Roommate Success
Roommates often come to college with different values, beliefs, and customs. Differences can be exciting, but they can also offer new challenges with interpersonal skills. Building a foundation of open communication can enhance roommate success. Roommates are encouraged to begin the roommate relationship by becoming acquainted with each other before roommate agreements are created. Some of the goals of sharing a space are to create an atmosphere where both roommates' personal and academic needs can be met. Residents should keep in mind that roommates are not going to be the same and it is important to communicate, adjust, and compromise throughout the roommate relationship.
Roommate Agreements
Roommate agreements may be utilized by Residence Life staff to help facilitate community living. This can be done at the beginning of the academic year or anytime throughout the year. All roommates will discuss and come to an agreement of the conditions for the document. The conditions of the agreement are expected to be honored. A violation of the conditions for the agreement may result in a referral to the student conduct process.
Room Search
The Department of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to search a student’s room. Such a search will occur only after clearly specifying the reason for the search and the objects or information that is sought. In addition, the Director of Residence Life for the Department of Housing and Residence Life, or their designee, must agree that there is justifiable cause for the search and give approval for such an action. Law enforcement officials may also legally search private residential living areas after presenting a court order or duly ordered search warrant to the Director of Residence Life for the Department of Housing and Residence Life or their designee, or if given permission to search by the resident.
Room Entrance
Authorized Institute personnel may enter student rooms for health and safety inspections, for maintenance purposes in the event of an emergency that jeopardizes the well-being of the occupant or other students, or to maintain a quiet environment where residents may sleep and study. The Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life, or their designee, may also enter rooms when a reasonable belief exists that the room is being used for an illegal purpose or for a purpose that would interfere with conduct action and/or personal safety.