would this be in the face of parents whose princess is now shaking up in a dorm with God knows who this week, but changes to and from rooms and back again would be daily....and why - so they have a better place to hook up? College is not about hooking up - it's about getting an education....looks like there is a lot of spare time on the UM campus these days...

American Family

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:49 a.m.

@LindaE I 100% agree with your idea of having a mature adult overseeing the college dorms. It worked in the past, and it can work today. But I must smile on your first statement, "Can we trust college students to make decisions about what their gender really is?" By college age I'd like to think a person can tell if they are a male or female. IF they are really not sure by that age... have them look at themselves in the mirror. Dingy = male. No dingy = female. :) Easy.

bugjuice

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:46 a.m.

Americans are hung up on sex and see it happening everywhere.

LindaE

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:40 a.m.

Recent brain research has shown that the human brain is not fully developed until around age 25, no matter what our nation's driving age, voting age, or age of military service is. Taking this research into account, I wonder several things: 1)Can we trust college students to make decisions about what their gender really is? 2)Would it not be a good idea to return to the practice that used to be fairly standard, of having a dorm mother (or father), that is, a much older person of developed brain and reasoning living in the dorms to be of assistance to students who may need someone different from peers to talk to in times of distress? I have been in favor of returning to this practice since the time I was a student here. Many college students do not seem to realize that they are in college to learn things from their classes, not just have a comfortable living experience away from parents.

Jeff Gaynor

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:30 a.m.

@Clara: Two people could choose to be roommates, independent of gender. (And why would anyone else care?)

American Family

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:30 a.m.

Main stream America 2010 = Fringe group "free love" American hippies late 1960's. The "Pinko Commies" Hippies have won it seems unless we replace morals and ethics that have been loss. Gender-neutral housing??? Call it what it really is: Love communes. Can you say Orgies?????? Idiots. And on Mom and Dads dime. Well not mine if I can help it. Want to live together Kiddies? Move in to a van. VW makes one that fits the bill.........

timjbd

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:19 a.m.

Andrew Shirvell was against this, too. It'd be like the reign of Caligula in there..

clara

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:19 a.m.

I am sorry, I still don't understand the differences or options.

Randy Dieter

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:03 a.m.

Just another excellent example of the breakdown of the moral fabric of this once proud country of ours. Recovery has to begin somewhere. How about U. of M.? Keep education the main focus. Don't give in to the few squeaky wheels!

Macabre Sunset

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:59 a.m.

Protected minorities have ruled at Michigan for decades now, so this is nothing new. Administration lacks the fortitude to stand up to any criticism. This plan makes a lot of sense for gay and tg students. However, I see one problem. Many parents don't want their kids in off-campus housing as a measure of protection against distraction from a boyfriend or girlfriend who insists on living together. So there should be a parent consent requirement - even for students of legal age. This will take the pressure off of students who don't want to say no to an aggressive partner. No way would I want to share a dorm bathroom, though. Showers, maybe.

Stephen Landes

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:56 a.m.

This proposal puts far too much pressure on the University because it increases the risk of personal issues requiring costly (emotionally, financially, educationally) corrective measures. Even in my time as a U of M student there were serious issues between room mates that required housing changes and the impact on students' lives was serious. In my opinion the dorm is not a place for this much social experimentation. I suggest that students wanting this much alternative housing seek it of campus.

Emma B

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.

@engGEEK1988 I have a transgendered friend who did end up in a single his freshman year after he told the University he didn't feel comfortable living with another man-- he still had to pay the going rate for a single, which is usually like $4,000 more than a double. I understand why the University still charged him the full amount, but it's far from a solution to the issue. - The arguments about domestic violence are ridiculous. First of all, it's actually very easy to switch dorm rooms in the event of violence, or in the event of something insignificant-- like a stolen hair dryer or t-shirt. People only complain it's difficult because the rooms available are on north campus, which is generally undesirable. Currently, people of the same sex can chose to room specifically with each other-- I know a ton of those situations that have ended very poorly, one in violence, maybe we should force everyone to room blind instead?? And it's not like it will affect someone like me who would still prefer to room with another woman-- it'll just come down to a simple check mark on the housing application where I would state that I would only be comfortable living with another woman.

xmo

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.

So, you have less than 5% of the student population trying to push for gender-neutral rooms. Is this Minority rules?

Rusnak

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.

