The University of South Florida has joined a small number of campuses to add "Transgender" on their campus housing forms and giving students who identify as transgender the option of living in a single room, living with a friend or being entered into the lottery where they would be assigned to another student of their "birth sex."

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One of the first things that may pop into a student's mind who is exploring gender identity and/or expression or already starting the transition process is, "What are the options for campus housing?" Over the years I've heard horror stories from students who were placed in an "all girl" or "all male" dormitory and living with roommates who were verbally abusive toward them due to their transgender identity. I've heard of students waiting until 2 or 3 in the morning to go into the bathroom to shower because they feared for their safety during the day and didn't have anywhere else to go where they felt comfortable.

Working toward trans-friendly dorms is a great place to begin trans-inclusion on college campuses. The dorms are where students form their community (especially the first year of college). They are also the place where students will spend a large majority of their time. If you are transgender and you fear for your safety or feel ostracized by the other students on your floor or in your hall, then you are missing out on social development, relaxation, a safe place to sleep and a place to study when the coffee houses, libraries or student union become too hectic.

For many students, the dorms and social life that begins there is where students take bigger steps toward establishing their identity separate from parents, siblings and former communities. One shouldn't be scrambling to find other housing options along with juggling the general anxiety of figuring out a major, passing crazy exams and writing essays that you just wish would go away.

The more campuses begin to recognize the need for trans-friendly campus housing, the more they'll be seen as a viable college for transgender students to choose from. The questions I hope campuses (and students applying to colleges) ask when moving toward trans-inclusion and campus housing are as follows:
1) Do transgender students have to pay more to be in a single dorm room when it is a matter of being their only option or a request due to fear for safety?
2) Are there gender-neutral restrooms available in the dorms with showers for students to use? If so, are they in a convenient location?
3) Are there ways to reword the campus housing questionnaire that allows students to mark that they are, "queer-friendly," especially if the college will only match transgender students up with other students of the same "birth sex?"

These questions are a start. There will be more to come as the beginning of another school-year begins this next month.

If you have questions on where to find more resources or how to begin this conversation on your campus feel free to message me at rsallans@gmail.com or visit my website at http://www.ryansallans.com