Coed
The demand may be high for coed residence halls, but CMU would do well to maintain at least some halls as single-sex.
Students living in coed dorms is a relatively new development. Just 30 years ago, the opposite was true - men living near women was much more rare.
Changes have been made since then. Men and women living together has become much more socially acceptable, and the result has been more residence halls that accommodate both sexes.
But as some students realize, there are benefits to single-sex living.
For one, single-sex residence halls take a lot of social pressure off their residents. It can be easier to go through one's day without having to worry about impressing, or not, members of the opposite sex.
It's not a concern for everyone, but it's possible this weighs on students in their residence hall experiences.
Single-sex living also means fewer messy interactions with the dating of neighbors. It eliminates the possibility of breaking up with a roommate's friend or someone one has to see every day. It can make things a little easier on residents.
More students today are interested in living in coed residence halls, and CMU has responded to that need by changing many halls from single-sex to coed.
But the university should maintain the option for those students who like the idea of being segregated by sex.
There are a host of reasons students might want to live away from members of the opposite sex. Religious concerns, questions of comfort, family upbringing - these all can contribute to a students' decision. But regardless of the reasoning, CMU should keep that option available.
Otherwise, students who feel living arrangements will make or break where they want to go to school will look to other schools.
And that's something CMU just can't afford.
