I am a college grad and all throughout my college career all my roommates have been the same race as me. The first time it happened I thought nothing of it but when she moved and time came to get another roomie I ended up w another roommate that was the same race as me. My junior yr I moved into the oncampus apts the school had built brand new. This time instead of one roommate I had four so surely not all of them would be the same race as me right? No all three were black then two of the three moved and we got two more rommates and they were both black. Now the school I attended is (last I checked my schools stats) 80% white 10% Black and 10%other minorites who were mostly international students. I went to college to me all sorts of people who were different from me (racially,personality culture) I unfortunately I did not receive this kind of experience when it came to who I lived with. I loved all my roommates make no mistake but they also said the same thing I did that if we go to a school where most of the student body is white then why do we always end up with roommates that are the same race as us. It is not just us other students have noticed this as well and my friends who go to other schools say that this happens to them as well. So my question is why is it that the university housing system (at least in the state of ga) seems to assign roommates based on race? Is it just easier? Is this even legal? And what can I do to try to ensure whenever I have a kid she doesn't get shafted on meeting people from different walks of life like I did in college?

I am a college grad and all throughout my college career all my roommates have been the same race as me. The first time it happened I thought nothing of it but when she moved and time came to get another roomie I ended up w another roommate that was the same race as me. My junior yr I moved into the oncampus apts the school had built brand new. This time instead of one roommate I had four so surely not all of them would be the same race as me right? No all three were black then two of the three moved and we got two more rommates and they were both black. Now the school I attended is (last I checked my schools stats) 80% white 10% Black and 10%other minorites who were mostly international students. I went to college to me all sorts of people who were different from me (racially,personality culture) I unfortunately I did not receive this kind of experience when it came to who I lived with. I loved all my roommates make no mistake but they also said the same thing I did that if we go to a school where most of the student body is white then why do we always end up with roommates that are the same race as us. It is not just us other students have noticed this as well and my friends who go to other schools say that this happens to them as well. So my question is why is it that the university housing system (at least in the state of ga) seems to assign roommates based on race? Is it just easier? Is this even legal? And what can I do to try to ensure whenever I have a kid she doesn't get shafted on meeting people from different walks of life like I did in college?

Great question! I would guess there would be less chance of anyone taking issue with the housing arraignments by matching up students of like race. While we, as a society, like to consider ourselves as being beyond that concern, I think there still runs a bit of apprehension through enough people that it would cause discomfort for some students and more work for universities having to reorganize.

It is unfortunate, because, as you mention, it would give students a much broader view of those around them and that certainly can be beneficial. I don't know if that is how things are done around the country or if certain areas tend to fall back on that approach more than others. I know when my oldest daughter did study abroard in an international business program, she was living with a wide variety of students from various countries, and races. It was a real eye opener, and wonderful experience, after some discussions and getting to know each other, for everyone who tends to get used to their own little part of the world with limited opportunity otherwise... that goes for race as well as nationality.

Can you legally do roommate assignments based on race? To me if you come to college and are uncomfortable being with someone different than you you need to stay at home because isn't that part of what college is?? At least that's what I thought

can you legally do roommate assignments based on race? To me if you come to college and are uncomfortable being with someone different than you you need to stay at home bc isnt that part of what college is??? at least thats what i thought


I agree... to me it would be part of going away to college. I don't know about the legalities. Might want to post that on the law board and see what response you get... would be interesting to see what people have to say on it.
Just wanted to add... perhaps it doesn't fall under a legal concern since can't you usually request roommates as well? So, while most people stick with who they are assigned, others do request changes.

DoulaC the only way I ever knew of someone ending up with a roommate that was a different race was if they requested it. I will also post this question on the law board that's a good idea thank u ! By the way I like your quote on the bottom :)

Posts merged, please do not keep asking the same question, over and over and over. One post deleted, other posts merged.

Also I worked for a major university in Georgia, part of the state system, and no, they had a mixed group often, Now there were some people who did request to be housed with students of the same nationality,

Quote: Also I worked for a major university in Georgia, part of the state system, and no, they had a mixed group often, Now there were some people who did request to be housed with students of the same nationality,

How do you explain at my school where there were so many more white students than minority but more often than not all the minority students being roomed together ?