Housing Information & Roommate Advice

If you have not done so already, you can now sign into the One Book website to view your Housing Assignment and Roommate Information. Go to the “View Housing Assignment and Roommate Notification” step on the One Book website and you will see your move-in date, hall assignment and room number, and your roommate’s contact information. 

Living in a residence hall is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Dukes!  Because the vast majority of residence hall rooms are doubles, you should expect to have a roommate when you live on campus. Sharing a living space may be an entirely new experience for you, so it makes sense that this sudden change in lifestyle may be a challenging transition. But, try not to worry; ninety-two percent of JMU first-year students report they are compatible with their assigned roommate. So, chances are great that you will have a positive experience, too! And, the Office of Residence Life is always available to help!  Each building has a staff of Resident Adviser (RAs) who can help you complete a Roommate Agreement, which will get you and your roommate talking about how you want to live together.  RAs are also trained in conflict resolution and mediation, so they can help if there’s a time that you and your roommate find yourself in a bad spot. If you have any questions related to your housing experience, email res-life@jmu.edu or call (540) 568-4663.

Tips for a Good Roommate Relationship

While you’re getting ready to come to JMU in a few weeks, I suggest you begin thinking about how to develop good relationship with your roommate. Ponder your likes, dislikes, and what really annoys you. Also, be mindful of the other person’s quirks and things he/she may request of you. Living with a college roommate is about setting boundaries so that everyone is comfortable to live, work, and play in the residence hall.

While living with a roommate inevitably has its challenges, it can also be a fabulous part of your college experience. Follow these tips for a supportive and positive roommate relationship. 

1. Call first, don’t click. Once you’ve found out your assigned roommate, don’t just rely on Facebook, Twitter, or texting to get to know someone. As they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover. People are more than the pictures they post on social networking sites. There’s nothing wrong with using these sites, but also give your roommate a call to simply introduce yourself and to discuss who is bringing what.

2. Be clear from the beginning. Don’t let problems pile up. Are you a neat freak? Do you need ten minutes to yourself before speaking to anyone right after waking up? Do you plan to use your room mainly for studying? Let your roommate know about your little quirks and preferences as soon as possible. People can’t read minds, so do your best to communicate what you need. This little effort can go a long way to help eliminate problems before they become problems. Addressing things that bug you when they’re little can help your roommate be aware of something he/she may not otherwise know. And, addressing things when they are still little is much easier than when they’ve become big. While the Office of Residence Life and your RA is there to help you with a roommate conflict, ultimately, the first one to know about the roommate conflict should be the roommate.
3. You don’t have to be best friends. Don’t go into this relationships expecting to be best friends for the next 4 years. It may happen, but expecting it may set you both up for trouble. Be friendly and respect your roommate and his/her space. And, you never know, you could become life-long friends!
4. Be open to new things. Your roommate may be from someplace you’ve never heard. She may have an accent that is hard to understand. He may have a different religion or lifestyle that is completely different than your own. You may have totally opposite values and interests. Being open to new ideas, experiences, and people is important as it relates to what your roommate brings into your life. College is a time to be open to new things, and that begins with your roommate relationship.
5. Be open to change. You should expect to learn, grow, develop, and change during your time at JMU. This is a time of great transition for you, and your roommate. As the year progresses, realize things will change for each of you. Be comfortable addressing things as they evolve and adapting to your changing environment. 
6. Respect your roommate’s stuff. This sounds simple, but it’s probably one of the biggest sources of roommate conflict. Don’t think he’ll mind if you borrow his cleats for the intramural soccer game? Don’t think she’ll mind if you borrow her sweater? Don’t borrow, use, or take anything without getting permission first. If nothing else, follow the Golden Rule. Treat your roommate like you’d like to be treated. 

If these tips weren’t enough, check out this great video created by students from Boston University about how to make the most of your roommate relationship.

When the video gets to the part that says, “Welcome to BU!”... Just think, “Welcome to JMU!” - and aren’t you glad to be here more?!?!