Gender Neutral Housing

in Activism, Campaign
December 11th, 2012

Statement by Gender Neutral BU

The following is a statement on behalf of the Center for Gender, Sexuality and Activism, the Boston University Student Government, and their student, faculty, administrative, parent, and alumni supporters. This statement is in response to the administration’s recent decision to indefinitely halt the Student Government proposal to implement Gender Neutral Housing at Boston University. This action represents a deliberate violation of the commitments made by administration officials to implement Gender Neutral Housing as an option for students by Fall 2013.

The Student Government went through the appropriate channels to plan and submit this proposal. After many revisions in coordination with Boston University Residence Life, and taking into consideration survey responses from over one thousand Boston University students, the plan was passed in Spring of 2012 by the Boston University Student Government Senate. The Senate is the main instrument of the student voice; it includes representatives from the Pan-Hellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, individual college governments and each residence hall.

After the proposal passed, Student Government held countless meetings with administrative officials from Housing, Residence Life, and the Dean of Students Office to facilitate the implementation of the plan. During the summer, the Dean of Students Office gave multiple verbal confirmations that Gender Neutral Housing was slated for Fall of 2013. Student Government was then given permission to publicize the plan’s approval at the beginning of the fall term. The plan was moderate in its requests and respectful of administrative concerns; it called for the gradual five-year implementation of Gender Neutral Housing. Despite these efforts, Student Government received notification from the Dean of Students Office during Fall Recess that the plans for Gender Neutral Housing had been indefinitely postponed.

We students have created a united front – “Gender Neutral BU” – and we are advocating for the Gender Neutral Housing plan that was promised. We are disappointed that the administration has determined that Gender Neutral Housing is not a priority on their current housing agenda. The collective voice of the student body has been silenced. We understand the importance of other initiatives being undertaken by the University but it is unacceptable to disregard student priorities. We are asking the administration to publicly affirm their commitment to the implementation of Gender Neutral Housing at Boston University in Fall of 2013. This is necessary for a campus that is safe and inclusive for all students.

Sign the petition here