Mixed classes in dorms: still divisive
Some upperclassmen don't mind; others still adjusting to dorm placement
Joshusa Rice
Issue date: 9/24/09 Section: News
Three weeks into the new school year, the idea of having freshmen and sophomore girls share dorms remains a controversial issue.
The initial reaction to this year's mixed dorms was frustration by some sophomores forced to share halls with freshmen. However, there is also concern on both sides of the debate about the well-being of freshmen living in halls with sophomores, since the latter are already comfortable with the campus and each other.
McIntyre Hall sophomore Angel Veitch said she was fairly indifferent to the idea at first, but as she has watched the situation play out in the halls, her opinion has changed.
"It doesn't seem like there is as much mingling and bonding, and it seems freshmen need that," Veitch said.
Others disagree. Junior Kassondra Kirkman chose to return to McIntyre this semester after a year in the Suites.
"It's such a small campus that no matter where you live you'll be interacting with a lot of people all across campus," Kirkman said.
She said that regardless of class, meeting people in the hall is really up to the residents.
"It comes down to who you want to meet and interact with, no matter where you live," she said.
Those in favor of mixed dorms are doing their best to make sure things work out. Junior Sarah Rogers, one of Benzing's head resident assistants, said the Benzing freshmen seem content living there.
"I love having freshmen and they seem happy to be here," she said.
Rogers also pointed out that disgruntled sophomores tend to forget that women's dorms have in fact been mixed in previous years, and that men's dorms have been mixed for a lot longer. She herself, however, has had no complaints from either freshmen or sophomores.
"We have not had any problems, and I don't foresee any."
Benzing freshmen do suite together, which Rogers said "still fosters that bond." But far from being merely optimistic, Rogers is happy and excited about the mixed dorms.
The initial reaction to this year's mixed dorms was frustration by some sophomores forced to share halls with freshmen. However, there is also concern on both sides of the debate about the well-being of freshmen living in halls with sophomores, since the latter are already comfortable with the campus and each other.
McIntyre Hall sophomore Angel Veitch said she was fairly indifferent to the idea at first, but as she has watched the situation play out in the halls, her opinion has changed.
"It doesn't seem like there is as much mingling and bonding, and it seems freshmen need that," Veitch said.
Others disagree. Junior Kassondra Kirkman chose to return to McIntyre this semester after a year in the Suites.
"It's such a small campus that no matter where you live you'll be interacting with a lot of people all across campus," Kirkman said.
She said that regardless of class, meeting people in the hall is really up to the residents.
"It comes down to who you want to meet and interact with, no matter where you live," she said.
Those in favor of mixed dorms are doing their best to make sure things work out. Junior Sarah Rogers, one of Benzing's head resident assistants, said the Benzing freshmen seem content living there.
"I love having freshmen and they seem happy to be here," she said.
Rogers also pointed out that disgruntled sophomores tend to forget that women's dorms have in fact been mixed in previous years, and that men's dorms have been mixed for a lot longer. She herself, however, has had no complaints from either freshmen or sophomores.
"We have not had any problems, and I don't foresee any."
Benzing freshmen do suite together, which Rogers said "still fosters that bond." But far from being merely optimistic, Rogers is happy and excited about the mixed dorms.
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