Diversity & Inclusive Housing Statement
Montana State University Billings Housing & Residence Life is committed to creating an inclusive residential community who values and embraces the diversity of all its residents. We aspire to develop an appreciation for ability, age, citizenship status, creed, cultural background, ethnicity, family model, gender identity and expression, health status, national origin, political ideology, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, spiritual affinity, size, socioeconomic class, and veteran status.
Many students use their college years to explore and develop their identities and values. We believe this exploration can best take place in an environment that is open to and respectful of individuals across the spectrum of human differences and distinctions. It is the responsibility of every member of the Housing and Residence Life community, staff and students alike, to work to create and maintain such an environment.
Housing & Residence Life is committed to providing a purposefully inclusive community where all members and visitors are free from harassment, verbal or written abuse, threats, bullying, ridicule, intimidation, cyber-bullying, or violence because of their identity. We will not accept fear, ignorance, apathy, indifference, religious bias, anger, alcohol or substance abuse as an excuse, reason, or rationale for such behavior. We encourage all members within our community to make informed personal choices, hold each other accountable, and constructively challenge any injustices.
Housing & Residence Life, in collaboration with other campus resources, fosters the holistic development of the MSUB residential community. We challenge all members of the Yellowjacket Family to move beyond tolerance and engage in creating and maintaining an inclusive community for all.
Housing & Residence Life is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining an inclusive staff that supports the pluralistic diversity of Montana State University Billings and the Billings community.
Gender Identified Housing
The Office of Housing & Residence Life wants every student who chooses to live in the residence halls to feel safe and comfortable. Montana State University Billings is committed to building and maintaining a diverse community to reflect human diversity and improve opportunities for all. The university is committed to equal opportunity and eliminating discrimination. This commitment is both a moral imperative consistent with an intellectual community that celebrates individual differences and diversity, as well as a matter of law.
As such, Housing & Residence Life supports the academic and social success of all its residents. Within our diverse community of residence halls, we affirm that one's dignity and uniqueness should be recognized and respected regardless of distinctions in identity. One of the ways we achieve this goal is by offering Gender Identified Housing options for transgender students.
Gender Identified Housing allows a student to be housed in a room location specific to the gender they identify with at the time of move in. Specifically, transgender students who identify as female can live in a room traditionally allocated for females; and male transgender students a room traditionally allocated for males. This identification process remains confidential and transgender students who wish to seek additional information or have specific questions are encouraged to contact the housing office (housing@msubillings.edu or 406-657-2333) to speak with our friendly and inviting staff.
Bathroom and shower areas in the MSUB residence halls are in two separate areas within a community setting on each floor. Shower areas offer private bathtubs for students, as well as a double privacy shower/changing area.