What do I if I have a disagreement with my roommate:

1. Have a conversation with your roommate and try to find 
    a resolution to the problem.

2. Talk to your RA

3. If you cannot resolve the issue through the first two
    channels, contact your Residence Director


Roommate Conflicts

Roommates often have disagreements, arguments, and misunderstandings—this is not a rare occurrence on college campuses. One important component to creating positive roommate relationships is a clearly understood and mutually agreed upon Roommate Agreement. All students residing in the residence halls complete Roommate Agreements with their roommates

During the first meeting of the academic year the Resident Assistant, who is specially trained in roommate relations, guides each student through our Roommate Questionnaire, which will get students thinking about their preferences for things such as studying environment, sleeping environment, sharing of food and other possessions, and guest privileges. After reflecting on those questions individually the RA will have the roommates share their answers and discuss some ground rules for the room. The students will brainstorm together and then put these ground rules into writing. These roommate contracts will be kept by the RA and if students would like to add or delete a ground rule they need to discuss the new rules with their roommate, come to an agreement, and let their RA know so that the Roommate Contract can be amended.

The RAs have regular contact with the residents and if an issue is beginning to surface between roommates, the RA has in depth training in mediation skills and can assist in resolving the conflict. Students can come to their RA at any time to talk over a roommate disagreement even a minor disagreement. In fact, we have found that it is often small disagreements that lead to big problems between roommates.

We encourage residents to speak with their RA as soon as an issue arises. Often times students delay speaking to the RA or RD until it is too late. Working with the RA is always the best first step in resolving a roommate conflict.

There are times when roommates make all attempts to abide by the roommate contract, communicate with the RA, have a mediation, and no solution can be reached. At this point the RA will refer the students to the Residence Director for further mediation. It is important to note that there are usually few open spaces on campus at a given time, especially in the beginning of the academic year when we are at maximum capacity, so room changes occur infrequently. When a roommate conflict precipitates a room change the Residence Director will NOT determine which roommate is more at fault in the situation and require that student to move out, rather the RD will work with both residents to determine who will best fit in another open residential space on campus. If you have any questions about this process please do not hesitate to contact your student’s Residence Director.