Healthy competition, supportive living environments and motivation are some of the words being used to praise the University’s new same-major floors in dormitories. Caution and concern are words that could be used to describe future additions to the program.

Same-major floors allow student to live on floors comprised mostly of students with the same majors. Chancellor Don Beggs said the floors promote better grades among the students living together.

The program encourages group participation, allows students to seek help without scouring the campus and provides a comfort zone for people just entering college. It allows students to develop friendships quickly because they are around one another most of the time.

Advertisement

Although the idea may seem positive at present, the University must be careful not to get caught up in a wave of change just because the initial results are positive. Right now, students can request living on such floors.

Beggs said that in the future, more floors are scheduled to be converted into same-major floors, and the floors will include other majors. Expanding the program could be beneficial, but administrators must be cautious they do not end up robbing students of valuable life experiences learned in college.

One of the key reasons for attending a university is to learn how to interact with diverse people who have different perspectives. Allowing students to live mainly with people of similar interests will not be beneficial in the future. Once out in the workforce, will these people be able to choose their coworkers?

Learning to compromise and handle differences prepares students for life after college. Getting better grades is good, but not if it hinders other areas of development.

For this project to work, the University must be sure same-major floors do not become prevalent in the dorms. Administrators must not make this type of program mandatory. If the administration begins to force students to live with people of the same majors, the results of the project could be just the opposite of what it wants.

Because this program is just beginning, the University needs to examine it with scrutiny, making sure it is not sacrificing experience for grades. Students need to be able to handle awkward situations and uncertainty to be prepared for the future, and they must learn that now, before being thrust into the workforce. Allowing students to experience diversity of culture and ideas will give them the tools to succeed outside of SIUC.