EDITORIAL: A model for new college houses

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the W.E.B. Dubois House is an example of an ideal college house. The "living-learning" program was designed to encourage the expression and education of African-American culture on Penn's predominantly white campus. For such a program to arise at such a time in both Penn's history and the history of this nation is quite remarkable. That DuBois has survived and even flourished is even more so. DuBois opened its doors amidst a period of extreme political and social debate. The house's founding came just four years after the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and seven years after Malcolm X was murdered. It had only been eight years since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had been passed. But somehow a group of dedicated students -- led by Cathy Barlow, the founder and first director of the house -- made DuBois work. The program has had its critics throughout its 25-year history. The program has been called "segregationist," and charges of reverse discrimination have been common. But, despite some flaws, DuBois is also a model for future college houses, as the University revamps its residential living options for next fall. DuBois exemplifies many of the ideals of the college house system. The house is a center of African-American academic and cultural studies. DuBois incorporates social, cultural, and academic pursuits in much the same way the proposed college houses are supposed to. The 25th-year anniversary of DuBois comes at an especially appropriate time. As alumni converge on DuBois to celebrate this milestone, they will also be celebrating the possibilities that the new college house system will provide.