Why do I and my fellow floor members live on a coed floor?

Everyone has different reasons. Some want to live in the same dorm as their boyfriend or girlfriend. Others wish to meet someone of the opposite sex.

Transfer students are assigned to the floor without even knowing it's coed. The majority however, believe it is better than living with all guys or all girls.

"All-guys' dorms are more vandalized and fraternity-like," says Scott, who has lived on my floor for two years. "There's too much immaturity."

Another coed dweller agreed, "There's more regression on an all-male floor -- especially when it comes to women."

These two men, and all the others I interviewed, agreed that living with females has made life more interesting and has enhanced their understanding of the opposite sex. The same goes for the women.

"We're always getting into conversations . . . not just about dating, but all subjects," said Rebecca, a three-year coed resident."We have a lot to learn from each other."

Another girl said there is no time to interact with guys in class. "If I did not live on a coed floor, I would not be prepared to go live in the working world."

Learning about the opposite sex is important. It helps cut down on gender stereotyping. Everyone I talked to agreed that living in close proximity with the opposite sex promotes healthy relationships.

Much of my knowledge about men has come from listening to guys on the floor and watching how they act. I have a clearer picture of what I would want, or would not want, in a boyfriend.

One guy is the perfect example. Girls give him the eye in the dining hall. He is good-looking.

But the idea of going out with him is appalling. We know what he is really like. We know he has a kissing scale and an inflated ego.

When I see a good-looking guy on campus all I have to do is think of this person.

But often he will surprise us and show some sensitivity. Sometimes it's a small gesture, like escorting us to a party. Other times his gestures come in a way that only he could present.

"Don't wear that skirt."

"Why not?" I was dressed up and ready to go out.

"You look like a bimbo."

It's not exactly what I wanted to hear but I did take another look in the mirror.

"Sue, you look nice, but don't wear that unless you want to get picked up."

Of course I was offended, but in the long run I guess I was glad he told me.

Guys usually give brutally honest advice compared to the 'I don't want to hurt her feelings' advice of my female friends. In return, we girls help them decide what shirt to wear and answer their questions about the female psyche.

One guy I talked to said, "I don't meet many girls in my classes, and it's not easy to meet girls as friends at parties. The atmosphere (at parties) is not conducive to friendship."

Even with all the organizations on campus, healthy, male-female relationships are hard to develop. I used to envy my sorority friends who told me about their socials with fraternities. Their stories always included alcohol, drinking games and the phrase "I got so drunk."

Sometimes it's nice to meet peers where alcohol isn't present or where one doesn't have to pledge to earn friends. It's nice to talk to someone who is not in your major or in your organization.

According to Chris Hurley, assistant manager of assignment office for campus residences, Tener Hall is the only coed dorm of the 39 dorms at University Park.

In addition to Tener Hall, there are 12 interest houses in which students who share similar interests and majors may live together. Of the 12,500 undergraduates living on campus only about 970 live in a coed situation.

Hurley said the request for coed housing is not very high. He said the low demand may exist because Penn State is a conservative university. Also, parents are involved in students' on-campus housing decisions.

Isn't the key to diversity learning to accept one another? Isn't that what Penn State keeps announcing it is striving for?

Yes, guys see us in our mud masks and pajamas. Just like we see them unshaven and in their grungy sweats. There is no mystery in the opposite sex.

I have learned a lot about guys from living on a coed floor. I know that they run around the floor in their jockstraps before finals. More importantly, I know that males can be good friends.

And what have the guys learned from us females? That's easy: that we are just as confusing to understand as they always thought we were.