The Student Village at SUNY Broome

Housing & Residential Life strives to offer every residential student a placement that feels safe, comfortable and supported. Gender Inclusive Housing will be open to all residents, including first year students (who are over the age of 18). Gender Inclusive Housing allows same gender roommates, opposite gender roommates or other gender-identified roommate pairings. This community is designed as an intentional living community affirming the cultural experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning residents as well as their allies. Residents should express interest during the application process, when prompted. Housing will confirm through email that this is the correct housing option you are interested, as this community will not be forced upon any student.

Gender Inclusive Housing is first come first serve and is limited based on interest. The Housing & Residential Life Office discourages all students in romantic relationships from living together on campus – whether in Gender Inclusive Housing, or otherwise. Additionally, while we do not force students to speak to their parents about their housing options, we strongly encourage students to communicate with their parents so they can fully support the decision to live in Gender Inclusive Housing. All students will be contacted before an assignment is made and may be asked to provide supplemental information. We do reserve the right to change a student’s assignment at any time for any reason. Gender Inclusive apartments are equipped with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, which are shared by members of the apartment – the apartments house 4 to 6 residents.

To participate within this housing arrangement, you must agree to the following:

• I accept that I will reside in a space where I may share a bedroom, bathroom, and/or common space within an apartment with another resident(s) of a different gender, gender-identity, or gender-expression than my own.
• I understand that I will be expected to be an active member and bystander for the LGBTQ+ community and work to build an inclusive and supportive community.
• I understand that I was informed that couples should not reside in the same bedroom or apartment.
• I understand that Housing & Residential Life reserves the right to make administrative moves throughout the year, as required to maintain a safe and learner centered community for all residents.

Housing & Residential Life collaborates with the Accessibility Resources Office (ARO) to coordinate accessible campus housing for students with disabilities that impact one’s living situation.

Required Submission Dates

Housing spaces at SUNY Broome, are not guaranteed. In order to assure availability, requests for housing accommodations are asked to adhere to the below submission dates. However, if the request for accommodation is made after the below submission dates, Housing cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the individual’s accommodation needs during the first semester or term of occupancy.

Spring Semester submit by: November 30
Summer Semester submit by: April 1
Fall Semester submit by: June 1

The individual making the request for an accessible housing accommodation should complete the Request for Accessible Housing. Once completed, ARO, or Housing may reach out with additional paperwork that may need to be turned in.

If the need for accessible campus housing arises when an individual already resides in College housing, they should contact ARO and complete the steps to request a housing accommodation as soon as practicably possible. SUNY Broome cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the accommodation needs during the semester or term in which the request is received.

Bill of Rights

It is important to note that an apartment is a private space that should be shared equally by everyone living there; the term apartment will be used to include public space, as well as private or shared bedrooms. As a responsible apartmentmate, it is not appropriate to engage in any activity which would deny your apartmentmate(s) access to the apartment or make them feel uncomfortable while in the apartment. When one apartmentmate has a friend(s) visiting, it is always with the consent of the other apartmentmate(s). When this does not happen and apartmentmates cannot figure out how to resolve the problem, we suggest involving one of the Housing & Residence Life Staff – Resident Assistant (RA), Graduate Residence Director (GRD), or the Assistant Director (AD). Should apartmentmates not be able to come to a resolution, or should one apartmentmate continue to exhibit behavior that is inconsiderate or inappropriate, the Staff may take further action to resolve the conflict. This may include disciplinary action via the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, housing moves, or housing removal.

For some, living with others may be a new experience. You will find that sharing an apartment with others requires open and honest communication, cooperation, and compromise. Relationships of any kind involve a bit of work, some give and take, and an understanding of each other. The rights listed below are a suggested basis for agreements between apartmentmates. It is worth spending time discussing these rights and using them as a basis for communication. To a large extent, your relationship with your apartmentmate(s) is dependent on mutual consideration of your feelings and needs, as well as those of your apartmentmate(s). Please remember that with every right goes the responsibility to respect that same right when it is exercised by another.

• Residents have the right to read, study and sleep without undue interference from apartmentmates & guests.
• Residents have the right to expect that their personal property will be respected, and that their property is secure when it is in the apartment.
• Residents have the right to a clean environment, and the responsibility of doing their fair share to keep the apartment clean.
• Residents have the right to having free access to their apartment whenever they need/want to be in it.
• Residents have the right to a reasonable level of personal privacy.
• Residents have the right to expect that the rules and regulations of the Student Village, and the campus, will be followed, and that no one will be put at risk of harm through actions that violate policies.
• Residents have the right to be free from pressure, intimidation, physical or emotional harm, and/or behavior that is demeaning or disrespectful.
• Residents have the right to discuss issues constructively, openly, and timely – either in private or with the assistance of Staff.
• Residents should expect that in order to have a positive relationship, they are likely going to need to compromise.
• Residents have the right to be listened to when they are articulating one’s feelings, and thoughts.
• Should a person wish to host a guest (defined as anyone who does not live in the apartment), it must be done with the permission of the apartmentmate(s) and also follow the guest policies outlined in the Student Village Handbook. In addition, the host of the guest is responsible for the behavior of their guest(s).

Living Agreement

Apartmentmate(s) relationships are a critical part of the college experience. Developing a positive relationship is a process; it does not happen overnight. This worksheet will act as a starting point to achieving a positive apartmentmate relationship. As you fill this out, try to be as specific as possible in order to avoid complications or miscommunication later. After you have completed this agreement, you will sign it and Staff will make a copy for your apartment. The original will be kept on file in the Housing Office.

Topics will include items such as

• Cleaning – Dishes, Garbage
• Use of Stuff
• Sleeping & Study Time
• Visitors & Guests

Apartmentmate Bill of Rights & Living Agreement (pdf)