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UNCA Housing Policy Changes Raise Concerns for Transgender Students

University students engaged in conversation about housing policy changes on campus.

News Summary

Recent policy changes at the University of North Carolina at Asheville require transgender students to provide documentation of their gender identity to retain housing assignments. This shift has left many students uncertain about their living arrangements and future at the university. The tighter regulations come amidst increased compliance reviews and federal pressures, leading students to question the university’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

Asheville, NC – Recent changes to housing policies at the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) have generated significant concern among transgender students, with many feeling uncertain about their living arrangements and future at the university. The new policy, communicated to students via email from the Office of Housing and Residence Life on June 11, 2023, requires students to provide documentation that supports their gender identity to retain their housing assignments.

Georgia Hair, a transgender student from Charlotte, enrolled at UNCA due to its reputation for accessibility and LGBTQ+ friendliness. In her first year, she held three positions in the university’s Student Government Association and opted to live on campus again in her second year to foster social connections. However, the recent email indicated changes that would affect her plans to continue living with her nonbinary friend in a female-designated dorm room, a situation that had previously been accommodated during her first year.

The email from housing officials did not reference Hair’s gender identity or status as a transgender person, yet other transgender students received similar communications, leading her to suspect that their identities were linked to the changes outlined in the email. A follow-up call to the housing office confirmed that all students, including transgender individuals, must now submit a form requesting a change in their legal sex in university records and provide acceptable documentation, such as passports or birth certificates, to verify their gender.

According to the UNC System policy, students of different sexes are prohibited from sharing dorm rooms unless they are closely related or married. This policy shift requires transgender students who cannot furnish the necessary documentation to change their housing arrangements or opt for off-campus living. Hair expressed discomfort with revealing information about her gender and ultimately chose to live off campus to maintain her privacy.

These housing policy modifications come in light of increased compliance reviews at UNCA, which have arisen due to legal pressures from the UNC System and federal legislation regarding diversity and inclusion practices. A prior email from UNCA’s general counsel discussed the importance of adhering to compliance requirements tied to federal civil rights laws and funding conditions, which potentially sparked the shift in housing procedures from the university.

Hair and other students view the changes in housing policy as indicative of a declining commitment to support LGBTQ+ individuals on campus. Historically, the UNC System’s housing policy, established in 2013, was interpreted to allow more flexibility for LGBTQ+ students in choosing their living arrangements. However, many campuses are reconsidering these inclusive options in light of evolving legal standards.

In response to this situation, UNCA communicated that students affected by the policy alteration can break their housing contracts without penalty. This announcement revealed a consideration for students who find themselves impacted by the new requirements, but they still face the challenge of having to comply with documentation requests.

Hair, who previously contemplated living off-campus, was forced to act when the new policy was enacted. She expressed concerns about the invasive nature of the documentation requirement and its implications for her sense of belonging at UNCA. Other students, including Ryan Foster, have also voiced worries regarding the ambiguity and potential discrimination tied to the new housing regulations. Foster criticized UNCA for fostering an inclusive image while simultaneously enforcing policies that contradict that message.

With this shift in housing policy, fears have emerged among transgender students about their safety and social well-being on campus. The push towards stricter compliance reflects broader trends within higher education institutions, where funding pressures and regulatory requirements increasingly affect the lives and experiences of marginalized groups.

As UNCA navigates these changes, students are left contemplating their future living arrangements and the university’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.