Source: The Daily Tar Heel
POSTED BY Kelley Sousa on Thursday, November 15, 2012.
- Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Winston Crisp talking about the resolution for gender-neutral housing (11/15/2012).
Source: The Daily Tar Heel POSTED BY Kelley Sousa on Thursday, November 15, 2012.
13 Comments
Abbey
11/26/2012 11:56:29 am
I think the specifics of the new gender-neutral housing option need to be distributed better to both students and the general public. This weekend when my family asked me about it I didn't really know what to tell them. I knew that it had been approved but I don't know any specifics. They too think that "we're talking about a free-for-all or we're talking about having people living will-nilly together." I think this needs to be cleared up so that people understand the purpose of the new living option.
Zane Duffner
11/29/2012 10:25:14 am
Before gender neutral housing was agreed upon, it was definitely necessary to answer key questions and identify what would occur if gender neutral housing was allowed. There were some key points that gender neutral housing advocates made regarding abuse. I find it very inconsiderate and unacceptable that anybody would treat somebody poorly just because they are different. This new living situation will allow for many people in the LGBTQ community to have safer housing and put them in a location where there is less abuse and criticism coming from people who have issues with the current and proposed housing situation.
Caroline
11/29/2012 10:10:34 pm
I think that before people jump to conclusions about something they should understand it. If they have the time to form a negative opinion about it, why can't they take the time to read the literature to truly understand the argument into which they are entering? At UNC every student should feel comfortable regardless of how they orientate. The place where you live should be the most you feel the most comfortable or a place where you can go to escape the stress of the outside world and if gender neutral housing would create this atmosphere for students then I think it is a great idea. I agree with Abby, I think information should be distributed among students to help them understand this decision. It is important for the entire UNC community to understand this new housing option and just how much it could potentially affect someones life if they don't feel comfortable living in traditional housing. Go UNC for approving gender neutral housing!
Vicki Wiggins
11/29/2012 10:55:03 pm
I feel the details regarding gender neutral housing were not clearly explained which leaves too much room for people to draw their own conclusions. Although I do not know specifics about the issue, what I have heard leaves me on the border as to whether or not I agree with the decision. When asked about the issue from my parents and alumni, I had no I idea how to respond. I applaude UNC for being considerate of all of its students, however, I certainly would like to learn more information on the issue because I do not completely agree with the decision.
Annalee
12/2/2012 10:35:12 pm
I think that approving gender neutral housing is a positive move, whether every student agrees upon it or not. The decision promotes acceptance and gives the university a more diverse image. Though many students may not know the specifics, most are aware of the decision. Also, though I believe most students will not choose to live in gender neutral housing, the choice is still there which reflects very positively upon the university's community.
Brookelyn Riley
12/2/2012 11:48:11 pm
Gender neutral housing has became a hot topic on campus since I was a first year here in 2010. Despite having to work out many kinks in the system, I do think gender neutral housing on such a diverse and accepting campus shows that UNC is taking a step in the right direction. While most students that prefer to live in a co-ed environment will probably move off campus and do so in an apartment, house, etcetera, at least the choice is there should they seek to live on campus.
Andrew Jones
12/3/2012 12:03:11 am
This is really a larger issue than most people will admit. Housing and living situations are a big part of the college experience. To say that a student of a certain gender has to live with either one or the other is just cruel. And to acknowledge that this is a waste of time, like some have been saying, is completely arbitrary. Anyone who is a skeptic or disagrees with the progressive nature of our University needs a reality check. We aren't living in a fantasy world where men and women are defined and organized like a puppy mill, or a cold war high school caricature.
Kameron Spence
9/24/2013 11:25:18 am
Personally, I believe that living with your boyfriend or girlfriend is a bad idea. You are around them too much and if something goes wrong and you break up, living with each other the rest of the year is going to be awkward. Think about how annoyed you have gotten with your roommate before and why you are never supposed to room with your best friend. You don't want to ruin a perfect friendship or relationship. However, since gay and lesbian couples are allowed to room together, it is only fair to allow opposite genders room together. Heterosexual couples should have the same opportunity to live together as homosexual couples.
Trevor
10/1/2013 10:50:44 am
It's a shame that gender-neutral housing housing got shut down, yet I can understand why it happened. Not everyone at college is mature enough to live with members of the opposite sex, yet I believe that with a proper application process to live in a gender-neutral dorm then it could have been implemented and had great results. Now if only our Board of Governors was mature enough to start trusting the students.
Alyssa Townsend
10/1/2013 03:46:13 pm
I could not agree with Vice Chancellor Crisp more. I think it is very disappointing that all some people can think about when they hear "gender-neutral housing" are their little boys and girls (who aren't so little anymore, might I add) rooming together with their partners and significant others. First and foremost, what makes these people think their "babies" aren't over each others' places anyways. Secondly, this is so much larger than wanting to play house. The abuse and discrimination that members of the LGBTQ community face is intolerable and no one should have to come home (i.e., to the room/residence hall) to that. Home is supposed to be a safe haven, where one can relax and unwind from the struggle that is Carolina. If you don't feel safe going home, then where do you go? Gender neutral housing gives those individuals the opportunity to finally have a place with people they feel safe and comfortable around. As a heterosexual female, these are issues I personally don't have to worry about. Too often we are caught in the smog of heterosexism and fail to place ourselves in others' shoes. The world is not as easy and accepting and a lot of the social norms we have in place benefit heterosexual individuals. It's time we started moving forward with making Carolina a safe place for ALL of its students.
Cobey Culton
10/1/2013 04:39:38 pm
While I'm pretty much indifferent on this issue, I thought there was a big disconnect between the amount of traction this issue got (a lot) and the number of people who actually signed up (four). Maybe it would have attracted more people in coming years - and don't get me wrong, I think everyone should live in an environment where they feel safe and accepted - but the numbers suggest that this issue isn't as pressing as some made it out to be.
James Waugh
10/1/2013 09:37:46 pm
Gender-neutral housing represents an progressive idea, but it has met significant opposition. As Vice Chancellor Crisp says, those unaware of the specifics question the purpose of such a, "free-for-all." I think the movement could gain traction if someone explained some alternative reasons for boys and girls to room with each other. That way, the simple explanation wouldn't overtake skeptical minds. 10/27/2013 11:29:01 am
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