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Co-ed Dorms–Good or Bad?

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Hofstra chapter.

Hofstra University is one among a seemingly few colleges that doesn’t have co-ed dorms. Over the past few decades, co-ed dorms have went from extremely rare to common.

A study in 2009 showed, however, that the switch from single-sex to opposite-sex dorms has had a more negative impact then a positive one. The study, that appeared in the Journal of American College Health, surveyed a total of 510 students and showed that 442 of them – or 87 percent – lived in co-ed corms.

The study also showed that the majority of the students said that I was okay “for two people to get together for sex and not necessarily expect anything further,” while it also disclosed that a majority of the students admitted to weekly binge drinking.

Girls at Hofstra University seemed to have no problem with the idea of co-ed dorms.

“If he’s hot and he thinks I’m hot, we’re good,” said Corey Abrams, senior at Hofstra. “If he’s ugly, I’m leaving!” She chuckled at the thought.

A recent study by psychologists at James Madison University in Virginia showed that college students ‘hook up’ about twice as often as they go on actual dates. With one-night stands becoming more and more common, opposite-sex roommates might be ideal – or it could be a girl’s worst nightmare. Student living with members of the opposite sex are more susceptible to fighting and heartbreak.

Either way, Hofstra students seemed indifferent or content with coed housing.

“I wouldn’t mind,” said Courtney Lorito, junior at Hofstra. “I get along with guys way better than girls anyway.”
What do you think? Are coed dorms a good idea or a bad idea? What would you do if you were placed with a random roommate of the opposite sex?

Grace Gavilanes is a rising junior at Hofstra University majoring in English and Journalism. She hopes to pursue a career in Journalism and, eventually, in English Education. Grace is super driven and has many goals that she is positive will be made into reality. This Queens native enjoys drinking bubble tea and dancing in the rain!