Students value housing options

Though some call forThough some call forrandomized housing,Though some call forrandomized housing,many students preferThough some call forrandomized housing,many students preferthe current system. When College freshman Linda Chung filled in the ovals on her housing request form last summer, her main priority was finding a comfortable living atmosphere. Though her new English House neighbors represented familiar cultures and experiences, she still felt like an outsider. Two weeks ago, the Asian American woman moved into the W.E.B. DuBois College House -- a 90 percent black dorm -- because of its "family atmosphere." And so far, she seems pleased with her new home, despite superficial differences. Unlike at other universities, Penn students have a fair degree of control over their housing arrangements -- even in their freshman year. That system allows for the creation of racially and ethnically homogeneous residences, according to the Office of the Registrar's racial breakdown of residences across the University. But students like Chung -- one of three other Asian students in DuBois -- can counter typical residential barriers. Students can also choose to live in University-sponsored living and learning programs that, on a smaller scale, are also ethnic-focused. These include the Asian and Latino floors in High Rise East. In addition, some students have gone beyond the University options to establish their own communities within on-campus housing. For example, many observant Jews -- who cannot ride the elevator on their Saturday Sabbath -- live on the lower floors of High Rise North. Despite residential evaluations and collegiate planning efforts, the University does not plan to take away the residential choices students have now. The consulting firm Biddison Hier is conducting a complete facilities audit due out in April that will include reports on the optimum use of residences. Until the full examination of housing is complete, the residential component of the administration's 21st Century Project has been put on hold, according to Vice Provost of University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum. Last week, the Residential Advisory Board met with management partners Gail Biddison and Tom Hier to discuss residence-related issues, including common spaces, dining halls and athletic facilities. During the meeting, the student-run board also discussed the racial tensions reflected by University housing. But many involved with the living-learning options say their programs are beneficial for residents and the University as a whole. "Students don't just have a room in this house, they have a family and an interest in learning about African American culture," said Stephani Barnes-Robinson, the front desk receptionist of DuBois for the last five years. In a reflection of that familial environment, many DuBois residents call Barnes-Robinson "Mom." Associate VPUL Larry Moneta said DuBois will not be affected by any revisions to the current housing system, noting the "unique needs" of the residence. Three years ago, Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson Gloria Chisum, along with the now-defunct Commission on Strengthening the Community, presented a report addressing issues that seemed to divide the University community. The report concluded that learning must not end in the classroom, but rather should continue into campus residences and other programming. Chisum said she believes DuBois is accomplishing those goals and noted it is "not just a black dorm." "DuBois has very rich community culture," Chisum said. "And the more you learn about other people -- the more you learn about the world." Chung emphasized that fact, saying the dorm welcomes "all ethnicities." "I know this because I am not African American, and they like me," she said. "At least, I think they like me." The Commission's report also advocated the establishment of assigned housing for freshmen, a move that would have removed the option of living in a college house like DuBois -- or any of the other similar programs -- for incoming students. Randomized housing has remained at the center of campus debate for many years. Freshmen are randomly housed at many schools, including Princeton, Yale, Georgetown and Stanford universities. Residential Advisor and Engineering junior Chris Hyzer said he advocates randomized housing for freshmen because it would create "equal footing" for students, leading to increased understanding and interaction during their college careers. According to Hyzer, the largest catalyst for social interaction at the University is in the residences. "If we live in segregated residences, we have less hope for a unified student body," the Undergraduate Assembly member said. "Students know that this institution values racial and ethnic diversity when they decide to attend Penn, and they should be prepared to expand their comfort zones." McCoullum said none of the residential models currently under consideration include randomized housing. Citing the support groups at DuBois, College sophomore Rasool Berry said he could not have succeeded at Penn without the assistance he received by living in the house during his first year. "The house has also insulated me from some of the prejudice which surrounds people of color in an elite institution," Berry added. College freshman Charles Howard said DuBois has provided a family atmosphere that he needed as an "inexperienced freshman," noting that many sophomores acted as his "big brothers and sisters."

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