Open (Gender Neutral) Housing at Kenyon
Frequently Asked Questions about Open Housing
What is Open Housing?
Open Housing, also sometimes called gender-neutral housing, is a practice that allows second-, third- and fourth-year College students the choice of living with other second-, third- and fourth-year College students, regardless of gender. The Office of Housing and Residential Life will not assign anyone to an opposite-sex roommate unless requested. The practice went into effect as a pilot program in August 2011, with full-implementation expected in the fall of 2012.
Why did Kenyon College implement a gender-neutral housing option?
There are some students for whom traditional, same-sex room assignments are not ideal or appropriate, and we believe it is important that housing practices evolve to meet the needs of students to create an inclusive, welcoming environment. In April 2011, students approached the Office of Housing and Residential Life, with a request for gender neutral housing. The Housing and Dining Committee of Student Council - the student governing body and advisory council for housing discussed the matter thoroughly - as did Student Affairs staff who investigated peer institution policies as well as best practices within Student Affairs. A pilot program was developed for 4 students in 2011-2012, and full implementation is expected for the 2012-2013 academic year.
What other institutions offer gender-neutral housing option?
Dozens of institutions have implemented gender-neutral housing policies, including:
Bard College
Barnard College
Bates College
Beloit College
Brown University
Bryn Mawr College
Carleton College
Carnegie- Mellon University
College of Wooster
Connecticut College
Dartmouth College
Dickinson College
Grinnell College
Guilford College
Hamilton College
Harvard University
Lawrence College
Lewis and Clark College
Macalester College
Middlebury College
New York University
Oberlin College
Princeton University
Reed College
Sarah Lawrence College
Skidmore College
Stanford University
University of Pennsylvania
Vassar College
Wesleyan University
Washington University in St. Louis
Whitman College
Williams College
The policies and experiences of these and other institutions were helpful in guiding our decision-making.
What process was used to develop the Open Housing option?
After reviewing a recommendation resolution by the Housing and Dining Committee, the Assistant Dean of Students for Housing and Residential Life convened a group of students and staff to study the implementation of a gender-neutral option at the College. The group consulted with multiple constituencies, most importantly with students and staff living in campus housing including surveying 72% of the student body through the Quality of Life Survey. During the Fall 2011-2012 semester this practice was approved and locations for Open Housing were discussed.
Who may apply for Open Housing?
This option will be available only to second-, third- and fourth-year College students. Open Housing will not be an option for first-year students.
Can a first-year student live in an Open Housing room?
If incoming students indicate on their housing applications that their needs cannot be met within the parameters of the College's room-assignment policies, the Office of Housing and Residential Life will work with that student to address the issue(s).
Will you prevent people who are romantically involved from living together?
The Open Housing option is not intended for romantic couples. However, because we respect and honor student privacy we do not require students to disclose the reason(s) for their roommate requests. Because we believe that students should be helped in making thoughtful, well-informed decisions, we will provide students with information about the potential advantages and disadvantages of open housing.
Is this a permanent change in practice?
The practice will be approached in a spirit of continuous review and evaluation, as are all new practices at Kenyon. It will be fully implemented for the Fall of 2012-2013. A formal review of the policy will be conducted in Fall 2013.
What if a student does not want to live in a community where Open Housing is offered?
The College also offers single-sex housing, and that option will remain available. There are multiple residence halls where single-sex housing will be available for students who prefer that option. Open Housing will not be implemented in those locations.
What if parents don't want their child to live in an open housing room?
We encourage students to maintain an open dialogue with their families. Students over the age of 18 are legally able to make decisions about their housing contracts. Students under the age of 18 should discuss housing plans with their families, as they must provide parental consent.
What if someone who resides in an Open Housing room decides he or she no longer wants to live in that room?
Students may request room changes by visiting the Office of Housing and Residential Life. The student will not be required to move into another Open Housing room unless they wish.
How many Open Housing Rooms are available and where will they be?
There is no specific number, or limit, of Open Housing rooms on campus. Open Housing will exist across the housing system except in those areas that are designated as single-sex. Our priority is to meet the needs of our diverse student community. (list of locations for 2012-2013 are attached and are shared on our website)
Can you estimate how many students will choose to live in Open Housing rooms?
Because we do not have much experience with this practice it is hard to estimate precisely how many students will choose the Open Housing option. A number of other institutions that have implemented a gender-neutral housing policy report that around 2-4% of their student rooms are selected as gender-neutral rooms.
Locations on campus for the 2012-2013 academic year that will offer open housing and gender neutral bathrooms.
Hanna:
Gender Neutral Bathroom: at the north stairs between rooms 209 and 211
All rooms on the 2nd floor are open rooms.
Leonard:
Gender Neutral Bathroom: at the middle stairs across from 221
All rooms on top floor are open rooms - except the EDM and Zeta divisions
All rooms (207-227) are open rooms: Theta and Beta divisions are gender coded.
Mather -
3rd floor Gender Neutral Bathrooms: One will be in the area of rooms 301,302,303, 304 and another will be in the area of rooms 320,321,322
All room on the 3rd floor Middle and Long wings (301-322) are open rooms
Old Kenyon -
1st floor Gender Neutral Bathroom: In the area of room 103, 104, 120, 121;
Floors 1,2,3 are open rooms;
4th floor is all male
All apartments and suites will be considered open rooms (Farr, Caples, New Apartments, North Campus Apartments, Tafts, Aclands)
Gender Neutral Rooms and Bathrooms
Gender Neutral Bathrooms / Rooms
February 2012
Hanna:
Gender Neutral Bathroom: at the north stairs between rooms 209 and 211
Female Bathroom: at the south stairs near 201, 204, 223, 224
Male Bathroom: at the middle stairs between 206 and 208
All rooms on the 2nd floor are gender neutral
Leonard:
Gender Neutral Bathroom: at the middle stairs across from 221
Female Bathroom: at the north stairs by Theta division across from 207
Male Bathroom: at the north stairs by Beta division across from 223 and 227
All rooms on top floor are not gender coded - except the EDM and Zeta divisions
All rooms (207-227) are gender neutral; Theta and Beta divisions are gender coded.
Mather - 3rd floor:
Gender Neutral Bathroom: One will be in the area of rooms 301,302,303, 304;
Another will be in the area of rooms 320,321,322
Female Bathroom: in the area of rooms 308,309,310,311
Male Bathroom: in the area of rooms 314, 313, 315
All rooms on the 3rd floor Middle and Long wings (301-322) are gender neutral
Old Kenyon - 1st floor:
Gender Neutral Bathroom: In the area of rooms 103, 104, 120, 121
Floors 1,2,3 are not gender coded; 4th floor is all male
Caples Residence Hall:
Gender Neutral Bathroom: 4th floor in the area of Suite C (rooms 407,408,409,410)
Gender Neutral Bathroom: 5th floor in the area of rooms 503,504