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[discordnrhyme]

Hi everyone. I'm not sure if there's another topic already posted for my question... I looked around quite a bit and couldn't find one so I decided to post a new one. =D

I'm currently in a relationship with the man of my dreams! We've been together for a little over 2 years. We've been living together for a little over a year (during which time I have not been working in Student Affairs because I've been home caring for my sick mother).

I have now begun looking for Hall Director positions in an effort to re-enter the field. As you know, Hall Director positions require living on campus. Now, I know that married Hall Directors are allowed to have their spouses live in the on-campus apt with them...and most universities also allow that option for same-sex partners who cannot legally marry.

My question is, what are the rules regarding couples who are not married? I'm currently living in CA and the jobs I've applied for are all over the country. My boyfriend is more than willing to move with me wherever I go but it would pose a serious problem if he couldn't live with me.

Where's he supposed to live while he searches for a job and an apt if he can't live in my on-campus apt with me (he'sjust a regular joe... doesn't work in higher ed!)?

Are there other options available that I'm not aware of? I would love to hear from others who have experienced similar situations! We are in desperate need of advice as we consider which job opportunities to pursue. =D THANKS!!!

[sibyl]

This is going to vary substantially from institution to institution.  At one of my previous institutions, cohabitators had to be spouses or natural or adopted children.  At another institution, non-spouses were tolerated, if not exactly welcomed.

You should check to see whether your target institutions post their employee handbooks and policies on their websites, but in my experience only about one-third do so.  Therefore, you generally won't know about the specific policies until you are well into the search process.  At that point, the normal logic of the two-body problem probably applies. 

Good luck.