 "Photo: MCT Campus")
The tradition of single-sex dorm rooms is slowly ending. Columbia University is the latest college to consider allowing male and female students the option to dorm with a member of the opposite sex.
According to New York news station, WABC, the proposal was brought up by the student government after it became apparent that many students were having a problem finding off-campus housing. The off-campus living is simply too expensive for many upper classmen. Some suggest living with the opposite sex has been an unofficial policy for years. So, why not make something legal that is already taking place?
Once students are released from the reigns of their parents, it becomes a typical occurrence to stay over at the opposite sex’s dorm or apartment. When students are in relationships, playing “house” becomes a typical occurrence, as well. Even though it may not be legal at most schools, it’s difficult for the administration to control. Imagine how annoying it would be for the administration to do room checks every night. I think that would irritate students more than their roommates occasionally bringing over their boyfriend or girlfriend to stay the night.
However, can you imagine sharing a room everyday with the opposite sex? At least when you are just “playing house” you can go home when a fight occurs. What happens if you break-up with the person you share the same room with? Can you say awkward silence? Before you know it, there will be a line drawn in the middle of the room declaring what things and side of the room is off-limits.
You don’t necessarily have to be dating your roommate for awkward silence and bickering to occur. If you don’t check that box when filling out housing information that request single-sex roommate, than the possibility of having a roommate of the opposite sex increases.
On a blog responding to opposite sex dorms, a mother of a Stanford student was appalled that her daughter had to share a room with two boys and only one other girl. She said her daughter is so uncomfortable with the living situation that she has to go to the hall bathroom to change.
This new living situation will probably create more room changes for the housing department. Once those little fights occur between couples and/or all those annoying habits the opposite sex has finally becomes too much, room changes will definitely increase.
Over 50 universities have co-ed dorm rooms, including other Ivy League schools such as NYU, Brown and the University of Pennsylvania. Although, it is unclear whether this living option is highly chosen.
Do students prefer to stick with a roommate of the same sex, or do they take the chance and really gain the full college experience? The best option is to stick with the single –sex scenario. If you are a girl, confronting your girl roommate about her clothes on the floor is so much easier than confronting a boy, in fear that he may not like you anymore. If you are a guy, and you need to confront your girl roommate about the hair in the sink, it may lead to tears. Where as confronting your guy roommate about the same scenario will probably end a little smoother.
We know how to respond, at least most the time, to the person of the opposite sex. We have our whole life to live with the opposite sex when we get married, so don’t ruin your college experience by choosing that living scenario early.
Be the first to comment on this article!