Lavender House

• Dedicated floors in O'Shaughnessy Hall, the home of Lavender House
• All-gender restrooms on Lavender House floors
• A 3-credit, required course about the histories, cultures, and futures of LGBTQ+ communities
• Community & social events on campus with other Lavender House members to build community, support academic success, and support holistic wellness

How-to-Apply for Incoming First Year Students

• If you are a new student coming to Virginia Tech, you can apply for Lavender House once you have accepted your offer of admission from Virginia Tech and paid the matriculation fee. Information will go to your new Virginia tech email, so please check that account for all follow-up communications.

How-to-Apply for Returning Students

• If you are a current or returning student, you can apply in the StarRez Portal beginning in October. Learn more about the application process.

What should I put in my application? OR What does the application review committee look for in an application?

• The program director and advisory board of Lavender House review applications on a rolling basis during application times. Applications are assessed based on how each student conveys their desire to join the community and how they plan to be an active participant. Applications should be a minimum of a few sentences in length, and should explain why being in an intentional community that focuses on LGBTQ+ experiences and issues would benefit the student.

What should I put in my application?

• The program director and advisory board of Lavender House review applications on a rolling basis during application times. Applications are assessed based on how each student conveys their desire to join the community and how they plan to be an active participant. Applications should be a minimum of a few sentences in length, and should explain why being in an intentional community that focuses on LGBTQ+ experiences and issues would benefit the student.

First-Year in Lavender House

• Take required introductory-level, 3 credit course in LGBTQ+ Studies.
• Attend Regular LLC Events & all Community Meetings.

Returning Students in Lavender House

• Complete required introductory-level, 3 credit course in LGBTQ+ Studies, if not already completed.
• Attend LLC events regularly & all Community Meetings.
• Serve as a Lavender Leader, peer mentor to first-year students.

Who is this community for?

• Similar to another interest-specific community relative to identity, Ujima, which is open to any student who is interested in learning about and supporting Black/African-American experiences, Lavender House is open to all students who are interested in learning more about LGBTQ+ Studies and supporting the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people. This includes folks with identities at the intersections of: race, ethnicity, ability, class, gender expression and identity, spiritual or religious background, and regional or international background.
• We welcome particularly students of color, trans students, students with disabilities, first-generation students, neurodivergent students, and students of any gender identity.

Is this community only for students of a certain major?

• No. Lavender House is a partnership with the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, but students of any college/major can join.

What safety measures are in place?

• Students in Lavender House have a single-use, all gender bathroom on the floor. Additionally, the community bath has locks on both toilet and shower stalls. Virginia Tech housing facilities all come equipped with swipe entry for only students of that building, and swipe/code entry for individual rooms.

Do students pay a fee?

• Yes, like all LLPs, student in Lavender House will pay $50 per semester to be a part of this community.

What is the difference between this LLC and GIH (Gender Inclusive Housing)?

• Lavender House is an academic experience (i.e., Intro to LGBTQ+ Studies course) and co-curricular experience (i.e., Community meetings, events, and opportunities outside of class). Additionally, Lavender House will only be located in O’Shaughnessy Hall. Lavender House students can opt in to have their room be GIH-designated, which simply means they are paired with a student who also opts into GIH.
• The purpose of GIH is to provide an affirming living environment for gender-diverse and queer students that allows them to pursue whatever housing interests they have, at various price points, without having to choose between those things - their interests, affordability, and having an affirming environment. The GIH community is geographically dispersed across all on-campus residences, offering options at multiple price points, within all LLPs, and in multiple room types. GIH programming varies from location to location, whereas Lavender House has intentional programs & expectations of its members.

Is there any financial support for the cost of housing?

• Currently, there is no assistance for the cost of being in Lavender House. Both the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and the Office of Living-Learning Programs are currently engaged in exploring scholarship opportunities and hope to share more as details develop in the future.

How will this community work with the Pride Center?

• Lavender House is another option for students (both queer-identifying and allies) who want support in their college experience. Dr. Bing, Director of the Pride Center, has been an integral part of Lavender House’s development. Dr. Bing, Director of the Pride Center, Haleigh Wallace, Assistant Director of the Pride Center, and other campus partners all collaborate with the Program Director to deliver support and opportunities to students.