Every student at UIW has a unique background and perspective. It's crucial that our residents develop the skills to hold both care-free and uncomfortable conversations with others as part of their holistic development.
To help facilitate this process, Resident Assistants (RAs) meet with roommates/suitemates within the first two weeks of school to establish an agreement amongst all parties about the responsibilities and boundaries within the room. This helps set expectations up front, with a non-bias third party leading the discussion.
When roommates/suitemates have disagreements, our RAs serve as trained mediators with experience helping roommates come up with solutions to their concerns. This process is referred to as a roommate mediation and we consider it paramount to the learning process and the development of conflict management skills.
At the core of our experience is our Residential Rights and Responsibilities.
Rights and Responsibilities of Residential Living
| You have the right... |
You have the responsibility... |
| - to an environment conducive to studies and rest |
- to limit distractions that inhibit the promotion of an environment conducive to studies and rest |
| - to recreate in or around the residence halls |
- to attend class |
| - to personal privacy |
- to care for self |
| - to respect for personal time and space |
- to modify recreation so as not to interfere with others or damage the facilities and to ensure daily actions do not disrupt the community |
| - to facilities which are clean, health, safe, and orderly |
- to respect other's personal space and possessions, respect property, to keep common areas free of litter, to report vandalism, and to request necessary repairs |
| - to the redress of grievances and recourse to due process in the University conduct system |
- to abide by visitation hours and respect the personal space of others |
| - to be free of intimidation, physical and/or emotional harm to include being free from peer pressure or ridicule regarding the choices surrounding substance abuse, organizational involvement, or to allow others to violate the law or University policy |
- to cooperate with University grievance and judicial procedures, to refrain from conduct which infringes upon the right right of others, and to initiate action should the circumstances warrant |
| - to attend classes while residing within university housing |
- to respect all individuals and preserve the integrity of the community by adhering to community policies and the Student Code of Conduct |
