Small conflicts amongst roommates are expected as students learn how to successfully live with people who are different from themselves. The vast majority of these conflicts are worked out with a simple conversation amongst roommates. The department will provide roommate agreement forms to encourage healthy conversations amongst roommates. When roommates are unable to work out their differences, the department deploys a great deal of resources to help resolve the issue.
If a student wishes to change rooms due to a conflict, it is expected that they will first actively participate in a facilitated dialogue process with their RA or RD to seek an amicable solution to the conflict. Some examples of dialogue activities include:
Roommate mediation meetings
Roommate agreements
Life skills sessions
Room swaps are considered a last resort option for roommate conflicts and are only available based upon open and available spaces. Please contact your RA/RD with any questions you may have.
Changes of room assignment are sometimes necessary or desirable in order to make the residents’ living conditions as conducive to academic achievement as possible. Generally, room changes are not allowed during the first two weeks of a semester. During the third week of each semester, room change requests may be submitted. If you wish to initiate a room change request, contact your RA for information. No requests will be approved unless all affected parties have freely agreed to the proposed move. After the designated period (the third week of each semester), room change requests will be approved only if the Office of Housing and Residence Life determines that the change is critical to a resident’s success and well being.
Residents who change rooms without approval will be required to return to their original assignments. MassArt reserves the right to change a room assignment at any time.
Students may also submit room change requests via their THD Portal.