Roommate Success
Nearly all of the students who come to Tech have private rooms at home. Those who do share a room with a sibling are in spaces larger than most of our double rooms. Add to this formula that most students have never lived away from home, lived with a stranger or coped with the stress of a Georgia Tech curriculum, and the atmosphere for problems is apparent. How do we overcome this? By deliberate discussions about the basic fundamentals of social beings. Asking permission, respecting the wishes of others, and sharing.
You and your roommate have most likely come to college with different values, beliefs, and customs. Differences can be exciting, but they can also offer new challenges to your interpersonal skills.
Building a foundation of open communication can enhance roommate success. Start by becoming acquainted with each other so you know what to expect.
Some of the goals of sharing a room are to create an atmosphere where both your personal and academic needs can be met, and it is always nice if a friendship can develop as well! Keep in mind that your roommates /suitemates/apartment mates are not going to be just like you. You will need to adjust and compromise.
Being a Good Roommate Means . . .
Roommate Contracts
Roommate contracts may be utilized by Residence Life Staff to help facilitate community living. This can be done at the start of the academic year or anytime throughout the year. All roommates will discuss and come to an agreement on the contract. The terms of the contract must be honored. A violation of the contract may result in judicial action.
Common types of roommate conflicts
Over time, Residence Life has learned to anticipate the basic pattern of roommate conflicts. Most can be summarized in six categories: Use of Space in Room (too much "stuff" from one person), Presence or Behavior of Guests, Noise, Sharing of Personal Property, Differing or Changing Expectations of the Roommate Relationship, Values Differences
Supporting your student
Be sure that you have heard "both" sides to their compliant, or that you are not adding to the concerns. Remember, you do not have to live there! Ask if your student has shared this concern with their student staff member (P.L. or C.A.). If not, please encourage them to do so. And while you want to get the situation resolved to your student's satisfaction, please remind him or her that a willingness to compromise is important.
Housing's policies on room moves
Because we start the beginning of the year at 100% occupancy, we simply have no space into which a student can be easily moved for a roommate conflict. We are prepared to help mediate a conflict and to work with all parties involved to create a livable situation. Please be sure your son or daughter keeps their student staff member informed.
