DuBois: Symbol of separation or source of community?

Vision Staff Writer and DANIEL GINGISS Since its inception in 1973, the W.E.B. DuBois College House has often been in the campus spotlight. Many people have criticized its existence, saying it promotes separatism and impedes the progress of race relations on campus. The house – home this year to 145 black students, 16 white students, and three Asian-American students – has even been a target of racially harassing phone calls and bomb threats on several occasions. But others have praised the house for its dedication to African Americans and their culture, and its role as a center for handling black issues on campus. · In a poll sponsored by The Daily Pennsylvanian and The Vision, fewer than 20 percent of 377 students polled said DuBois House has a positive effect on race relations at the University, while over half said the house does not have a positive effect. About 30 percent said they had no opinion. When asked about other College House programs – such as Modern Language, Ware and Van Pelt – 50 percent of students polled had no opinion. But a majority of those who did have an opinion said those programs have a positive effect on race relations. Many residents of DuBois House, which is also called Low Rise North, say living in the house is a positive experience, especially due to the dorm's family-like atmosphere. Most of the students know the desk receptionists by name – they even call one of them "Mom." And on any given night, 15 to 20 students can be seen in the lounge studying together, talking, playing spades, or watching television. "I feel more comfortable with people who I am similar to," said College freshman and DuBois House resident Sylvie Volel. "That doesn't mean I want to alienate white people – I just felt like this was a comfortable environment for me." College sophomore Nneka McNeal said since she hails from a predominantly white neighborhood, she wanted to live in a place where she could be with other blacks. "I don't think [DuBois House] is a separation device – it's a strengthening tool," she said. "[People] don't have to live in this house to experience separation." · Recently, campus debate has centered on whether students should be able to choose where they live freshman year. The concept would not allow freshmen to live in College Houses – including DuBois House – so incoming students could be exposed to a more integrated living environment. College freshman Thomas Maguire, a white student who chose to live in DuBois House, said he thinks randomized housing is not a good idea. "I think it's a band-aid solution to a much bigger problem," he said. "DuBois House doesn't represent an environment of self-segregation. "Clearly there's a different cultural environment between here and the Quad [but] it's not a malicious act for students to live here." He added that he is glad to have the chance to live where he wants and be accepted there. Duke University has already instituted a plan that forces freshmen to live in random housing during their first semester. After the first semester, students are allowed to live wherever they choose. Briana Epps, a senior pre-med student at Duke, said the idea of the program is good, but its effectiveness usually only lasts for that first semester of freshman year. Epps was featured on a 60 Minutes segment about race relations at Duke last April called "Equal But Separate." "It's a good experience being around people of different races, and for the university to try to force it is admirable," she said. "But it's not human nature. "Even while you're living in that freshman dorm, you will hang out with people similar to you. It doesn't make the difference that [the administration] would like it to make." Dubois House resident Volel said although she would not mind living in another dorm, she would not want to be forced into an uncomfortable situation. "Diversity is not only having different people [around], but having different people together," she said. "[But] in all my classes, I'm one of the only black people there. When you come home you want to be comfortable." · Residents of DuBois House have been subjected to racial harassment from the University community for a long time. Most recently, in October several residents received bomb threats and racially harassing phone calls, forcing the evacuation of the building and a temporary ban on non-residents. The incident prompted the University to increase security at the house, including the installation of assault alarms, better lighting and call tracers on residents' phones. Similar threats and calls have been received at the dorm since its beginning. In 1981, at least eight threatening phone calls were received by the DuBois House receptionist. One of the calls also threatened the life of Dennis Brutus, a South African-born professor who was visiting the University from Chicago. The calls prompted a rally of more than 1,000 University students, faculty, staff and administrators who linked arms and rallied around DuBois House to express their concern. · Despite the threats to and criticisms of DuBois House, residents are still thankful they have a common place to call home. And they maintain that the house is not designed to purposely separate black students from the rest of the University community. "Institutions have separated us," McNeal said, "not the house."

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