Each year, as students begin a new semester, finding the right living situation depends as much on with whom they choose to live as where. Students and the administration examined UB's policy of only allowing same-sex rooming in on-campus facilities.
Having a friend as a roommate instead of a stranger may reduce stress caused by the room selection process. However, if students desire to live with a best friend of the opposite sex or a significant other, on-campus housing is not an option.
Thomas Tiberi, associate director of housing operations, said UB has never allowed co-ed living arrangements in on-campus residence halls, with the exception of the Flickinger Court Apartments, which are designed to house graduate students with families.
"It has been a longstanding tradition of UB and the majority of universities and colleges in the United States to not assign males and females to the same room," Tiberi said. "This policy has been in place since the establishment of the University at Buffalo."
Some students, however, disagreed with this policy.
"If the university is worried about sex happening, what about homosexuals? They are of the same sex," said Jennifer Murray, a sophomore mathematics major. "And some girls are more comfortable living with guys instead of girls. What if your best friend for your whole life is of the opposite sex, why can't you room with them?"
For those who would like to room with a member of the opposite sex, Stefanie Aiello, a senior biology major, had an idea of how the university can be more accommodating.
"Not everyone can get an apartment," Aiello said. "I think that the university should try to designate two floors of a building where students can co-ed room if they want to. Co-ed rooming is not a bad thing, and we should have the option."
Tiberi said UB would not have any strong objections to considering this option.
"If we had an overwhelming number of requests for males and females to live together, we would certainly consider it," he said. "In my years of coordinating room assignments here at UB, I have never been asked by an undergraduate if he or she could live with someone of the opposite sex."
-Reported by Dena-Kay Martin
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
