What do California State University, University of Connecticut, University of California Davis, and Berkeley have in common? They all offer segregated housing dedicated to black students. Segregated campus housing in 2016, sounds unreal right? According to the universities, the reasoning for the all black housing on these college campuses is the benefit of the students.
California State University has separate housing specifically for their black students because it was requested by the Black Student Union at the school. The University of Connecticut has campus housing designated specifically for black males. The program is called ScHOLA²RS, which stands for Scholastic House Of Leaders who are African American Researchers and Scholars. According to the university, the program was designed so that black males can offer a source of encouragement and support to each other. The university hopes this new housing arrangement will help increase the graduation rates for black male students. According to program director Professor Erick Hines,"This space is really about community and validating their experiences." The program is open to any male student but its main goal is to offer housing to 40 black male students. University of California Davis and Berkeley also have similar "safe spaces," or separate campus housing, for their African American students. I agree that there are pros to this housing arrangement but I see more harm done than good.
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I do not believe that African American students should have to receive special housing in order to feel comfortable at the university they choose to attend. I believe that if a black student wanted to live among mostly people from their own race they could attend a historically black college or university (HBCU). If a student is at a non HBCU then it should be expected that the student will interact with people from different races, ethnic groups, and cultures than their own. Many people believe that college is a time for growth and a time to learn more about themselves. I believe that growth in a person happens when the individual is made to to feel uncomfortable. It may be uncomfortable initially for a black college student living with people that appear to be very different them, but having a positive outlook can make a difference on what the student experiences. For example, if the student believes that meeting new people from different races or ethnicities will be a good experience for them, then they may be more likely to grow in a positive manner from the situation. The student will experience growth when they learn how to adapt to their new environment rather than going to a space they consider more safe.
Everyone goes through changes when entering college, such as no longer living at home with their parents and just having more independence in general. Living among others who look different than themselves is just one of the changes that blacks and other minorities may face.
What about other minority groups, should they have separate housing as well? I believe that universities should find other ways besides separate housing to ensure the comfort of their black students. Their goal should be to bring students together, not apart.
