Undergraduate residents at Emory University are expected to read, review, and
complete a roommate agreement with their room/suitemate(s) upon arrival at
Emory. Please take the time to read the following, and to complete a roommate
agreement to be submitted to your Residence Hall Director.
PURPOSE | GENERAL EXPECTATIONS | COMMUNICATION DO'S & DON'TS | RIGHTS/RESPONSIBILITIES
AS A ROOMMATE | ROOMMATE AGREEMENT FORM | LINKS
Being a good roommate and enjoying living with a roommate will depend upon
your ability to listen, communicate, and compromise. As with any
relationship, conflicts will arise. How you handle those conflicts
will determine your success. This page will guide you through the
steps of the initial conversations you should have with your roommate,
so that you will have a great experience in your residence hall room at
Emory University.
• Read the Campus Life Handbook and Residence Life Policies. You may not
agree to anything that conflicts with these policies.
• Part of the university experience is your introduction to people from different
cultural backgrounds. Because you are living in a diverse community, you
may encounter situations that challenge you. Open yourself to new experiences
and let yourself be surprised!
• Please feel free to invite guests to visit. Remember, however, that visitation
is a privilege, not a right. Both you and your guests must respect the rights
and wishes of your roommate and other residents.
• Earn the respect of your roommate by extending to them the same courtesy
you would expect from others.
• Communicate in person, honestly and respectfully. Don’t rely on Instant
Messages, e-mail or other electronic message boards or notes to tell others
what you want or need.
• Do share your concerns BEFORE things get out of hand. Explain respectfully
what is bothering you and help your roommate understand why.
• Do be genuine and straight forward, but polite.
• Do listen carefully. Try to see things from the other person’s viewpoint.
• Do be sensitive to different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Do know what is important to you and what you are willing to give up or compromise.
• Do seek assistance from your Resident Advisor when things cannot be worked
out between you.
• Don’t be antagonistic, arbitrary or rude.
• Don’t use profanity or make fun of your roommate.
• Don’t interrupt when others are talking.
• Don’t talk about your roommate behind his/her back.
• If there is a problem, discuss it with your roommate.
• Don’t IM, Learnlink, use online diaries to complain to, gripe about, or talk
about your roommate.
• Don’t rely on others (family or friends) to solve your problems for you.
• The right to read, study and sleep without interference from noise.
• The right to know that your belongings and privacy will be respected.
• The right to a clean environment.
• The right to host guests as agreed upon in this agreement, with the expectations
guests honor university and residence life policies.
• The right to expect that any disagreement will be discussed in a respectful,
civil, and open manner. Residence hall staffs are available for assistance
in settling grievances.
• The responsibility to communicate with one another regarding your living
arrangements and disagreements and not talk behind each other’s back, using
Instant Messaging, e-mail or other electronic message boards or notes.
• The right to free access to one’s room and facilities without pressure
from a roommate.
• The right to be free from fear of intimidation, physical and/or emotional
harm, and racial, sexual or other prejudicial harassment.
The following documents may be useful as you and your roommate discuss
the roommate agreement.
» RESIDENCE HALL POLICIES
» UNDERGRADUATE CODE OF CONDUCT
» UNDERGRADUATE HOUSING AGREEMENT
