“We can provide gender-neutral housing in every House but there are significant constraints given the number of students living there,” he says, clarifying that bedrooms for more than one resident cannot be included because of the ban on mixed-gender bedrooms.

WHAT’S NEXT

Emphasizing the importance of providing for students with the greatest need first, QSA Co-Chair Marco Chan ’11 says it is important to make the undergraduate population at large aware of the current policies. Though the current OSL website contains information regarding gender-neutral housing, this information is rather difficult to find, and it should not be presumed that the QSA or TTF will get information to people on a need-to-know basis.

“Whether with websites, House literature, or otherwise, this needs to be made as visible and explicit as possible,” says Chan, noting that greater visibility will benefit not only those who want gender-neutral housing, but will also serve as “an affirmation of the College’s dedication to gender-nonconforming students as a part of student community with a set of needs we all need to actively think about.”

The OSL is working to address these issues without appearing to require that students “come out” to the College. For example, the OSL is developing a database to manage information about preferred nickname and gender. Housing questionnaires now include boxes marked “transgender” and “other,” accompanied by a text box for self-identification.

Chan says most members of the QSA are pleased with the progress, but they add that more must be done.

“The onus is on the College administration to be proactive in disseminating information,” Chan says. “Inclusion and safety for all students is the college’s responsibility.”

—Staff writer Alice E.M. Underwood can be reached at aeunderw@fas.harvard.edu.