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Colleges allow coed dorm rooms

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Erik Youngdahl and Michelle Garcia share a dorm room at Connecticut's Wesleyan University. But they say there's no funny business going on. Really. They mean it.

They have set up their beds side-by-side like Lucy and Ricky in "I Love Lucy," and avert their eyes when one of them is changing clothes.

"People are shocked to hear that it's happening and even that it's possible," said Youngdahl, a 20-year-old sophomore. But "once you actually live in it, it doesn't actually turn into a big deal."

In the prim 1950s, college dorms were off-limits to members of the opposite sex. Then came the 1970s, when male and female students started crossing paths in coed dormitories. Now, to the astonishment of some Baby Boomer parents, a growing number of colleges are going even further: coed rooms.

At least two dozen schools, including Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Oberlin College, Clark University and the California Institute of Technology, allow some or all students to share a room with anyone they choose — including someone of the opposite sex. This spring, as students sign up for next year's room, more schools are following suit, including Stanford University.
jcwelker

38 responses // Colleges allow coed dorm rooms

  • I don't see a problem with making coed dorms optional, but some bigger issues might arise if they make it mandatory.
    BleachedBlind
  • I live in an all male dorm, next summer ill be in coed thank god. The only reason i dont see this happening everywhere is because the older generation doesnt think that men and women can just be "friends".
    Ice_cream_Man
  • This is cool. It seems like it may bring problems on though.
    natedawson
  • This is something like the transformation of the high school prom. Back in the good ol' days, if you asked someone to prom, you really meant it, and it was imperative that if you went, you went with somebody. Now, you can just ask a friend, and there's nothing more to it, or you can always just go stag. Traditions, just like the times, they are a' changin'.
    Adumbration
  • i think its is cool, because men and women interact in college on a daily basis, so it is about time that they have to room together, and people dont hook up with everybody they see
    knightlynight200
  • I think thats a good idea, help people be even more socially diverse.
    IriEonE
  • If it is the students choice to participate in this, I do not at all see a problem with this. After all, 18 year olds are adults, maybe the older generation doesnt want to think that but they need to make their own decisions on how to live their lives.
    vladrath
  • I can see why parents can be concerned with this new policy being implemented. However, despite universities offering coed dorms, it is still the individual's choice whether or not s/he decides to participates in sharing a room with the opposite sex. The universities are offering new choices, but that doesn't mean students/parents have to take part if they are opposed. If s/he does not want to stay in the dorm, then s/he can find another place to live. Much like sharing an apartment, the student can choose a roommate of the same or opposite sex.

    Personally, I don't really see a problem with it. As long as both people are mature about the living situation, then there's no problem.
    annevu19
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjErZFGWj8
    The funny thing is, that it was a plot for a romantic comedy in 1989 called "Happy Togeher" and now it's happening.

    As long as they both agree to be roommates, there is nothing wrong with it.
    Argon18
  • Colleges Allow Pregnant Dropouts

    Don't get my wrong, I think this is the right idea. If I was in charge would've done this a long time ago.
    BUT. I'm still positive that there will be more pregnant college students. Some people aren't responsible enough.
    ipodrulz
  • I don't see why this isn't allowed everywhere.

    If parents are so concerned about their children having sex - they shouldn't send them to college - haha.

    I guess it's more convenient if you're living in the same room - but if a kid wants to have sex - they're gonna have sex. Something paranoid parents just need to understand.

    The more important question - does the room come fully furnished with condoms?
    LaWingman
  • I think it's good to offer that choice. Students have been sharing co-ed apartments and houses for decades, it's not like it's anything new.
    patsarts
  • Totally a cool idea that I think should be implemented at any and all universities; it's all up to the person who they want to live with, no matter the gender. I think by college, students are old enough and mature enought to not be humping each other like bunnies and neglecting their schoolwork--coed dorming should not be a huge concern for anyone.

