University of Chicago to allow co-ed dorm rooms

The University of Chicago is joining a trend of allowing male and female students to live not just on the same dorm floor, but in the same dorm room.

The school sent a letter out to parents last week informing them of the decision. The university says it was a student-led initiative that isn’t aimed at romantic couples. However, the school says couples won’t be banned from asking to be roommates when the program begins next month.

Across the U.S. more than 30 campuses allow co-ed dorm rooms.

The University of Chicago program is called open housing and it won’t include freshmen. Students do not need parental permission to participate.

The school says students will not be assigned mixed-gender housing. Instead it’s on a request basis.

– The Canadian Press