Community standards are a mutually agreed-upon list of expectations. They can help ensure that everyone's campus living experience is fun, at times challenging, but ultimately rewarding.

Sharing living space with someone is often a challenge, and conflict can sometimes occur. But conflict can actually be a valuable learning experience. Most residents quickly learn on their own how to mediate and manage conflict and live with differences.

• We ask parents and families to allow students the chance to work things out themselves. It can take two weeks or more to get settled in and learn how to live with one another.
• Roommate agreements help residents lay the groundwork for a successful year together. During a roommate agreement meeting, residents collectively come up with an arrangement of how they are going to live with and engage each other for the year. The roommate agreement is usually completed during the first four weeks of the semester and whenever residents move to a new room. During the first four weeks, residents will meet with their resident advisor (RA), who facilitates the conversation. It is important to note that the roommate agreement is a living document—if issues arise between roommates, the roommate agreement will be revisited to help re-establish the foundation of how residents will engage with each other. This conversation can be facilitated by a ResLife professional staff member if necessary.
• If a student is feeling stuck, student RAs and our professional hall staff can help. They are well-trained in conflict mediation, and often use restorative practices (RP). The basic concept of RP is that people are happier, more cooperative and productive, and more likely to make positive changes when those in authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them.
• Students who feel that changing rooms is the only option can request to trade spaces online (we'll notify residents when the online form is open). They may be also be asked to meet with their area coordinator or residence director to discuss the need for a room change.
• Not all trading spaces requests can be granted.
• Spot Swaps (when two residents swap spaces with each other) can be another way to work things out. Before moving, all residents of both rooms must sign off in agreement, and be approved by their office manager.