Living with a roommate isn’t an add-on to your experience here; it’s an integral part. Learning interpersonal skills; initiating communication are essential skills that you will need to possess to be successful as a CWRU graduate (as an employee, a partner, and a parent). Living with a roommate in college will help you to learn to establish successful, mutually respectful, and courteous relationship throughout your life. We do our best in matching roommates based on information gathered on your housing forms prior to your start at CWRU.
All roommate groups should complete a roommate agreement at the beginning of the academic year or when there is a change in the roommate grouping throughout the year. Residents living in suite-style and apartment-style spaces on-campus are generally required to complete addition agreements that cover common spaces and shared space (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.) in their specific area.
Process
All residents that share a space with another resident must complete an agreement for how to share that specific space. This involves sharing bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchenettes/kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, and others. Below are the expectations for completing agreements within our various experience tracks:
- First Year Experience residents share bedroom spaces. Residents in FYE are expected to complete an agreement with their roommate at the beginning of the academic year and when there are changes to the individuals living in that shared space.
- Second Year Experience residents share bedrooms, kitchens, and bathroom spaces. Residents in SYE are expected to complete an agreement with their suite or their roommate at the beginning of the academic year and when there are changes to the individuals living in that shared space.
- Upperclass Experience residents share apartment spaces and will be asked to complete an apartment agreement when issues arise.
- Independent Living Experience residents share apartment spaces and will be asked to complete an apartment agreement when issues arise.
Shared-Space (Room/Suite/Apartment) Agreements for all bedrooms, suites, and apartments can be found on your community's CampusGroups page. Your specific RA, ARCD, GRD, or RCD will contact you with specific instructions.
Please do not hesitate to ask for help in completing your agreements. Our staff are more than willing to facilitate any roommate agreement process or assist in developing compromises as you move through this process.
Timeline
Residents should expect to complete an agreement for any shared space(s) when they arrive on-campus and move-in. We also expect agreements to be updated when there are changes to the individuals within a specific shared space (one resident moves out, someone new moves in, etc.).
Residence Life staff for your community will provide more information about this process and are available to help answer questions or assist with concerns throughout the year.
Living together with other people can be difficult. Close quarters and shared spaces can make things seem more stressful. Sometimes, it takes getting used to and you have to learn how to cope, engage, and compromise.
What Happens If Things Aren’t Working?
If you don't think you and your roommate are going to be able to work it out, contact your Resident Assistant for support. They are trained to help you address the problems and, ideally, find a solution that works for both of you.
Our full-time staff are trained professionals here to assist you in solving problems, resolving conflict, and teaching you valuable skills. Our goal is to assist you in resolving the conflict before a room change becomes necessary.
Our Staff Supporting You
Residence Life staff are all here to support YOU as you take on new challenges, experience new things, and need help adjusting to new environments and people.
While we encourage residents to reach out and work with their RA to solve roommate conflicts or issues, we understand this may not always be possible. However, anyone that experiences a roommate conflict that would like follow-up by Residence Life staff should connect with their RA or RCD as soon as possible. Being proactive and addressing issues and conflicts early can save time and stress later.
If you are experiencing a roommate conflict, please contact your RA immediately. If you have tried to ask for help but didn't receive a response from the RA in 24-48 hours, please contact your ARCD or RCD for more immediate assistance.
Sometimes, things just might not be working. Not all roommates are compatible. Suite-mates don’t always see eye to eye. Issues can come up regardless of how well you knew someone last year and remember, people and relationships are dynamic and ever-changing. Residence Life staff are here to work through these problems with you.
Process
If a situation requires or would benefit from a room change, your RCD will work directly with you to complete the process. Room changes are not guaranteed and are subject to room availability.
- Room Changes must be requested through your community's Campus Groups page, under Surveys and Forms.
- All requests are review on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. The process requires in-person engagement with the RCD and the resident(s) involved.
- A room change might not be the first solution and may be the final available option, depending on the circumstances.
Timelines
Room changes are not available during the first two weeks of classes or the final two weeks of classes each semester. Residence Life manages room changes between those time periods. Outside of that time period, University Housing manages room changes and occupancy.