We want all students living in the University Residence Halls to feel welcome and safe in an environment conducive to learning and success both inside and outside the classroom. To this end, we strive to be inclusive of each resident’s gender identity and offer residential spaces where students from all gender identities and expressions may choose to live together. Gender Inclusive Housing is intended to meet the needs of transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ students and allies to select a housing assignment that is inclusive, safe, and comfortable.
We offer a Gender Inclusive Community living experience on a floor in Lowell, individual rooms on floors across campus in Dejope, Phillips, Smith, Waters, and Witte, and the Open House Learning Community in Phillips.
How to Join
- Sign your University Residence Halls contract and submit your advance payment in My UW Housing
- Submit your preferences in My UW Housing:
- Gender Inclusive Community
- Rank Lowell as your top residence hall preference and select the Gender Inclusive Community as your top choice in your learning/affinity community preferences
- Gender Inclusive Individual Rooms
- Open House Learning Community
- Rank Phillips as your top residence hall preference and select the Open House Learning Community as your top choice in your learning/affinity community preferences
- Gender Inclusive Community
- Prioritize learning/affinity communities over residence halls when you submit your hall preferences
- Fill out the Gender Inclusive Housing or Open House community agreement forms in My UW Housing
- Receive your room assignment
Gender Inclusive Communities
Gender Inclusive Affinity Community
Lowell Center | 43 residents | Part of 4th Floor
Single, double, and triple rooms with baths | Any gender
This affinity community is in parts of the 4th floor of Lowell Center in the Southeast Neighborhood of campus. The Gender Inclusive Affinity Community is intended to meet the needs of transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary and LGBTQ+ students and allies to select a housing assignment that is inclusive, safe, and comfortable.
Note: roommate preferences can be of any gender (regardless of a student’s assigned sex, gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation). If you do not indicate a roommate preference, a roommate of any gender may be assigned.
Gender Inclusive Individual Rooms
Individual rooms in Dejope, Phillips, Smith, Waters, and Witte
Single, double, and triple rooms with baths
Single & double rooms with a shared all gender bath
In select residence halls located in both the lakeshore and southeast neighborhoods, gender inclusive housing options are available in a variety of room types with private bathrooms and with a shared all gender bathroom.
These options are intended to meet the needs of transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary and LGBTQ+ students and allies to select a housing assignment that is inclusive, safe, and comfortable.
Note: roommate preferences can be of any gender (regardless of a student’s assigned sex, gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation). If you do not indicate a roommate preference, a roommate of any gender may be assigned.
Open House Learning Community
Phillips Residence Hall | 29 residents
Double rooms with private baths | Mixed coed floor
Open House is one of University Housing’s learning communities located in the Lakeshore Neighborhood of campus that welcomes students who wish to examine both conventional and transformational assumptions about gender and sexuality.
In this inclusive community, LGBTQIA+ and allied students can find and create an environment of awareness, respect, and advocacy for all sexual and gender identities in a welcoming and supportive space focused on building community among intersecting identities. No one will ask your identity or require you to identify a certain way!
- Open House Program Coordinator: Travis Winger
- Gender & Sexuality Campus Center Liaison: Tiffany Lee
Request More Information
Questions? Contact the Assignments Office at assignMe@housing.wisc.edu and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Resources
Transgender On Campus Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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I currently have a Housing assignment which does not align with nor affirm my gender. What are my options?
Trans and non-binary students who wish to live in a gender-specific Housing assignment can contact University Housing’s Assignments Office to request a preference on where they would like to live or request a change at any time.
I'm trans and/or nonbinary and want to live in University Housing, but not in the Open House Learning Community or the Gender Inclusive Community in Merit Residence Hall. What are my options?
University Housing’s Assignments Office works one on one with any student who has questions about living in the residence halls as an LGBTQIA+ person. They will work to assign you to an environment that will be comfortable for you.