OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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At Oregon State University, roommate matching for all students is based on gender identity, and not biological sex. What does this mean? Students are able to indicate the gender they identify with on their housing application, which may or may not match their biological sex. Students now have more choice in who they match with as roommates, and how much gender identity information they want others to see.
Students who are living at Oregon State beginning during fall term and who apply by application deadlines are eligible to select their own roommates and have optimal choice in their roommate search. For example, if you identify as a woman, and want to find a roommate who identifies as a woman, you may do so. If you identify as transgender, you will be able to find a roommate without any restrictions based on your biological sex. If you apply after these deadlines or choose not to select your own roommate, our housing staff will assign you a roommate whose gender identity category matches your own.
Students who select their own roommate will be able to search for a roommate based on a number of criteria including: major, answers to roommate profile questions in the housing application, OSU class standing, and gender identity. Students who either choose not to select their own roommate, or are not eligible to select their own roommate (they apply after their corresponding deadline, or are a mid-year applicant), will be assigned a roommate based on the category of their gender identity. There are three categories of gender identities: man, woman, and self-identified. For students that are assigned in an economy triple room, our assignments team will prioritize similar gender identity over other preferences and roommate matches.
Due to recent legislation in the state of Oregon, the university makes efforts to no longer define gender on a binary (meaning just “male” or “female”). In an effort to provide all students access to the same services at the institution, like roommate matching, we have identified 10 gender identities from which students can select the option that most aligns with their identity:
*Are all part of the self-identified category
By providing more options for students, we are able to assist students in finding a roommate with whom they feel compatible and also support the University mission:
As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research and outreach and engagement, Oregon State University promotes economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world.
You have the option to make your gender identity private via your housing application. By selecting to have your identity private, you will remove yourself from being visible to others as a potential roommate. You may still search for roommates, but will have to initiate any requests to potential roommates.
For students who participate in roommate matching, other students participating in the same roommate matching process will see your identified gender unless you choose to make it private. Outside of roommate matching, only staff in the Housing department who are responsible for making room assignments will have access to this information.
All students admitted to Oregon State University are bound to a Code of Conduct that, “...all persons must treat one another with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive.” As such, we expect every student to approach the roommate matching process with an ethos of care for their fellow students. If you have an experience you think violates this Code of Conduct, please contact the Housing Office: housing@oregonstate.edu.
Are there gender-inclusive restrooms in the residence halls?
Yes, Oregon State offers gender-inclusive restrooms in all residence halls and in many other spaces across campus.