Roommate Issues

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Roommate Issues
Once your child decides which school to attend, the next most important question, if they’re going to be living on campus, is “who will my roommate be?” Waiting for a room assignment can be nerve-wracking for students. We do our best to honor the student’s requests and match students with similar interests and study habits, but we are not always able to provide every student with their first option.

Your child may request a roommate, but if the request is not mutual, it will not be granted. Also, if your student requests a roommate, that roommate’s contract must be in by the time we begin assigning rooms, otherwise, they will not be assigned together.

All students are eligible for every housing option at Southern, however with returning students having priority through the end of the Housing Placement Fair, some housing options may be more difficult to get. After the Housing Placement Fair, students are assigned in the order that their contract was received. It is important for the student to get their contract in as early as possible to increase their chances of getting the housing option they desire.

Before we can assign the student a room, we must have the $150 housing deposit with the contract. The deposit can be paid by check, cash, money order, or credit card.

Room assignments will be mailed out in July. Along with the student’s room assignment, they will receive their roommate(s) name and phone number. The students can contact each other ahead of time to coordinate who will bring what to their new living space. Communication before they arrive will also help “break the ice” the day of check-in.

What if my student does not get along with his/her roommate(s)?
We know that living with another person can sometimes be difficult. For some of our residents this may be the first time they have ever had a roommate. We will not leave a resident in a situation that is unmanageable, but at the same time working through some problems can help the student grow. We do not make any room changes the first two weeks of school. It is important that students discuss their differences and come to a compromise that is beneficial to everyone involved. Most roommate problems can be resolved by good communication. Remind your child to talk to their roommate about any problems or differences that they may be having. Encourage them to discuss things like quiet times, sharing belongings, and guests. With open communication, most roommate situations can be resolved. Your student needs to be prepared to negotiate and compromise in certain areas in order to respect each others wishes.