If on-campus housing registration isn’t enough of a headache, finding a new roommate or suitemate creates an additional challenge for Binghamton University students.
Whether it’s because your current roommates are moving off campus, transferring or trying to move into a new residence community next year, students are searching for new roommates each year and often find themselves at Residential Life’s roommate and suitemate match-up programs.
These programs are managed and run by the staff of each residential community, including Susquehanna and Hillside apartments. For those who cannot attend the program, the community residential staff compiles their names on a list that can be referred to during sign-ups.
According to Susquehanna Community Director Jenny Rickard, approximately 125 students participated in this year’s apartment-mate match program. He added that the program has been incredibly successful since it began around five years ago.
“Students seem to welcome the opportunity to find apartment-mates,” Rickard said. “Many good friendships have sprung out of these matches.”
Dormitory communities on campus have also held their own roommate meet-and-greets over the last few weeks.
At the “Speed Roommating” event held by College-in-the-Woods on Thursday, approximately 30 participants tried to categorize potential roommates by looking at preferred sleeping habits and taste in music.
Most of the students who attended the event were looking for one or two more people to fill a suite.
“We’re just feeling out who’s interested,” said Brian Lee, an undeclared freshman looking for two add-ins into his suite. Although Lee found one person to join his suite, he did “wish that there were more people” at the meet-and-greet.
Some participants at Hinman College’s roommate and suitemate search program, which took place on Tuesday, March 2, had similar thoughts.
“We didn’t actually find anyone [at the event],” said Nina DePalma, a freshman majoring in math, who was also looking for two more people for her suite. “Everyone had different needs, so it didn’t really work out.”
DePalma and her suitemates have since elected to have two new suitemates randomly placed into their suite for next semester.
Housing sign-ups for Dickinson Community, Newing College, College-in-the-Woods, Hinman and Mountainview College began in residence halls on Monday and will continue until Thursday, March 25.