University Housing & Residential Life

Guide for Successful Living: Community Living

 

Adjustment

Sharing a room with another student can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of your college experience. The opportunity to become close friends with someone new, who has a different background and different ideas can provide a tremendous learning experience. There is always an initial adjustment period between roommates. To make this adjustment easier, you should sit down with your roommate(s) during the first few days and discuss the following items:

A roommate agreement for you and your roommate to review and complete is available from your RA. Completion of the Roommate Agreement can help each of you to clarify your expectations prior to having a conflict. You should return your agreement to your RA once you and your roommate have it completed. Your RA will keep a copy of your agreement with your check-in form. If roommate issues arise, the RA will refer you to your agreement.

Remember, when you have a conflict talk to each other. The best way to work those things out is through respectful discussion. Try to avoid leaving notes or texting each other as these approaches can often lead to hard feelings and increased problems. Your RA or HD is available if you are having a difficult time working things out.

 

Belongings 

Discuss with your roommate about lending their belongings to other people — including you. Some roommates do not mind lending to their roommate but will not lend to other people. Find out your roommate’s feelings and let them know your feelings.

 

Cleaning

Make an agreement as to who cleans what and when. Divide all the cleaning responsibilities. If someone is not doing their part, do not wait around or write notes complaining. Talk with each other.

 

Communication

Nearly all roommates will have some sort of conflict. Remember that good communication is the key to resolving most any conflict. Always strive to keep the lines of communication open between you and your roommate. Chances are very good that if something about the living situation is bothering you, it's also bothering your roommate. Again, do your best to talk openly and respectfully about your concerns; try to avoid leaving notes or texting, those approaches can often lead to hard feelings and increased problems. Your RA or HD is available if you are having a difficult time working things out.

 

Community Bill of Rights

The community bill of rights is a reminder to you of your rights as an individual and your responsibility to your fellow community members.

• The right to read and study free from undue interference in your room. Unreasonable noise and other distractions inhibit the exercise of this right. 
• The right to sleep without undue disturbance from noise, guest(s) of a roommate, etc.
• The right to expect that one's roommate will respect one's personal belongings (i.e. clothing and food). 
• The right to a clean environment in which to live. This includes room, bathroom and other common areas.
• The right to free access to your room or apartment without pressure from a roommate.
• The right to privacy.
• The right to host guests with the expectation that those guests are to respect the rights of the host and his/her roommate.
• The right to redress grievances. Your RA or HD is available for assistance in settling conflicts and negotiating differences.
• The right to be free from fear of intimidation, physical and emotional harm.
• The right to expect reasonable cooperation in the use of "room-shared" appliances.
• The right to expect commitment to honor agreed-upon living standards.
• The right to be free from peer pressure or ridicule regarding one's beliefs,interests and behavior.
  
  

Community Relocation

The University reserves the right to move you from room to room, floor to floor, and hall to hall when we determine it is in the best interest of the student, the floor, the University, etc.

 

University Housing and Residential Life

University Housing and Residential Life is located on the second floor of MS Cooper Hall. The office is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Feel free to contact the office if you need assistance concerning any aspect of housing by stopping in the office, by emailing reslife@tntech.edu or by calling us at 931-372-3414.

University Housing and Residential Life Mission Statement

University Housing and Residential Life’s mission is to advance the academic mission of the university by providing a developmental student-centered residential experience and a safe,inclusive living environment.

 

Residential Life Help Desks

Housing and Residential Life staffs three main help desks which are located in the following areas:

› Tech Village Community Center: Serves the Tech Village Apartments and is available 8 AM to 4:30 PM at (931) 372-3271.

› New Hall North Lobby: Serves the Pinkerton Quad and is available 7 AM to 7 PM at (931) 372-4329.

› Maddux/McCord Lobby: serves the Capital Quad and is available 7 AM to 7 PM at (931) 372-4792.

Additional Help Desks:

Duty schedules are posted in the lobby of each Residence Hall. Services available at these desks include: lock-outs, assistance with emergency situations, and answers to general questions regarding policy and procedures. 

 

Residential Hall Staffing

To provide direct support and services for our residential students, the Executive Director of Housing and Residential Life appoints residential staff to serve as the University representatives in the residential areas. They are appointed to serve as staff members based upon their ability to serve the community. The staff provides support and direction for our residents in a variety of ways:

• Assistant Director (AD): The AD provides the overall support, direction and training for the day-to-day operation of their area; including the direct supervision of the Hall Directors.
• Hall Director (HD): Each residence hall and Tech Village apartment is supported by a professional, live-in, Hall Director. The HD is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the hall and apartment. They are also responsible for the selection, training and supervision of their RA staff. The HD coordinates the administrative and community activities of their residence area.
  • Each HD has office hours from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. They also alternate “on-duty”, as to always have a Hall Director on-call for all 3 areas, Pinkerton Quad, Capital Quad and Tech Village.
• Senior Resident Assistant (SRA): Some areas have SRAs that provide training and supervision for the help desk workers. They also provide some support for the HDs as the HDs train and supervise the RA staff.
• Resident Assistant (RA): The staff member with whom you will likely have the most direct contact will be your RA. The RA lives on your floor or in a Tech Village apartment and is available to assist you. The RA also ensures that community living standards are maintained and works with the residents to plan hall and floor activities.
  • Residence Hall RAs are on-duty from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am seven days a week, Tech Village RAs from 4:30 pm – 8:00 am seven days a week. A schedule of who is on duty is posted on the office door in the lobby or Community Center.

Our housing staff is here to provide support, direction and guidance to help ensure that you have the best experience possible.

 

Respect

Spend some time with your roommate(s) so that you can get to know one another better. This will help if problems arise later. Find out your common interests and build on them. Respect your roommate. Not everyone is alike or does things the same way.

Make other friends and get involved in some activities that are interesting and pertinent to you. Do not depend on your roommate(s) to fulfill your every emotional and social need. Finally, realize you are "sharing." If one person tries to make things conform to his/her own style, it could cause bad feelings and antagonistic attitudes. Think of your roommate(s) and yourself as a household and set up conditions in which everyone can live comfortably.