Housing

Rocky Head Logo & Open Housing Interest Community

About the Open Housing Interest Community

In the spring of 2015, Inter-Hall Council and student leaders within the residence halls began discussing options allowing students to select roommates regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity. Open Housing rooms/options were developed as a pilot program for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Open Housing allows sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate students, regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity, to share a room.

Who is eligible to live in open housing?

Open Housing allows sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate students, regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity, to share a room. Open housing provides housing options that take into consideration the varying preferences of many different individuals, and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all students. Open Housing is not intended—and in fact is highly discouraged—for romantic couples.

Where is open housing on campus?

For the 2024-2025 school year, the locations of Open Housing are as follows:

  • Undergraduate and graduate Students - Corbin Hall, 6th Floor
  • Graduate & Non-Traditional Undergraduate Students - Westbrook House
Will I be assigned to live in open housing?

Students will not be assigned to open housing unless they have elected to live there.

How are roommates assigned in open housing?

Open Housing allows any two students to be roommates, regardless of sex, gender, or gender expression. Any upper-class students may seek housing together on the open housing floor.

Like most universities, we discourage students who are in a romantic relationship, regardless of sex, gender, or gender expression, from living together in a residence hall. However, we do not question any student's reasoning for wanting to live in Open Housing.

University Housing and Dining Services will not assign anyone to an opposite-sex roommate unless requested.

How do I sign up for open housing?

Students wishing to live in an open room on the open housing floor must email UHDS@wiu.edu with their request before July 18 for new students and before their scheduled renewal time for returning students (include name, WIU ID number, and requested roommate's name and WIU ID number). The requested roommate must also email UHDS@wiu.edu (include name, WIU ID number, and requested roommate's name and WIU ID number). Please email UHDS@wiu.edu with your request and it will be accommodated depending on availability.

How do restrooms work in open housing locations?

Corbin Hall, a corridor-style residence hall, has male- and female-designated bathrooms on the open housing floor.

Westbrook House has private bathrooms that are shared by all residents.