Temple prides itself on creating a welcoming community for our diverse student body. Amid student interest in more accommodating on-campus living options, Temple University will offer gender-inclusive housing beginning in the fall semester.

This means students can opt to share a suite or apartment on campus with other students regardless of biological sex, gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation.

“We are proud to offer gender-inclusive housing as part of Temple’s ongoing commitment to developing a campus community that is welcoming and inclusive,” said Stephanie Ives, associate vice president and dean of students. “This new housing option helps address student demand for more inclusive on-campus housing.”

Gender-inclusive housing is an opt-in housing accommodation, and students must expressly state their desire for a gender-inclusive assignment via the online housing selection application, which is now open for the 2017-18 academic year.

For returning students, gender-inclusive housing will be offered in select apartment-style accommodations in Morgan North and Temple Towers residence halls. For incoming or first-year students, gender-inclusive housing will be offered in select suite-style accommodations in White and 1940 residence halls on a case-by-case basis. The Podiatry residence hall offers gender-inclusive housing to graduate students, also on a case-by-case basis.

“We want to acknowledge the diverse needs of our students and further develop a residence hall environment that is positive and respectful for all residents,” said Kevin W. Williams, interim assistant vice president for University Housing and Residential Life. “It also enhances the on-campus living experience by allowing students to live with those they feel most comfortable, extending beyond individuals of the same gender.”

Surveys and focus groups with students revealed an increased interest in more flexible options that allow gender-inclusive housing accommodations. Temple Student Government, the Residence Hall Association, Queer Student Union, Queer People of Color and Students for Trans Awareness Rights, among other student organizations, advocated for Temple to offer the inclusive housing, which is already in place at hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide.

“You come to Temple and see and meet hundreds of people, and you are going to realize that the people you connect with and want to live with might not be the same sex or gender as you,” said Titus Knox, Class of 2017, Temple Student Government’s director of student affairs. “Temple is giving the option to have a shared experience with people who aren’t the same as you. For the LGBT community in particular, this allows a marginalized student population to have the same option that other students have—a living space that they prefer.”

Students can apply for gender-inclusive housing by visiting the online housing application. More information and answers to frequently asked questions are available at the University Housing and Residential Life website.

Meet the students that advocated for gender-inclusive housing.