Although we strive to make great roommate and suitemate matches based on preferred sleep and study times, desired level of cleanliness vs. messiness, and shared mutual interests, we recognize that not every pairing is always going to be in 100% harmony. When this occurs, it’s important to ask yourself (or your student, if you are the parent/advisor) the following questions:
- Have you spoken with your roommate/suitemate about this in person? Many students will avoid direct communication at all costs, resorting to texting or vague social media posting. Most roommate/suitemate conflicts are, at their root, about a lack of direct communication.
- Have you spoken with your RA about this? Residents should speak with their floor/house RA who can see them when available, or the RA on duty, available nightly after 6 p.m. The RA Offices are open from 6-9 p.m. nightly, and the RA on duty is in the building and on call after that.
- Have you spoken with your RD about this? It’s never a bad idea to speak with your Resident Director, who can also intervene. If you go to your RD office and they are unavailable, please know that all RD offices have QR codes or LinkTrees to allow residents to email or schedule appointments with them easily.
When a roommate/suitemate conflict occurs, our office addresses this via two routes:
- A roommate/suitemate mediated conversation with an RA or RD where we work to address concerns. This usually results in the signing of a roommate and/or suitemate agreement by all parties. This is a useful, uncomfortable learning process that teaches important adult life skills like personal advocacy, open communication, and compromise.
- A room change – Residents can fill out a room change form via the portal using the below instructions. The more room types and location a student is willing to accept, the more likely it is that we can honor their request. Many Residents submit a room change request only for a room like a super single, which are typically all taken during room selection the spring prior to fall move-in, and rarely open up.
One additional common request we get is to “remove” the roommate/suitemate out.” Please note that Residence Life will only remove a student from their living space unwillingly as a result of a community standards/conduct outcome. We readily offer room changes to any student in conflict who wishes it. Students and families often see moving as “the other student winning.” We ask that all parties reconsider this notion, as either student moving out into a more peaceful living environment is a win for all involved.
Processes for Room Changes
Single Rooms
Single rooms are highly sought after and any student looking for a room change into a single room will need to complete a Room Change Request Form. Single room changes are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis once a single room becomes available. Room changes generally begin after the second week of each academic semester or as soon as our fall and spring occupancy is confirmed. All single room change requests carry over from the fall semester to spring semester. Once the Room Change Request Form is submitted, an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the student's Hofstra Pride email. If the Office of Residence Life has the ability to fulfill a room change request, the student will be contacted when a new assignment becomes available.
Summer for Fall Semester
During the summer, you can submit a room change request by submitting a Room Change Request Form. Once the form is completed, a confirmation email will be sent to the student's Hofstra Pride email. Students will be contacted when a new assignment is available.
Fall Semester
During the fall semester, students will have the opportunity to request a room change (if needed) by submitting a Room Change Request Form. Room changes generally begin after the second week of each academic semester or as soon as our fall and spring occupancy is confirmed. Room changes are ongoing at the discretion of the Office of Residence Life up until the week prior to Thanksgiving, after which only emergency room changes will be permitted. Once the Room Change Request Form is submitted, an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the student's Hofstra Pride email. If the Office of Residence Life has the ability to fulfill a room change request, the student will be contacted when a new assignment becomes available.
Spring Semester
During the Spring semester, students will have the opportunity to request a room change (if needed) by submitting a Room Change Request Form. Room changes generally begin after the second week of each academic semester or as soon as our fall and spring occupancy is confirmed. Room changes are ongoing at the discretion of the Office of Residence Life up until the end of February. Once the Room Change Request Form is submitted, an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the student's Hofstra Pride email. If the Office of Residence Life has the ability to fulfill a room change request, the student will be contacted when a new assignment becomes available.
Room Change Instructional Video
- Mutual Room Swap Requests
- Non-Single Requests
- Single Room Requests
How to Submit a Room Change Request
Room change requests can be made via the Hofstra portal.
To submit a room change request:
- Log in to the Hofstra portal at my.hofstra.edu.
- Go to My Apps in the top right corner.
- Click on the Room Change icon.
- Complete the Room Change Request Form and click on Submit.
Once the Room Change Request Form is submitted, an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the student's Hofstra Pride email. If the Office of Residence Life has the ability to fulfill a room change request, the student will be contacted when a new assignment becomes available.
Please note that the Room Change Request Form works best when accessed from a desktop computer or laptop (not a smartphone or tablet) using Google Chrome.