Black men only: UConn's proposed 'learning community' sparks controversy

[Behind the Aegis]

131. I rose through the ranks and go a M. Ed. in university housing.

I enjoyed having a diverse population as a RA too. However, I can see the benefits in a well-crafted program such as the one described above. I have seen where it has failed at some institutions for lack of interest and others where it excelled. I have seen houses/floors created for Native Americans, Latinos, GLBT, and several other identity based groups. Some will do better than others, but that is the way with many things.

I would say I am surprised at some of the ignorant comments in this thread, but then I would be lying. I find it interesting, though, how many jump to it's "required segregation"; it isn't 'required'. Though not using the term, you can hear the whistles of "reverse racism" in some of the comments almost loud enough to make one's ears bleed. Then there are the cries of "self-segregation" and how they should be wanting to be around others, which completely ignores that the students, through daily classes and activities, are always around "others."

At the last one I supervised, participants could only stay for two years, unless they became staff. They had to participate in a predetermined amount of the programs or risked being moved. I can understand people's reactions to some extent, but the idea here is to provide further education, not segregation/separation. We didn't have any fears of the "large group of black men" at ours, likely because it was a co-ed environment, but I imagine it is something single-sex male versions might face.