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Genderblind housing to have trial period in '05
Erik Jensen, Staff Writer, The Cornellian

The Women’s Resource Group (WRG) has been granted a one-year pilot program allowing gender-blind housing at Harlan House. Men and transgendered students will be allowed to live in Harlan along with women who currently are housed at Harlan.

To be granted gender-blind housing, WRG had to go through an application process that included altering their charter to allow for gender-blind housing. In addition, the group submitted a proposal detailing the change for approval by Director of Residence Life Matt Johnson. The program will receive evaluation throughout the 2005-2006 academic year to determine if the program will be continued.

WRG member Jeanne Firth commented, “WRG decided to push for gender-blind housing status because WRG has… members who are not female and we wanted them to have the option of living in the house. WRG’s ideals are very much in line with 3 rd wave feminist thought, which is inclusive rather than exclusive and believes that all people should be welcomed to feminist thought and activism if they believe in equality, regardless or their gender, race, sexuality, etc. Gender-blind status also provides a more comfortable option of housing for possible Cornell students who identify as transgendered. WRG is thrilled at the approval of this housing option – it is a step towards equality and non-discrimination that the college community should be extremely proud of.”

Sophomore, Gretchen Auten elaborated, “Regardless of the need to provide housing for transgendered students, allowing me into Harlan House calls attention to the fact that men can be, and should be encouraged to, feminists. Since people of all genders come to WRG meetings and come to our events, they should have the change to live in Harlan House.”

Sophomore, Jeff Bessmer, a future resident of Harlan commented, “Gender-inclusive housing reduces housing discrimination and, most importantly, provides another living opportunity for students. Next year, we will embark on a pilot program to investigate how gender-blind housing works in a controlled environment at Cornell. Harlan is a safe, relaxed, community-building environment that also serves as a base for furthering the civil rights movement through women’s issues. I am looking forward to making a contribution in all these places and making the house all it can be for our community.”

 

 

Jensen, Erik. “Genderblind housing to have trial period in ’05.” The Cornellian. 11 April 2005. Volume 125, Issue 14: 2.