Christine Pitawanich / NCC News
10/21/2009
Syracuse, N.Y. - Co-ed dorms are nothing new to Syracuse University, but co-ed rooms? Starting just next fall, students will have the option to live with a roommate of the opposite sex. But SU students have mixed feelings about the new housing option.
“I thought it was a joke. Like it’s crazy,” said sophomore Nicole Addonizio. “I can’t believe they would do that,” she continued.
Freshman Janelle Bridson felt differently and said she was all for the new housing option.
“I think it’s a great idea. It’s good to let people choose,” she said.
What About Short-Lived Romances?
Some students, like freshman Carley Getz, said they could see the new housing option becoming a problem.
“I think it will mostly attract new couples that just met freshman year that want to live together. I think half way through the year they’re probably going to break up and it’s just going to be a mess,” Getz said.
Many other students also mentioned the potential problem of new college couples choosing to live together, and breaking up soon after. SU student Andrew Legere agreed, but said he didn’t think it was that big of a deal.
“I know a lot of off-campus people share houses with women and that’s not too much of an issue so dorms are a step down, but the same principle,” said Legere.
An Advancement for the LGBT Community
But the new housing option means more to the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender (LGBT) community than just the ability to pick a roommate of the opposite sex.
Executive Board member of the Pride Union at SU’s LGBT Resource Center, Rae Rozman, explained that transgendered people should not be forced to live with someone of the same biological sex if they have chosen to be the opposite gender. She said the new housing option is a step forward for the LGBT community.
“I feel like it’s a very big advancement in rights. It’s something that needs to happen,” said Rozman. “A lot of the people in the [LGBT] community are way excited about this,” she continued.
Amit Taneja is the Associate Director of the LGBT Resource Center. He said that in addition to the positive effect it will have on those who are transgendered, it’s also about having choices.
“It’s about giving more options to the students so that they’re able to have a better residential and college experience,” Taneja said.
Meeting the Diverse Needs of the SU Student Body
Director of Housing Services, Eileen Simmons, agreed with Taneja and said the new housing opportunity was a response to the needs of the LGBT community as well as requests from parents and students for more housing options.
“There is a need as students do come to college and go through the transgender process. We want to be meeting their needs and the [needs of] students who happen to want to live with their best friend who is the opposite gender,” said Simmons.
What About Those New College Romances that Don’t Last?
Simmons said if one roommate leaves, the room would no longer be co-ed. Instead, the person remaining in the room would have to find a roommate of the same sex. So, she said, students won’t be able to go to Armory Square or Marshall Street to pickup a new “roommate.” She added that freshmen and transfer students won’t be allowed to have opposite-sex roommates.
Those who choose to live with someone of the opposite-sex will be able to pick from two-bedroom suites on north and south campus. Booth Hall, Watson and Haven are just a few of the dorms to be affected next fall.
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