Room Change and Roommate Conflicts
Housing and Residence life works to empower our residents to first address conflicts with their roommate(s) as they arise. While conflicts are difficult, working through them can be a good learning experience. If conflicts become overwhelming, or cause distress, we have resources in place to help. The Residence Life staff (Resident Advisors, Senior Resident Advisors, Graduate Resident Directors, Assistant Resident Directors, and Resident Directors) are all trained to assist with conflict management and provide resources to our residents who are facing roommate conflicts.
It is our goal to alleviate concerns and assist our residents in the conflict management process. Our team utilizes a proactive approach with residents through the roommate and suitemate agreement process, in which all residents are expected to participate when they move into their room. The goal is to facilitate dialogue between residents to address potential issues, before they can arise.
If you have questions, contact our Graduate Resident Directors, Assistant Resident Directors, and Resident Directors.
Addressing Conflict
Listed below is an outline of how roommate conflicts are handled, should they require staff intervention, as well as additional resources:
- Step 1: Communicating Conflict
- Student(s) reach out to Residence Life Staff to discuss concerns and challenges for support.
- Step 2: Conflict is Clarified
- Staff will work to explore the situation with all involved residents. Separate discussions are held with each resident to identify and address concerns.
- Step 3: Facilitated Conversation
- Discussion is facilitated by Residence Life staff.
- Roommate agreements are reviewed with students during the conversation.
- Residence Life staff work with residents to articulate the concerns and reflect on the impact of those concerns, in order to identify strategies for resolution.
- Step 4: Conflict Resolution
- Solutions are considered and agreed upon and the roommate agreement is updated.
- Residence Life staff members work with student staff to provide ongoing resident follow up.
- If a resident desires to change rooms after roommates have attempted the resolutions for two weeks, they can request a room change.
Room Change Availability
The Room Change request process is available during both the fall and spring semesters. All students are eligible to participate in the process. Students seeking to move rooms with desired roommates need to ensure all individuals have requests submitted.
The room change process is available:
- Fall semester from August 22 through November 17
- Spring semester from January 16 through April 21
There will be a room change request freeze period prior to and through Halloween weekend for the fall (October 14-28). For the spring, the room change request will be unavailable prior to and through Spring Break (March 3-17).
How to Request a Room Change
Students wishing to pursue a room change can start the process by submitting a request on your page.
- Log into using your OHIO email and password
- Click the Student Room Change Request under the Forms tab on the left of page
- Your Senior Resident Advisor (SRA) will contact you within two business days of your submission to discuss your request
- Once a room is selected and confirmed, you will receive official correspondence to your OHIO email account with details of the approved move
- Approved room changes typically occur over the upcoming weekend. However, if the room change is not approved by Thursday at 12 p.m., the relocation process will be scheduled for the following weekend
All approved room change moves will take place starting Fridays at 8 p.m. and the move must be completed by that Sunday at 10 p.m. This means checking into your new assignment and also checking out of your old assignment.
Important Things to Note When Considering a Room Change
- It's essential to carefully review the room change options, also considering any potential cost differences associated with changing spaces. Rates will be prorated based on when you officially move into the new space, and these costs may vary from your currently assigned space.
- Students who complete unapproved room changes may be responsible for charges to their student account for unapproved room change, damages, cleaning, and/or lost keys. Make sure to make your move official by requesting the change with Housing staff members!