This seems to be a complete waste of time. Why is that the majority always have to accommodate the minority. Encouraging students to shack up is going to nothing open a can of worms. "Making students ask for a specific person of a different gender, rather than just a generic person of a different gender, should help alleviate safety concerns, the students believe." Most women are raped by someone they know. Hello? And why is this statement in the article? "However, it has sparked controversy before, including from alumnus Andrew Shirvell......" Who gives a rat's rearend what Andrew Shrivell thinks? "Remember these are ADULTS." Seriously JohnnyA2. There adults when they quit suckling of Mom and Dad. Final thought, if you don't like the weather move. U of M should not even entertain this

tmad40blue

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:34 a.m.

I dunno, this system has been working at Oberlin for years... Even the gender-neutral public restrooms. It's called the "E" system, and it can be read about here: http://oberwiki.net/E_system

Soothslayer

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:24 a.m.

TG's can apply to go with whatever gender they associate themselves with. No gender neutral housing needed for everyone. End of story.

Terri

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.

@Barcelona: I cannot find words to explain how incredibly offensive your comment is. OMG! RAPE PANIC OVER GENDER-NEUTRAL SPACE! Good grief, man. Read up on things, yes?

Eric

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:15 a.m.

Some of these comments are actually a little bit shocking to me. Domestic violence and a boyfriend/girlfriend living situation...really? This would be an opt-in system only. Kids who did not want to live with whomever of either gender or a particular gender would have the right to say so. That makes a big difference. I for one am a straight male with mostly female friends. Next year I'm living with 7 girls. The only guy in the house. Am I a rapist? Am I going to kill any of them or hit them on the head with a frying pan? No. There are wayyy more guys like me than you'd imagine. My friend, conversely, is living in a house full of guys...with 1 girl. Will she be raped or hit over the head with a frying pan or killed? No. God, grow up. It actually matters much, much less than you think it does.

engGEEK1988

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.

Simple solution - get a single room freshman year, then move off campus. No need to spend any more energy on this "problem."

FCBarcelona1899

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.

What's next? Gender neutral public showers! Certain things should remain single sexed. Call me old school but I don't want to hear about another rape case.

Terri

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:01 a.m.

This is ABSOLUTELY necessary, IMO. Particularly for someone in transition, I think this is imperative. Those of you who think it's a really bad plan don't seem to consider the implications for gender queer students. I see no harm in this policy--the straight kids who are going to shack up together do so anyway. This way, trans students are protected.

smokeblwr

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8:40 a.m.

Bah. Kids these days spend more time worrying about this stuff than actually studying. Back in my day....

Soothslayer

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.

There's plenty of off campus housing for that. Nope.

InsideTheHall

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8:22 a.m.

This is a waste of time and effort by all and has absolutely nothing to do with the edcuational mission of UM. Another fringe group doing hand stands to get attention.

Gorc

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8:22 a.m.

Co-ed housing vs. Gender-neutral housing....the difference is? In both descriptions are not people of the opposite sex living with each other?

johnnya2

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8:17 a.m.

This should just be natural anyway. Remember these are ADULTS. If there are issues, they need to be handled as if they were not at the U. There is nothing that prevents a person who is 18 from living with a person of the opposite sex. The same exact issues trespass brings up could happen to them. In fact, getting out of a housing situation that is unsafe at the U would be easier than a lease with a private individual. If I have a lease with two people, I can go after either one of you or both of you. I have no reason to care about your personal feelings or circumstances. I have a legally binding lease. I am not sure where you get the idea it is harder to change housing assignments in the dorms than an apartment, but you are just plain wrong. MANY people change their housing assignments through the year. The U will actually assist people in doing so. It is VERY difficult to change a private party lease without the landlord agreeing to sublet, and then it turns the tenant into a landlord if rent does not get paid. As for cinnabar, just like everybody else would have, you can search ANYBODY out who may share your passion for picking your nose with your left hand. Funny how that works. Give adults the RIGHT to make a choice of who they live with, and it will help everybody.

cinnabar7071

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8 a.m.

I pick my nose with the little finger on my left hand and only the left hand. What housing options do I have?

sbbuilder

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.

I'd like to see 'em start with Martha Cook. We'll see how well that goes down.

dading dont delete me bro

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 7:06 a.m.

what's the story? they arrange housing together after their current lease (or dorm year) is up.

trespass

Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 6:32 a.m.

If a boyfried/girlfriend want to live together in student housing, what happens if they break up? It is not as easy to change housing arrangements in dorms as it is in an apartment. There is limited free space, particularly with the "acccidental" record enrollment this year. What happens when there is domestic violence? It is not that students are going to have higher levels of domestic violence but just that they have the same level as the population in general. With little flexibility in re-locating a violent couple within student housing, what will happen?