Roommate Agreement

Being a good roommate and enjoying living with a roommate will depend upon your ability to listen, communicate, and compromise. As with any relationship, conflicts may arise. How you handle those conflicts will determine your success. This page will guide you through the steps of the initial conversations you should have with your roommate so that you will have a great experience in your residence hall room at Emory University.

General Expectations

• Read and familiarize yourself with Residence Life and Housing Policies. 
• Part of the University experience is your introduction to people from different backgrounds. Because you are living in a diverse community, you may encounter situations that challenge you. Open yourself to new experiences and let yourself be surprised!
• You are welcome to invite guests to visit. Please remember that visitation is a privilege and not a right. Both you and your guests must respect the rights and wishes of your roommate and other residents.
• Earn the respect of your roommate by extending to them the same courtesy you would expect from others.
• Communicate in person, honestly and respectfully. Don’t rely on Instant Messages, email or other electronic message boards or notes to tell others what you want or need.

Communication Do's & Don'ts

The DO'S

• Do share your concerns BEFORE things get out of hand. Explain respectfully what is bothering you and help your roommate understand why.
• Do be genuine and straightforward, but polite.
• Do listen carefully. Try to see things from the other person’s viewpoint.
• Do be sensitive to different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Do know what is important to you and what you are willing to give up or compromise.
• Do seek assistance from your Resident Advisor when things cannot be worked out between you.

The DON'TS

• Don’t be antagonistic, arbitrary, or rude.
• Don’t use profanity or make fun of your roommate.
• Don’t interrupt when others are talking.
• Don’t talk about your roommate behind their back.
• If there is a problem, discuss it with your roommate.
• Don’t use social media to complain, gripe about, or talk about your roommate.
• Don’t rely on others (family or friends) to solve your problems for you.

Rights & Responsibilities as a Roommate

• The right to read, study, and sleep without interference from noise.
• The right to know that your belongings and privacy will be respected.
• The right to a clean environment.
• The right to host guests as agreed upon in this agreement, with the expectations guests honor University and Residence Life policies.
• The right to expect that any disagreement will be discussed in a respectful, civil, and open manner. Residence hall staffs are available for assistance in mediating grievances.
• The responsibility to communicate with one another regarding your living arrangements and disagreements and not talk behind each other’s back, using online messaging, email, or other electronic message boards or notes.
• The right to free access to one’s room and facilities without pressure from a roommate.
• The right to be free from fear of intimidation, physical and/or emotional harm, and racial, sexual, or other prejudicial harassment.

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