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True Colors

This community is designed for LGBTQ+ and ally students.

true colors

West Virginia University’s LGBTQ+ and Gender Inclusive Living Community is intended to be a safe, inclusive, comfortable and supportive community for students of all gender identities, sexual orientations and expressions. This community is designed for LGBTQ+ and ally students.

This community also supports students who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming in choosing (or being placed with) a roommate of any gender. Through programming and specially selected, trained and supportive staff, we hope to create a community where LGBTQ+ students feel empowered and supported to achieve academically and socially. The intention of this community is not for cohabitation of romantic partners.

While transgender identified students are encouraged to apply to live within the Gender Inclusive Housing community, you are not restricted to this option. All students must self-select the Gender Inclusive Housing option, therefore, no student will be forced to live within the community. If you would like to explore other options to best meet your needs or to receive more information about Gender Inclusive Housing, please see the FAQ below or email the Housing and Residence Life Office at reslife@mail.wvu.edu.

Where will I live?

  • This community is located in Stalnaker Hall. Students will live in a double occupancy room that shares a bathroom with another double occupancy room. Both rooms in that suite will be gender inclusive. Rooms that are designated as gender inclusive will remain so for the entire academic year.
  • Students will also have an opportunity to be involved in the larger residence hall community and will be able to participate in all events and activities that occur in the hall. A great way to get involved is to participate in Hall Council, which is made up of students within in the building who demonstrate common leadership abilities and interests.

How do I apply?

Spring 2024 Application Process

If you are interested in living in the True Colors Community during the Spring 2024 semester, please email WVU Housing Assignments at wvu-assign@mail.wvu.edu to request a community application. 

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Application Process

All steps must be completed to be eligible for the True Colors Community.

  • Complete the University Housing Application
  • Complete the True Colors Application
  • Pay the $225 Housing Deposit
  • Select a room. This room assignment will change if the applicant is selected to live in the True Colors Community. The student will also be placed with a roommate who was also selected for this community.

Space is limited and awarded on a first-come first-served basis. Applications are reviewed and selected by a committee of staff and students.


True Colors FAQ

What is the True Colors community?

The True Colors Community was created to provide students an opportunity to live in an environment where they can live in the same room with any student regardless of sex, gender, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation. It is designed to be a safe, inclusive, comfortable and supportive community for people of all gender identities and expressions. This community supports students who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming in choosing (or being placed with) a roommate of any gender. The intention of this community is not for cohabitation of romantic partners. It is recommended that students in romantic relationships do not live together in a residence hall.

What should I expect from living in this type of community?

Students who live in this community are expected to contribute positively to the community by offering support and encouragement for the living environment, respecting floor members’ different motivations for choosing this living option, embracing and learn from experiences different from one’s own, and actively participating in community events, and abide by all regulations as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and the Community Standards of Conduct. Students living in this community are required to sign a living agreement that outlines expectations.

When will I receive information about placement in this community?

Any room assignment that the student had previously selected will be reassigned to a room that is located in the True Colors Community in Stalnaker Hall. The student will be paired with another student who was also selected to be a part of this community. If a student does not want to change rooms and not live in this community, they must email  reslife@mail.wvu.edu.

How do I get a roommate? 

Students will have an opportunity to select a roommate on True Colors Application. Both roommates must be accepted into the University and have completed the University Housing Application and True Colors Community Application at the time of selection. If you do not have a roommate, another member of the True Colors Community will be placed with you. Roommate pairings will not be based on gender identity; this community enables pairings regardless of the gender with which a student does or does not identify, and preferences listed on your applications will be considered. Gender identifying characteristics will not be shared with your matched suite-mates. On the True Colors Community application, students are given the option to share or not share information.

Will my request remain confidential? 

West Virginia University is in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, therefore your application will be confidential.

What kind of programming will be offered?

Housing and Residence Life staff will partner with the LGBTQ+ Center staff to develop programs and activities that will be of interest to and supportive of students who live in this community.

Will the staff have any special training? 

Resident Assistants will be selected for this community based on skill level, background, and interest. These student leaders will receive additional training to better serve the unique needs of this community and they will provide specialty program and support for this community.

How are safety and security addressed?

Safety and Security are our number one priority. Each Residence Hall is staffed with a professional live-in Residence Hall Coordinator who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the building and supervises the Resident Assistants and Desk Staff. Resident Assistants live on each floor of the building and are responsible for building a positive inclusive community and are there to ensure that policies are being followed. The front desk of each building is staffed 24 hours a day and the Desk Staff are always happy to help a student. Also, Night Staff and Resident Assistants constantly walk through the building at night to address concerns and to support students.

  • Building staff can be reached by calling the Stalnaker Hall front desk 24 hours a day. They can be reached by calling 304-293-8149.
  • If a serious situation was to occur, the University Police are available 24 hours a day. They can be reached by calling 304-293-COPS.
  • For additional safety information please review the Residence Hall  Community Standards of Conduct.

Definitions

  • Gender Identity - One’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One’s gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
  • Gender Expression - External appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.
  • Gender Non-Conforming - A broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category.
  • Transgender - An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.
  • Cisgender - A term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.

Definition Source: Human Rights Campaign 

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