What if one roommate does not follow the agreement?

It is fully expected that you will experience conflict, even minor ones, in your room--that's just part of living with someone else! Failure to assert yourself or ineffective assertiveness techniques will contribute greatly to every possible roommate problem. It is incredibly rare that someone will hear and understand your concerns without you clearly expressing them. Talk to your roommate after you make your Roommate Agreement about how you will be expected to bring up a problem. (Note that avoidance of conflict is a guarantee of continued conflict!) Refer to our communication tips below for some ideas on confronting problem situations in your room.

In the event of a roommate conflict that appears beyond discussion, contact your Resident Assistant or Residential Coordinator.

• To make a room change, residents must first consult the Resident Assistant and Residential Coordinator of the floor and hall they are assigned to.
• If the Residential Coordinator decides there is a legitimate reason for a room change, the student will be referred to the Assistant Director of Residence Life. The Assistant Director will work with the student to coordinate the room change and set completion dates.
• The student initiating the room change is responsible for notifying the current roommate of the room change. Typically, the student seeking a room change is the student who will move out of the room.

No room changes, including roommate changes, will be made during the first three weeks of the semester. After three weeks, room changes may be requested if space is available and the student has made a reasonable effort to resolve the conflict.

How to talk with your roommate/bring up issues

• Use a private setting, don't bring up issues in front of others.
• Be direct and clear about what is bothering you. If you don't address the issue, nothing will get resolved
• Eye contact – keep eye contact when you are talking with your roommate. It lets them know you are paying attention.
• Don't multi-task when talking with your roommate (ie: homework, playing games, texting, etc).
• Use “I” statements. “Sometimes 'I' feel it can get a bit too loud in here, do you think you can help keep it down a little?"
• Be patient, some people need a little time to digest information and make changes.

Things you should talk with roommate about

What to do if you come back after a roommate is sleeping, cleaning patterns, visitors, overnight guests, sharing of belongings, what is off limits, anything that you want your roommate to know about you.

Ways you shouldn't address a problem

• Text message
• Email
• Post-it or other notes
• Just assuming your roommate knows that you are upset with them are NOT valid forms of communication