Roommate Conflict Resolution
The Department of Residence Life, part of the Division of Student Affairs, is an extension of the Grand Canyon University educational experience. The mission of the Department of Residence Life is that students become Christ-like servant leaders through an awareness of self and engagement with others.
Living on campus is an exciting experience but does not come without its challenges. Conflict can sometimes occur in shared living spaces. Residence Life has implemented processes that are meant to help students grow and mature while resolving any instances of conflict. When a student graduates from GCU, Residence Life hopes that he or she will have learned how to live in community with others and address conflict in an autonomous, Christ-centered way.
Our Team Is Here for You
GCU realizes the joys and pitfalls that go hand-in-hand with on-campus living. The Department of Residence Life has ample guidance and resources to offer student residents, which is why Resident Assistants (RA) and Resident Directors (RD) are vital to our community of learners. Before moving onto campus, students should familiarize themselves with the individuals who will be partnering with them in their residential experience:
Student leaders hand-picked by Residence Life staff to serve in every living area to:
- Foster community
- Create accountability for university and living area policies
- Act as a resource to residential students
Resident Assistants hold regular community gatherings. After business hours, an available RA is on-call to help residents with emergency situations. They exist to listen to concerns, answer questions and respond to student needs.
Professional, full-time staff who provide leadership and supervision for RAs and residents. Each living area is assigned at least one RD. These team members are responsible for encouraging all residents to develop:
- A sense of community through the development of personal responsibility
- Basic living skills
- Self-discipline and a lifestyle of personal excellence within all living areas
- Communication and conflict resolution skills
Contact your RD during business hours to set up an appointment, as office hours may vary.
GCU offers an on-campus living experience that caters to individuals from all walks of life. Roommate relationships can be some of the most fulfilling of your college experience. However, discovering how to get along with new roommates in a small space will be challenging, especially if you have never shared a room before.
GCU Residence Life wants to help prepare you for some of the roommate conflicts that you may experience. The Roommate Conflict Process is a resource offered by Residence Life to help students feel empowered to navigate conflict with their peers in a healthy and restorative way.
Conflict is inevitable. Handling it effectively helps prepare you for successful relationships in college and beyond. Grand Canyon University's hope is that you will take the following actions to help prevent roommate conflict before it starts.
- Communicate and advocate for what you want
- Fill out the Roommate Agreement form in your Housing Portal and revisit it as needed
- Address problems as soon as they arise; keep in mind that everyone comes from a different background
- Grand Canyon University is a Christian faith-based school with Christian values, but not everyone signs a statement of faith
- Conflict is inevitable-expect to experience roommate conflict at some point (Ex: differences in sleeping schedules, cleanliness, sharing items, etc.)
- Try using "I feel..." statements to avoid placing blame on others
- Be patient, accepting and willing to discuss your feelings in a civil manner
- Your roommate does not have to be your best friend
- Gossiping about roommates/suitemates with other people can lead to broken trust, broken relationships and division in the room
What happens if my roommate or I break GCU student conduct policy?
Students who are not involved will not be held accountable for the actions of room- or suitemates. However, it's important to remember that breaking GCU policy can significantly influence relationships between room- or suitemates (i.e., bringing drugs or alcohol into residences or breaking visitation policies).
Please see the University Policy Handbook for specifics.
Roommate Matching Process
To ensure the roommate matching process is as successful as possible, take the self-assessment below. Then read through the most common roommate scenarios to learn how to resolve very common living situation issues that may arise.
As you get closer to Welcome Week and you start to shop and pack for college, it is a great idea to compare notes and plan together. Here are some important topics to discuss prior to moving in:
- What are you bringing for the room (TV, computer, mini fridge, microwave, furniture, electronics, any big items, etc.)?
- What type of room decorations are you planning to bring?
- Is anyone coming with you to help you move in?
- What time will you arrive?
The Roommate Agreement is a form located in your Housing Portal that you and your roommates will be required to fill out after moving on campus. This form contains a variety of questions about key components of a shared living space, such as expectations for cleanliness, visitors, quiet hours, etc. Meet with your roommates and discuss the questions in the Roommate Agreement thoroughly — creating clear expectations will help you to share your space well together.
The conflict process is student-driven, and your RA and RD will guide you through the three-step process. When working through the conflict resolution process, it is important to remember the following:
- Review the Roommate Conflict Resolution Process and remember that this process moves at your pace and your follow through.
- Please manage your expectations throughout the process and know that this process is going to take time.
Please note: GCU policy does not allow students to make decisions on room changes/switches.
If all stages of the roommate conflict resolution process have been completed and conflict still remains, the professional staff member involved (RD or RD supervisor) may determine that a room change should occur. Residence Life reserves the right to select which student(s) should change rooms and will work with students to find new accommodations on campus, taking into account each student's experience and actions.
Students are required to participate in the roommate mediation process before a room change is approved. This is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to intentionally engage in learning conflict management skills.