Spring Break
Open-minded housing
by Rebecca Blady
Acting Forum Editor
Op-Ed | 9/16/08
Posted online at 2:44 AM EST on 9/16/08
/ Last updated at 3:28 AM EST on 9/16/08
We all heard Dr. Maura Cullen give her famous two-hour spiel when we arrived at Brandeis. More importantly, we all took part in the long, loud standing ovation when she was finished. Do you remember what you applauded for so enthusiastically?
One of the most important and overshadowed groups you got up for is the one Maura announced her own membership in: GLBT.
Gay. Lesbian. Bisexual. Transgender. They're all legitimate sexual orientations. And sadly, each one comes with stereotypes that will automatically alter our impression of the human being who only have an interpretation of romance different from is the one commonly accepted by greater society.
So what can we do about it?
The Brandeis community clearly recognizes the presence of GLBT members and the issues confronting these people. In fact, Residence Life was prepared to take a step in the right direction and allow gender-blind housing options the third week of this semester, when changes in housing are permitted. However, it was decided that such options would remain closed until next fall.
On one hand, this may seem like an injustice to those who desire a more comfortable situation in which to live. Furthermore, other major colleges such as Dartmouth, Wesleyan and Ithaca have dedicated living space to those who desire this style of housing. Is Brandeis falling behind in the realm of student rights, denying these individuals the permission to live at ease with their classmates?
According to Associate Director for Operations and Assignments Jeremy Leiferman, ResLife is devoting this year to educating the Brandeis community about gender-neutral housing and all it entails. Understanding the specific policies of gender-neutral housing is essential to successfully implementing different gender-blind policies with regard to rooms and bathrooms. A committee is also being formed to gauge a better perspective of how students believe gender neutrality should be achieved at Brandeis.
One of the most important and overshadowed groups you got up for is the one Maura announced her own membership in: GLBT.
Gay. Lesbian. Bisexual. Transgender. They're all legitimate sexual orientations. And sadly, each one comes with stereotypes that will automatically alter our impression of the human being who only have an interpretation of romance different from is the one commonly accepted by greater society.
So what can we do about it?
The Brandeis community clearly recognizes the presence of GLBT members and the issues confronting these people. In fact, Residence Life was prepared to take a step in the right direction and allow gender-blind housing options the third week of this semester, when changes in housing are permitted. However, it was decided that such options would remain closed until next fall.
On one hand, this may seem like an injustice to those who desire a more comfortable situation in which to live. Furthermore, other major colleges such as Dartmouth, Wesleyan and Ithaca have dedicated living space to those who desire this style of housing. Is Brandeis falling behind in the realm of student rights, denying these individuals the permission to live at ease with their classmates?
According to Associate Director for Operations and Assignments Jeremy Leiferman, ResLife is devoting this year to educating the Brandeis community about gender-neutral housing and all it entails. Understanding the specific policies of gender-neutral housing is essential to successfully implementing different gender-blind policies with regard to rooms and bathrooms. A committee is also being formed to gauge a better perspective of how students believe gender neutrality should be achieved at Brandeis.
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