Having a roommate is an important part of the undergraduate college experience at TCNJ. Sharing a space with others can be challenging and rewarding, and will offer you many opportunities to reflect on your own values, assumptions, and ways of seeing the world.
We understand that this experience is often new for many of our students, so here are some quick tips to help you frame your roommate experience —
roommate as a professional partnership
Think of your roommate as a classmate with whom you’ve been assigned to do a group project. You will have many group projects in college, because learning to live and work with others is one of the ways TCNJ prepares its students to be active and successful citizens.
Just as you wouldn’t need to be good friends with a group member in order to complete a successful project, you don’t need to be good friends with your roommate in order to maintain a professional relationship. In fact, many good friends who choose to live together often report that it is a challenge to find appropriate professional boundaries while also maintaining a friendship.
open and engaging communication
Practicing open communication, engaging each other in conversation, and listening are some of the most important steps you can take in maintaining this partnership. We recommend having regular in person conversations in neutral spaces like the library café or on the walk to class, and not relying on technology to mediate your partnership or serve as a mechanism to voice your concerns.
While It can be okay to engage with your roommate over social media, keep in mind that in person conversations are the best way to ensure a successful partnership – just as meeting in person to discuss the material is the best approach for a group project.
Remember to be mindful of your social media presence as well, and consider what information you are willing to make public.
shared living space agreement
For some, having a roommate might be the first time you’ve had to share your room with another person. Opening and honest communication is a good practice to maintain a successful partnership. To aid in this conversation, all students who share semi-private spaces (Townhouses, Apartments, Suites, Rooms, Houses, etc.) complete a Shared Living Space Agreement within the first week of classes. This document guides roommates to have conversations about studying, socializing, music or noise levels, cleanliness and organization, and other broad categories germane to residential living. This should, by no means, be the only time roommates discuss expectations or establish guidelines for the room. The Shared Living Space agreement is a living document and we encourage roommates modify and confirm its principles regularly.
A copy of the shared living space agreement is left with the roommates and a copy is kept on file.
when conflict occurs
Conflicts and compromise in a living situation is normal. When a conflict arises be sure to:
- Talk with the person directly (Avoid notes, text messages, social media posts)
- Be specific and timely (Wait to collect your thoughts, but do not wait too long)
- Use “I” statements and explain how you’ve been affected by your roommates actions
- Give other person a chance to HEAR you, RESPOND, and SHARE their feelings
- Listen
- Seek Resolution or Compromise, if possible
- Seek Student Staff for assistance
If a resolution or compromise cannot be reached, contact your Residence Director for possible options.
Below you will find our expectations for residents and the room change process
Room Change Process overview
As a resident, you will have three opportunities to change your on-campus housing assignment, whether that is prior to or after move in.
Requesting a Room Change
Prior to move in
After Room Selection until July, students are eligible to change their housing assignment through an open Room Change Process. During this open period, you will be able to view any available beds and change your initial selection. All changes during this time will be available through the Housing Application, in MyHousing. Room change requests after the open period are by approval only and subject to review by the Housing team.
After move in
During the year, the Room Change Request Process allows you to explore vacancies across campus and request to have your housing assignment changed in MyHousing.
- In the fall, the Room Change Request Process is open from early September to November.
- In the spring, the Room Change Request Process is open from late January to late March.
To submit a Room Change Request, the steps are simple: first you view a list of available bed spaces across campus, then if you see something you like, you can complete the Room Change Request Form.
Note: Open bed spaces are subject to availability. To complete a Room Change Request, you will be asked to indicate the reason for your request and a list of up to 3 preferred buildings. If you have a specific bed space or preferred roommate in mind, there is space to indicate that as well!
Once the request is submitted, Housing staff will review the request and approve or deny it. You will receive an email confirmation of the decision.
Requesting a Room Swap
Prior to move in
Students looking to switch rooms with each other, or do a bed for bed swap, request a Room Swap through the Housing Application, in MyHousing. Room Swap requests are by approval only and subject to review by the Housing team.
After move in
During the year, the Room Change Request Process allows you to request a Room Swap. All students participating in the swap should complete a Room Change Request Form to be considered for a room swap. Once the request is submitted, Housing staff will review the request and approve or deny it. You will receive an email confirmation of the decision.
Emergency Room Changes
Any room changes requested outside of the Room Change periods would be subject to approval by Residential Education and Housing pro-staff. Emergency room changes would be considered for extenuating circumstances only.