Room Changes and Roommate Conflict
Approved by: Department of Residence Life
History: N/A
Related Policies: Complaints and Grievance Process | Housing & Dining Agreement
Related Forms, Procedures and References: Residence Life website
For Questions Contact: Department of Residence Life | 651.690.6617 | residencelife@stkate.edu
Index: Roommate Conflicts | Other Room Changes
Roommate Conflicts and Room Changes
Living with a roommate can be exciting, comforting, and sometimes challenging. Often students come into college with unrealistic expectations about the roommate relationship based on media interpretations and other people’s experiences. Whether you’re living with one, two or three other people, you can expect conflicts to arise. It’s a natural occurrence when people are sharing a small space. Not to mention that both you and your roommate are dealing with the usual stresses of adjusting to college life – balancing your time, managing academics, and connecting with the community.
Roommates should attempt to work together prior to discussing a room change, therefore we ask students to wait until the third week of the semester to request a room change. Room changes prior to the third week may be considered if the circumstances are serious.
Roommate Agreements
Before beginning the room change request process, you and your roommate(s) must have a Roommate Agreement on-file with the Residence Life Office. You and your roommate(s) must meet with your Resident Advisor to discuss your agreement before it is officially considered on-file. Roommate Agreement meetings take place at the beginning of fall and/or within two weeks of any roommate change. Students are required to participate in this process.
Roommate Conflicts
If you have completed and participated in a roommate agreement meeting and you are experiencing roommate conflicts, you should follow the steps below.
Step One:
Talk to your roommate about the conflict. Your RA is available to assist you with this step. Refer to your roommate agreement for guidance.
Step Two:
Talk to your RA about the continuing conflict or concern. The RA will meet with you and your roommate in a formal mediation. Another roommate agreement will be completed. After the mediation, you and your roommate should allow at least two weeks to resolve the conflict.
Step Three:
If steps one and two are not successful, contact the Residence Coordinator or Area Director for your building. They will continue working with you and your roommate (s) to resolve the issue and/or discuss a possible room change.
In situations where there is a roommate conflict, and a room change is necessary, it is the responsibility of you and your roommate(s) to decide who will move out of the room. If you and your roommate(s) cannot mutually agree upon who will move out of the room, the Residence Coordinator or Area Director will make a decision based on the dates each person submitted their Housing & Dining Agreement or by random drawing.
Room Changes
One person does not have priority to a space over another, even if a student believes they are not at fault for the roommate issue(s). Students with medical accommodations may also need to move if another, comparable space is available that meets their accommodation needs. If a comparable space is not available, the other roommate(s) will be moved to another space if a room change is necessary.
For any room change, all paperwork must be completed before students receive their new keys. Moving without proper approval may result in fines. Students moving to another space during fall semester must keep their same meal plan until the next term. Room and apartment rates will be adjusted to reflect actual occupancy.
Please keep in mind that a student’s conduct/disciplinary status may affect their ability to move to another room.
Please refer to the Housing & Dining Agreement for additional terms and conditions for room changes.