Every year following the fall semester, Simpson’s residence life staff has to consolidate on-campus living to welcome incoming transfer students and fulfill other housing accommodations.
Director of Residence Life Lucas Herb-Mullin said most colleges and universities complete this process with the goal of making room for new students.
“Room consolidation is something that happens at most universities. It’s to evaluate where there are gaps, where students are, where students are not, and then figure out how we can make room for people coming in,” Herb-Mullin said.
While this process may cause frustration for some students, the residence life staff is equipped to handle any conflict the situation might bring.
Herb-Mullin said the most important factor in combating conflict is communication. He said he wants the students to know their options for support.
“We really want to make sure we are communicating, they have options, and we’re there to support them. So our goal is to work with them and support them and make sure that they have a good experience,” Herb-Mullin said.
One of the most direct options for support is the students’ community advisor, or CA, for their hall. For Picken Hall CA Hannah Larsen, the mid-year room changes bring a new challenge to conquer.
“If someone moves out, someone else takes that spot, and part of my job as a CA is to get to know people and to build those relationships. I guess it is kind of hard, initiating that relationship in the middle of the year,” Larsen said.
However for Herb-Mullin, he doesn’t see these room changes as a challenge. Instead, he uses them as an opportunity to build relationships with students and show them the support they have in their living situations.
“For me, it’s not a challenge. It’s an opportunity for me to connect with students a little bit more. Also, I think it’s good that students realize that there are many layers of support,” Herb-Mullin said.
The CA is one of those layers of support for students. New living situations can bring conflict between roommates, but the CA staff is equipped to handle them.
Larsen said she makes sure the people involved in conflicts have a healthy conversation with each other.
“We just want to make sure that both people are wanting to be there, and we just make sure, you’re college students, like talk to each other, don’t talk to me if that makes sense,” she said. “Bring us issues, but we want to try to help facilitate healthy conversations.”
The residence life staff wants students to know they are available to talk to and ready to work with students to make on-campus living an optimal environment for all.
