Bwog has received word that Dean of Student Affairs Kevin Shollenberger and CC 2011 President Sean Udell just announced that Deans Moody-Adams and Peña-Mora have approved the long-debated issue of gender-neutral housing. This means that a pilot program can begin in the fall. It will be an option in Wien, EC, Nussbaum, Ruggles, Woodbridge, and Claremont.

Update, 10:51am: When asked to comment, Udell said, “The Open Housing pilot program is a big step forward for Columbia, and I am absolutely thrilled that it’s happening here.”

Update, 1pm: Bwog just checked in again with Udell, who gave us a look at what’s next for Open Housing. The Queer Alliance/Everyone Allied Against Homophobia groups who got this whole show on the road last year will work with the new pilot program. The Open Housing student committee will work with Housing Services to draft up an official Open Housing policy so that the new system will be in place for Room Selection this March. Udell noted that Open Housing is still technically a pilot program but doesn’t “expect anything less than this being a success as it moves forward.” Freshpeople, oldpeople, take a look at Bwog’s coverage of Gender Neutral/Open Housing (since November 2008) here for some context.