Roommate Agreements
Living on campus is a great way for Case students to foster relationships and learn the importance of compromise, teamwork and responsibility. One of the key components of the first-year residential experience is learning how to get along with others and live with others in a resident community.
To help ease the transition, Case has developed a roommate agreement to help students develop common goals and guidelines for living. The purpose of the agreement is to assist students in becoming acquainted with one other and with their own individual values, styles, and choices. Roommate agreements are designed to promote discussion with students about the needs and expectations of those they live with. In addition, the agreement serves as a foundation for interaction and communication, and plays an integral part in living successfully in community.
Roommate agreements are generally discussed and distributed at the first floor meeting the first week that students move into their residential colleges. At the time of distribution, the benefits of roommate agreements are discussed and explained, so that residents see the importance of the task.
The roommate agreement process is intended to teach students a constructive approach to address and resolve potential conflicts that may arise. It is not a static document and may be reviewed and altered at the request of all roommates. The review process must be conducted through the resident assistant or first-year coordinator, who can help facilitate the process.
When developing a roommate agreement, students are encouraged to talk about:
- Study Issues
- Privacy
- Personal Space
- Courtesy
- Safety
- Cleanliness
- Guests
With a little effort, residents will enjoy fewer roommate conflicts when they mutually agree to a list of talking points. By encouraging students to take responsibility for their own needs and expectations, residents can become more assertive adults and minimize the number of conflicts that may arise during their first year at Case.