Roommates

Living with a Roommate

Roommate Bill of Rights

The right to read and study free from interference.
The right to sleep in one’s room without disturbance.
The responsibility to control noise and other distractions that inhibit the exercise of study or sleep by another person.
The right to recreate in or around the residence halls.
The responsibility to modify recreation so that it does not interfere with the rights of others in or around the residence hall.
The right to be respected.
The right to privacy.
The responsibility for the College to maintain such an environment and for students to assist in this effort.
The right to be free from fear and intimidation.

The right to a safe and healthy living environment.
The right to recourse, according to prescribed judicial procedures, against anyone who unduly infringes on one’s rights or property.
The responsibility to conduct oneself in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others and to initiate action should the circumstances warrant.
The right to participate in the process of self-governance.
The responsibility to be active in the process to insure voicing of one’s opinion or ideas.
We have no place for hate!

Roommate Expectations

Community living is an exciting opportunity to meet new people and develop your own independence. Sharing a room and living in close quarters with other students on a residence hall floor requires compromise and consideration 24 hours a day. Roommates must develop a clear understanding of their expectations of one another that assures fairness and consideration.

When situations arise that cause disturbance in community living, such as disrespect for others, noise, or abuse of physical surroundings, students are encouraged to work together as roommates, suitemates, a floor, or hall to achieve a healthy balance in their shared living environment. If interpersonal or roommate conflict reaches a level at which communication becomes challenging or residents feel uncomfortable, we encourage them to reach out to their Resident Advisor (RA) first to work together to find a solution.

Roommate Agreements

To ensure a positive living environment, each group of roommates/suitemates must complete a roommate agreement together. The roommate agreement must be reviewed with the RA of the floor in which the roommates reside. During roommate disagreements, the roommate agreement will be revisited and adjusted. If the agreement is violated, Residential Life and Housing staff have the ability to change housing assignments if appropriate and necessary.

Roommate Tips

For some students, living with a roommate will be a new experience. While you and your roommate do not have to be close friends, you do have to live together and share in many aspects of college life. The best way for you and your roommate to get to know each other and avoid unintentional conflicts is to talk about your likes, dislikes, sensitivities, and attitudes.

Your roommate most likely grew up in a different family, was educated in a different school, formed a different set of friends, and developed a set of values, beliefs, opinions, and habits that are different from your own. Most of us often overlook that our own habits, behaviors, and attitudes may cause unintended aggravation to others.

Some find it awkward at first to explore each other’s backgrounds, goals, motivations, and lifestyles. Others have little difficulty finding these conversations. However, the patterns of cooperation, communication, and mutual trust can help make your room an enjoyable and comfortable place to live. We encourage you to sit down together and work out a living environment that is mutually agreeable. Your RA is available to assist you in getting to know your roommate and to help you complete a roommate agreement.