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Gender Inclusive Housing at NAU: Lessons Learned

Gender Inclusive Housing at NAU: Lessons Learned. Dana Gant & Matthew Tombaugh. Background. What is Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH)? Some schools have Gender Neutral, Mixed Gender, Gender Open Housing etc. At NAU… Who is it for?

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Gender Inclusive Housing at NAU: Lessons Learned

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  1. Gender Inclusive Housing at NAU: Lessons Learned Dana Gant & Matthew Tombaugh

  2. Background • What is Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH)? • Some schools have Gender Neutral, Mixed Gender, Gender Open Housing etc. At NAU… • Who is it for? • GIH was created with the explicit goal of helping Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Gender Variant students experience a greater sense of belonging in NAU’s residential communities.

  3. Why have GIH? • It’s the right thing to do! • …! • …! • It fills a need. • It aligns with stated values/mission. • It creates a safe(r) space for a marginalized population that exists in an evolving, but yet potentially hostile social environment. • It sends a message. • About that need…

  4. Transgender Individuals Grant, Jaime M., Lisa A. Mottet, Justin Tanis, Jack Harrison, Jody L. Herman, and Mara Keisling. Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. Washington: National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 2011.

  5. GLBT Undergraduate Students: • “More than one-third (36%) of GLBT undergraduate students have experienced harassment within the past year…” • “Those who experienced harassment reported that derogatory remarks were the most common form (89%) and that students were most often the source of harassment (79%). • “Twenty percent of all respondents feared for their physical safety because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and 51 percent concealed their sexual orientation or gender identity to avoid intimidation.” Rankin, Susan R. (2003). Campus Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People: A National Perspective. New York: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute. www.ngltf.org

  6. Other Reasons… • Pressure: • Students- Couple of Examples • http://genderneutralbu.tumblr.com/ • http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/utgenderinclusive/ • http://utsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/AR-18-In-Support-of-Establishing-a-Gender-Inclusive-Housing-Program-at-the-University-of-Texas-at-Austin.pdf • From Above: Initiating Events, Peers, Principled Decision • Off-Campus Competition/Customer Service

  7. Operational Steps • Crafting an option that works for your needs • Constituencies & Partners to Involve • Staff, Faculty, Students, Administrators, Others? • Research: • Genderblind.org (Not Updated) • Campus Pride Index: http://www.campuspride.org/tpc-gih/ • LGBTQ Architect: http://architect.lgbtcampus.org/housing • Location, Resources, Balancing Priorities

  8. Operational Steps • Communicating your plans • To Students, Administrators, Parents, Alumni, Governing Boards • Emails, Newsletters, Campus Articles • Website • Online Application • Frequently Asked Questions • Consolidated Contact: • InclusiveHousing@nau.edu • Info Sessions

  9. Be Prepared: AWESOME! :)  I'm confused, can't Gays, Lesbians etc already live together since they're the same sex? How many students live in a suite? Can long term heterosexual relationship couples live together? I would like to know if this new "dorm" is going to be coming out of my student fees. If it is, then we have a problem. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS!!!!!!!  Hello, I just have one question.  It seems pretty explanatory but I just wanted to know more specifically what are your community standards? Thank you. I was wondering if there were any other housing options on campus that offer living with the opposite sex because I don't feel truly comfortable around a large community of LGBTQA students. I can live around bisexuals but the others make me feel very uncomfortable. •  I had a couple of questions about the housing. • 1. Were is it located and • 2. I am married and they plan to be a student during the fall. Would they have to make their own application or can they live with me? • Can I live here if I am trying to just live with my friend who is a girl? I also am not an ally of LGBTQ or neither am I any of those. I really just want to live with my friend Hi, I have a few questions about the inclusive housing option: Can girlfriends/boyfriends live together? Is it possible for a non-LBGTQ to share a suite with a LBGTQ? Is it an option to request a non-LBGTQ floor? Is it almost certain that the community will reside in Gabaldon dorm?

  10. Recruitment & Placement of Residents I am interested in living in GIH because I love the feeling of living with my best friend and not being judged of who I am, a bisexual woman. I would like to feel comfortable living with another gay/bisexual male. This semester, I had to keep it a secret from my roommate because he didn't like GBLT individuals. I would like to get to know other individuals as well. I am interested in living in Gender Inclusive Housing because I have seen the struggles that people go through with none accepting others and I am one of those accepting people. My boyfriend is a trans male. My best friend is a pansexual who is also dating a trans man and although I am heterosexual I will always want to make those around me feel secure as who they are! I am a transgender male who started testosterone this September 2012. Due to my transition and my changes it would be nice to have a private restroom to help ease my dysphoria as well as support from other members of the LGBTQIA community. I would hope this would provide me a safe environment where I can focus on schoolwork and not have to worry about other people having issues with my sexuality. Prefer to live alone because of my condition (HIV+). If not, prefer a masculine gay/bi male (I have more in common with 'straight' males. I feel nervous rooming with non-LGBTQ-sensitive people. GIH is probably the only way i would feel comfortable living on campus. I've always kind of distanced myself from the gay community (I am gay) and sort of cast myself out. I feel like I should embrace myself more and get to meet some people similar to me! :)

  11. Operational Steps • RA Selection/Training • Separate Application process: • Started with 3 applicants, hired first, hired second (Diversity RA) • RA Class, general RA Training, plus in-hall discussions • Other Staff: Custodial, Maintenance, Front Desk, Operations

  12. Who’d We Get? • Filled allotted spaces! • What they wanted out of GIH: • Expectations & Hopes • Programming Ideas • What we wanted out of GIH: • Similar to that of the students • A good start so GIH could continue for years to come

  13. Year 1: Meetings • The RA hosted both all floor meetings as well as GIH specific meetings • GIH meetings included: • Kickoff event • 1st floor meeting – start of each semester • Feedback session • End of year feedback session • Welcome event • RA held 1:1 conversations with all residents twice a semester

  14. Year 1: Programming • RA held GIH specific programs in addition to other programming responsibilities • At lease one GIH specific program per month • Had additional funding support from department • Turnout for GIH programs was similar to that of any other floor • Hit or miss with program attendance • Collaborated with Living Learning Community • Promoted other events on campus

  15. Year 1: Lessons Learned • Location • RA Expectations • Resident Feedback • Turnover! • Time Commitment

  16. Year 2: Similarities & Changes • Changed recruitment and messaging strategies • Moved GIH to a new location within the same building • RA Expectations updated • Continued with same purpose

  17. Year 2: Demographics & Comparison • Population • Conduct Concerns • Academic Concerns • Financial Concerns

  18. Next Steps • Continued Assessment • Further partnerships & support • Academic, Counseling, Scholarship • Questions about: New Reapplication, Expansion, & New LLC Partnership with Co-location

  19. Resources/Contact Info/Questions? • Genderblind.org (Not Updated) • Campus Pride Index: http://www.campuspride.org/tpc-gih/ • LGBTQ Architect: http://architect.lgbtcampus.org/housing • http://nau.edu/Residence-Life/Housing-Options/Gender-Inclusive-Housing-(GIH)/ Dana Gant Gabaldon Hall RHD Dana.Gant@nau.edu Matthew Tombaugh Assistant Director Matthew.Tombaugh@nau.edu

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