Living in College "For decades, many universities have attached themes to some of its residence halls, encouraging students with similar interests to live among each other, such as outdoor enthusiasts or sci-fi buffs. Some schools also designate housing for students intent on fluency in a foreign language so that they can better immerse themselves" (Lum, 2008). Leaving home for the first time is a big deal. Especially if a people is close to their family and it is hard to stay away from even a moment. By introducing the thought of ethnic housing, it might help a person being around people similar to what that person is used to. In other cases, people tend to think the by having ethnic housing, the college is racist. “I was astounded to hear that the event was only for "minority student groups” only” (Padore, 2007). Although many people think the idea of ethnic housing is racist and contributing to segregation, people need to realize that college is not about where you live, but rather about the reason for going to college. Living alone or with roommate can be quite scary, and a bit nerve racking. By having ethnic housing, it may ease the tension and first time awkwardness. Many people feel comfortable being around people with similar interests or similar backgrounds. By creating this bond right away, it may help the first year of college go by a little not smoothly. Plus, the idea of college is not to spend an entire year at home, but rather to be getting an amazing education. “Going to college and living in a dorm is a living and learning experience. It's probably the only time in your life that you will ever be living with a community of people with the same interests, goals, and, not to mention, fears” (O’Leary-Buda). Knowing that others are experiencing the same kind of fears and worries helps bond knowing that they are no different then anyone else.
Although many people look at ethnic housing as helpful and comforting, many others look at it as a form of segregation and racism. “Yet Stanford students, faculty and administrators have largely expressed continued support for the dorms, which by now have assumed unquestioned roles in the promotion of cultural awareness on campus…reports still criticize ethnic housing” (Devasher, 2002). Many students of Stanford strongly believe that with ethnic theme housing it really unifies their school. Standford University is not the only other college that is very opposed to ethnic housing. Many from Cornell also feel the same. "Cornell, by withdrawing its proposal to bar freshmen from ethnic housing, abandons a modest first step at desegregation and teaches students to defy the purposes of higher education" (Meyers, 1996). Michael Meyers, an executive director of the New York Civil Rights Coalition, is explaining that by using ethnic housing, it is not contributing to the stop against segregation.
By keeping ethnic housing, so many new and scared students will feel a little more secure about their choice to go to that particular college. Regardless of the people who feel it is segregating the school, in the long run, it is actually helping for the best. It will help for the best because it will make people feel more comfortable adapting to a new environment and surrounding. Reference List
Devasher, M. (2002, November 19). Campus defends its ethnic theme houses. The Lum, L. (2008, December 11). A space of their own. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from
Meyers, M. (1996, May 20). Ethnic dorms at Cornell teach wrong lesson. The New York Times. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from
O’Leary-Buda, M. College dorm life. College View. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from
Padore, M. (2007, August 4). Do racially segregated activities deny lessons in diversity? OC Register. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/finley-ethnic-students-1797277-racial-racism
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