Discussion Guide
For Roommates, Floormates, and Resident Assistants

The residence education staff of VCU is deeply committed to making your residential experience a positive and meaningful one. In order that we may accomplish this goal, we ask you to take time to think about your responsibilities, your roommates' responsibilities, individual floor responsibilities and responsibilities to the building in which you reside.

Please give special attention to the following areas of concern by discussing them with your roommate, at the floor or unit meeting and with your resident assistant. Find a positive solution and take responsibility for the decisions you make.

1. Review all policies that are specific for your particular floor or area.
   1. Note general rules applicable to the building (i.e., escort policy, guest responsibilities, security procedures).
   2. Note other policies elsewhere in the building (limited visitation areas).
2. Discussion.
   1. Consider each person's needs thoroughly.
   2. Attempt to anticipate as many circumstances and potential problem areas as possible.
   3. One way to handle difficult problems or potential conflicts is to talk about them openly. Sometimes it is easier to impose more stringent restrictions at the beginning of the year and then, as time goes by, relax them as appropriate. If few or no restrictions are imposed at the beginning, conflicts, problems or dissatisfactions often can arise late in the year.
3. Some sample questions you and your roommates should discuss:
   1. Are there times when you don't want guests in the room?
   2. How much advance notice should I give my roommate before bringing a guest to the room?
   3. Is one roommate with a guest entitled to "exclusive" use of the room? If so, for how long? During what days/hours?
   4. Where will the roommate without a guest go while the other roommate has a guest?
   5. What happens if your guest damages my property?
   6. Can we both have guests at the same time?
   7. How will we handle any changes we may want to make in our agreement?
   8. What do we do if we are not satisfied with each other's performance under our agreement?
   9. Are there different rules for same sex visitors vs. opposite sex visitors?

II. Smoking and Drinking

1. Are either of you allergic to or opposed to smoke or alcohol?
2. What preferences do you have for when smoking and/or drinking are appropriate in your living space?

III. Mutual Respect and Consideration

1. What does this mean to you? What do you expect from your roommate? Floormate?
2. What are your plans for room study time and space?
3. How do you plan to approach your roommate if/when you feel your rights have been violated?
4. How do you feel about borrowing each other's possessions?
5. How do you plan to resolve issues (i.e., cleaning the room, sleep time and room phones)?

IV. Use of Bathrooms

1. What hours, if any, should be coed use?
2. How should individual residents be accountable for their guests' use?
3. Who should clean the bathrooms (i.e., weekends, evenings and when there is no custodial service)?

VI. Your Contributions to the Educational, Cultural, and Social Environment of Your Hall

1. What are you willing to offer in the way of time and special talents in order to create an enjoyable environment on your floor or hall unit?
2. What are your expectations of your RA?
3. Some money will be available for floor use. How would you like to see this money used? (Possibilities include recreation, education, cultural and social programs, new equipment or furniture.)
4. Do you want a floor council?
   1. If so, what do you believe the purpose to be?
   2. Would you want to participate?
   3. Do you believe that the council would be helpful in settling an alleged breech of agreement?

VII. Individual Responsibilities to the Building

1. What ideas do you have for the hall government?
2. Would you be interested in the Residence Hall Student Judicial Board?
3. How can the hall government better serve residence hall students?

VIII. Individual Phone Responsibilities

1. Where should messages be placed?
2. Is it okay to talk on the telephone in the room when your roommate is sleeping or studying?
3. Will you establish a telephone time limit?
4. Should friends be notified not to call before 8 am and after 11 pm?