Transgender Residential and Educational Experience (T-REx)

The Transgender Residential and Educational Experience (T-REx) is a living learning community (LLC) rooted in LGBT+ and gender studies which centers the experiences, needs, perspectives, and joy of queer, transgender, and gender non-conforming communities, while creating experiences that foster healing, community building, and intercultural exploration. This community provides academic courses, additional resources, and weekly programming using a curriculum that focuses on developing the whole student while highlighting their LGBT+ experiences.  

Residents in T-REx will have direct support from full-time staff from the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC), a trained Resident Assistant (RA) and an Intercultural Aid (ICA). T-REx residents will also have access to gender affirming clothing garments provided by Health Promotion, Engagement, Accessibility and Accommodations. To find out more about these garments, please contact Jozzy Rivera at rivera77@msu.edu or the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center at gscc@msu.edu.  

This living community focuses on cultivating community healing, community building, cultural competency, personal development, and visibility. Residents can expect to grow in these areas through taking a course together and participating in weekly programming that highlights artistic expression, laughter, personal and communal growth, academic success, and educational development.  

For questions about T-REx, please contact the Coordinator of Transgender Student Support at gscc@msu.edu.

Click here to apply to T-REx!  

All programs and activities are open to all without restriction or preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. 

The mission: 

The Transgender Residential and Educational Experience (T-REx) is a living learning community (LLC) rooted in LGBT+ and gender studies which centers the experiences, needs, perspectives, and joy of queer, transgender, and gender non-conforming communities, while creating experiences that foster healing, community building, and intercultural exploration. 

Frequently asked questions: 

Who can join T-REx? 

Any undergraduate student enrolled in gender studies and/or LGBT studies courses, or those interested in living in a community that centers topics around LGBT history and inclusion (including celebrating and recognizing transgender and gender-diverse experiences). All programs and activities are open to all without restriction or preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. 

Where is T-REx located? 

T-REx is located in East Neighborhood. 

How can I apply to live in T-REx? 

You can apply via our online application here. You can also find our application on the GenCen and PASS websites. If you are having trouble applying through this application, the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center at gscc@msu.edu.

Can I have medical housing accommodations in T-REx? 

Yes! Our program is located in a community that offers a barrier-free room for those who have medical accommodations. If you need medical housing accommodations, please begin your accommodations process with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) as soon as possible. You should contact them at least 45 days before housing assignments to ensure housing accommodations are met. 

What are some examples of programs offered? 

Painting plant pots while setting personal and community goals, study nights, game nights, movie nights, therapy dogs, craft nights, and educational opportunities in partnership with the Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen).  

We also implement The Spartan Resilience Snippet Project which builds a foundation for handling challenges and strengthens emotional resilience, psychological flexibility, stress hardiness, and value-guided action. Students engage with this material every other week throughout the year during our weekly programming.  

What are the programmatic expectations for people living in the T-REx community? 

We require all T-REx students to attend our welcome program at the beginning of the year before New Student Orientation begins. This 2-day welcome program requires students to move in early. Details about this will be emailed to you after admission to the program.  

While we would love all T-REx students to attend our weekly programming, we do not require participants to attend them.  

What are the academic expectations for people living in the T-REx community? 

The T-REx LLC requires new students to enroll in a T-REx specific UGS 110 course for the Fall semester, which will be communicated after admission to the program. If you have multiple UGS 110 courses that you are expected to take (pathway programs, college specific, TRiO, Detroit MADE, etc.), enrolling in the T-REx specific UGS 110 course is expected to be your priority, however, you may take one of the other UGS 110 courses to uphold program participation expectations or college-specific expectations. It is expected that you will do everything you can to enroll in a UGS 110 course.  

Students are also required to enroll in a Spring course taught by the Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen/WGS/LGBT studies); these courses include Intro to Women's and Gender Studies (WGS), Intro to LGBT Studies, or Intro to Trans Studies, or other courses as approved by the coordinator. It is expected that you will do everything you can to enroll in an approved course. 

What is the living style of the community? 

T-REx is in a suite style community where there are 2 residents assigned to a room and they share a bathroom with another room of 2 residents. Residents are expected to clean their own bathrooms and rooms. A barrier-free room is available for T-REx students who need one. 

Can I attend T-REx programs even if I’m not living in the community? 

Yes! You can reach out to the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center at gscc@msu.edu for event details.  

Are there additional safety measures put in place for this community? 

For student safety, the specific location of this community will not be promoted online. If you have concerns about safety, please reach out to the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center at gscc@msu.edu.