A pilot program for gender-neutral housing will debut next fall, allowing upperclassmen the option of living in two-person suites, and South Campus apartments, with members of the opposite sex.

The program sparked controversy among Student Association members Monday as they discussed the challenges and benefits of the program. SA Chief of Staff Neal Casey spoke with the assembly about the new program.

‘We know that this is going to come, and we need to make sure all of the students’ wants and needs are taken into account,’ he said.

No students will be put in gender-neutral housing unless they mutually request it. Each housing assignment must have two bedrooms, Casey said.

While a decision has already been made to implement the program, SA will be responsible for addressing student concerns that may arise, he added.

Larry Seivert, SA president, said that many challenges might not be fully realized until the policy is actually implemented. Challenges discussed at the meeting include moral opposition from student groups, and the possibility of roommate conflicts between couples who break up mid-semester.

Around 45 colleges and universities across the country already have gender-neutral housing in place, Casey said. Casey and Angelo Coker, SA assemblyman, attended a conference of the American Student Government Association at the end of September, where the issue was discussed. Other student governments expressed both support and disdain over the policy, Casey said.

Seivert reminded the assembly that progress has been made since dormitories used to be completely single-sex. They eventually became co-ed by floor, and in some dorms, by room.

‘This is taking another step and it’s a strong progression from our past,’ he said.

SA also discussed other initiatives during Monday’s meeting: A bus to take students to the football game against Pittsburgh on Nov. 7 has been secured, said Bridget Schultz, SA’s public relations director.

Two new assembly members were elected at the end of the meeting. Katie Lewinski and Marion Araque, both junior policy studies and international relations majors, are new student representatives.

kronayne@syr.edu

Published on October 5, 2009 at 12:00 pm