Room Changes

Residence Hall Room Changes

Once housing assignments are made for a term, changes to those assignments may not be made until after the formal waiting period (10 days after the start of the semester).

After the formal waiting period, students may request a room change/switch by contacting their Resident Assistant (RA). Requests will be considered as unique instances in which the Office of Campus Life will assist in resolving concerns. Room moves are not guaranteed.

Room Changes

Room changes are granted when the environment in which a student is living is not conducive to their academic success, or if the environment presents a threat to the student's well-being. Room changes are not granted based upon race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or creed.

Students are encouraged to approach conflict and attempt to solve issues they may have with their roommates in person. RAs may suggest that students complete a roommate agreement again before considering a request to move. Students are reminded that once a move is made, they may not return to their previous room. It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of moving to a new environment prior to requesting a room change.

Room Switches

Room switches, also called "buddy switches," may occur between the end of the formal waiting period and the fifth week of the semester. Buddy switches are initiated by a group of four or more students who are interested in switching places. All buddy switches must be authorized by the Office of Campus Life. Please contact the Office of Campus Life at 217-424-6395 to begin the buddy switch process. Students who attempt to buddy switch without written permission in from the Office of Campus Life will assume responsibility for any noncompliance charges to their student account.

Consolidation/Single Room Option

When students arrive on campus it is possible that, while they are assigned to a double-occupancy room, a roommate may not move in or may depart early in the semester. In these cases, students occupying double-occupancy rooms alone will be sent a formal consolidation letter outlining two housing options:

Option 1: Consolidation

  • Students may choose to be moved into another double-occupancy room or be assigned a new roommate.

Option 2: Single Room Option

  • Students may choose to pay a higher rate (prorated) to ensure that their room remains a single room for the remainder of the semester.

*At no time will a student be permitted to live in a double-occupancy room without a roommate while paying a double-occupancy rate.

Roommate Issues

Resolution Process

Maintaining a healthy relationship with your roommate is an ongoing challenge requiring both patience and respect by both roommates. You and your roommate might have been matched through your Housing Application, or maybe you know each other from home. Whether you are close friends or not, you now must learn to get along as roommates.

Living with a roommate can present many challenges, including conflicts over differences in cleanliness, noise, company (daytime and overnight), study arrangements, phone, sharing belongings, communication styles, schedules and more.

In communicating with roommates, be kind, assertive and honest. Use 鈥淚鈥 messages rather than the accusatory 鈥測ou鈥 messages. For example, instead of saying, 鈥淵ou make me mad when you borrow my things without asking,鈥 you can say, 鈥淲hen you borrow my things without asking, I feel upset.鈥 Communication offers an opportunity to be respectful of additional points of view and a chance for resolution.

No matter where students live, the Office of Campus Life strongly encourages roommate agreements to spell out ground rules for living arrangements. Discussions on cleaning duties, sharing items, alcohol/drugs, smoking and overnight guests should all be written out and agreed upon by both roommates.

Living in close quarters with another person (even a person you know and like) creates conditions where good communication can go a long way.

Here are some tips for getting along with your roommate:

  • Both you and your roommate have the right to be treated with respect.
  • Identify the way you best receive communication and how you tend to discuss concerns (in person, what kind of tone you prefer, etc.)
  • Try to understand where the other person is coming from.

These guidelines should help you prepare for roommate differences that so you can live in an academically and socially appropriate environment.