Gender-Inclusive Housing FAQ

All students who consider themselves supportive of or a member of the LGBTQ+ community and are comfortable having a roommate of any gender identity or expression are eligible for this housing option

Gender-inclusive housing is available in specific theme houses and residence halls in the undergraduate communities, and broadly available in Graduate and Family Housing (apartment communities). Students may indicate a preference for gender-inclusive housing during the undergraduate housing contract process (in the Personal Information Form) or in the graduate housing application. During the assignments process you may be contacted by Student Housing to confirm your preferences and discuss your options. Graduate students who request gender-inclusive housing will be matched with others who are open to that option.

First-year undergraduate students can request placement in Open House in Mesa Court and Middle Earth. All available spaces in Classic Halls are in double occupancy rooms (for double occupancy room rates). Some room pairs in the Tower Halls may be designated as Gender Inclusive, based on demand. All tower rooms are set up as quads (4 per room). Housing preferences are not guaranteed.

Description of Open House Theme Hall: This hall strives to be an inclusive and non-judgmental community where diversity and the exploration of identity are celebrated. While all residents are welcome, Open House is intended as a safe and affirming environment that recognizes unique needs and challenges to the LGBTQ community. Residents of any sexual orientation or gender identity (including, but not limited to, lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, transgender, and queer) are encouraged to apply, as are allies and supporters of the LGBTQ community. In conjunction with Student Housing and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, collaborative programs will foster community, encourage self-expression and create an atmosphere of openness and learning. In order to best serve its residents, Open House is the only theme in Mesa Court and Middle Earth with gender-inclusive roommate assignments, allowing for students to request a roommate of any gender identity/expressions.

Continuing/Transfer students can request to live in Spectrum House in Arroyo Vista. All available spaces are in double occupancy rooms (for double occupancy room rates). Description of Spectrum House:

The Spectrum House is a unique community that celebrates and affirm the cultural experiences for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning students and their allies through programming, community development, an increased visibility of LGBT students & issues, and providing a safe space for LGBT students and their allies. Focusing on creating an inclusive and welcoming campus environment for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities, the Spectrum House promotes the understanding about sexual orientation, gender, and other aspects of diversity to enhance students’ leadership skills, personal development, and multicultural awareness. Residents who choose to live in the house will be asked to complete Safe Zone training, attend at least one LGBTRC/Spectrum program each quarter, and be an active, positive member of the house. More information about Spectrum House.

Graduate and Family Housing at UCI offers gender-inclusive housing in all communities. Gender-inclusive housing allows for students to request a roommate of any gender identity/expressions. Single students are matched with roommates based on gender preferences identified in the Graduate and Family Housing Application.

Housing costs depend on which community and room (or apartment) type a student is placed in. For cost information, please visit our Student Housing rate site.

For undergraduate housing: students can indicate interest in the gender-inclusive housing options on their Personal Information (PI) form. Preferences indicated on the PI form are utilized during the assignments process to determine placement. Students who express an interest in gender-inclusive housing mayreceive more information from one of the housing communities or from the LGBT Resource Center on campus.

For Graduate and Family housing: students can indicate interest in gender-inclusive housing on their graduate housing application. This information will be utilized by the assignments team to place students and make roommate matches.

Yes, any student may request a room change following Student Housing policies and procedures. The first point of contact to request a room change after move-in is your housing community (See contacts at the top of this page).

UCI respects the decisions and confidentiality of students as they complete their housing contract and will only contact family and/or supporters as permitted, in accordance with FERPA guidelines. In essence, once you become an official university student, you own your university record information, regardless of your age or if you receive financial support from your family or guardians. That university record is protected by FERPA guidelines; you are the only person with whom Student Housing can communicate about the information contained within your student record. We do encourage you to discuss your housing options with your family and/or supporters, but you ultimately get to decide what you choose to communicate with them regarding your university record, which includes your housing information.

Students who are under 18 years of age require a parent/guardian guarantor in order to complete a contract, but guarantors are not involved in recording preferences or in the assignments process. Guarantors are only able to contact Student Housing regarding payment-related matters without student consent, under the terms of the contract. They do not have access to your housing preferences or other student record information.

You will only be considered for gender-inclusive housing placement if you have indicated it as a preference during the housing application/contract process.

Yes, this information is protected by FERPA.

Students who are placed in gender-inclusive housing in our undergraduate communities are assigned a Resident Advisor who has been trained on diversity and inclusion competencies. Student Housing are intentional in selecting staff that have previous knowledge, experience, and skills to support LGBTQ+ students and assist in fostering an accepting, gender-inclusive environment.

Please feel free to contact Housing Administrative Services at 949-824-6811 with questions or concerns.

Bathroom and shower layouts vary from community to community, and sometimes even from building to building.

In Open House in Middle Earth Housing, the hall has gender-inclusive bathrooms that are more of a single stall that has a separate shower room and separate toilet room with shared sinks in each suite.

In Open House in Mesa Court Housing, the hall was all-gender bathrooms. Which has multiple toilet stalls and showers that anyone of any gender idenitity can utilize.

In Spectrum House in Arroyo Vista Housing, there are two separate bathrooms on the 2nd floor, each bathroom is comprised of two showers, two toilet stalls, and three sinks. Eight students share one bathroom. There is also one ½ bath on the 1st floor (toilet and sink only) adjacent to the living room common space.

Throughout Student Housing, there is a variety of other bathroom configurations. Refer to the housing website for floorplans or call the individual housing communities for more information about building layouts.

Gender-inclusive housing provides a safe environment for our residents that supports their success at UCI, as well as provides the space for students to explore their identities. Some additional benefits include:

• The ability to live with LGBTQ+ and ally individuals in a community-oriented environment.
• While Open House and Spectrum House are about gender acceptance, these communities also help foster an open-minded and inclusive space for all types of identities (race, nationality, culture, etc). Residents that live within these communities typically are encouraged to engage and  participate in conversations to broaden their worldview and perspective.
• There are events within the communities that focus on topics pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community, diversity, and inclusion.
• Residents in these communities receive additional support from the LGBT Resource Center.
• The staffstrives to publicize and share LGBTQ+ resources and events throughout the UCI community and beyond.
• Knowledgeable staff are available to provide support.

If you have questions or concerns about your housing experience, please refer to the Associate Director of Residential Life contact information at the top of this page.

The UCI Campus Social Worker site provides a great list of resources available to members of the UCI community.