Swarthmore Students Participate in “Screw Your Roommate” Social Experiment
SWARTHMORE, PA – A novel social event dubbed “Screw Your Roommate Edition” swept through Swarthmore College’s dining hall last week, prompting a mix of amusement, awkwardness, and surprisingly positive connections among students. The event, organized informally by students, involved participants being subtly “set up” with the roommate of someone they were initially intended to date, creating unexpected pairings and a lively atmosphere.
The experiment, described by participants as both “weird” and “fun,” quickly became a campus talking point.While the exact origins remain unclear, the premise involved students expressing interest in getting to know someone, with the twist that they would rather be introduced to that person’s roommate. The event’s popularity highlights a desire for unique social interactions and a willingness to embrace unconventional methods of meeting people within the close-knit Swarthmore community. The outcome of “Screw Your Roommate Edition” raises questions about the role of serendipity in forming connections and the potential for unexpected compatibility.
Several students shared their experiences with The Phoenix, detailing the event’s unfolding. One group initially planned to target a date at the expense of a friend named Rica, but the plan faltered when a participant, Olivia Cloutier ’29, ”gave up the game after a little bit,” stating simply, “I can’t keep secrets.”
margaret Sawa ’29, who participated in a “Screw,” described the experience as “very weird” but ultimately positive, stating she “would definitely try it again.” Shelby Destin ’29, Angely Kelly maduro ’29, and Tim Nagornyi ’29 observed the event, noting the unique fashion choices and lively atmosphere. Maduro, a musician, appreciated the live music, while Nagornyi enjoyed the “ambience” and the feeling of the dining hall being transformed into “an event.”
Assa Zengerle ’29 had a particularly successful “Screw,” finding common ground with their assigned date and even extending the evening with a game of pool. Zengerle acknowledged being photographed by Corinne Lafont during the event, but dismissed it as a minor oddity given the crowded dining hall and small campus size. “It was a fun time,” Zengerle said. “We had a lot in common. We talked a lot.”
The event’s organizers have not announced any plans for a follow-up, leaving students to wonder if “Screw Your Roommate Edition” will become a recurring Swarthmore tradition.