    Coming from NYU, it's a nice gesture that NYU allows students to identify as a certain gender that may differ from their biological gender to allow them to room with a different sex if need be. I don't think coed dorming has been reached at NYU yet, but it would be pretty cool.
    Peewong
  • that sounds like an interesting option for students. but I think a lot of parents would freak that their 18 lives with another stranger the moment the step out for college. I think my Dad would choke the guy in the most caring way possible.
    ohh_Donna
  • Mixed dorms rooms is what started the French revolution! Powerful stuff!
    mischabarrett
  • Making it optional can be good I guess. But I can't say that it's a good idea. One out of every four female college students is raped. That's a fact. Co-ed rooms may not be such a good idea.
    jabutle3
  • Either way the rooms will be a mess.
    Mr_S
  • we are overpopulated already.

    i say we should pass on this idea.
    djaudible27
  • I'm going to go way out on a limb and guess this won't be a lot different then what is already going on - sorry mom and dad '-)
    eldamon
  • yes! now the gays can actually chill with there girlfriends!
    muckraker
  • as a college student, i feel as though i am still in high school. treat young adults like young adults and they will act as such.

    treat me like a 5th grader...im going to smear food all over the doors and light the smoke detectors on fire.

    boys and girls are staying in each others rooms anyways around my parts...we're big kids...we should learn our lessons and be allowed to room with who we choose.

    if people are living with their signifigant others...it might cause housing problems if there is a breakup...

    but other than that, this should be allowed.

    even co-ed apartment style/suite syle living should be an option if everyone in the suite/apartment is comfortable.

    there are creepers out there.
    MissAmanda
  • good for the universities who have coed dorms! Changes of all kinds will start to emerge as the world is on the path of awareness, and previous generations need to learn to adapt to and embrace these changes.
    prettypolariod
  • No more sausage fests.

    It's more modern especially since we have moved beyond the gender stereotypes. It's no more "I can't just be friends with you because of the 'sex thing'".

    Oh yeah, now you can have sex with your roommate. Sweet.
    taiche
  • is this really news?
    it just doesn't seem like a big deal to me...
    blue_blooded
  • It makes sense, most people have an opposite sex roommate at some time or other in their lives, why not in college, lets hear it for the 21st century!
    bennyfilm
  • guys and girls sharing the same bathroom has never been a good idea - there will be consequences .
    malathion
  • I think that is an awesome idea. Share a room with anyone you choose!! Then you can share a room with your BFF even if they are of the opposite sex.
    Swiyyah
  • watch this comment being used here, here, here, here, here and here
    hmmm...it would be really interesting to see how this effects the already rising rate of young pregnancies...that's like putting the candy dish down next to a kid...you tell them no, that's bad for you...but human nature says that it's going to have a few licks of temptation
    artigiana
  • And the problem with co-ed dorm's by choice is...?
    RonenA
  • Next thing ya know......Sandals with socks will be ok.
    rockon
  • didn't say there was a problem with co-ed dorms...yeah, we can go on and on about how it's our free choice and we should be able to do whatever we want because we're freakin americans and we have the right to do so...but in the end..."you've made your bed, now lie in it"
    artigiana
  • What? People can control their baser instincts? No way, im shocked.....wait on im not, this isnt news, this is something we shouldnt have cared about a long time ago
    alman365
  • Reckon its a cool move
    aditijjoshi
  • Ice_cream_Man, at sixty, I'm part of the "older genreation", and I have always maintained that men and women can be friends, even excellent friends. It is the generations above mine which holds the idea that men and women cannot be friends. This concept has leaked down through the generations, though, and is even to be found among the younger present-day generations.
    Vierotchka
  • I shared a University Apartment in college with a boy in secret shhh! But nothing happened. I don't see what the huge deal is? We are mature enough to know what is wrong or right esp. in College! I think an open attitude will decrease the likelihood of "irresponsible behavior."
    Spiral9
  • It is 2008 isn't it?
    Neghie
  • i could see how some kids might not be able to handle it and others no problem. Besides if they're wandering around school looking for sex they're not studying... this way it's right in their room!!!
    xenomode
  • considering gay people already room with each other together, and gay and straight people room together, it's technically been happening all along...
    abetterprodigy