The Effects of First-Year Residence Hall Roommate Assignment Policy on Interactional Diversity and Perceptions of the Campus Environment

A heterogenous student body is valued in part because diverse interactions among students help create educated and competent citizens and promotes student learning and development. Campus housing is a primary area for diverse interactions as students navigate living with individuals who differ from themselves. This study investigates how the roommate assignment process influences interactional diversity and perceptions of the campus environment for first-year students living on campus, and if these relationships differ by race/ethnicity. On average, students whose roommates were assigned by the institution (as opposed to choosing their own roommates) had a trivial increase in interactional diversity, but perceived a less supportive campus environment. However, the latter relationship differed by race. In particular, Asian, Black and multiracial students who were assigned roommates by the institution perceived a less welcoming campus environment than their same-race peers who chose their roommates. This difference was not observed for White students.