A16
KANSAN.COM
WHAT TO KNOW
+
The exterior of Lewis Hall. The Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity and Student Housing have worked together to provide gender-inclusive housing in Lewis for the fall semester.
File Photo/KANSAN
Gender-inclusive housing now available at Lewis
▶ ELLE CLOUSE @elle clouse
To better serve students who don't identify on the gender binary, the University will be implementing gender inclusive housing, starting this fall.
Due to the efforts of Student Housing and the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, Lewis Hall will reserve a small amount of four-person suites for students who wish to opt out of gender-binary housing.
The housing change was sparked when the SGD expressed concerns to student housing officials about students feeling marginalized in campus housing.
"I asked that a group of our staff work with SGD to look into it. They connected with students through SGD and through our housing government groups last year to assess the situation and get a sense for the scope of the needs and how
to best meet those need," said Diana Robertson, director of student housing.
Vanessa Delgado, the assistant coordinator for SGD, believes that universities across the nation are putting forth effort to be accommodating to all students, but there is still progress to be made.
"Universities strive to provide welcoming living environments for their students, however institutions have not always thought outside of the gender binary," Delgado said.
Delgado said that University students have been active in the discussion for change, not only in the realm of housing, but other facilities as well.
"Our students have advocated for gender-inclusive spaces for many years, whether that is in housing or in restrooms across campus. This is a monumental step for the inclusion of our students who do not identify within the gender binary," Delgado said.
So far, there are only a few units reserved exclusively for gender-inclusive housing. The suites will consist of two bedrooms with bunk beds in each, as well as one bathroom and living area per suite. They will remain the same as all other four-person suites in Lewis Hall. Robertson said she is excited about the interest in them.
"We're pleased to have two students assigned so far. We don't know yet if all the units will fill," she said.
Overall, Delgado is excited about the mutual effort and accomplishment of both SGD and student housing.
"The Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity is proud to have worked with KU student housing on this initiative. Student housing has made great strides in making our university more inclusive and the Center is thankful to have such great allies on campus."
Meet your legal team
Tax help • Legal advice • Notary Public services • Immigration Assistance with criminal and traffic charges • Debt/credit Landlord/tenant disputes • University disputes and more...
LSS
LEGAL SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
212 Green Hall * 364-9067 * Jo Hardesty, Director
While SGD and Student Housing are content with the progress they have made, they still look forward to seeing their plan come to fruition during the fall semester.
"The Center is excited to
help Student Housing in the implementation stages and to serve as a resource to all residents and undergraduate, graduate and professional staff," Delgado said. "We are looking forward to telling incoming trans and queer students about this
new option, in hopes that they will know that they are valued at KU."
For more information about how to be placed in gender inclusive housing, contact Student Housing at 785-864-4560.
OPEN HEARTS. OPEN MINDS. OPEN DOORS
NEW KU CAMPUS MINISTRY Welcome Students!
Join us for worship throughout the year at either of our locations and get connected to the greater Lawrence community.
Downtown | 946 Vermont Street Worship at 9:30 or 10:30 a.m.
West Campus | 867 Highway 40 Worship at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m.
Susan Mercer
Susan Mercer Director of Campus Ministries susan@fumclawrence.org www.fumclawrence.org @fumclawrence
NEOSHO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
www.neosho.edu
KU Core Transfer Evenings & Weekends Hybrid & Online Small Class Sizes 20 Miles South of Lawrence Meeting the Needs of Kansas Students
$$
\therefore
$$
+