Roommates who value and exercise mutual respect and consideration for one another are much more likely to have a successful and lasting roommate relationship. An integral part of community living is learning to resolve concerns and issues in an appropriate and effective manner. Dealing with conflict as a student can be challenging, especially when the conflict is with someone you interact with each day. When trying to address a concern, or resolve a conflict, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Get to know your roommate and neighbors. This will help you anticipate each other's individual needs and schedules, and encourage cooperative behaviors.
  • Be respectful of the personal belongings and space of others, and encourage the same respect towards your space and property.
  • When a conflict arises, talk with the other party regarding your concerns. Chances are they may not even know their behaviors are affecting you.
  • Try not to procrastinate resolving the problem... avoiding conflicts usually means they will escalate and become more difficult to address later.
  • Find a time and place when and where you will both be able to comfortably and openly discuss your concerns.
  • If you are living on campus, become familiar with housing policies, procedures, and resources available to you within your residence hall.
If you are uncomfortable speaking with your roommate or neighbor regarding a conflict, contact someone neutral who can assist you in your approach, or help you think through your options. Some resources to assist you:
  • For on-campus residents—Resident Assistants, Resident Directors, Cooperative Directors, Camp Scholar Interns, Community Relations Facilitators, Residence Hall Associations, and the University Ombuds Office
  • For off-campus residents—the University Ombuds Office