Interracial roommates more likely to opt out than same-race roommates

IU students who are randomly assigned a roommate of a different race are three times more likely change their room assignments by the end of their first semester than roommates of the same race, The New York Times reports.

“It really surprises me, because I think it would be contrary to the case,” said Pamela Freeman, associate dean of students and director of the office of student ethics and anti-harassment programs.

Russell Fazio, a psychology professor at Ohio State University, conducted studies on interracial roommates at Ohio State and IU, according to The New York Times.

“At Indiana University, where housing was not so tight, more interracial roommates split,” Fazio told The New York Times. “Here at Ohio State, where there was a housing crunch, they were told to work it out.”

Sara Ivey Lucas, IU’s assistant director for housing assignments, said no one employed by the Division of Residential Programs and Services was aware of the study at the time it was conducted and did not provide Fazio with any statistics.

“About once or twice a year, we may have someone send a request for racial, religious or sexual reasons,” Ivey Lucas said. “When we know about it, we try to challenge it, and we sometimes grant the room change. But we at least challenge them to think about why they chose to come to a diverse school such as IU.”

Ivey Lucas said the majority of the reasons for room change requests are harmless, and the professional staff of the dorms reviews and responds to all room change requests. Staff members interview both parties involved to find the reasoning behind the requests.

“In modern society, people know we are not going to make a room change based on race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.,” Ivey Lucas said. “I think our culture has trained us not to label our fears or prejudices so directly.”

Eric Love, IU’s director of diversity education, said he believes some interracial roommates who request to change rooms do so based on preconceived notions and unwillingness to get to know one another and work out their differences.

“I think that we all come to college with preconceived notions about groups, but the more you interact with one someone, the superficial barriers begin to erode,” Love said.

Love said students who experience racial issues in the dorm are encouraged to first consult with their resident adviser and use other campus resources such as the multicultural centers.

Love said he believes students gain a unique and beneficial experience from having an interracial roommate.

“Having an interracial roommate will help you in a diverse workforce, and you will become more culturally competent,” Love said.

Some IU students said they agree.

“I feel it helps you grow as a person,” said Holly Griffitt, a fifth-year senior and former resident assistant. “Each party has something to learn from the other, and if you change rooms, you lose a valuable experience.”

IU students who have had interracial roommates said they generally have favorable experiences.

Junior Byron Warren was randomly assigned a roommate of a different race his freshman year.

“When we first got there, we didn’t have much in common,” Warren said. “I introduced him to R&B, and now he likes T-Pain, and now we have more things in common than we used to.”

Warren said his roommate moved out at the end of the first semester because of non-racial issues such as keeping the room clean.

Recent graduate Daniel Malone was also randomly assigned a roommate of a different race.

“For me, it really introduced me to different cultures,” Malone said. “For example, my roommate got me into ‘Seinfeld.’ I had never seen that show before.”

In January 2009, IU President Michael McRobbie announced $1 million would fund enhancing diversity on all IU campuses. 

Love said overall he is pleased with the support McRobbie has provided.

“IU is diverse, but it is what we call structural diversity, and when you count the numbers, we are a diverse campus,” Love said. “However, we aren’t a multicultural campus, and that’s what we are working toward.”