Housing & Room Change

Navigating roommate conflicts

Roommate conflicts are a natural part of learning how to live with someone and sharing space. When conflicts happen, we first want the roommates to try and resolve the conflict on their own. If this is unable to happen, residents can get Residential Life staff involved to help mediate the disagreement.

The things that Residential Life considers when addressing conflict are outlined below. If you are having problems, try these steps first, or get in touch with your RA to help work through the conflict.  

Refer to your Roommate and Community Agreements

Setting clear expectations of how roommates communicate with each other, respect personal belongings and use physical space is critical to preventing roommate conflicts. To help foster setting these expectations, all roommates fill out a roommate agreement at the beginning of the year. Your RA reviewed this with you and Residential Life has it on file. Look back at this agreement. Is the cause of this conflict addressed in these agreements? Do you need to add something to this agreement? Do you need to refine the agreement now that you've been living with each other for a while?

Talk to each other

Communication is key in any conflict. Most conflicts result from not communicating enough or clearly with each other. This means that you should have an honest face-to-face conversation (not via electronic communication). If/when you talk to your RA or RD/RLC about this, one of the first questions that they will likely ask is whether or not you and your roommate have talked about this. If you have, we'll go from there. If you haven't, we will talk about how to prepare or be involved in that initial conversation.

Talk to your RA

RAs are a great resource if you are find yourself in this situation. They can help you talk through a plan for communicating so you feel prepared to have a conversation with your roommate(s). Or, your RA will sit down with everything involved to facilitate a conversation covering what the issues are, how to compromise and how to live well together moving forward.

Talk to your RD/RLC

If you and your roommate are still having issues after meeting with your RA, reach out to your RLC, RD or NC and ask for assistance in mediating the conflict. Recognize, however, that it may be a couple of days before you can schedule a meeting with this person. 

Change rooms (if necessary)

Our goal is that through this process, we can work through the conflicts and learn to respect each other on a deeper level by accommodating for each member involved in the conflict. However, if through this process we still are not able to work through the conflicts, then your RD/RLC can help you find a different rooming situation that is (hopefully) better for everyone involved.

Housing Change

As the housing office navigates the complexities of student housing, there are times when shifts or changes occur due to a variety of circumstances. If you’re interested in making a housing change, please start by talking with the Residential Life staff (RLC/RD/RA) in your residence hall or cottage.

If you experience a change in your roommate, are currently without a roommate, plan to attend a study abroad program, are graduating in December, or are returning from a study abroad program, the information below can help you understand the process.

IF YOUR ROOMMATE MOVES OUT 

If you are housed in a double or triple room and learn that your roommate is leaving Hope or moving to different housing, here is what you can expect:

You will receive an email message from the housing office indicating that a change has occurred. You will be offered an opportunity to name a new roommate. We provide you with 72 hours (not including weekends) to name a new roommate. If you are able to identify a roommate, the person you are pulling into the space will also need to email housing@hope.edu to confirm that they are interested in moving. If all parties agree, the housing office will communicate move-to instructions and notify the RA, RD or RLC of the change.

If you are unable to name a roommate, the housing office will look at filling the space with a student who is requesting a housing change, returning from semester study abroad program, or an incoming new/transfer student. With each housing placement, we would look at all available spaces, compare housing applications for a compatible match for the best possible roommate/housemate match.  

Per the Housing Agreement, you agree to accept a roommate placement. If a roommate placement does not happen immediately, you agree to maintain the room in a manner that would allow for a roommate placement at any time.

The college does not offer an option for students to “buy out” a space in their room to reduce the occupancy or to keep the room to themselves. Decreasing the occupancy of a room will only be considered if the student in the room has an approved accommodation for decreased occupancy or a single room through Disability and Accessibility Resources and there are no other available spaces on campus that would meet the approved accommodation. Visit the Disability and Accessibility Resources website to learn more about the accommodation process.

IF A HOUSING CHANGE OCCURS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS

Should a change occur during the summer months, you will receive an email message from the housing office indicating that a change has occurred. You will be offered an opportunity to name a new roommate, typically within 3–4 business days. If you are unable to name a new roommate, our office will work to fill the space by comparing housing aplications for a compatible match prior to finalizing a placement. You will be notified once a roommate is placed with you.

Per the Housing Agreement, you agree to accept a roommate placement. If a roommate placement does not happen immediately, you agree to maintain the room in a manner that would allow for a roommate placement at any time.

The college does not offer an option for students to “buy out” a space in their room to reduce the occupancy or to keep the room to themselves. Decreasing the occupancy of a room will only be considered if the student in the room has an approved accommodation for decreased occupancy or a single room through Disability and Accessibility Resources and there are no other available spaces on campus that would meet the approved accommodation. Visit the Disability and Accessibility Resources website to learn more about the accommodation process.

IF YOU ARE A DECEMBER GRADUATE OR STUDYING ABROAD SPRING SEMESTER

Are you planning to graduate in December or to attend a spring study abroad program? If so, report this information through your Hope Housing Portal.  

Please complete the Spring Housing Status Change Form that can be found in your Hope Housing Portal before Monday, November 25. This will serve as the official notice that you will no longer need housing for the spring semester.

Once the Residential Life and Housing office receives your form, you will receive a confirmation email verifying your submission along with instructions regarding the move-out process. In addition, your roommate/housemate will receive an email about the opportunity to name a new roommate.

Questions can be emailed to housing@hope.edu.

IF YOU ARE RETURNING FROM A FALL STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM AND NEED ON-CAMPUS HOUSING FOR SPRING SEMESTER

If you are currently on a fall off-campus study abroad program and are planning to return to on-campus classes and need housing for spring semester, complete a housing request through your Hope Housing Portal.

Please complete the Spring Housing Status Change Form that can be found in your Hope Housing Portal before Monday, November 25.  

Upon completion and submission of your form, the Residential Life and Housing office will email you a confirmation of your selection. If you have selected on-campus housing, your housing assignment will be emailed to your Hope College email by December 13, 2024.

To Plan Ahead

• Housing opens for returning students at 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025
• Classes resume 8 a.m., Monday, January 6, 2025

Questions can be emailed to housing@hope.edu.