Resources
Communal Living
Living in residence and on campus is not only convenient, but allows students to build connections, learn outside the classroom, and develop a strong campus connection.
A few tips that may help you and your roommate get off to a great start:
- It is natural to be nervous and it is normal for roommates to experience challenges when living together.
- It takes time to get in the flow of things. Give yourself and your roommate time to adjust to the new situation.
- You and your roommate do not have to be or become best friends. Sometimes your friends are not the best roommates; respect and civility should be your goals.
- Review the Graduate House Residence Handbook.
- Every co-living situation requires flexibility and compromise from each party. These are skills you will use in the future in other co-living situations.
- Reflect on your values around alcohol, drugs, guests, etc in your living space. Be sure to communicate these values to your roommate(s). They wont know if you don’t tell them.
- Set realistic expectations about time spent together, cleanliness, sharing items or food.
- Utilize resources such as the Suitemate Agreement, your Residence Advisor, or mediation guides if issues arise. These resources can assist you in communicating with your roommate(s).
Suitemate Agreement
Residents are required to complete the online Suitemate Agreement when they move in. Since no two of us are exactly alike in our habits or day-to-day living routine, we require that you meet with your suitemates within the first week of residency to discuss and agree on some group expectations about cleaning, noise, overnight guests, garbage, recycling and compost, etc. Once you have reached consensus on the basic ground rules, document them in this formal agreement online. This process must be repeated each time a new suitemate moves in.
Our experience has shown that the process of talking about issues in an honest and open discussion before they become a problem will save you much time and frustration at a later date. If you encounter problems in trying to come to an agreement, your Residence Advisor is available to facilitate your conversation.
All suitemates are required to participate constructively in the process.
Room Change Request
Please note that we do not accept suite change requests in the first month of your move-in to give you and your suitemates a reasonable opportunity to adjust to each other and your new surroundings and to attempt to resolve issues using the systems in place (The Suitemate Agreement/RAs). Residents who have been through this process successfully report that it is a valuable personal and professional skill.
If you are interested in room change, please complete the Room Change Form. Please note, room changes are only approved in extenuating circumstances. Note that we will only process one room change for suitemate concern per contract.
Room Change Process
If your room change is approved, please follow this process:
Step 1
Upon receiving an email approving your room change, go to the Residence Front Desk to pick up your new keys to your new room.
- Clear out all of your belongings from your old room and suite and move them to your NEW room.
- Clean your OLD room and all common areas (dust, vacuum, wipe down counters, etc.).
- Arrange your furniture back to its original location.
- Your room should look like it did when you first moved in. If it does not, additional cleaning charges may apply.
Step 2
Once you are fully moved into your new room, return your old room keys to the Residence Front Desk.
Step 3
Set up a time to meet with your new RA to introduce yourself. Meet with your new suitemates, and complete a new Suitemate Agreement.
