University of Virginia Library

I write this letter in response to
Mr. Siegel's article of November 10,
titled "Black Students Face Housing
Problems." As senior counselor
of Emmet House in which, as Mr.
Siegel's article pointed out, there
were two room changes involving
black/white roommates on the first
day of school, I feel it important to
divulge the rationale of the counselor
and the Housing Office in
making such a change.

In the Housing Office directive
concerning room changes is the
following sentence: "Room changes
are not made during the regular
session unless special circumstances
warrant it." It would appear that a
situation involving a black/white
room change has certain special
circumstances surrounding it.
Having been a tutor-counselor in
the Transition Program of last
summer I feel particularly versed in
the problems and pressures which
exist fr the Blacks at this university.
To me, it seems rather sadistic to
force a black to live with someone
whom he knows is uncomfortable
with him. And it is equally sadistic
to force a discontent white who is
entering a totally new environment
which has obvious pressures inherent
in itself, to cope with an
additional pressure which, indeed,
he may not be capable of handling.
Of course, it is beautifully idealistic
to suggest that the white, through
personal contact with his black
roommate, would liberalize his
views. Fortunately, it is the counselor's
duty to remain practically
realistic in such situations. The
potentiality of the situation might
be as easily directed toward a
heightening distrust and fear which
could mark the students involved
permanently. It seems to me,
immeasurably more humane and
considerate of both parties involved
to alleviate the problem before
serious embarrassment occurs.

In response to the student who
was moved because his Black
roommate merely smoked, it is also
important to note that the white
student suffers an acute illness
which is aggravated by cigarette
smoke.

It has been the previous consensus
of students involved in the
first-year dorm complex that room
changes were too difficult to
secure. The 1 to 2 weeks which the
anonymous counselor mentioned in
Mr. Siegel's article quotes as a
reasonable time for acquiring a
change is merely concentrated into
a 3 hour process in changes of this
nature. The counselor or senior
counselor involved in the situation
consults both roommates, advises
the parents of the students of his
primary interest in the wishes of
the student and goes into consultation
with the student requesting the
change and the Director of Housing.
The student then writes a
formal request explaining his reasons
for desiring the change, and
then the counselor finalizes in
writing the change with his authorization.
The time element of a 1 to
2 week process is merely condensed,
not the thoroughness or
consideration which is required.

Though there may be a written
"general policy to have no room
changes during the first two weeks
of school," this policy will not hold
up under scrutiny. Students'
parents have requested a room
change to secure the better accommodations
of the Observatory Hill
dorms; students have been moved
from the 3rd to 1st floor because of
physical disabilities; and, as in the
cases considered here, Black/White
room changes have been made in
consideration for both individuals
involved.

I sincerely hope that pressure
will not be applied to the Housing
Office with the intent of forming
rigid, cut and dry rules involving
room changes. Each case is individual
- personal - and should be
considered on its own particular
circumstances. The Housing Office
was most co-operative and considerate
in accepting my recommendation
for the changes cited above,
and I hope it will maintain the
flexibility which will allow it to
continue confidence in the opinions
of counselors handling similar situations
throughout the dormitories.

This letter was written with the
acknowledgement and approval of
the Black students involved.