University Housing and Transgender Students: Issues and Practices Paula Liseo and Melissa Powers, Wesleyan University Middletown, CT

Transgender students and gender sensitive-housing  Present background information  Highlight some models of transgender student housing policy  Evolution of policy development at Wesleyan (a work still in progress)

We will end by  Discussing challenges to institutions  The duty of care to students  Balancing both of these  A bit of reflection on your own campus climate

Defining Gender Variance  What is the difference between sex and gender?  Sex is the physical anatomy and biology…  Gender is a psychosocial construct…  Gender encompasses all human behavior, including sexuality.

This slide is static, gender and sexuality are not.  Gender and sexuality are fluid and can vary across time, in individuals and in human society.  Although sex is not as fluid as gender, this too, can sometimes be altered though surgery.

Gender Identity & Gender Sensitivity  Gender identity is someone’s sense of their own gender, which is communicated to others by their gender expression.  Gender can be expressed through behavior, clothes, hairstyle, voice, body characteristics, occupation etc.  Ze and hir

What have you considered or reconsidered around your gender identity? Many kinds of people, regardless of social identity, exhibit forms of gender variance. (taken from Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance.) Developed by Gender Education & Advocacy, Inc.

Gender oppression…  Some variance is socially acceptable  However…

Oppressive systems are maintained through  Institutional structures  Perpetuation of misperceptions and negative attitudes (media)  Sexism  Heterosexism  Homophobia  Transphobia  The worst, logical extension of intolerance in these areas results in violence.

It is important for staff to realize that  Transgender students may present themselves in any of a wide range of situations of gender variance or gender transition.  And not all people presenting gender variance consider themselves transgender.

What does Transgender Mean?  Is an umbrella term used to describe visibly Gender Variant people who have gender identities, expressions, or behaviors, not traditionally associated with their birth sex.  Transgender can mean anyone who transcends the conventional definitions of man and woman and who uses a wide variety of terms to self-identify.

Gender Vectors  Transgendered people are often categorized by their Gender Vector which describes the direction of their change. The vectors are male-to- female (MTF) and female-to-male (FTM).  Transgender is not a sexual orientation; it is a politicized sexual identity.

To how many students does this apply?  Roughly one in 2000 people, in the U.S. now completes a social, hormonal and surgical gender transition during their lifetime.  However, more people complete hormonal and social transitions without having sexual reassignment surgery. Some estimates are 1:500.

To how many people does this apply?  That means that if ¼ of all transitioners attempt to do so during their high school and college years, then a large, state university of 20,000 students might have at least 4 to 8 transitioning or transitioned students at any given time. Typically FtM transitioners may be out in some LGBT circles while most MtF students will not.

But…  People seldom notice the transitioning students because they will try hard to “pass” and are thus, “invisible.”

Where do transitioning students concerns intersect with student services?  Everywhere, but particularly… Housing Health Services Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Protection Updating of Student Records Safety Career Services

As a provider of housing services, how can you Be an Ally?  Don’t make assumptions about a trans person’s sexual orientation  Ask what pronouns the person prefers  Be aware of confidentiality, disclosure, and “outing.”  Don’t assume what path a trans person is on regarding hormones or surgery.  Listen to and celebrate transgender voices.  Kindly educate others and publicly challenge gender assumptions.

Why Have Gender Neutral Housing?  Allows all students to live in a comfortable arrangement  Not just for transgender students

Who’s Talking About It?  Established Programs * : Sarah Lawrence College University of Southern Maine University of Pennsylvania Swarthmore College Oberlin College  Inquiries: Duke University University of Hartford University of Nebraska Ithaca College Emerson College Cornell University *

Housing Stock  Residence Halls: singles, 1-room doubles, 2-room doubles, forced triples  Program Houses: singles, 1-room doubles, 2-room doubles  Apartments: single and double bedrooms (1 to 5 people)  Woodframes: singles (1 to 6 people)

Room Types Housing Type Single Rooms Double Rooms Residence Halls Program Houses23749 Apartments44620 Wood Frames574

Upper-class Housing Policy  Co-ed Housing  No restrictions for roommates  May sign-up in co-ed groups for General Room Selection  After Room Selection, assignments are generally by legal sex

Timeline Transgender students guaranteed a single if they contacted ResLife and could afford higher cost of single

Timeline University’s non-discrimination plan revised to include gender identity and gender expression

Timeline Gender-blind hall created for students who requested that gender not be a factor in roommate assignment

Timeline First-year students could request a gender-neutral assignment in any first-year housing area and room type

Timeline First-year students could petition to not be assigned based on legal sex. Petition reviewed by committee

Timeline First-year students may check box if they prefer to not be housed by legal sex

First-year Housing Policy  Complete a Housing Preference Form online  Must check a box requesting an exception to the policy of assigning a roommate on the basis of legal sex.  Director calls each student that request an exception to discuss needs and available options.

Why Gender Neutral Bathrooms?  Some people do not identify as male or female  You cannot tell by looking at someone what she/he/ze feels about her/his/hir gender identity  People might be questioning their genders and might feel uncomfortable in single- gendered bathrooms.

Guidelines for Multi-Gender Bathrooms  Minimally, each residence hall unit should designate a multi-gender, a female, and a male bathroom.  Gender designations assigned at the beginning of each year.  Bathrooms will be clearly marked.  RAs will guide their floors in a discussion about these designations

Next Steps  Fine tuning of current process  Continuing student involvement  Information on web site

Discussion  What are challenges to institutions when facing/meeting needs of transgender people?

Discussion  What are issues associated with the duty of care for students identifying as transgender?

Discussion  How do you reach a balance? What are you currently balancing?

Discussion  Other Questions?  Presented by: Paula Liseo & Melissa Powers and

Self quiz-how are transgender student needs being met on your campus?

References      2007 Genius Index-Gender Equality National Index for Universities and Schools   Beyond the Binary: Housing & Gender Identity – Robin Hershkowitz and Brandon Buehring