Gender-Inclusive Housing FAQs

What is Gender-Inclusive Housing?

Gender-Inclusive Housing (GIH) is an assignment in which students live in the same bedroom and share internal/external bathrooms with another student, regardless of assigned sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression. This means that your roommate may identify as male, female, or non-binary.

Why is Drexel University offering Gender-Inclusive Housing?

GIH was developed to enhance the residential living experience by allowing students to live in residence hall bedrooms with the individuals with whom they feel most comfortable.

Is GIH only for students who are members of the LGBTQ+ community?

No. Gender-Inclusive Housing is an option for any student opting to live in rooms, suites and apartments without a gender designation.

Which residences will be available for Gender-Inclusive Housing?

GIH is offered in selected rooms and or/suites in select halls. The halls available for an academic year will be announced by January of the academic year (e.g. academic year 2025-26 will be announced in January 2025).

Will students be randomly assigned to Gender-Inclusive Housing?

No. Students will not be assigned to a gender-inclusive room, suite or apartment without their request. GIH is an opt-in only housing option and students must expressly state their desire for this option on their Housing Application via DrexelOne.

What if a student no longer wants to live in Gender-Inclusive Housing?

Students who no longer wish to live in GIH may request a room change at any time directly through their Resident Director. All room change requests are subject to availability of space and changing residence halls or room type may result in a change in the room rate.

What if a vacancy occurs in a Gender-Inclusive room?

If a vacancy occurs during the year, the current resident(s) is (are) encouraged to find a roommate. Housing and Residence Life will work with the current occupant(s) to identify other solutions such as placement of a student from the GIH waitlist and/or assigning a student who has confirmed placement interest in GIH. If no GIH interested student can be identified to fill the vacancy, Housing and Residence Life may re-designate the room as gender specific.

Will parents be notified if their student chooses Gender-Inclusive Housing?

Drexel Housing and Residence Life communicates assignment information directly to residential students. Students are always encouraged to communicate with their families regarding their housing options and preferences. Students under the age of 17 requesting GIH will be handled on a case-by-case basis in alignment with Drexel University's Protection of Minors policy and practice.

I have more questions, who can I contact?

Please contact a Housing and Residence Life team member at 215.895.6155 or housing@drexel.edu, or visit us at our office on the first floor of Towers Hall located at 101 N. 34th Street. If you have questions regarding diversity and/or inclusion, we encourage you to contact the Office of Equality and Diversity.

Campus resources

Housing and Residence Life (HRL) offers Gender-Inclusive Housing as one of the many initiatives happening in Drexel Residence halls in support of all students. The entire HRL staff is trained and ready to provide support and to connect students to resources across campus. In addition, students will find educational and social programs to connect with other students around the topics of inclusion and diversity.

Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion (SCDI) coordinates comprehensive, student-focused, cultural month programming and develops and implements a wide range of multicultural and social justice education and training opportunities on topics including but not limited to: gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic class by means of in-class presentations, intergroup dialogue circles, student organization workshops, etc., to increase student engagement and promote an inclusive and interdependent, socially just community.

Office of Equality & Diversity (OED) is responsible for ensuring that the University complies with its own policies and with federal, state and local laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status and any other category prohibited by law.