Debate on randomized housing issue set for Wed.

Supporters of assigned housing will face the idea's critics Wednesday, in a debate intended to increase awareness of arguments on both sides of the issue of choice in residential living. In a panel discussion and open forum sponsored by the United Minorities Council, members of the University community will address concerns over the Commission on Strengthening the Community's recommendation to eliminate choice in housing for first-year students. According to UMC Chair Jun Bang, a College senior, the forum is important because the question of choice in housing is "an issue that needs to be brought out." "There is a lot of opposition to this proposal, especially from the United Minorities Council," she said. Wharton senior Alicia Lewis, vice chairperson of the UMC, said she has been working to organize the forum since the start of the semester. But with last week's release of the Commission's preliminary report -- which recommends that assigned housing begin for students matriculating in the fall of 1995 -- the question has become a more "pressing issue," she said. Lewis said panelists scheduled to speak at the forum include Director of Academic Programs in Residence Christopher Dennis, Executive Director of the President's Office Linda Hyatt, Commission Director Rebecca Bushnell and Commission Chairperson Gloria Chisum. They will be joined by Bang, sociology professor and Commission member Samuel Klausner and College sophomore Leo Greenberg, who wrote a political science paper last semester entitled "A Separate Campus," focusing on current racial divisions in University residences. Lewis said the discussion's format will provide equal time for speakers on both sides of the issue to present their views. After the prepared position statements, there will be a question-and-answer session open to anyone in attendance. Lewis said the forum is particularly important because "we're only hearing the pro side [of the issue], all the arguments haven't been brought out. "We want to make sure that the administration understands that there are students out there who are against assigned housing at the University," she added. "The United Minorities Council believes that assigned housing here at the University would take away choice." Lewis also said the University will not have large enough numbers of minority students in the freshman class to effect the kind of change desired. She said that only 20 Chicano students were admitted last spring, and therefore assigned housing is neither feasible nor practical. "If someone wants to learn about different cultures, they have to want to take an interest," she said. "It can't be forced." "The Commission seems to think that assigned housing is a quick and easy solution to easing racial tension on campus," Lewis continued. "My personal opinion is that assigned housing might make racial tension more prevalent, if people [from different cultures] don't want to live together." "We want the Commission to make a conscious decision when writing the final report," she said, adding that she hopes many members of the University community will get involved in the forum. The forum will be held at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in room 350 of Steinberg-Dietrich Hall.