Residence Life

Gender Neutral Housing

• How to sign up for gender-neutral housing

  You must complete the Housing Application and indicate that you are interested in Gender-Neutral Housing to be considered.

  • Assignments may vary based on student needs, application date, and availability. If you are interested in a gender-neutral room, please send an email to jchousing@bestcookingbooks.com . As with all living spaces, students are encouraged to apply and request Gender Neutral Housing early.
  • If you have any questions about this process or would like to discuss your interest or preferences, please contact the housing office at jchousing@bestcookingbooks.com or 517.990.1392.
• Gender-neutral housing values and rules

  Housing assignments for students are guided by the following values and rules:

  • Respect for affirmation of gender identity and/or gender expression.
  • Attention to student’s physical and emotional safety and health.
  • Gender-Neutral Housing is available in Maroon Hall and Campus View only.
  • Once a room or suite is designated as gender-neutral, it will remain gender-neutral for the duration of the academic year. In the event of a vacancy, the housing office will fill the vacancy first with an individual who consents to living in a gender-neutral space.
  • Students will not be automatically placed in a gender-neutral room or suite. Being assigned to a gender neutral suite is an “opt-in” only option.
  • Jackson College Residence life encourages students to discuss gender-neutral housing options with their parents/guardians before selecting gender-neutral housing. However, all students who are 18 or older can sign their own housing contracts and information cannot be shared with parents/guardians without explicit written consent.
  • There is no price penalty for gender-neutral housing.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will Housing & Residence Life contact my parents/guardians or other individuals about my interest in gender-neutral housing?

  Housing/Residence Life values your privacy. Information about gender-neutral housing will not be shared with anyone other than the interested or assigned resident. Information regarding gender neutral assignments, chosen, name and pronouns will be shared with housing staff members, including student employees as needed.

• Who is eligible for gender-neutral housing?

  Gender-neutral housing is open to all students. Students must complete the Gender Neutral Housing agreement for campus housing.

• How is gender-neutral housing different from co-ed?

  Gender-neutral housing removes gender as a factor in housing assignments; by removing the need to define gender at all.

• What is gender-neutral housing?

  Gender-Neutral Housing is a voluntary opt-in housing option in which two or more students mutually agree to share a multiple-occupancy suite and/or bathroom regardless of the student’s assigned sex at birth, legal gender and/or gender identity.

Gender inclusive housing agreement

Gender Inclusive Housing provides an opportunity for a living environment welcoming to all gender identities and isn’t limited to traditional gender binary. This environment allows for same-gender, opposite-gender, non-gender, or other gender identities to cohabitate as roommates regardless of biological sex in a platonic environment to feel physically and emotionally safe and supported.

It is the choice of the student as to communication with parent(s) or family members about their decision to live in gender inclusive housing. Residence life encourages this discussion between parents or family members about this choice so that there is an understanding of the living environment.

Notes to consider:

• Students who wish to live in a multi-suite with someone of a different biological sex must utilize this agreement and process.
• All suitemates must sign this agreement.
• Once a room or suite is designated as gender-inclusive, it will remain gender-inclusive for the duration of the academic year. In the event of a vacancy, Housing will fill the vacancy first with an individual who consents to living in a gender-inclusive environment.

Roommate Request(s)

All roommates must have completed and turned in the Gender Inclusive Housing Agreement. Signing below indicates your agreement with the procedures and policies listed on this agreement form but also with Residence Life policies.

          Please make sure that you complete the Housing Application and return this agreement to Housing Staff at jchousing@bestcookingbooks.com or 21111 Emmons Rd, c/o Housing, Jackson, MI 49201 at the time of applying for housing..