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The Battauon
Page 3A • Monday, January 26, 2004
Renegade roommates
Personality clashes send students over the edge, ask roommates to pack their bags
By Angela Arenivar
THE BATTALION
J im Kratus’ first roommate didn’t bathe regularly. He just
sprayed himself with Febreze and he was good to go. The
clothes he wore to class were the clothes in he slept in.
Kratus even tried hinting at his roommates.
Kratus, a sophomore geography major, is one of many college stu
dents who can attest to living with difficult roommates.
“He might have showered once or twice the whole semester. I
have tried to erase that semester from my mind,” Kratus said.
"My second roommate didn’t want to be here. He always wore
Texas Tech clothing.”
Tristina Oppliger, a Briggs Hall resident advisor, said roommate
dissidence stems from a bigger problem.
“Usually when little things start to bother roommates it’s because
there is underlying tension. Also, at times, there are cultural differences
between roommates or they invade each other’s space.” Oppliger said.
As a first-year resident adviser, Oppliger advises roommates to be
straightforward and honest w ith each other about problems that arise.
She realizes living with a person of a different background or lifestyle
can be difficult.
Kratus agrees compromising is the key to improving the relationship.
"The best way is just to talk to them about the issue,” Kratus said.
"Most of the time, they will at least try to compromise.”
For the most part, Annie Meredith, a sophomore English major,
gets along with her roommate. However, despite how well room
mates may get along there are still small quirks that may annoy the
other person.
“1 think nearly everyone has come across the roommate who plays
the same CD over and over, even w hen she isn’t in the room.” Meredith
said. "Also, it really isn't fair to your roommate to have to watch flirt
ing and PDA. If your boyfriend or girlfriend is in the room more than
five nights a week, that is far too many nights."
Meredith said, however, she could be worse off.
“I’ve heard some pretty' awful roommate stories. A girl was telling
me about her roommate who yelled obscenities at her,”.she said. “The
roommate even threatened to steal or damage her belongings.”
For worst case scenarios. Oppliger said, incompatible roommates
can seek counseling at the Student Conflict Resolution Services. The
Department of Residence Life encourages roommates to settle their
differences with the assistance of the residence hall staff. Additionally,
roommates can complete a "Roommate Agreement” as a means of
compromise.
At the beginning of the year the roommates can sit down and decide
certain issues such as when they study or go to bed, Oppliger said.
When roommates cannot resolve their differences, one or both of
them can be relocated. For that to happen, residents need to have tried
solving the conflict themselves or vvith the assistance of the residence
hall staff.
Audrey Cooper, a junior finance major and resident advisor, cites
lifestyle differences as being the reason for her past roommate conflicts.
"My roommate would turn on the TV while I was sleeping and not
go to bed until 4:00 in the morning, I would wake up at 8:00 and she’d
be asleep so I couldn’t watch TV,” Cooper said.
Cooper said he avoided his roommate because if they talked about
anything, it would escalate into an argument.
In times of discord with her roommate, Meredith spends as much
time as possible outside the room. As a result of her previous room
mate experiences, she reasons that to get past any incompatibilities,
both roommates must have a keen understanding of the meaning of
patience and understanding.
“Communication is the key to get past any roommate troubles.
However, there are some cases where talking doesn't work, and you
have to look elsewhere for aid,” she said. “I suggest trying to talk out
any difficulties calmly and rationally, and if it works to no avail, then
seek assistance with your RA.”
Oppliger agrees.
“The only way to get things solved is t^
talk about them, but some people don’t like
that,” Oppliger said. "They just think their
problems are going to go away. The only
way it’s going to get better is to sit down
and be honest,.”
Katy Sullivan, a freshman education
major, has seen the effects of communi
cation and respect between roommates
firsthand.
“There are girls who live next to me
who are total opposites,” Sullivan
said. “One is a gothic girl who likes
rock music and her roommate is an
African American who likes hip hop.
They get along so well in spite of
their differences.”
Before coming to college, Oppliger
talked with her older sister about college
life and roommate expectations. Oppliger
has adopted her sister’s philosophy of being independent and not
expecting anything from a roommate.
“Some people come to college expecting to meet their best friend,
but sometimes they end up hating their roommate,” she said. "Don’t
expect anything from your roommate, and you’ll appreciate it more
when your roommate does something good.”
Sullivan believes avoiding confrontation won’t help matters in any
way. Finding a way to get along with the other person and setting
boundaries can go a long way.
“You have to be able to talk to someone and find a common
ground,” Sullivan said. "People can get along no matter how different
they are because it’s just about communication and respect.”
Paul Wilson • THE BATTALION
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Career Conversations
with
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U.S. Army Intelligence & Security Command
and
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Presidential Management Intern
Topic: “A Career Outlook for Homeland Security”
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
5:30 pm, 111 Koldus
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CareerCenter
Texas A&M University
With you every step of the way
http://careercenter.tamu.edu
209 Koldus 845-5139
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