Engaging the culture by challenging the status quo
Black students have been graduating from colleges for years. This especially is true within HBCUs as schools like Spelman and Morehouse are internationally-known for the stellar programs. Yet according to this study conducted by Ohio State University and Virginia Commonwealth University, Black kids are at a disadvantage when none of their roommates are White.
Black college students get better grades with white roommate: study
physorg.comA new study of college freshman suggests that African Americans may obtain higher grades if they live with a white roommate. A detailed study of students at a large, predominantly-white university revealed that while living with a white roommate may be more challenging than living with someone of the same race, many Black students appear to benefit from the experience.
For African American students, this could translate into as much as 0.30-point increase in their GPA in their first quarter of college.
White students, on the other hand, were affected more by the academic ability of their roommate than by their race.
While the study results may seem one-sided, earlier studies by these researchers and others reinforces the value of students’ experience with members of different races and ethnic groups. (more…)
Now ain’t that something.
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5 Responses to Someone Pass This Along To HBCUs
steve
December 17th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Hey great post..gotta tell you though I think is complete nonsense, cant see how this study could be justified. Had a black roomate in college, we studied together and fed off each other’s energy at times…Zman sends
TLW
December 17th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
So we can’t do well unless we are in the company of Whites? Hmmm!!!
Geronimo
December 18th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Poppycock!!!
My youngest daughter just completed her first semester @ Virginia State. I am proud to tell you that got a 4.0 her first semester out of the gate. Yes, it’s only freshman year, first semester.
My oldest daughter was graduated from Howard University in 2006 – with honors. She is now teaching AND 1 semester away from completing her Masters.
If excellence is expected, excellence is attained.
YES WE CAN!
Dalyn
December 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Interesting.
Of course a great thing about studies like this is they have no answers as to why things happen, only that they did. At least they did in the study.
Artists have long gathered together to work, finding that creativity is contageous.
Could it be black students don’t want to feed into negative stereotypes in front of white roomates and study harder?
Could it be that those who are already predisposed to perform well find themselves being open to having a white roomate.
Could it be that those who live with white roomates are more likely to uncover the secret white society that shares all homework answers amongst each other, and some of that info is bound to leek to the roomate?
I once saw a study that showed how the type of car you drive could determine the sex of your children.
avery
December 18th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
course, you also hafta look at the school. ohio state is about 8% Black. one wonders whether you would get the same sort of results at other PWIs where there is more of a Black presence. When i was there, at least, Temple was about 17% Black; i wonder if interracial roommates have as much effect there as they do at schools where Black faces seem to be few and far between.
these stats make for an interesting story, but i’m not sure how you’d validate them.