Living with a roommate is a defining experience of freshman year for many.

Because of this, Syracuse University should expand its roommate selection process to include the option of a brief questionnaire. This could be used to pair compatible roommates to make the transition into college more comfortable for incoming students.

The current roommate pairing process at SU is limited and only provides freshman students with two options: mutually selecting another first-year student or having their roommate assigned at random by Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services.

According to Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. services, 30 percent of incoming freshmen make arrangements prior to coming to campus in selecting a roommate, while the other 70 percent opt for random pairing. Some use social media websites, such as RoomSurf, which is based on compatibility percentages to create matches between students, as a way to meet potential roommates with similar interests before coming to campus.

Of course, an algorithm based on a short questionnaire would not guarantee a perfect match, and should include a disclaimer stating that if students decide to take part, the chances of compatibility are not 100 percent. Still, this survey could include a priority ranking system, and ask important habitual questions like those pertaining to sleeping or studying routines. The answers to these questions could help match compatible roommates.

Eileen Simmons, director of Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services, said in an email to The Daily Orange that SU does not provide a survey because “students evolve during their first year at SU” and that the university wants students to see random pairing as “a valuable and worthwhile experience.”

While living with a randomly selected roommate has the potential to be an educational life experience, some students are simply not comfortable with this process.

The university should aim to accommodate students every way they can to make the transition to life at SU as comfortable and convenient as possible. Providing the option to complete a short compatibility survey prior to being paired with a roommate can help make for a more welcoming experience to the university, which can set the tone for a successful freshman year.

Published on August 26, 2015 at 9:42 am

Contact: opinion@dailyorange.com