Diversity is often a selling point for national institutions, but is anyone really buying it?
It’s not elementary school; we are not blind to our peers’ peculiarities, and we secretly crave homogeneity. That’s human nature. When we stick together, we’re more comfortable. In a precarious world that lacks absolute comfort (I mean, we’re all going to die alone), minimizing unease is often encouraged.
Seriously, who needs the added tension of disparity?
Penn facilitates our individual conformity; some cheery-eyed, Berkinstock-wearing suck up demonstrated this to me earlier than I expected. While partaking in a “College House” tour, I learned the following: if you want to be close to Fresh Grocer and are socially inept, mark Gregory College House as your first choice. If you seek diversity, pick DuBois College House! The Quad is for social butterflies. Obscure people and athletes are comfortable in Hill, kids who play DDR live in Kings Court, and independent-minded students choose the high rises.
Misconceptions are thrown at us. The Quad isn’t that social — common rooms are close to nonexistent and the bathroom doors automatically lock. DuBois impairs campus-wide diversity. And not everyone in Gregory binge eats.
Penn authorizes this pigeonholing and separation. Other universities’ housing processes promote responsible dorm assignments. They ask detailed questions based on valid housing concerns (e.g. musical taste, social tendencies, study habits). Penn’s questionnaire simply asked us if we were kosher and woke up before 7 a.m.
I find this very odd. Should Jewish custom and insomniacs obscure the entire housing process?
I think not.
To all you eager high school seniors, just remember what Public Enemy once so eloquently stated: Don’t, don’t believe the hype.
Random housing video:
Tags: dorms, tour guides
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