University of Massachusetts Seeks to End Racial Self-Segregation in Campus Housing

The University of Massachusetts is seeking to end self-imposed student segregation in university housing. Students of different ethnic groups have tended to congregate in separate areas of campus. The self-segregation has become so entrenched that one residential area on campus preferred by Asian students is known as “Chinatown.” A residential cluster where many black students choose to live is commonly referred to on campus as “The Projects.”

The university will now end its practice of setting aside certain floors of dormitories for particular racial or ethnic groups. The university will also take steps to ensure that incoming freshmen are dispersed throughout the campus without regard to race. The university said that it plans to discourage students from self-segregating with the rooming choices, but it is unclear at this time how this will be accomplished.