Gender-neutral or co-ed dorm rooms have been questioned each and every time a college has implemented the lifestyle.
Currently, there are more than 55 schools nationwide that offer co-ed housing, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Earlier this month, Rutgers University announced it was going to start a new program allowing co-ed dorm rooms.
Beginning in the fall, the program is set to offer gender-neutral rooms to 20-30 students.
According to a statement released by Rutgers University, “In the aftermath of the Clementi tragedy, members of the LGBTQ community told the administration that gender-neutral housing would help create an even more inclusive environment. Since then the university has been exploring this in greater detail.”
Clementi was a freshman at Rutgers University who committed suicide after a video of him and another man having sex was posted online by his roommate and another student.
In a broadcast by Fox13, Krystal Schofield, University of Tampa director of housing, affirmed that UT’s residential halls are co-ed, but the rooms are not.
Is there a need for such a program on campus?
In the case of Clementi, there was a noticeable environment of harassment that seemed to culminate to a level that provoked two students to publicly humiliate and attack another student.
The decision to switch to co-ed dorms should be determined based on atmosphere and overall acceptance of race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation.
A lot of people may disagree and argue that we are all adults and should have the option of sharing a room with whomever we desire.
The fact of the matter is that the university will probably be looked upon as endorsing a lifestyle, rather than the students individually.
It is a decision that must not be made hastily, but on an as-needed basis.
In my opinion, co-ed dorms not only stir mixed emotions, but they can also lead to more complicated living conditions.
If a co-ed policy were implemented, a couple would potentially be allowed to share a room.
But what would happen if the couple suddenly split up mid-semester?
As much as someone might argue that they want better roommates or perhaps would prefer sharing a room with his girlfriend, a college dorm should be a place for sanctuary, where you do not have to deal with seeing your significant other 24/7.
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