Coed Dorm ROOMS, not halls

ReninDetroit
Sat, 03 Mar 2007 11:23:32 +0000

“I’ve never really heard of big problems with homophobic roommates. On your housing form you can say in the additional information section that you’re gay and/or that you’d like to be with a socially liberal roommate.”

Actually, you’re not supposed to say this. All housing is done without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. This doesn’t mean that they won’t consider the situation “under the table”, but as far as official decision-making is concerned, they are not allowed to use your sexual identity as a factor in placing you.

(And how would they be able to place you with a socially liberal rooommate? There’s no way to know which students are liberal and which are not, at least for the housing department).

I will add that, as a gay male, I am a huge fan of gender-neutral housing, but by no means do I think it’s impossible to live comfortably with a straight roommate. There is a HUGE gay/LBT population at Chicago, and from what I understand, homophobia is rarely a problem. At an intellectual powerhouse like this school, there are not very many bigots.