We all heard Dr. Maura Cullen give her famous two-hour spiel when we arrived at Brandeis. More importantly, we all took part in the long, loud standing ovation when she was finished. Do you remember what you applauded for so enthusiastically?One of the most important and overshadowed groups you got up for is the one Maura announced her own membership in: GLBT.

Gay. Lesbian. Bisexual. Transgender. They're all legitimate sexual orientations. And sadly, each one comes with stereotypes that will automatically alter our impression of the human being who only have an interpretation of romance different from is the one commonly accepted by greater society.

So what can we do about it?

The Brandeis community clearly recognizes the presence of GLBT members and the issues confronting these people. In fact, Residence Life was prepared to take a step in the right direction and allow gender-blind housing options the third week of this semester, when changes in housing are permitted. However, it was decided that such options would remain closed until next fall.

On one hand, this may seem like an injustice to those who desire a more comfortable situation in which to live. Furthermore, other major colleges such as Dartmouth, Wesleyan and Ithaca have dedicated living space to those who desire this style of housing. Is Brandeis falling behind in the realm of student rights, denying these individuals the permission to live at ease with their classmates?

According to Associate Director for Operations and Assignments Jeremy Leiferman, ResLife is devoting this year to educating the Brandeis community about gender-neutral housing and all it entails. Understanding the specific policies of gender-neutral housing is essential to successfully implementing different gender-blind policies with regard to rooms and bathrooms. A committee is also being formed to gauge a better perspective of how students believe gender neutrality should be achieved at Brandeis.

The general sentiment around campus seems to be that we need to stop and think before we rush into this new housing plan. And the fact is, these feelings are not unfounded.

While Brandeis may seem to be slightly behind the times in comparison with schools like Wesleyan University, the truth is that Wesleyan had its own complications while trying to execute its gender-neutral housing plans. Wesleyan's plan for the gender-blind hall was developed during the 2002 to 2003 school year. At the start of the 2003 to 2004 school year, the plans were executed; however, there was no community advisor for the hall and no programming for the residents. In addition, only some of the residents had selected a gender-neutral hall-the others had been just arbitrarily placed there. Meanwhile, other students who had opted for a gender-neutral hall were not placed in one.

In fall 2004, Wesleyan left "gender-neutral" as a choice on its housing application. Eighty students checked it off, 16 were assigned gender-neutral rooms, and 12 backed out after ResLife called and explained the exact definition of "gender-neutral." Four students were successful in attaining their desired living situation.

After much debate among student groups and various university authorities, a three-year gender-neutral trial period was granted to the proponents of gender-neutral housing. The trial period began during the 2005 to 2006 academic year after much debate and deliberation. The GLBT community at Wesleyan continues to rally support for gender-neutral housing and advocate queer and transgender causes.

Gender-blind housing is a wonderful thing that will serve our community at Brandeis well. All students deserve the freedom to live comfortably regardless of their sexual orientation. However, the specifics need to be discussed at length. Judging by the Wesleyan example, it would be incredibly unwise to rush into such a new situation. New housing applications and exact hall conditions should be conferred about and confidently decided upon before fully integrating a gender-neutral option on campus.

The process of implementing programs such as gender-blind housing should be respected, regardless of how long it takes. Ultimately, ResLife, with the help of students on its committee, will determine the most appropriate way to handle this long-awaited and much-deserved living situation.

Luckily, the entire Brandeis campus has given its undying support to the GLBT community from day one, when each of us applauded Maura's cause of embracing diversity in every form. Let's continue to encourage the efforts made on behalf of the community that we welcome in our University with open arms. It's another step toward rebuilding relationships so obstructed by stereotypes.