Men and women have many differences, but next school year, they can add a similarity- living space. Capital has announced it will offer gender
neutral housing as an option to students living in the commons, the Capital apartments, and campus-owned houses on Sheridan and College Avenue. The only stipulation is that the parties involved must share a bedroom with a person of the same gender.
“Gender neutral housing has been common with schools for about 20 years,” Terrence Brooks, assistant director of residential and commuter life, said. “Every year I’ve been [at Capital], it’s been on the table. This year, we decided it was time.”
Capital looked at many studies before making this decision, and took gradual steps in making it, such as letting men and women share a floor in Schaaf, which began in 2009. This opens up more flexibility for the university in how it houses students, but it is a plan that could raise issues later on.
“It’s a catch-22. It could provide more options, and it could backfire. If there is roommate conflict, it could be harder to refill the room,” Brooks said.
Residence Life is not sure how many people will try out this new option.
“Purely guessing, maybe five or six apartments will take advantage initially, but it’s hard to tell. Probably 10 maximum in our first year, because students will want to see success before they jump on board,” Brooks said.
As a Lutheran-affiliated university, religion did play a part in this decision.
“[Religion] was a part of the discussion, but the reason we had to do this is because spirituality isn’t always defined in the same way, and some people may be more comfortable in different situations,” Brooks said. “Most statistics show that people in relationships don’t live together [given opportunities like this], and we don’t recommend that they do, but we trust students to be adults and make smart choices.”
Brooks also pointed out that student couples have probably been living together on campus already.
“As a self-proclaimed LBGT activist, you could live together as a same sex couple. Now heterosexual couples can as well,” Brook said.
Students appear to be receptive to the idea.
“I don’t think it matters that much,” junior Matt Hazzard said. “Logistically it makes sense. As long as it’s not shared shower rooms, I’m okay. I don’t even like to see myself naked.”
Sophomore Courtney Henze could see herself using this option next year.
“It’s one of my backup plans if I don’t get a Resident Assistant position. I think it’s nice, especially for girls who get along better with guys, and vice versa. It helps open up lottery options. I think it makes communities less stressful because it will be balanced between estrogen and testosterone,” Henze said.
Anyone interested in using the gender neutral housing option simply needs to attend the housing lottery the same way as if they were rooming with someone of the same gender.
