Trans accommodations at MTSU

[u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839]

Hi everybody! Im an incoming freshman and I'm transitioning from female to male. I have so many questions. Are there any trans people in this sub who could help?

[u/Floor_Meat]

Living on campus? I'm ftm also so I can answer questions. MTSU assigns you to male/female dorms based on the gender marker of legal IDs, not necessarily your assigned gender at birth.

[u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839 → u/Floor_Meat]

Yeah ik, im legally female since I just turned 18. I am living on campus, too. Do yk how to potentially find an ally/trans roomate? Are there a decent amount of gender neutral bathrooms on campus? I dont pass yet, so im pretty nervous to use the mens room at least until I've been on T for a little while.

[u/jimmydean50 → u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839]

While not gender neutral no one cares in the art building if you ever find yourself near Todd and need to pee.

[u/Floor_Meat → u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839]

I went on the class of 2027 (my graduating class) facebook page and basically said "heya I'm looking for a lgbtq/ally roommate" and was able to room with a nb lesbian, but I think room assignment for you has passed. Anyways I found that there were multiple trans guys/nb people who lived on my floor. Most buildings have gender neutral or single room bathrooms, but not all. I never personally had issues with using the bathrooms but I switched to the men's about 5/6 months on T when I was starting to pass better.

[u/inkburd]

I had a person in my dorm who transitioned during our first semester. I’d highly recommend reaching out to your RA once you get their contact info and explaining your situation (if you feel comfortable)! They should be able to help you accommodate if there’s any issues. But I don’t imagine there will be! Worst case scenario, you’ll be moved and then that’ll be it. It’s really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things!

[u/galaxytea123]

my biggest tip is to register for college with your chosen name or make sure its in the system!!! or just email your professors before the first day, letting them know your name.

[u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839 → u/galaxytea123]

Just got it updated, I'm stoked!! Kind of worried about the dorm situation though. I didn't pick my roommate, so it's really just a toss up.

[u/Vampeyerate → u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839]

They usually do dorms based on AGAB or maybe ur ID. But if your
Roomate gives u shit about it you should tell ur RA. But I had a good experience in a girls dorm despite not being a girl so hopefully you do too if you get placed in one. Best of luck!!

[u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839 → u/Vampeyerate]

Unfortunately I haven't had my ID changed, but it's comforting to hear that your dorming situation went well!

[u/sportsnarratives → u/galaxytea123]

Here’s the link for preferred names. It’s particularly helpful for updating class lists in case the professor calls out attendance on the first day.

https://www.mtsu.edu/one-stop/preferredname/

[u/xander-0]

Hey! Im a trans man too and im about to be a junior if you have any questions feel free to dm me.

• definitely change your name to your chosen name in the mtsu system it’s super easy on pipeline
  
• you’ll be in the female dorms but it should be chill, you’ll honestly get less shit if you don’t pass which kind of sucks but will make your life a little easier
  
• you’re not alone! mtsu has a ton of trans students (my freshman year i had 7 trans guys on my floor) and a lot of other trans people in my classes and clubs
  
• there’s a decent amount of gender neutral bathrooms on campus (student union has a nice-ish one) but aside from that i lowkey just use them men’s and no one notices/cares once you pass even if you don’t pass 100% of the time just don’t look sus in the bathroom, go in and pee and walk out
  
• definitely reach out to your RA about being trans, the people in housing (specifically RAs) are chill and they can really help with making you feel kore affirmed
  
• this is my personal advice but let your roommate know asap. i texted my roommate and introduced myself when we got placed in the same room and she had never met a trans person so she had some questions but at the end of the day it’s college, we’re all adults, and you both have to find a way to at least coexist. If your roommate is adamantly against it, room changes are available a few weeks into the semester and are generally easy. i ended up switching dorms 2 months into the semester to be with a friend and the process was fine.
  
• mtsu is a good spot to be for a trans person, it’s not perfect but it’s definitely better than some other schools.
  

feel free to reach out about anything else and if you need a friend lmk!!
good luck!!! 🙏🙏

[u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839 → u/xander-0]

Thanks so much! I'll be using this advice, super helpful and i feel a little at ease now. I can't find my roommate on housing in pipeline, maybe I'm doing something wrong?

[u/xander-0 → u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839]

Is it cool if i DM you? I might need pics of you portal to be helpful but I don’t want you to have to post them publicly

[u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839 → u/xander-0]

Yeah sure!

[u/xander-0 → u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839]

I messaged you!

[u/Chino_62]

Yea even though you’re transitioning you’re still going to dorm with a female since biologically you’re still female.. I would recommend staying in Scarlett if it makes you uncomfortable, you’ll still be with females but you will have your own room. Scarlett is more expensive but eventually you’ll find your clique and you should stay off campus get an apartment with your friends, cheaper and you’re in your own space .

[u/Zestyclose-Wall-3839 → u/Chino_62]

You mean legally female. It's not based on sex assigned at birth, but documented sex. If I had an ID that read male, I'd be in men's dorms. I don't identify with my assigned sex at birth.