Although the idea of a co-ed floor may make some parents cringe, many Iowa State residents prefer to live with both genders.

Bill Burns, hall director of Willow Hall, said living in co-ed floors can be beneficial to students.

“It is important to offer a wide variety of choices for students,” he said. “Living on a co-ed floor helps students learn to interact better with the opposite sex.”

Burns also said some of the stereotypes surrounding co-ed floors give the wrong impression about what the atmosphere is really like.

“Co-ed floors are often thought of as wilder, but I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “Each floor has its own drawbacks.”

Students may choose co-ed housing because it helps them socialize and meet different people, said Mary Betts, president of co-ed Meeker House in Friley Hall.

“You can meet a variety of people when living in a co-ed dorm,” said Betts, junior in advertising. “I like hanging out with guys too, and it’s more fun having both guys and girls around.”

Dave Johnson, president of co-ed Barker House in Lyon Hall, agreed with Burns that co-ed housing helps promote understanding about the opposite sex.

“The perspectives of different genders offer a unique environment,” said Johnson, senior in industrial engineering. “I think that it forces people to understand gender differences that can both be a benefit and a drawback.”

Despite the initial adjustment period, Johnson said living on a co-ed floor could be beneficial to students.

“People will be pretty uncomfortable with it at first, but I think living with a different gender works out better for them in the long run,” he said.

However, James Johnson, resident of co-ed Cessna House in Larch Hall, said there are some disadvantages to having women on the floor.

“You can’t walk around and do whatever you want, but our floor is a lot cleaner and better taken care of than last year,” said Johnson, sophomore in agricultural education.

Betts agreed that living with the opposite sex can make for some uneasy situations.

“It’s uncomfortable going to the bathroom in a robe in front of guys,” she said. “They are still fun to have around.”

Johnson said living on a co-ed floor breaks up the continuity of residence life.

“Being around all guys gets old,” he said. “Here we have a variety of people, but it also makes it harder to study.”