Trans-inclusive Housing

Trans-Inclusive Housing (TIH) communities are intended to create safer and supportive living spaces for transgender and non-binary* students, students exploring their gender identities, and their allies**.

Trans-Inclusive Housing communities are located in Merrill College residence halls (first-year students) and the Redwood Grove apartments (continuing and new transfer students). Students may room together regardless of gender. Please note that this room assignment is likely to be in a mixed-gender floor/apartment and all students share common areas (e.g. bathrooms).

How to Apply

Students who fully complete and submit the supplemental application will be considered for Trans-Inclusive Housing. After submission, staff will review all supplemental applications and notify students of their status: 

• Those who receive an offer will have the opportunity to accept or decline the placement. If an offer is accepted, a placement in Trans-Inclusive Housing will be made.

• For those applications not selected, or if an offer is declined, staff will work with each student to find the most inclusive housing option available in areas outside of the Trans-Inclusive Housing communities (if requested). 

• Due to increasing applications and limited space, a waitlist may be maintained. We will notify you if you are added to the waitlist. 

Roommate Requests

Students may request a roommate(s)/housemate(s). In order to be placed together, both must submit supplemental applications, and receive and accept an offer in Trans-Inclusive Housing. Prospective roommate(s)/housemate(s) can be indicated on the Trans-Inclusive Housing acceptance form. Students who do not request a roommate(s)/housemate(s) may be assigned such based on preferences expressed in the housing and supplemental applications and follow-up correspondence with a housing staff member, if necessary.

Questions?

Kathy Cooney (she/her/hers), Associate Director, College Student Life, serves as the housing liaison for trans-identified and nonbinary students and can assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about which on-campus housing option (including but not limited to Trans-Inclusive Housing) may best align with your needs. Kathy can be reached at (831) 459-5255 or kmcooney@ucsc.edu. More information about gender and student housing can be found at housing.ucsc.edu/gender.

Trans-Inclusive Housing for graduate students is located in the Graduate Student Housing apartments. For more information, contact gradhousing@ucsc.edu.

*Transgender and nonbinary are being used as umbrella terms to include people who identify with many gender-based labels including but not limited to transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, demigender, two-spirit, bigender, genderfluid, and pangender.

**In this context, allies are students who advocate for and support members of the gender diverse community and actively contribute to creating a positive, affirming, living environment for people of all gender identities.