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Philosophy

Conflict within a residential community is a common part of the shared living experience. Living with others may require students to navigate differences, changing circumstances, communication challenges, or other concerns within their living environment. The Office of Residential Life encourages students to approach these situations through a positive and constructive lens, developing skills that support communication, problem-solving, and community living.

When concerns cannot be resolved or a change in living environment may be appropriate, the Office of Residential Life provides a structured Room Change Process through which students may request a different housing assignment, based on availability.

A room change is not guaranteed. Requests are reviewed based on available housing inventory, the circumstances surrounding the request, and the needs of the residential community. When appropriate, students may also be expected to participate in conflict resolution or mediation before a room change is considered.

Through this process, students have opportunities to:

• Communicate concerns directly and respectfully.
• Navigate differences and shared-living expectations.
• Practice conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Work collaboratively with Resident Assistants (RAs) and Residential Life staff.
• Understand when a change in living environment may be appropriate.
• Take an active role in creating a respectful residential community.

Roommate Agreement

At ¶¶êŽÉñÆ÷, first-year students are required to fill out roommate agreements during the first few weeks of the semester. To help navigate these conversations, Resident Assistants (RA) of first-year buildings work with each roommate pair to complete an agreement form. While it is not required for returning students to utilize these forms with their roommates, the Office of Residential Life strongly encourages all students with roommates to consider filling out these forms.

The roommate agreement form facilitates a positive dialogue between roommates and allows participants to set ground rules on how they will navigate the every day and more difficult situations that arise in their new shared home. The form includes sections about personal belongings, use and cleaning of the room, visitors, and security. If students have any particular concerns not directly addressed in the form, they are invited to add them to the form to make sure their concerns are heard and discussed. While these topics greatly contribute to the quality of a student's residential experience, there are not topics that they typically bring up naturally in conversation. The roommate agreement is meant to have students proactively discuss how to handle issues as they arise throughout the year.

If problems between roommates arise during the academic year, the roommate agreement is an excellent tool to help address any concerns. In the case where an agreement has not been filled out, the Office of Residential Life's first step in intervening in any conflict will be to work with the residents to complete a roommate agreement that fits their collective needs.

Our Process

Navigating conflict is a learned skill and can be difficult for even the most experienced of mediators. At the same time, learning to manage conflicts within a roommate environment is an important ability that will serve students well not only during their time at ¶¶êŽÉñÆ÷ but in the future as well.

First Steps

If a conflict or concern arises in the living environment, the FIRST STEP is for residents to go to their RA. If the residents come to the Office of Residential Life, a professional staff member will speak with the students to assess the situation and determine if the student(s) should be directed back to their RA.

RA Mediation

Before students arrive on campus, RAs spend two weeks in intense training to prepare themselves for the coming academic year. A big component of that training is in conflict resolution, where RAs learn to effectively mediate conflicts between two or more parties. In the case that a conflict arises between roommates, the RA is ready to work with them to address any concerns that arise. RAs are not there to solve the issues, but instead, empower residents to hold each other accountable, to self-advocate, and to support the residents in working towards their own resolution. The goal of our mediation process is not only to address the issues but provide students the opportunity to grow from the experience. Mediation is a holistic process and based on the complexity of the conflict can be more than one meeting.

Professional Staff

If the residents have met with the RA and the problem persists, or the problem is of a complex nature that requires additional resources; a professional staff member may involve themselves in the situation. Every building is overseen by a professional staff member within the Office of Residential Life. As every conflict is unique, our staff take a very intentional approach to addressing conflicts. This means there is no one size fits all approach but instead can involve a number of different options. This can range from further mediations with a professional staff member to a room change.

The mediation process is one that takes time and requires active participation by all members of the conflict. While RAs and professional staff are present to facilitate mediations, it is each residents responsibility to actively engage in conversations and mediation efforts to resolve conflicts.

 

Fall 2026 Room Change Timeline

 

Date/Period	What Happens
August 22–23	Fall move-in
First weeks of semester	Roommate/suitemate agreements and community conversations
September 30	Room Change Day
Following Room Change Day	Approved students complete moves within the communicated timeframe
After Room Change Day	Additional requests reviewed based on availability and circumstances

How to Request a Room Change

 

Step 1 — Submit the Room Change Request Form 
Students submit the official request during the published request period. 

Step 2 — Residential Life Reviews Requests 
Residential Life reviews requests alongside available vacancies and housing needs. 

Step 3 — Receive an Offer 
If an appropriate space is available, the student receives a room change offer through their ¶¶êŽÉñÆ÷ email. 

Step 4 — Accept or Decline 
Students must respond within the stated deadline. Failure to respond may result in the offer being withdrawn. 

Step 5 — Complete Your Move 
Students who accept must move within the communicated timeframe, completely vacate their former room, and return their former room key. 

 

What Students Should Know Before Submitting

 

• Submitting a request does not guarantee a room change.  

• Residential Life cannot guarantee a particular building, room, room type, or roommate.  

• Availability changes throughout the semester.  

• Students should not move into another room without written approval.  

• Students may not swap rooms independently.  

• Students should continue occupying their assigned room until officially reassigned.  

• Moving to a different room type may result in a change to the student's housing charges.  

• Students receiving a new assignment must complete the move by the stated deadline.  

• Students are responsible for leaving their previous room clean and completing the appropriate check-out process.  

• Students should update/review their Room Condition Report for the new assignment.  

Room Change Priorities

 

Residential Life considers a variety of factors when reviewing room change requests, including student safety and wellbeing, documented accommodations, significant roommate or community concerns, available vacancies, occupancy needs, and the date/request circumstances. Residential Life retains discretion in determining appropriate assignments. Room changes are not first-come, first-served in all circumstances. 

 

Requested Roommates and Vacant Spaces

 

A vacancy in a room is not automatically available for a requested room change. Residential Life maintains vacancies for a variety of operational needs and reserves the right to assign students to available spaces. 

 

Financial Considerations

 

A room change may change your semester housing rate. Students moving to a room type with a different rate will be charged the applicable rate for their new assignment. Students should review housing rates before accepting a room change offer 

 

Medical/Disability-Related Housing Requests

 

Students requesting a housing change related to a disability or medical accommodation should work through the College's established accommodation process. Submitting a Room Change Request does not replace the housing accommodation process.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can my parent/guardian request a room change for me? 
Students should communicate directly with Residential Life regarding their housing assignment. 

Can I request a specific room? 
You may indicate preferences, but specific rooms cannot be guaranteed. 

Can I request a specific roommate? 
You may identify a preferred roommate. Requests are considered when space and occupancy permit. 

Can my friend and I just switch rooms? 
No. All assignment changes must receive prior approval from Residential Life. 

What if I have an empty bed in my room? 
The vacant space must remain available for assignment, and a roommate may be assigned at any time. 

What if I don't get a room change? 
Residential Life staff can continue working with you to address concerns in your current living environment and/or consider future vacancies. 

Will I get a single if I request one? 
No. Singles are limited and cannot be guaranteed through the Room Change Process. 

Does submitting first give me priority? 
Not necessarily. Requests are evaluated based on circumstances, availability, and residential needs. 

What happens if I refuse my room change offer? 
You generally remain in your current assignment unless another arrangement is approved. 

How long do I have to move? 
Your approval email will provide the deadline and specific move/check-out instructions.