College living tends to include a lot of Ramen noodles and empty bank accounts. Occasionally, for those who are not so lucky, a horrible roommate might be on that list as well.
Park University alumna Maggie Hodge lived on campus for one semester. Between the price tag of her dorm and the three roommates that came with it, one semester was enough for her.
“It was really fun at first,” Hodge said. “We were all respectful of each other’s space and would hang out in the living room area all the time.”
Hodge lived in a suite in Copley Quad. It was all fun and games until the honeymoon phase was over.
“It started to go bad when my roommates who shared a room started getting on each other’s nerves,” Hodge said. “One roommate was really messy and the other was really clean. One went to bed early and the other would come in late being really loud.”
Hodge was caught in the middle and felt dragged down with the constant tension brought on by her roommates. Her decision to stay on campus was turning into a mistake.
“It was really bad; they both started being passive aggressive towards each other and wouldn’t communicate, which put stress on all of us,” Hodge said. “One roommate would leave passive aggressive notes on the fridge all the time.”
Hodge was able to solve the dilemma on her own terms.
Kalli Cheffey, Chesnut Residence Director and Conference Event Specialist, has helped students with switching rooms. Most of the students’ problems tend to be a lack of communication.
“Setting ground rules and communicating with the person or persons you have a problem or issue with, can alleviate the tension and make it so much easier,” Cheffey said.
When students decide to live on campus they sign a contract. The student must file paper and if approved to either live off campus, there is a possible fee of $500. If the student is not approved and chooses to live off campus, they will have to continue to pay their on-campus housing fee.
“Overall, everyone in Residence Life wants each resident to enjoy their time living in the residence halls, but we know problems happen between others. The best thing I can say is communicate with those necessary, and start with the person you have the issue with,” Cheffey said.
“We solved it by switching roommates,” Hodge said. “One of them moved into my room and the other into the other room.”
If compromise and negotiating isn’t in the cards, a room switch is available. According to the university’s residence contract, reassignment is allowed upon request. Contact Karie Schaefer, the Director of Residence Life with any questions about a change in boarding.
Roommates don’t always lead to lifelong friendships, and the matchmaking quiz isn’t the best placement method for living, but with this in mind, the living situation isn’t set in stone. There is always a way out.