<p>I heard that many universities are now considering coed dorm rooms, going a step beyond coed halls. Furthermore, I heard that University of Chicago was instituting this program in the 2007-2008 school year. Is this true, and if so, would they be available to freshman?</p>
<p>I was simply wondering, because I am gay, and it has been my experience that women are much more accepting of it than men, and I would like to diminish the chances of my getting a homophobic roomate if I get in. Thanks!</p>
<p>I've never really heard of big problems with homophobic roommates. On your housing form you can say in the additional information section that you're gay and/or that you'd like to be with a socially liberal roommate. There are a lot of people who specify political affiliations like these or something similar on their forms. There are also a number of dorms where you could get a single.</p>
<p>Having said that, I'm not sure the College has decided yet whether this would be open to first years. You can call Admissions and ask or search through the Maroon archives online.</p>
<p>From what I know, the student-led Inter-House Council conducted an inquiry into students' opinions on gender-blind housing, which would make a male/female roommate combination possible. Here's the article:</p>
<p>At this point, I don't think anything is for certain.</p>
<p>As you can be assured, though, there is a large GLBT population in the school, and many, citing the reasons you gave, prefer to live in singles rather than living in a same-sex double or triple. Single rooms are easy enough to get that it shouldn't be a problem, and I imagine if you write on your housing slip your concerns about having a male roommate, the housing office will try to accommodate you accordingly.</p>
<p>I believe that the IHC has also looked at other schools that have adopted similar policies - Swarthmore being of particular interest as the student body is pretty similar to Chicago. What they have found was that most people didn't room with partners - most people having, my son put it, too much sense to do that. It sounds rather startling to parents, but it can make the living circumstances for people with GLBT orientation much more comfortable. I hope it is approved. </p>
<p>person110, while there are jerks at UChicago, I don't think there's a high probability you would end up one as a roomate. And it so - remember that Chicago has a variety of support people in each halIl (RA's and RH's and RM's) to help deal with interpersonal issues. I wish you the best where ever you end up at college!</p>
<p>My overnight host was spearheading the gender-neutral housing movement. He told me that in the 2007-08 school year, only guinea pig upperclassmen can do it. If it is successful (whatever that means), then they will offer it to all students in '08-09.</p>
<p>"I've never really heard of big problems with homophobic roommates. On your housing form you can say in the additional information section that you're gay and/or that you'd like to be with a socially liberal roommate."</p>
<p>Actually, you're not supposed to say this. All housing is done without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. This doesn't mean that they won't consider the situation "under the table", but as far as official decision-making is concerned, they are not allowed to use your sexual identity as a factor in placing you. </p>
<p>(And how would they be able to place you with a socially liberal rooommate? There's no way to know which students are liberal and which are not, at least for the housing department).</p>
<p>I will add that, as a gay male, I am a huge fan of gender-neutral housing, but by no means do I think it's impossible to live comfortably with a straight roommate. There is a HUGE gay/LBT population at Chicago, and from what I understand, homophobia is rarely a problem. At an intellectual powerhouse like this school, there are not very many bigots.</p>
<p>I really don't like the idea of coed rooms. I understand if a person if homosexual and would feel more comfortable with the opposite sex, but for me, living with the opposite sex would just be so strange.</p>
<p>Renin, they attempt to match roommates who will get along well. Many students state political affiliations or something similar in the extra information section. I believe that the people putting together roommates would use additional information like that when setting up rooms. Yes, they are officially not allowed to ask for sexual orientation, but I know people who have included it, and I know people who included some kind of political caveat. Remember, at the U of C roommate assignments are done by people, not by computer.</p>
<p>Having been here for 2 quarters now, I've witnessed my share of House-cest drama. It is, as it stands, pretty awful. People with reason will refrain from rooming with a partner. There is possibly no tougher housing experience than to break up with your bf/gf 2 weeks into the quarter and realize that you'll still need to live with him/her for another 2 months.</p>