New roommate emails to request they be given the desk and bed by the window. Wwyd?

Anonymous
New roommate emails to say “Hi, I see we will be roommates for Spring Semester. I was on campus last semester and had the bed and desk by the window. For break I had to pack everything as we did not know if we would return to campus. I am not sure of your move in date, mine is ____. If you arrive before me can you please leave the bed and desk by the window for me to move into?”
Child (recipient of email) is not pleased with the general lack of pleasantries in email and the request itself. Child is hoping they get off the waitlist for a single room before their move in date.
Wwyd?
Anonymous
so the person emailing was in the room in the fall and your kid is moving in come spring? Seems to me, they were there first hahah. I just can't imagine this is a first world problem?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:New roommate emails to say “Hi, I see we will be roommates for Spring Semester. I was on campus last semester and had the bed and desk by the window. For break I had to pack everything as we did not know if we would return to campus. I am not sure of your move in date, mine is ____. If you arrive before me can you please leave the bed and desk by the window for me to move into?”
Child (recipient of email) is not pleased with the general lack of pleasantries in email and the request itself. Child is hoping they get off the waitlist for a single room before their move in date.
Wwyd?


Personally, I would try for the single but if not, I would yield to the request. Not that much difference and you need to pick your battles.

But probably be in search of a new room mate for next year. Being self centered is a character trait that is unlikely to go away in just a few months.
Anonymous
Seems like a reasonable request. Other person was there last semester, and but for having to pack up all and take home, would have occupied that bed and desk?

Hope your kid gets a single btw. Many kids have never shared a room until college; what an adjustment for some.
Anonymous
“Flip you for it.”
Anonymous
If it's the same room, and the person was there last semester, I think it's not so unreasonable although poorly worded. I would roll with it and hope for the best. Getting along with a difficult roommate is a pain but it is good to do it at least once, and a Spring semester seems like an ideal time honestly. That way it's not a whole year.
Anonymous
Also, obviously, YOU should do nothing. This is 100% your kid's problem.
Anonymous
I think it is reasonable.

And some people need that natural light for mental health reasons. As an RA, I once had to broker a room swap for exactly that reason. It was critical to one student, but her roommate refused to give up the spot with natural light.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:“Flip you for it.”


+1
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:If it's the same room, and the person was there last semester, I think it's not so unreasonable although poorly worded. I would roll with it and hope for the best. Getting along with a difficult roommate is a pain but it is good to do it at least once, and a Spring semester seems like an ideal time honestly. That way it's not a whole year.


+1
Anonymous
What school? And how good is your kid at arm wrestling?
Anonymous
That would likely annoy both my child and me. Why should one person get to make unilateral decisions when there is a roommate? I agree with the flip for it idea.
Anonymous
It's totally fair. They were there before. They only cleaned out their crap because they didn't know if they'd be coming back.

Tell your kid not to stand on ceremony about "lack of pleasantries" for the rest of their life. It'll serve them well.
Anonymous
I would say “sure no problem.” I would be a little annoyed but giving up the bed I want is not as bad as starting off in the wrong foot with somebody I have to live with. And it’s not a crazy request.
Anonymous
Is there something your DC would want to request as part of the bargain (and to establish the boundary that they are reasonable but not a pushover)?
post reply Forum Index » College and University Discussion
Message Quick Reply
Go to: