Roommate Resources

 

Diversity in the Residence Halls

The students that live in our residence halls and all those who attend Sam Houston State University come from diverse backgrounds and social groups. Therefore, we encourage acceptance and appreciation of individuals regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, physical characteristics, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or religious affiliation.

All residents should feel that they are a welcomed and accepted part of their living environment. They should feel free to live in this environment without harassment and intimidation. All of our residents have something to contribute to their living environment and should be treated with dignity and respect. In a community that values diversity, acts of bigotry cannot and will not be tolerated.

The Department of Residence Life is committed to the idea that all residents will be afforded the same respect regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, physical characteristics, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or religious affiliation by all members of this department and all residents of University housing. The Department of Residence Life believes all students should feel free to live without harassment. Any student found harassing others will be in violation of department policy.

Any student who resides in a University residence hall and feels that their rights have been violated in regard to this policy should follow the following procedures to report the incident:

• Any incident that involves another student should be reported immediately to a resident advisor or the resident manager.
  
• Any incident that involves a resident advisor should be reported immediately to the resident manager or the area coordinator for that area. The area coordinator is located in the Residence Life Office.
  
• Any incident illegal in nature such as assault should be reported to the University Police Department.
  
• Any incident may also be reported to the Dean of Students' Office, located in the Lowman Student Center.
  
• Students may also seek legal advice from the Students Legal Advisor located in the North Annex of the Lee Drain Building.

Roomate Golden Rules

• Try to get to know each other.
  
• Don't expect too much; roommates don't have to be best friends. Respecting each other is what is necessary.
  
• Be open; ask, listen, discuss. Don't wait until things get out of hand. Discuss a problem as soon as it arises. If you are not open with your roommate, your frustration may keep building until you blow up and say things you really don't mean. This could result in hurt feelings. Before it gets to that point, talk it out. Everyone must be willing to compromise at some point. Tell your roommate in a mature fashion what is bothering you and help him/her understand why.
  
• Don't forget to mention what is going right; not just what's wrong.
  
• Be sensitive to each other's moods; everybody has bad days, so try to understand when your roommate has one too.
  
• Share what you can and clearly state what you can't.
  
• The room belongs to both of you. Decorate together if it meets both of your needs. Keep the communication lines open.
  
• Keep your feelings in the first person with "I" and "my".
  
• Give your roommate the respect, consideration and understanding you'd want for yourself.
  
• When things can't be worked out between the two of you, seek assistance from your RA.

Roommate Rights and Responsibilities

• The right to study/rest free from undue interference in one's room.
  
• The responsibility to contain unreasonable noise and other distractions which inhibit the excercise of this right.
  
• The right to sleep without undue disturbance from noise, guest of roommate, etc.
  
• The right to expect a roommate will respect personal belongings, and the responsibility to respect another's belongings.
  
• The right to live in a clean, safe, and healthy environment, and the responsibility to maintain such an environment.
  
• The right to privacy.
  
• The right to free access to one's room without pressure from a roommate.
  
• The right to be free from fear of intimidation, physical, and emotional harm.
  
• The right to host guests at agreed upon times with the expectation that guests are to respect the rights of the host's roommate and other residents in the building.
  
• The right for redress of grievances.