Thorp to decide on gender neutral housing

In one week, students and administrators who have been petitioning for a gender neutral housing option at UNC will have an answer.

Chancellor Holden Thorp, who received the petition in the fall, will take action on it by the end of next week, said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Winston Crisp.

If approved, the proposal would allow students of any sexual orientation to live in the same room in UNC’s residence halls, starting in the fall semester.

After discussing the proposal with Thorp on Thursday night, Crisp said it is crucial that a decision be made soon.

“Frankly, we need to have a decision one way or the other in place as we begin February, because if we’re going to do this, we need to have housing suited up by the end of this month,” Crisp said.

He added that the housing option does not need the formal approval of the Board of Trustees.

“We want everyone to be engaged and aware and approving of the proposal, but this did not require official approval from the board,” he said.

Terri Phoenix, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Center, said Thorp has historically supported inclusion for all lifestyles.

“Chancellor Thorp has demonstrated time and again his commitment to inclusion, accessibility and equity,” Phoenix said.

“I know him and I have had more interaction with him than with the Board of Trustees. I am confident and happy that it is up to him to make a decision.”

If the proposal is approved, a pilot program of the gender neutral housing option will begin in the fall, Crisp said.

“We are waiting to see what happens with the petition at the chancellor’s level,” said Rick Bradley, assistant director of Housing and Residential Education, in October.

“Then we as a department will support the implementation of whatever is decided.”

The gender neutral housing coalition is hoping for approval but preparing for the alternative, said sophomore Kevin Claybren, who started the initiative last spring.

“If the decision is yes, then we’ll have some thank you letters to send,” Phoenix said.

“But if the decision is no, what I hope to see is a clear reason of what would be needed to change that decision to yes.”

Phoenix said the coalition has a clear argument for approval.

Other schools that offer housing options similar to the one proposed at UNC include Duke University and the University of Michigan.

Phoenix added that the option has important effects for prospective students.

“This is something that could make or break a student’s decision to live on campus,” Phoenix said.

“So we’re all hoping this is something we can begin offering in the fall.”

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