<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1CCQAC_0wFVWXwS00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1CCQAC_0wFVWXwS00" width="1200" height="630" ></figure>As colleges continue to evolve to the changing of students’ needs, it’s important to create spaces that make everyone feel safe. Transgender and nonbinary students face a lot of challenges when it comes to housing on campus. For example, being assigned as roommates to someone cisgender because the university only allows people of the same sex assigned at birth to room together.I believe the university should have rainbow floors. Rainbow floors are gender-inclusive living spaces for LGBTQIA+ students. They create safe environments for non-cisgender people to live and thrive on campus. It is a space where they can live with people that respect their identity and not be restricted to heteronormative ideassurrounding gender. Presently, the rule is roommates must be the same gender assigned at birth, while this has been the standard at many universities historically, times are changing and outdated rules shouldtoo. While this might not be thecase for every student under the trans umbrella, many can feel uncomfortable or even unsafe in these living conditions. Providing a safe living space with rainbow floors can improve their mentalhealth and well-being. One main argument I see against rainbow floors is that there aren’t enough transgender and nonbinary students to justify having them. While rainbow floors were created with transgenderand nonbinary people in mind, they could be used by anyone in theLGBTQIA+ community and allies.I believe that having thesespaces also creates an environment where people questioning their gender can feel safe to do sowithout judgment. Many universities have already implemented rainbow floors. It is a simple change that Valpo can carry out to make a huge difference in the lives of our LGBTQIA+ students. It is a relatively easy policy and even if the university just designated one or two floors ofa building it could be a big step towards better inclusion here. College is already a hard experience as it comes with a lot of pressure, for transgender and nonbinary students it can be even harder due to a lack of support and understanding. Studies show that LQBTQIA+ students face higher rates of depression, anxiety and isolation which can stem from not having living environments set up for their success on a mental health level. Creating rainbow floors could alleviate these burdens. I’m not arguing that every building on campus should be like this, but it should absolutely be an option for those who would benefit from it. If someone doesn’t want to live in a space like this they could simply just opt out when selecting housing. This option could make a difference in creating safe spaces for transgender students. The current housing policies are outdated and it is time to recognize students who are suffering. By offering gender-inclusive housing you are adding to the diverse experiences that the student body faces. While this housing may not be for everyone it should bean option. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of The Torch.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Challenging outdated policies for safer campus living

As colleges continue to evolve to the changing of students’ needs, it’s important to create spaces that make everyone feel safe. Transgender and nonbinary students face a lot of challenges when it comes to housing on campus. For example, being assigned as roommates to someone cisgender because the university only allows people of the same sex assigned at birth to room together.