As spring semester is officially in full swing, priority deadline for housing is rapidly approaching. We find ourselves competing for a place in our preferred dorm, with many of us disappointed in our final assignments. When students complete their housing forms, they have the option to select a roommate of their choice. However, those selections appear to be limited to students of the same sex, which excludes trans students. Given that ULM does not adhere to laws that prevent students of different sexes from rooming together, any refusal to allow is discriminatory.
“Sex refers to biological differences (chromosomal, hormonal, reproductive), whereas gender refers to socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities and expectations associated with femininity and masculinity,” according to Simply Psychology,
I have always chosen random roommate selection because it was the easiest for me, and luckily, I really enjoy my roommate this semester. However, I am a non-binary female and have only ever had roommates who are cisgender women. This has never been a problem for me, as they have all been allies to the trans community, but not everyone has that experience.
Trans students are a very vulnerable population, and they encounter a unique set of challenges when it comes to finding a roommate that aligns with their own gender identity and expression. So, feeling limited to roommates of the same sex, can often leave them feeling out of place compared to their cisgender peers.
When asked about laws surrounding students of different sexes rooming together, Acting Director of Residential Life Andrew Hardee said that no such laws exist.
“ULM follows all applicable federal and state laws, as well as University of Louisiana System Board policies and our own institutional practices,” Hardee said. “To my knowledge, there is no federal law, state law, or University of Louisiana System policy that prohibits students of different sexes from rooming together.”
ULM claims to operate as a gender-inclusive housing model that allows students of all genders and sexes to live together. Unfortunately, this is not what we experience.
A trans friend of mine residing on campus disclosed how he and his roommates once tried to live with a trans girl but were denied because she was assigned male at birth, and they were assigned female—This is despite the housing application allowing you to contact/search for roommates of a different sex.
So, contrary to Hardee’s statement, trans students continue to encounter obstacles regarding roommate placements.
Hardee further explained ULM’s housing practices, according to the Department of Residential Life.
“…At ULM, roommate assignments are operationally made based on the sex listed in the student’s university record, along with application information, space availability, roommate requests or matching, and institutional housing policies, rather than by a legal mandate,” Hardee said.
This means that ULM follows a more traditional housing model.
The entire housing application process tends to be stressful, and trans students face an additional amount of anxiety when it comes to roommates. While ULM states that they do not prohibit students of different sexes from rooming together, that does not seem to always be the case. If any student feels as though their gender identity is preventing them from finding a comfortable housing arrangement, then Residential Life has some work to do.
Hardee says students needing accommodations, including different roommate arrangements to contact Residential Life and/or the Accommodations Office, as they ‘strive to address individual needs and well-being within the scope of its authority and university policies.’