Room for Change: The Introduction of Gender-Inclusive Housing at MX

Reflecting on the resounding implications of introducing All-Gender housing. 

While many have heard the ‘buzz’ around All-Gender housing for a number of years at MX, the new gender-inclusive program has spurred the student body’s interest. Located on the 4th floor of BP, this space has given rise to both concerns surrounding mixed-gender engagement and an equal sense of excitement for its greater implications for inclusivity at MX. 

The space, while heavily advocated for in recent years, is a product of countless years of dedicated work and consideration. All-Gender housing, in its essence, is an initiative derived from student voices and an attempt to emulate similar gender-inclusive structures in other boarding schools. While schools such as Andover adopted the housing structure in 2017, 2024 marks Middlesex’s first pioneering year with the all-gender space. With this, a number of logistical elements are in place to best facilitate the running of the program. 

To better accommodate residents’ needs, the All-Gender housing floor underwent both structural and policy changes. It is different from other traditional dorms in that all dormitories are single rooms. Additionally, unique visitation policies apply to the floor: all-gender residents may not visit 3rd or 2nd floor dorms outside of permitted evening-visitation hours. However, residents of the 2nd and 3rd floor are free to enter the rooms of all-gender residents throughout the day provided doors are kept open. Similarly, bathrooms and their private usage are moderated using white boards and notice-signs to communicate privacy and shared use of common spaces. Indeed, successful management has largely been achieved by virtue of stellar management and leadership. 

Namely, Steven Whitt, beloved Biology teacher and the floor’s all-gender housing coordinator, actively works to promote connections and engagement on the floor and across the dorm, regularly hosting all-gender housing residents for home-cooked meals and bringing delectable treats to BP.  All-gender housing resident Kenden Chan ‘26 states, “dinners together at Mr. Whitt’s house have undoubtedly brought us closer both as a floor and a pioneering community.” Similarly, dorm-resident David Yang ‘26 relates his experience in the dorm as a “space where a sense of belonging and companionship is both shared and embraced” by the dorm at large. While the floor has definitely faced a number of logistical challenges, members of the community work towards unanimous resolutions and improvement for the program and All-Gender housing for years to come. 

Ultimately, the introduction of the all-gender housing program represents much more than just a new housing arrangement, but rather a pivotal step towards a more inclusive community at large. All-gender housing, while currently a smaller space, sets a precedent for much larger DEI initiatives on campus. Through shared space and identity, all-gender housing is a testament to student advocacy and representation at Middlesex.

Bryan Dong