Dec 7, 2009 6:33 am US/Eastern
Columbia Student Gov't Pushes For Co-Ed Dorms
Controversial Plan Would Create Gender-Neutral Housing, Allowing Male Students To Room With Females
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The way your college student lives may soon be changing, as Columbia University considers a controversial plan to introduce co-ed rooming – which would allow couples to dorm together on-campus.
Opinions are divided over the proposal to bring together male and female students in Columbia's co-ed corms. It the student government's plan is adopted by the university, the campus could become the latest to try co-ed roommates for gender-neutral housing.
"I don't think it's smart to have the guys and girls as roommates together," student Felicia Astorino said.
"I feel it could be kind of a bad idea, like if two people are living together…then they break up," Columbia student Michael Laracuente said.
"My personal view [is] I wouldn't do it," student Judd Lindenfeld said. "[But] I don't have anything against the university making that a policy."
The policy does not apply to incoming freshmen, but sophomores, juniors and seniors could choose roommates for the on-campus dorms regardless of gender.
"People living on campus live with their boyfriends all the time, so I don't think it makes a difference," student Emily Cherenack said. "I'd prefer to have a male roommate – I went to a female boarding school, and I've lived with female roommates all my life, and there is a lot of tension there as well."
Co-ed dorm rooms appeal to Cherenack, but her mom, Sandy, says "not so fast."
"I don't know – I don't like that," Sandy Cherenack said.
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Gardere says Columbia's administration needs to be careful with what could be a recipe for disaster.
"The reason many colleges try to do this is to teach equality between men and women and try to get them into more mature relationships," Dr. Gardere said. "But I think the whole thing can blow up in the face of the students, in that there may be more of a pressure for them to now be sexual."
Dr. Gardere instructs parents to make it their business to know what goes on in dorms and know the policy.
He also suggests that all college roommates try to avoid complicated living arrangements and keep the focus on academics.
A representative for Columbia says the student government made a request for the university to consider gender-neutral housing, but there is no timetable for a final decision.
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