Roommate Rights
An integral part of your college experience is learning to get along with all types of people, especially your roommate or suitemate. Communication is key in developing a strong relationship with your roommate.
As a UAF resident, there are certain rights you can expect and that you have the responsibility to maintain:
● The right to read and study free from undue interference in your room.
● The right to sleep without undue disturbance from noise.
● The right to have your personal belongings respected by your roommate(s).
● The right to a clean and healthy environment in which to live.
● The right to have full access to your room and facilities without pressure from
a roommate.
● The right to host guests with the expectation that the guests will respect the UAF
guest policy and the rights of your roommate(s) and other facility residents.
Getting Along With Your Roommate
Complete a Roommate Agreement
A roommate agreement is a useful tool for you and your roommate(s) to use to discuss various issues that could come up while sharing a space. Roommate Agreements are a tool for roommates and/or suitemates to discuss how they want to use the space and various issues that could come up while sharing a space with another person.
We have example roommate agreements for 2 roommates and up to 4 roommates, but students are encouraged to create their own or add their own questions.
Agreements are a way to start the conversation around shared living and promote open communication and understanding between roommates. Roommate Agreements are expected to be a fluid document that can be brought up and changes made if roommates communicate with each other and need to make a change. At any point in the agreement process, Resident Assistants can be asked to help with the conversation.
Many residents have never shared a living space before and can find it difficult to compromise, but it is important to realize that mutual respect is essential to avoid conflicts. Be respectful of your roommate’s belongings and room space, and discuss issues as they come up. We recommend within the first week of living together that you and your roommate(s) discuss expectations for living together. Taking the time to learn about each other's communication styles and living preferences can help prevent many conflicts. Suggested topics to discuss include guests, noise levels, room decor, windows and heat use, study and sleep times, cleanliness, personal routines, and relationship expectations.
Room Mediation Process
If you are experiencing roommate issues, step one is to talk with your roommate/suitemate and complete a roommate agreement.
If you are confronting an issue, avoid inflammatory language and be respectful. Say, “When you do X in situation Y, I feel Z.” Approach your roommate in private - do not discuss issues in front of others, as this could put pressure on the other person. Find a good time for both of you to talk. Try not to approach them as they are rushing to class or about to go out with friends, since this will make them feel rushed to make decisions. Be patient: listen to your roommate, accept criticism, and know that there are always two sides to every story. Remember that the solution will probably be a compromise for both sides.
If there are still issues between you and your roommate, you should reach out to your RA or hall supervisor (Assistant Resident Director or Resident Director) to set up a roommate mediation conversation.
Hall staff will ask for a copy of the roommate agreement to review with the group. If one has not been made at the time of the mediation, one will be made during the mediation.
If, after the first round of mediation, there are still roommate issues, please bring these up to your hall staff and talk through possible outcomes.
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- Is a second mediation or another update of the roommate agreement going to help?
- Would one party like to move to another room?