Room Changes

Room Change Philosophy and Process

Thinking about changing rooms?  Here's what you need to know about room changes at Champlain College.  

Living with another person can be a great experience but even under the best circumstances, it can sometimes present challenges.  At Champlain College, we believe that the experience of living with other students is a great opportunity to foster communication skills, practice conflict resolution and compromise, and build strong relationships along with a sense of community and belonging.  With the right attitude and approach, these challenging conversations with your roommate can actually improve your relationship. 

What warrants a room change?

• Room changes are the exception and will only be granted if someone's health is at risk, if conflict with a roommate cannot be resolved after intervention has failed, or if you have accommodations that necessitate a room change.  It will also be dependent upon availability. 
• If your reason for changing rooms is to be closer to your friends, you want a better view, a larger room, or you don't want to walk as far to get to your classes, we will not approve your room change request. Room changes are reserved for situations of necessity only. 
• A Resident Advisor or an Area Coordinator will talk to you and your roommate before approving your room change request. 

When are room changes permitted?

• There is a housing freeze during the first two weeks of the semester. This means that no room change requests will be allowed during this time unless it is deemed an emergency.
• The room change process closes one month before the semester ends. During this time you are not allowed to apply for a room change.
• Any other time during the semester, you can apply for a room change using the process detailed below.

Why do we encourage students to stay in their assigned rooms?

• We want to encourage students to learn how to adapt to different living situations. We also want to teach students important communication skills and how to have difficult conversations which will ultimately foster stronger relationships. We encourage you to work with your roommate to find common ground.   
• Remember, the grass isn't always greener!  Changing rooms doesn't always mean a better outcome.  Without developing the skills to live with others, you are more likely to encounter roommate conflict wherever you go.   

What is the process for requesting a room change?

1. Set up an in-person open conversation with your roommate to discuss the issues you're encountering.  We encourage you to work with your roommate to find common ground and lead with the positives.
2. If you have not done so already, please complete a Roommate Agreement on Roompact together with your roommate. 
3. If you feel that you need support in this conversation or if you don't feel as though this meeting was productive, set up a meeting with your Resident Advisor to discuss further.  Your RA will work with you and your roommate(s) to mediate and create a roommate agreement (if one has not already been put in place). 
4. Follow up with your RA to reassess your situation approximately 2 weeks after this mediation if you believe a room change is still needed. If issues persist, the RA will set up a meeting for you with the Area Coordinator/Residential Life Professional Staff to discuss further.  After this meeting, your Area Coordinator can either request a room change on your behalf or decline your request.
5. Students approved for a room change will be given access to complete an application on The Housing Director (THD) that outlines why they are looking to change rooms and what measures they have taken to improve their situation. 
6. Residential Life will review room change request and if warranted, offer a room change.
7. Once a room change is offered, a student has 24 hours to respond or we will move on to the next student. 
8. Students who make unapproved room changes will be subject to disciplinary actions, through the Code of Conduct.