UMKC Residence Hall Roommate Agreement Form

Department of Residential Life 5051 Oak StreetKansas City, MO64112

The purpose of this agreement is to give residents who are sharing a room the opportunity to examine each other’s personal living styles and preferences, while ensuring that the rights of each individual resident are respected. Learning to accept each other’s differences without infringing upon one another’s freedom is an invaluable part of the collegiate learning experience. It is our experience that future problems can often times be avoided if some high conflict areas are discussed, and agreements are reached early in the semester. As roommates, you should discuss each topic thoroughly and be honest about your wishes, as this can alleviate any issues that may arise later in the year. When completing this agreement, please keep an open mind and remember to be flexible, as compromises may need to be made to ensure a comfortable living environment for both roommates. When you have completed this agreement, be sure to make a copy for your room as a reference, and return the original to your Resident Assistant (RA).

Thank you for taking this step toward a positive living and learning environment in your room. Please print your names below.

Roommate #1: ______Roommate #2:______

Building: ______Room #: ______

Roommate Bill of Rights:

Each roommate should initial next to each statement as an acceptance of responsibility for living with a roommate. Each roommate has:

  • ______The right to study without interference, unreasonable noise and other distractions
  • ______The right to sleep without undue disturbances
  • ______The right to have personal privacy in one’s own room
  • ______The right to live in a clean and tidy environment
  • ______The right to host guests, with the understanding that the guests will honor the other roommate’s rights
  • ______The right to expect the respect of one’s personal belongings
  • ______The right to be free from intimidation, harassment and discrimination
  • ______The right to expect that one’s roommate will abide by the policies in the Guide to Group Living
  • ______The right to ask Residential Life staff for assistance in mediating conflicts
  • ______The right to live in a safe and secure environment

The following items will give each roommate an opportunity to learn a little about each other’s living habits and preferences. Please give your honest opinion of your preferences in order to ensure accurate information is being portrayed.

I prefer to go to bed around: Roommate #1: ______Roommate # 2: ______

I prefer to wake up around: Roommate #1: ______Roommate #2: ______

During sleep hours, the following activities can take place (circle all that apply)

Roommate #1: Silence Radio/TV Light Video Games GuestsNothing Bothers Me

Roommate #2: Silence Radio/TV Light Video Games GuestsNothing Bothers Me

  • If there are differences please discuss and describe below how you will compromise:

In general I prefer to study:

Roommate #1: Morning Afternoon Evening Late Night Weekends Specific Hours: ______

Roommate #2: Morning Afternoon Evening Late Night Weekends Specific Hours: ______

In general I prefer the room temperature to be:

Roommate #1: Very Cool CoolWarmVery Warm

Roommate #2: Very Cool CoolWarmVery Warm

  • If there are differences please discuss and describe below how you will compromise:

In general I prefer that the room be cleaned every:

Roommate #1: ____ Day ____Week ____Month ____No Preference

Roommate#2: ____ Day ____Week ____Month ____No Preference

  • If there are differences please discuss and describe below how you will compromise:

To be clean the room must be:

Roommate #1: ____swept ____dusted ____belongings picked up ____clothes put away ____ trash removed ____ refrigerator cleaned ____desk clean ____common areas cleaned

Roommate#2:____swept ____dusted ____belongings picked up ____clothes put away ____ trash removed ____ refrigerator cleaned ____desk clean ____common areas cleaned

  • If there are differences please discuss and describe below how you will compromise:

When cleaning the room I prefer:

Roommate #1: To take care of my space ____Alternate-entire room ____

Roommate# 2: To take care of my space ____Alternate-entire room ____

  • If there are differences please discuss and describe below how you will compromise:

Will visitors be allowed in the room? If yes, how many at any given time:

Roommate #1: YesNoAmount _____

Roommate #2: YesNoAmount _____

  • If there are differences please discuss and describe below how you will compromise:

When will we allow visitors in the room:

Roommate #1: Anytime______Restricted (indicate when)______Overnight: Yes No

Roommate #2: Anytime______Restricted (indicate when)______Overnight: Yes No

Please keep in mind that at no time is either roommate, regardless of personal agreements, allowed to violate the visitation policy as listed in the Guide to Group Living. The policy is as follows: Guests at the housing complexes may stay overnight in a student room for a maximum of two nights a month without charge. After two nights, guests will be required to pay the standard overnight guest fee for any additional overnight stays, even if different residents register them. Also, all contract occupants of a room and/or suite must agree to the overnight stay of a guest, and all guests must be registered at the reception desk. Paying guests are allowed a maximum stay of three nights.

Because use of personal property is often an issue when sharing a room, the following section is designed so that you and your roommate can indicate what your expectations are about use of your personal belongings.

Roommate #1:

ITEM

Clothes:Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Food: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Appliances: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Hygiene: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Electronics: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Computer: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Desk Items: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Books: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Other: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______

Please describe any other items here:

Roommate #2:

ITEM

Clothes:Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Food: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Appliances: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Hygiene: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Electronics: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Computer: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Desk Items: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Books: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______Other: Yes____ No ____ Ask Prior to Use ____ Exceptions:______

Please describe any other items here:

Sometimes roommates may wish to make additional agreements covering topics not otherwise addressed in the roommate contract. Please take the time to discuss this and write them in here if you decide on anything you would like to add:

By now you and your roommate have had a chance to establish some policies and guidelines that should help you build a positive relationship and a living and learning environment in which you both can succeed. If problems do occur, you and your roommate are encouraged to make an effort to address the issues together. Although it is best to try and resolve disputes between yourselves, feel free to contact a residence hall staff member if you feel his or her assistance as a mediator or facilitator would be beneficial.

Please keep a copy of this agreement posted or in a convenient place, refer to it often, and abide by the terms you jointly established. Finally, we ask that you provide the original of this agreement to your Resident Assistant (RA). And remember you can update this form at anytime by meeting with your RA.

We, as roommates, enter into this agreement in good faith. We fully intend to abide by all policies established and we further agree to address concerns as they occur, all in an effort to create a supportive and enjoyable living and learning environment. We agree to be flexible and revise this agreement as it becomes necessary.

Roommate #1 signature: ______

Roommate #2 signature: ______

Note: It is assumed that all agreements made take into account all policies and procedures that are in the Guide to Group Living.