The U already offers gender inclusive on-campus housing options. But, to live in ‘female’ or ‘male’ designated rooms under H.B. 269, the rooms must correspond to a student’s unamended birth certificate.
Jack Gambassi
The Kahlert Village courtyard on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on July 1, 2022. (Photo by Jack Gambassi | The Daily Utah Chronicle)
On Feb. 14, 2025, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed House Bill 269 into law, effecting sex-designated privacy spaces in education and government facilities.
HB269 requires public universities like the University of Utah and other government facilities to maintain separate restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms based on biologicalsex. Additionally, individuals can only access sex-designated privacy spaces corresponding to the sex on their unamended birth certificate.
For facilities such as dormitories, this means that degree-granting institutions must assign student housing based on biological sex. Student housing can include unisex or single-occupant options as long as they’re separately designated.
Lori McDonald, vice president for student affairs at the U, stated that as a state-fundedinstitution, the U must comply with the law outlined in HB269. This means that individuals will be housed in rooms that correspond with their sex designation.
However, she also stated that, while required to comply with state law, the U is “equallycommitted to ensuring that all students — regardless of their identity — feel respected and have access to housing options that meet their needs.”
The U will continue offering gender-inclusive housing for individuals, regardless of identity, for those who may not feel comfortable or able to select a “male” or “female” room.
Rachel Aho, senior director of housing at the U, expanded on this.
“Students who apply for housing will be asked to select either a ‘male,’ ‘female’ or ‘gender inclusive housing’ room when they apply,” she said. This process is no different than it was before. The only change in place is that “students who select a ‘male’ or ‘female’ room are informed this should align with their sex at birth per the HB269 law.”
The U offers gender-inclusive housing rooms in every building (with the exception of Gateway Heights) and across every room type in order to give students maximumavailability and flexibility when selecting dorms.
The U also has provisions in place to ensure this system is sustainable.
According to Aho, Housing & Residential Education will continue to monitor the demand for gender-inclusive housing rooms and adjust room classifications based on this demand. So far, the U has encountered no issues meeting the demand for gender-inclusive housing.
While the U emphasizes that it remains committed to inclusivity, some students stillexpress concern about the broader impact of the bill on LGBTQ+ peers.
“I think HB269 is both understandable but also unfair,” said Kaia Stewart, a second-year student living in the dorms. “I don’t think it is fair to create laws that make members of the LGBTQ+ community feel unheard, unwanted and unwelcomed.”
Steward also said that the creation of separate, gender-inclusive housing may unintentionally contribute to a sense of separation.
“This gives me some reassurance,” Stewart said, “but it is also creating a sense of segregation in my mind.”
Both Aho and McDonald emphasized that the U wants its students to feel supported amid changes like these.
“We want to reassure our students that creating a safe and supportive campus environment remains our top priority,” McDonald said.
In addition to offering gender-inclusive housing options, the University of Utah offers a number of support resources for students.
For mental health support, the University Counseling Center offers individual, group andcouples counseling, as well as crisis support. The Center for Campus Wellness provides healthand wellness support, including wellness coaching and peer well-being navigators. Additionally,the Student Support Team in the Office of the Dean of Students can facilitate connections to on-and off-campus resources for academic, financial and basic needs, and for physical and mental health, campus climate concerns, off-campus housing, concerns for well-being and disruptive or disturbing behavior.
Aho also wanted to emphasize the U’s commitment to supporting students in housing.
“Housing & Residential Education will continue to support you and offer a wide variety of housing options to you in order to ensure you can live on campus, have a successful student experience and enjoy all the amenities, benefits and experiences available to residential students,” she said. “We are here to answer any questions you may have, support you during the housing application process, and welcome you to campus.”
As the University continues to implement HB269, students like Stewart hope administrators and lawmakers will center the voices of those most affected.
“Instead of implementing laws, lawmakers should be having conversations with the LGBTQ+community to find a resolution together,” Stewart said.
She wanted students who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community to know, “Your feelings are completely validated and remember there are people out there that support you, care for you and love you for who you are.”
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