What is Gender Inclusive Housing
Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) is a housing option in which two or more students share a bedroom, suite and/or apartment regardless of the students' sex, gender identity or gender expression. In other words, this option allows for students of any gender identity to live together regardless of sex assigned at birth.
Pomona College "strives to create healthy environments in which individuals feel welcomed, respected, valued, supported, and fully able to achieve and contribute". In line with these community and DEI values, Pomona's HRL is committed to providing a healthy, safe, and positive living environment for all students. Because gender identity, sex assigned at birth, and outness are unique to each student, Housing and Residential Life (HRL) can work with students to figure out the best housing environment for them within gender inclusive housing.
Why is this Specific to New & Transfer Students?:
Currently, GIH is being piloted with new students and transfers for the 2022-2023 academic year, although, returning students can continue to live in co-ed/multi-gender spaces. Pomona College has and will continue to allow second, third, and fourth year students to room with whomever, regardless of sex, gender identity or gender expression, although this occurs by these students creating their own roommate groups and housing selections during the room draw process. This change to GIH is intended to be inclusive of new and transfer students by providing administrative housing placements that best meet these students' needs.
If an incoming new or transfer student would like to be assigned within GIH, they will indicate their preference within the online housing application or first-year questionnaire. You do not have to have a specific roommate in mind to be matched for GIH. However, students will not be assigned to GIH unless they have selected to do so.
Gender Inclusive Housing Agreement
Gender Inclusive Housing is not recommended or intended for living with significant others and/or to get to a specific location within housing. Choosing to live in GIH is an agreement for the whole year. If a student decides they are no longer interested in GIH, they may contact housing@pomona.edu to explore other options. Granted requests are based on availability. If you are interested, you will need to review and agree to all items below in your housing application before being approved for Gender Inclusive Housing:
- I understand choosing to live in Gender Inclusive Housing means I will have roommates and/or suitemates of any gender identities.
- I affirm gender as a non-binary construct (human beings are not necessarily male or female as ascribed by their assigned sex at birth).
- I understand my role in working to create an affirming and inclusive living environment for all in the Pomona community.
Facility Details
- In new student communities, there are gendered multi-stall restrooms and non-gendered restrooms.
- Students who opt-in to GIH, will be placed in various new student communities, instead of one central location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go to learn more about gender?
How do I sign-up/apply?
GIH options are built into the housing application first-year questionnaire. In order to sign-up all a student has to do is select the preference for GIH. While we provide space for students to share their gender identity in the application, students do not have to disclose their gender to be granted the option of GIH. Lastly, a student can always contact the Housing and Residence Life Office at housing@pomona.edu to inquire about specific GIH options or needs.
What is the bathroom setup for GIH?
GIH is not located in a specific area of a residence hall or part of campus. For this reason, bathrooms will vary by housing setup. In new student communities, there are gendered multi-stall restrooms and non-gendered restrooms.
Can I move to a GIH space once the semester begins?
Yes. If a student has a need for a GIH space at any point during the academic year, HRL will facilitate a new assignment as long as space allows. HRL recognizes that gender is fluid and dynamic, meaning assignment adjustments to meet the needs of the students can be made. Please recognize that granting student's housing assignment requests may hinge on space availability.
For more information, please contact:
Housing and Residence Life at housing@pomona.edu
Queer Resource Center at (909) 607-1817 or at qrc@claremont.edu or qrc-studentstaff@claremont.edu