Spring Break
Roommate agreements can sign off conflict
Kimberly Primicerio
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: Focus
Disputes are common between human beings especially when they co-exist side by side in the same room. Whether a roommate is a best friend or complete stranger problems are bound to arise.
Students at UConn have run into their share of suitemate and roommate disputes.
Jen Corbett, a 7th-semester special education major, had her own share of issues with a suitemate her junior year at UConn.
"My suitemate's TV and radio were always on very loud. She was never respectful when others were doing homework and studying."
Lysette Seegobin, a 7th-semester medical technology major, experienced a living situation where tension was always present and the two roommates constantly clashed.
Seegobin said they had very different schedules. Her roommate would stay up very late and type loudly on her computer when she would be trying to sleep.
"My roommate wouldn't be quiet. She didn't know how to live with someone else," she said.
Seegobin's roommate also did not cope well with confrontation, allowing for tension to rise.
"She wasn't used to dealing with problems," said Seegobin. "She just bottled up her emotions which led to issues."
Seegobin said that problems just piled up and eventually everything her roommate did just bothered her.
After experiencing such issues with roommates, UConn students have learned ways of avoiding conflict and dealing with issues before they get out of hand.
Corbett suggested that, before a big issue comes up, roommates talk about it.
"You shouldn't let the problem escalate, talk it out," Corbett said. "You should talk to the CA about issues; they should know how to resolve them."
Megan Voong, a 7th-semester finance major, has her own approach to dealing with conflicts.
"Bring up a problem as a joke so maybe the other person can realize it has become a problem," said Voong. "If it happens again then you can bring it up in a serious fashion."
Seegobin suggests establishing clear boundaries between roommates and not to be hesitant about voicing concerns.
Students at UConn have run into their share of suitemate and roommate disputes.
Jen Corbett, a 7th-semester special education major, had her own share of issues with a suitemate her junior year at UConn.
"My suitemate's TV and radio were always on very loud. She was never respectful when others were doing homework and studying."
Lysette Seegobin, a 7th-semester medical technology major, experienced a living situation where tension was always present and the two roommates constantly clashed.
Seegobin said they had very different schedules. Her roommate would stay up very late and type loudly on her computer when she would be trying to sleep.
"My roommate wouldn't be quiet. She didn't know how to live with someone else," she said.
Seegobin's roommate also did not cope well with confrontation, allowing for tension to rise.
"She wasn't used to dealing with problems," said Seegobin. "She just bottled up her emotions which led to issues."
Seegobin said that problems just piled up and eventually everything her roommate did just bothered her.
After experiencing such issues with roommates, UConn students have learned ways of avoiding conflict and dealing with issues before they get out of hand.
Corbett suggested that, before a big issue comes up, roommates talk about it.
"You shouldn't let the problem escalate, talk it out," Corbett said. "You should talk to the CA about issues; they should know how to resolve them."
Megan Voong, a 7th-semester finance major, has her own approach to dealing with conflicts.
"Bring up a problem as a joke so maybe the other person can realize it has become a problem," said Voong. "If it happens again then you can bring it up in a serious fashion."
Seegobin suggests establishing clear boundaries between roommates and not to be hesitant about voicing concerns.
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