Roommate/Apartment Mate Relationship
What does it take for roommates/apartment mates to get along? Our staff works with students to provide an agreeable living and learning environment for everyone, and this environment begins with you.
All students are expected to complete the University Housing Roommate Agreement, Suitemate Agreement, or Apartment Agreement (for example, a time preference for lights out or how to share refrigerator space) as appropriate. This mandatory agreement between roommates/suitemates/apartment mates ensures that each individual's rights are respected and that roommates have discussed their expectations while sharing a room. Clarifying expectations, talking about concerns before they develop into conflict, and being willing to compromise help pave the way for successful room relationships. This agreement is by no means all-inclusive, but it can assist in establishing expectations. Individuals of the room/suite/apartment discuss each section and develop guidelines that all can agree on and live with. Once completed, the terms of the agreement can be renegotiated at any time during the year with the assistance of the RA. Feel free to ask your RA for assistance if needed.
Steps to Resolve Roommate Conflict
- Speak to your roommate/suitemate/apartment mate directly. Review and discuss the Roommate/Suite/Apartment Agreement that was completed. State issues neutrally. Relate/discuss feelings. Offer resolutions. Be prepared to listen and to compromise.
- Ask the RA on your floor to intervene by meeting with you and the other party(ies) involved. In his/her role as a neutral mediator, the RA will try to help you resolve the problem.
- Roommates/Suitemates/Apartment mates meet with Residence Director (RD) or Assistant Director. The RD or Assistant Director may serve as arbitrator in resolving the conflict. Individuals may be asked to sign additional behavior or room/suite/apartment environment contracts. If agreements cannot be reached, room changes may be arranged.
- The Assistant Director of your campus housing area may intervene in a conflict if roommates/suitemates/apartment mates have been unable to resolve a conflict at other levels.
Roommate Rights and Responsibilities
As an NC State residence hall community member, you can expect and have a responsibility to maintain the following rights:
- The right to live in a clean environment.
- The right to personal privacy.
- The right to sleep with as little disturbance as possible.
- The right to have your personal belongings respected.
- The right to free access to your room and facilities without interference.
- The right to study which supersedes the right to have guests.
- The right to have guests.
- The right to veto a roommate’s/suitemate’s/apartment mate’s guest(s) for justifiable reasons.
- The right to be free of intimidation, physical and/or emotional harm.
- The right to seek reasonable cooperation from your roommate/suitemates/apartment mates.
- The right to speak out openly and constructively on ideas, opinions and grievances.