Living with Roommates
You may feel uneasy about speaking with your roommate for the first time. We suggest that you reach out to your roommate prior to your arrival to introduce yourself. Here are some things that may help you to guide the conversation:
- Get to know each other - what do you like doing, what are you looking forward to, what are you nervous about? Discuss your hobbies, interests, and pet peeves.
- Discuss your major
- Discuss items that either you or your roommate are bringing to conserve space (e.g. refrigerator, microwave, television, Keurig, etc.). Is there anything you want to shop for together once you’re here?
All students who live on campus are required to complete a roommate agreement. The roommate agreement helps guide a conversation about preferences and behaviors that may impact your relationship. The goal of the roommate agreement is to establish solid communication and an understanding of expectations. This document provides an opportunity for roommates to voice preferences and concerns.
If a conflict with your roommate does arise:
- Have a one-on-one conversation with your roommate about your concerns.
- If that does not work, contact your resident assistant to assist in mediating.
- If this does not work, your RA will contact your residence education coordinator for further assistance.
Room Changes
Although roommate assignments are made carefully, it is possible for residents to
request a change in their room assignment. In the event that a resident wishes to make any changes to their room assignment,
the first point of contact should be their resident assistant (RA). Room changes at the beginning of each semester will be delayed for approximately two
weeks to determine exact vacancies. Room changes are not permitted in the last two
weeks of each semester.
In the event that residents are considering a move due to a conflict, every effort
will be made to assist in resolving their conflict. It is important to have a face-to-face
conversation where all roommates can communicate their concerns. Roommates should
revisit the agreements they made at the beginning of the year to discuss what changes
need to be made. The RAs and RECs are available to help with these conversations.
In the event that the conflict cannot be resolved, the resident assistant will work
with their supervisor to initiate the room change process.
Room Consolidation/Reduced Occupancy
From time to time, students living in and paying for a double, triple, or quad room
will find themselves without a roommate. If a space becomes open in a resident’s room,
Residential Living will notify the resident(s) of the right to choose to:
- Keep the reduced occupancy status and be billed for a single or additional fee for the reduced occupancy. During times of high occupancy, this option will be unavailable
- Find a roommate or move in with someone else. If a resident wants a roommate, Residential Living will provide a list of students looking for a roommate. It is the resident’s responsibility to initiate and implement this process.
- Stay in the room at current occupancy with no extra fees, with the condition that Residential Living reserves the right to move another resident into the empty space in the room at any time throughout the semester or academic year without prior notification. If this option is selected, the student must leave half of the room vacant in anticipation of a new roommate.
If a space becomes open in a resident’s room during the first and/or last two weeks of each semester (the room freeze period), this space will be held open by Residential Living in order to place incoming students. If this space is not used for a new student and is in a non-converted state at the end of the room freeze period, the resident will be notified about the opportunity for a consolidation process.