Living with Roommates

The residence life staff at NJIT is committed not only to helping you develop intellectually and emotionally, but also to helping you grow and learn in your community. A large part of your daily living experience involves interacting with your roommate/suitemates. The roommate/suitemate relationship is one of the most important relationships you will establish in your college career.

Upon moving into your room, it is important to spend some time getting to know your roommate/suitemates. Discuss expectations right away to set ground rules and begin a dialogue regarding how your room will be used. This is also a good time to complete a roommate/suitemate agreement (Roomate/Suitemate Agreement). Some Items to discuss with your roommate/suitemate include:

Daily Schedules-sleeping times, study times, quiet hours, TV viewing, use of music players and volume, etc.
Personal Habits-smoking (not allowed in the building), singing, exercising, snoring, gossiping, etc.
Guests and Visitation-friends in the room, overnight guests, etc.
Privacy/Personal Time
Housekeeping-making beds, cleaning rooms and bathrooms, wall decorations, refrigerator care, etc.
Sharing-use or non-use of each other’s clothes, records, food, bed, etc.
Moods-grouchiness, illness, sadness, jealousy, etc.
Rules and Regulations-alcohol, smoking, visitation, etc. (Remember, you are held accountable for anything that goes on in your room.)
Values involving race, religion, politics, lifestyle, goals, etc.

ROOMMATE/SUITEMATE AGREEMENTS

The above questions are just a few of the items that the agreement addresses. If a problem develops between you and your roommate/suitemates, your RA can offer suggestions or spend time with you and your roommate/suitemate to help resolve the problem. The roommate/suitemate agreements is available to view and print from our website as well as from your residence hall office (Roomate/Suitemate Agreement).

HALL COMMUNITIES/COMMUNITY STANDARDS

From the time you move onto campus until the time you leave at the end of the year, a community is being built on your floor and within your hall. Your community is made up of students and staff from different cultures, socioeconomic levels, races, religions and lifestyles.

As a member of a community, you will have the opportunity to create a set of standards for your floor. These standards serve as agreements as to how all the members of the floor community will treat one another. Standards may change as your community grows and changes, but it is important to realize that as problems arise on the floor, it is the responsibility of the floor members, along with the members of the hall staff, to help you work toward a resolution. Together, you and your floor members can create a positive, supportive and enjoyable living experience in the residence halls.

COMMUNITY STANDARDS MEETINGS

RA/CAs have floor meetings monthly for residents to discuss community standards issues on their floors, and to give residents pertinent information, discuss upcoming events and review policies and procedures. Each community standards meeting is vital. Community standards meeting times are determined at the first community standards meeting. Residents should contact the RA to find out what was discussed, if they miss a meeting. All residents are responsible for obtaining and following the information/changes to community standards. Accountability meetings are called as deemed necessary. Any resident may call a community standards meeting whenever they feel one is needed.