ORANGEBURG, S.C. – This upcoming 2021 fall semester, students at South Carolina State University will finally get a chance to interact with their roommates again as they move back into their dorm rooms. The residential life and housing staff are doing everything they can to bring back normalcy to the dormitories while also making sure students adhere to safety guidelines.
“I’m so glad we’re all coming back together,” said Cammy Grate, Director of Judicial Affairs, and Residence Life and Housing. “It’s time for the students to be able to engage with their roommates once again, be able to see their instructors again and this may put us back on track.”
SC State freshman JaNyah Robinson moved into Battiste Hall on move-in day.
Before move-in day, students can choose who they would like to room with when they fill out their housing application form. Once assigned to a room, students are given a roommate contract, located in their move-in packet, to help them live cohesively in a dorm room.
The contract is a great way for roommates to learn how to communicate, compromise and respect each other’s time and space.
“Your meeting folks from different walks of life, you’re getting together and meeting life-long friends. You’re at the point where you’re not under the control of mom and dad, you have your own key. So, you have to develop your own sense of responsibility,” Grate said.
When living in a smaller space, it can be challenging getting accustomed to everyone’s schedule and making sure you don’t disturb your roommates. Grate said it is always good to see if your roommate is a morning or night person so both roommates can be considerate of each other’s time.
If students feel they are unable to get along with their roommates, they also have the option to do a roommate switch. The housing staff at SC State are dedicated to making sure students are safe and comfortable with their roommates.
“My advice to students who are first meeting their roommates is just to be honest with each other,” Grate said. “Share your likes and dislikes and try to describe yourself in words and let the other person do the same. It’s really about communication with roommates, but both parties have to be willing to adjust.”
Student Government Association President, Javonni Ayers shared her experience of when she first moved in on campus. She and her roommate became so close that they started to look at each other like family. They looked after one another and were each other’s motivation to get work done on time.
“When we moved on campus, we were both shy, but then after that we both realized that we we’re like sisters. We were both biology majors, so we were able to share our books and notes, and study together,” Ayers said.
Ayers and her roommate were determined to not let the other one fail. Ayers said doing little things like communicating and setting up a cleaning scheduled also helped them have more comfortable living conditions.
“This is literally my best friend. I’ve been rocking with her since freshman year,” Ayers said. “We will never get another roommate. I told her she’s stuck with me for life.”
