Community living

Creating your home

The first couple days of residence hall living are filled with many exciting challenges and opportunities. It is important to take the time to get to know the staff living near you, your neighbors and roommate, as well as getting settled into your new home. We encourage you to create a place where you feel comfortable. You may rearrange your furniture as long as it is returned to the original location before move-out, and you follow any request made by staff for maintenance or safety needs. Please review the student handbook as it pertains to appliances, decorating, and important policies with your safety and our community expectations in mind. Your familiarity with the student handbook will help prepare you for a great year living in the residence halls!

Roommate connections

In most cases, your roommate is someone you haven't met before. It is very important that you take the time to get to know this person. The sooner you start, the sooner you can be on your way to a positive roommate experience. Roommates could have similar personality traits, be from similar geographical locations, have similar academic or career interests, and enjoy the same hobbies. We all know everyone is different, but taking the time to find the commonalities between you and your roommate will be the first step to successful roommate living. Identify each person's most important living preferences: the type of music they like, whether they are a morning person or a night owl, their potential major, hobbies, sports they enjoy, their faith perspective, and what they want most out of college. Throughout the year, you will encounter differences with your roommate and it is vital to talk them through. The key to resolving them is to communicate with each other directly (leave third parties out of it if at all possible) and be open-minded. Attempt to agree on a compromise.

Roommate agreements

Residence assistants can help you with roommate agreements if you feel you could use some help getting these conversations going. The agreement will focus your conversation on specific areas to help prevent and resolve roommate conflict.

Roommate relation tips

  • Communicate, communicate, communicate – Honestly, openly, assertively and respectfully, and only to one another. Talk to your roommate early and often about the living environment.
  • Have realistic expectations. No one is perfect, and your roommate is never going to be like you. Learn to respect your roommate's differences. Be open to try new things and to compromise. Be considerate of personal time and privacy. Don‘t make assumptions about your roommate.
  • Be courteous. Use ―please and ―thank you. Appreciate your roommate. Be aware of noise levels, music preferences, sleep patterns, cleanliness and personal hygiene. Be courteous - If you ask to borrow your roommate‘s things, return them in good condition and return them promptly. If your request to borrow an item is denied, don't make your roommate feel guilty or don't get angry. It is your roommate‘s item to lend or not lend, not yours. Respect your roommate's right to say ―no. Be open-minded. Avoid being judgmental.
  • Ask your resident assistant for advice.

Tips for successful community living:

  1. Take care of your dishes and clean up your messes promptly.
  2. Do it now versus after class.
  3. Clean your room regularly and completely.
  4. Submit work orders and take out the trash when needed, etc.
  5. Don't assume someone else did it or will do it.
  6. Be a role model of taking responsibility.
  7. Always observe quiet hours and courtesy hours.
  8. Remember: hallways, courtyards, and stairwells can be echo chambers.
  9. Keep your voices down out of respect for those living near these areas.
  10. Refrain from bouncing balls in elevators or hallways – wait until you are outside.
  11. Attend to laundry promptly. Laundry left in washers or dryers unattended creates an inconvenience for others waiting for the machines and often will end up on the counter.

Room and roommate changes

When living in a community, it is natural that conflict will arise. A vital part of the Benedictine educational experience in residence hall living is learning to live with one another and resolve the conflict in a mutually beneficial manner. In light of this educational philosophy to community living, room changes will only be granted in extreme circumstances. If you are experiencing problems with your living situation, please contact your resident assistant, or RA, immediately to make them aware of the situation.

If a resident(s) refuses to accept an assigned roommate or attempts to force a roommate out of the room, that student may lose his/her housing privilege and/or face disciplinary action. Room change request forms are available in the Office of Housing and Residence Life. There is a moratorium on any room changes during certain parts of the semester. You may apply for a room change during the third week of each semester.

Room changes will not be made before or after this time unless absolutely necessary. Your RA can assist with roommate problems, and you will be encouraged to work through any conflicts. If a move is necessary, the following procedures must be followed. Please see the residence director if you have any questions about this policy.

Procedure for changing rooms:

Discuss any roommate issues and any potential move directly with your roommate.

  • Discuss the potential move with your RA. Your RA may mediate problems between you and your current roommate first.
  • See a residence director. All room changes must be approved by a residence director.
  • Receive a room change request form from a residence director and complete the form.
  • Complete all steps listed on the form.
  • Wait for notification of approval of the room change before beginning any part of the moving process.
  • When cleared to do so by the residence director check-out of your old room with the RA and check-in to your new room.
  • Failure to follow the proper room change procedures may result in a $50 fine, cancellation of any room change, and potential disciplinary action. *Note that a $25 processing fee applies to all room changes.

Room consolidation

In the event your roommate does not come to Saint Martin's or moves out during the year, one of three things may happen:

  1. You will be assigned another roommate
  2. You may be moved to another room where a vacancy exists
  3. Space permitting, you may remain in the room and pay the higher rate for a single room.