Your Student’s Housing Assignment

New students are expected to receive their housing assignment, roommate information, and related details via their syr.edu email on or after July 15. Since many of them are eagerly anticipating this information, expectations can be extremely high.

This is an exciting time filled with changes not only for students but also for families. As you plan for your student to join the Syracuse University residential campus, we want to make sure you are well informed about how you can support your student in processing their housing assignment.

Although many students used My College Roomie to select a roommate ahead of time, some students opted for a random roommate. A great deal of time and coordination goes into making new student assignments, so the assignment made by the Housing Office will not change. We appreciate your cooperation in reinforcing this with your student and hope that they take the opportunity to learn more about their residence hall and the person or people they will be living with.

Living away from home for the first time can be a tough transition and sharing a room (possibly for the first time) can be even more challenging. We know that most incoming students are concerned about receiving the “perfect roommate match.” However, some of the best roommate matches are between people who are very different. Communication is the key. We suggest that your student connects with their roommate personally (on the phone or virtual call, if possible) before looking at social media. While it has many advantages, social media provides a limited—and sometimes inaccurate—glimpse into someone’s world.

The first conversation with a roommate can be about move-in logistics, what side of the room they might like to occupy, and their basic interests. Finding out whether their roommate is an early riser or a night owl can be helpful, as can how neat (or messy) they like to keep their space. This discussion will lay the groundwork for the Roommate Agreement they will complete with the guidance of their Resident Advisor (RA) when they settle into their residence hall room.

Adjusting to a residential community means establishing new ground rules, negotiating different standards of sharing and fairness, and learning to respect others’ privacy, priorities, and opinions. Adjusting to life at Syracuse University (including sharing a room) is a process that takes time. Once your student arrives on campus, encourage them to get to know those that live on their floor and in their building as well as their RA and Student Living staff.

Here are some links that you may find helpful as you and your student plan:

Please encourage your student to pack light! Space in their room will be limited.