Living on campus is a lot of things: convenient, social, occasionally chaotic and an ongoing lesson in communication when things get tough with the roommates.
Whether you’re living in a residence hall, a South Campus apartment or getting ready to move off campus, Syracuse University’s Residential Living has resources and policies that can make the whole experience a little easier.
1. Knowing How to Handle Roommate Conflicts Can Save You a Headache
Roommate disagreements happen. Maybe someone’s alarm has been going off at 7 a.m. every day. Maybe the dishes have officially become furniture.
Before the situation becomes a full-blown feud, talk it out first. If that doesn’t work, seek help from Residential Living staff. Syracuse University’s Residential Living policies have advice on how students can navigate roommate and community conflicts and where to turn for support.
Roommate Mediation is also available through the Barnes Center at The Arch to help roommates work through communication issues, lifestyle differences, shared-space conflicts and boundaries. Participation is voluntary, and all roommates must be willing to participate.
If you’re in immediate danger or are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For other safety concerns, students can also contact Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS). For more information about what to do in an emergency, visit the Barnes Center’s emergency resources.
2. Yes, You Can Have People Over. (There’s Just a Few Things to Know First.)
Your best friend from another school? Your cousin visiting Syracuse? Your friend from down the hall? Guests and visitors are allowed in University housing, but Residential Living has guidelines for who can visit and how long they can stay.
What’s the difference between a guest and a visitor, you may ask? Guests are affiliated with Syracuse University, such as other Syracuse students, faculty and staff or SUNY ESF students. Visitors are people who aren’t affiliated with the University, including family members and friends.
Visitors aged 16 and older must have a photo ID, and minors (ages 16 and 17) need to be related to the host as well as registered in advance.
Overnight guests also have specific limits. Stays cannot go longer than three consecutive nights, and a resident cannot host overnight guests for more than six nights in a calendar month.
Be sure your roommates or suitemates are on board before someone moves into the room for the weekend. Having people over is fun, but making sure everyone who lives there feels safe and comfortable is even better.
If you are unsure of the rules, feel free to check the guest and visitor information ahead of time.
3. Locking Your Door is One Small Habit That Makes a Big Difference
Before you run downstairs for food, head to class or meet up with friends, lock your door even if you’ll only be gone for a few minutes. DPS also recommends locking your door while you’re inside, especially when you’re sleeping or in another part of your residence. It’s also a good idea to keep your valuables secure and pay attention to your surroundings.
The University also offers several safety resources, including the Orange Safe app, which can connect students with DPS, send safety notifications and let a friend watch their walk across campus in real time. Check out Residential Living’s Safety Resources to learn more about other ways to stay safe in and around your residence hall.
4. Living on Your Own Comes With a Learning Curve.
For many students, college is the first time they’re responsible for their own space, their schedule and their day-to-day decisions. That can take some getting used to.
Residential Living is designed to help students gradually build that independence. On-campus housing ranges from traditional residence hall rooms to apartment-style living on South Campus. This helps students adjust to different levels of independence as they move through college.
If you’re thinking about moving off campus, make sure you have the money to do so. Start thinking about the things your parents or guardians may have handled before: rent, utilities, groceries, cleaning and budgeting.
Talk everything over with your roommates, from how you’ll split bills, to who takes out the trash and how you’ll handle shared spaces. Residential Living’s Off-Campus Living Guide helps students understand their lease, including upfront costs, rent, utilities and lease duration.
And don’t forget about your stuff! Syracuse University recommends checking whether your family’s homeowners or renters insurance covers your belongings while you’re at school. If it doesn’t, student personal property insurance is another option. And while you’re still on campus, if something in your residence needs maintenance, don’t ignore it. Report the issue as soon as possible so it can be addressed.
5. A Little Communication Can Make Living With Other People Much Easier.
You might be perfectly happy blasting music while you get ready for a night out. But your neighbor might be trying to catch some z’s before an 8 a.m. class.
This is where courtesy and quiet hours come in. Each residence hall has designated quiet hours, and 24-hour quiet hours are in effect during finals.
Being a good neighbor goes beyond keeping the volume down. Talk with your roommates about things like cleaning, shared spaces, guests, food and boundaries before you’re annoyed with each other.
Not sure how to start that conversation? The Residential Living’s Housemate/Roommate Discussion Guide even has conversation starters for things like chores, communication, social media and sharing personal items.
6. Knowing Where to Turn When You Need Help Can Make Things a Lot Less Stressful.
If you’re confused or worried about a guest, roommate issue, safety concern, room change or about something that happened in your building, ask someone who can help.
Students can contact their residence director, resident assistant (RA) or the appropriate Residential Living office with questions. If you’re not sure who to contact, the Residential Living staff directory can point you in the right direction.
There’s a lot that comes with living on your own, and nobody expects you to have every answer. Part of college is learning how to advocate for yourself, communicate with the people around you and figure out what you need.
So, lock your door. Talk to your roommate. Ask the awkward questions. And if you’re not sure what to do next, ask someone.
Written by Miracle Gross G’27, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, M.A.