Events such as Transgender Awareness Week and the creation of gender-affirming spaces like Pride Place have been successful in advancing a healthier and more open vision of the kind of community UNC can be.
However, since the Board of Governors struck down a proposal for gender-nonspecific housing in 2013, campus has been lacking a long sought after space that is both permanent and institutionally created for the sole purpose of welcoming those with fluid gender identities.
And, with numerous other issues on campus being debated over the past few months, the dialogue surrounding gender-neutral housing has perhaps stalled. But that must not be allowed to continue.
The objective of securing gender-neutral housing on campus is too important to be forgotten due to other prominent issues on campus, such as Margaret Spellings’ appointment as UNC-System president.
In fact, if anything, the change in leadership ought to represent a new way forward for those seeking to live in on campus housing that is inclusive to all gender identities.
This issue offers a prime opportunity for Spellings to prove to the 5,000 students who protested her appointment across six different campuses that she is both a willing and capable leader who will serve their best interests.
That is not to suggest that Spellings could unilaterally make this decision, but her support would be a sign of goodwill to an already contentious beginning to her administration — especially given the deserved distrust members of the LGBTQ community feel towards her.
The students have spoken, Spellings. Now, will you prove them wrong?
