At Thursday’s general meeting of the Residence Hall Student Association (RHSA), council members passed a resolution aimed at creating the option of co-ed living arrangements for students in Stevens Court apartments.

Currently, Stevens Court is the only campus-supported apartment complex that enforces single-sex living, asking students to identify with their biological sex as opposed to their personal gender identity.

Stevens Court is also the only off-campus housing to fall within the RHSA domain. This allows students to live outside of the dorms while still being able to participate in the leadership opportunities available through RHSA.

“This [resolution] is for the transgender community and anyone who doesn’t feel safe and secure [with single-sex living],” said freshman Wade Caves.

Caves, RHSA head representative for Terry and Lander Halls, crafted the resolution along with senior M’Liss DeWald, a resident of Stevens Court and last year’s RHSA president.

“I would really like to see the administration take action on this,” DeWald said.

First brought before the council in early January, this resolution was the first in HFS history to call for a change in the restrictions placed on gendered living assignments within Stevens Court.

“I don’t feel like we need to wait until it’s a crisis to fix it,” Caves said.

Caves hopes this resolution will be a way of providing students with a sense of security by giving them the option to select the gender of the roommates they feel most comfortable living with.

“If you don’t feel comfortable, you’re not going to feel safe,” he said.

When Caves and DeWald first introduced the proposal to council members at the Jan. 11 meeting, it was greeted with enthusiasm and much support.

RHSA relayed the proposed resolution to all hall councils, allowing them to discuss and vote on the issue as well.

After receiving unanimous consent, the proposal was then sent back to RHSA. Hall representatives, by that time, had a chance to speak with residents and see how the majority felt they should vote.

“The response from students and residents was amazing,” DeWald said. “It was very positive feedback.”

Caves recalled that during his time speaking with students in Terry and Lander about the issue, he had several people approach him expressing their gratitude for bringing gendered rooming assignments to RHSA’s attention before it became a problem.

“This is an important issue for students who feel uncomfortable but are too scared to say anything,” explained Caves.

DeWald said she hopes this will open the door for similar changes in the future, and is excited to work with Caves and HFS in making this a reality.

“I’m glad to see that the administration is working with students and trying to get them what they want,” she said.

Reach reporter Brittany Rogers at news@thedaily.washington.edu.