Preparing for Life in the Res Halls

BEFORE MOVING IN: 

Take the initiative and email your roommate once you know who they are. Introduce yourself and get the conversation going. And to avoid bringing too many items on move-in day, you can talk about larger items and who plans to bring what (microfridge, microwave, etc…)

The following are some tips we have for living with a roommate & suitemates:

1. COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE
   • Communication is vital to roommate relationships. Share openly on such issues as cleanliness, guest visitation, music, study time and lights out.  It is best to talk about issues early which is why we require all students to complete a Roommate Agreement form. After completion, your Resident Assistant(RA) will meet with you to go over it and discuss the expectations you all set for the year.
     • **Remember to chat with your suitemates as well and agree on community expectations for the bathroom since all of you will sharing that space.
2. What to do if a problem arises?
   • It may be necessary to make adjustments as new issues arise (this is normal). A big part of the college experience is learning effective confrontational skills and initiating communication when there are problems. Often time, students try to live with the problem or ignore it which isn’t healthy. When a problem arises, take the following steps:
     1. Talk directly to your roommate first. Schedule a time to talk. The sooner the better!
     2. Don’t beat around the bush or drop hints. If it is an issue that was discussed in the roommate agreement, bring up what you both agreed upon. If it’s a new issue, edit the roommate agreement to include a solution for this new issue. Get some advice from your RA before having the conversation!
     3. If the problem persists, contact your RA to talk to them about this issue. They are trained to mediate conflicts and it can be really helpful during these situations.
3. Things to remember when living with another person
   • Practice common courtesy when it comes to visitation. Make sure to communicate when someone is coming over. Your roommate might have a midterm the next day and you want to make sure they can study and sleep on time.
   • Express issues!! (Communicate!)
   • Honor your roommates’ rights to guests and socializing but not at the expense of your studies or health. Communication is key!
   • Communicate about borrowing each other’s stuff. Some roommates share everything and others share nothing. Try to find a balance. Share the microfridge but not your hot pockets! & if you would like a hot pocket, ask your roommate for permission!
   • Lastly, it is completely normal if you and your roommate are not best friends. The important piece is that you both respect one another, communicate, and are comfortable in your room.

And remember, you aren’t the only one who might be feeling homesick, transitioning to college, or undergoing roommate conflict. There is help available from your RA, your resident director, and even your roommates! We are here for you and want to help Pitzer College become your home away from home.

What to Bring

Although we wish you could bring everything with you to your new residence hall, it is essential that you limit yourself to necessities. We recommend that all students communicate with their roommates to make sure that items are not duplicated, such as refrigerators, etc.

Here is a list of things we recommend that you pack with you to make your living space as comfortable as possible.

• Bed area
  • Bed sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blanket, bedspread or comforter
  • Under bed storage
• Room items
  • 2 plates, 2 bowls, cups, and utensils
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Microwave & mini fridge (communicate with your roommate about this)
  • Decorations to make it feel like home
• Desk area
  • Desk lamp
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Surge protector power strip
• Closet
  • Hangers
  • Laundry Basket
  • Laundry supplies (Eco-Friendly recommended)
• Bathroom
  • Towels, washcloths, toiletries, shower sandals, vanity/shower (3) and toilet (1) rugs
  • Hand soap
  • Cleaning supplies (Eco-Friendly recommended)
  • Broom/dust pan
  • Small vacuum (Residence Life Office offers larger vacuums for sign out)
• Bike, bike lock, helmet, skateboard/scooter, lock for skateboard/scooter racks.

Personal Liability (Renter’s) Insurance

• It is highly recommended that students explore purchasing Renter’s insurance for their belongings in case of damages, theft, etc.

Each residence hall is equipped with coin and ID card operated laundry machines.

• Claremont Cash or quarters must be used (see Claremont Card Center for additional instructions about how to add Claremont Cash to your ID card). 

• Most students do not have cars on campus. Due to parking limitations, students are restricted from having a vehicle on campus for the first two years at Pitzer. Pitzer allows cars for approved juniors and seniors. For more information, look at student parking here: