An inclusive and welcoming campus community
At Rider University, we are dedicated to fostering a campus community that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. As part of this commitment, Gender-Inclusive Housing (GIH) is available to accommodate the diverse needs of our students and promote a welcoming and supportive living environment.
What is Gender-Inclusive Housing (GIH)?
GIH gives students the option to select roommates and housing assignments based on personal comfort and compatibility, rather than gender identity. Students can choose to live together without the traditional constraints of the gender binary (male/female). This initiative supports our mission to create a positive and respectful campus culture where all students feel safe and valued in their living arrangements.
Who is eligible?
GIH is an opt-in program available to students of any class level, including first-year and transfer students. Participation in this housing option requires students to explicitly express their preference for a GIH assignment when making their housing selection.
Gender-Inclusive Housing (GIH) Request and Assignment Process
GIH is optional, and students must expressly state their request for GIH on their online housing application.
- Make Your Housing Deposit: All students must pay the housing deposit before they can submit a housing application or request for specialty housing.
- Take Note of Important Dates: Visit the New Student Housing Process or Returning Student Housing Process pages for important deadlines and application instructions.
- Apply for Housing: Complete the online housing application and submit a GIH application in the Housing Portal. Following an approval, students will receive an e-mail confirmation and you can proceed to select your GIH room.
- GIH Roommate Selection:
- Students will live in the same room (double, suite or apartment) without restrictions of biological sex, gender expression or gender identity.
- Roommate requests can be considered for students accepted into the program; otherwise you will need to randomly assign with another student.
- All roommates in GIH must be at least 18 years old and eligible for university housing. Students under the age of 18 will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will require consent from a legal guardian.
- If a vacancy occurs during the year, the existing resident(s) are encouraged to find a roommate agreeable to the terms of a GIH space. Residence Life will work with current occupants to identify other solutions, such as placement of a student from the GIH waitlist and/or assign a student who has confirmed placement interest in GIH.
- Residence Life may re-designate the room as gender specific if no GIH student can be identified to fill the vacancy.
- Students are discouraged from living with someone with whom they are in a romantic relationship.
Questions? Contact our office at [email protected].