Harvard University Transgender Task Force -- Harvard TTF

Creating a better campus for Transgender students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

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Housing

On this page: Housing, Meeting with Residential Life, Privacy, and FAQs

First-Years
There are new first-year housing forms that include options for transgender students to both identify themselves and request assistance with housing. For assistance, contact the Assistant Dean of the Office of Residential Life, Josh McIntosh, to get housing needs met.  The Office of Residential Life office is committed to helping incoming students have access to a wide range of housing options to allow them to participate fully in dorm life.

Gender Neutral Housing Option for Upper-class Students
Since Spring 2008 there has been a gender neutral housing policy/option for students after their first year who need gender neutral housing due to gender-based needs.  House Administrators have received training regarding transgender students and their potential housing needs.

The current policy states that:

“Harvard College recognizes that there are circumstances in which it would be appropriate to consider requests for mixed-gender rooming groups, although the College ordinarily requires single-gender living arrangements. Thus, the Office of Residential Life may, in consultation with the Houses, permit mixed-gender rooming groups in certain circumstances, such as to accommodate students with a gender-based need (i.e., transgender students). To date, exceptions have been limited to those suites where bedroom door locks have been installed by the University, and where the bedroom occupants are of the same gender. All occupants must voluntarily agree to the arrangements. Requests for mixed-gender rooming groups that are made to the Office of Residential Life or the Houses will be addressed and managed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all circumstances, including space constraints.”

Meeting with the Assistant Dean of Residential Life
Transgender students and other students who have a gender-based need for gender neutral housing will likely need to schedule a meeting with the Assistant Dean of Residential Life. This Dean, currently Josh Macintosh, will collaborate with the respective House on such requests.  During the meeting with the Assistant Dean of Residential Life, students should be prepared to discuss the following questions:

  1. What are your current needs in relation to your gender? How does this impact the housing configuration (e.g., suite, single on a hallway, etc.) you prefer?
  2. What type of bathroom configuration (e.g., in-suite, hallway, etc.) would be most comfortable for you?
  3. What student(s), who currently live in your House, would you be most comfortable living with?
  4. How do you see your needs change over the next one or two years? How might this impact your housing?
  5. What questions or concerns do you have related to your housing?

Privacy
Personal information related to requests for gender neutral housing will only be shared with those directly involved in responding to such requests (e.g., House Master, Resident Dean, and/or House Administrator) or those who have a legitimate reason to have access to such information. The student will be informed whenever there is a need to share information the information will be shared.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q.  Is there a deadline by when I should contact the House Administrator or Assistant Dean of Residential Life?
  • A.  Although a student may request gender neutral housing at any time, the College’s ability to accommodate such requests is much more limited after housing lotteries have been completed and/or the term has begun.  Therefore, upperclass students are strongly encouraged to make such requests in late February, or before, for the following academic year.
  • Q.  What if, one of the roommates in a mixed-gender suite moves out, leaving a vacancy?
  • A.  There are essentially two options and each situation will be managed on a case-by-case basis:
    1. The Office of Residential Life, in consultation with the remaining roommates and the respective House, can place a willing student of any gender in the vacant space.
    2. The Office of Residential Life, in consultation with the remaining roommates and the respective House, can reassign one or all of the remaining roommates separately into other suites and then create a single gender suite.

    Consider emailing the TTF with questions/concerns about the policy.