Designing Desired Futures through University Housing

In exploration of the negative reputation of gender-inclusive housing (GIH) among LGBTQ+ students at Arizona State University (ASU), this study seeks to investigate the extent to which ASU student housing inadvertently replicates structural discrimination and social inequities through its conceptualization and implementation of GIH. The present study is guided by four core research questions: (1) are GIH students more likely to report negative user experiences than non-GIH students? (2) are GIH students more likely to report poor housing outcomes than non-GIH students? (3) are GIH students more likely to report poor communications with Housing staff than non-GIH students? (4) are GIH students less likely to recommend University Housing to their peers than non-GIH students? In defining answers to these core research questions, the present study employs a four-pronged research methodology: (1) student survey; (2) student interviews; (3) faculty interview; (4) analysis of existing GIH models. Findings from the student survey, student interviews, and faculty interview elucidate answers to three of the four research questions, with GIH students being more likely to report negative user experiences and poor housing outcomes, and being more likely to recommend University Housing. Findings relating to housing outcomes were inconclusive, demonstrating the need for additional research. Synthesizing these findings with those of the analysis of existing housing models, the present study proposes three specific design solutions for consideration by ASU administration as they invest in systems redesign – decenter student gender in core University Housing system, establish a GIH living-learning community and dedicated staff team comprising Queer faculty, and expand residential community options for all students along cultural identities and extracurricular interests.