Roommates
Roommate Matching
Students are able to request to live with somebody they know, however, they are strongly encouraged to be paired with their roommate through our roommate matching process. Please note that roommate requests will be honored only if all the respective students list each other on their Housing Response Form.
Over the years, many incoming Barnard students have expressed anxiety about deciding whether to request a roommate or to be paired with a roommate(s) through our matching process. It may seem easier, or more comforting, to live with someone you know well, someone you have met during an Open House, or someone you met on Facebook. However, attending a particular high school or sharing a racial or religious background does not predict a successful roommate relationship. Our lifestyle questions on the Housing Application have proven to be an accurate predictor of successful roommate pairings.
Students are strongly encouraged to be open to the roommate matching process, as it is a time-honored Barnard tradition that successfully matches students every year. Some students find that living with a person they knew prior to attending Barnard can be isolating, as they are less inclined to reach out and meet new people. Many students find that having a friend already on-campus (who is not their roommate) increases their social network.
Getting Along With Your Roommate
Living with a roommate(s) can be one of the most exciting parts of your first semester at Barnard; it can also be one of the most challenging. Everyone has her own habits and ways of approaching life. While sharing a room with others, there’s bound to be some tension now and then.
Communication is key. If you are feeling uncomfortable with anything that is going on in the room, the very best thing to do is approach your roommate(s) as soon as possible to talk about it. Most people are surprised to learn how accommodating roommates are willing to be, if and when they are approached in a constructive, non-hostile manner. If you want to approach your roommate(s) about any issues, but you are not sure how to start the conversation, speak with your RA. She not only has training in these types of situations but also has experience with her roommate(s) from her first year. She can help you work out a strategy of how to raise an issue in the most non-threatening way possible. A good way to start communicating with your roommate(s) is to discuss the topics in the First-Year Focus Roommate Rap, which you will receive during orientation. Take a few moments in the first week of your arrival to discuss the questions presented there. You will be required to fill out a roommate contract to turn in to your RA.
Every attempt will be made to match you with a roommate(s) with whom you share a similar lifestyle. It is important for roommates to discuss their similarities and differences at the time they receive notification of their assignment or upon move-in as a means to better understand each other and to establish a cooperative relationship.
