Living in a student community can be a highlight of your college career, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Living in a student community prepares you for living once you graduate, as it provides opportunities to share social events, resolve conflict that will naturally arise and learn to communicate effectively with diverse individuals.

Before choosing to live at Ohia Student Suites or any student living community, you should examine your personal style and needs in order to determine if community living is the best lifestyle choice for you. Often you have lived in your own room with your own television, stereo, telephone and clothes. Living with roommates is not always easy and this lifestyle choice presents responsibilities that are impossible to escape. Living in a student community requires accepting certain community guidelines with which you may or may not agree, but must abide to create an orderly and productive living environment.

- Respect Others Respect others space, their ideas and opinions - Show Interest Everyone should be given a chance, introduce yourself to everyone - Cooperate and Compromise You can't always do things like you always have in the past - Take Responsibility Admit your mistakes, say your sorry, recognize the part you play in the community - Confront with Care Be careful not to abuse or accuse, offer help when someone is in need - Get Involved Be a positive member of the community and become an active citizen of the community		At Ohia Student Suites, not only do you share a bedroom, you may share a suite with up to 2 others. In addition, clear community guidelines are enforced and citizens in the community are expected to exhibit leadership and good citizenship regardless of personal opinions about certain rules. We encourage everyone to really consider what this means to you personally and whether you are able to integrate the following suggestions in to your personal communication, behaviors and living style:

What happens when your choice of community living is not perfect? First, try to remember that living in any community is seldom perfect and you are not alone in your experience. Sometimes roommates develop "Best Buddy Syndrome" This is when you create a "fantasy" of what your roommate experience will be like. When you meet your roommates you realize this may not be the case and that friendship is not the main factor in developing and excellent roommate relationship. Instead, respect and a willingness to communicate clearly are the keys.

When your living community is not perfect here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

- Don't Blame or Accuse

Gather facts first instead of automatically pointing the finger of blame. You will save a lot of wasted time and misunderstanding.

- Use "I" Statements

Let others know how their actions impact you. Saying, "I can't sleep when your music is turned up" will help make someone less defensive than saying, - - You keep me awake constantly with your loud music."

- Steer Clear of Assumptions and the Rumor Mill

It's easy to assume something about someone or to judge based on rumor. Assumptions are rarely accurate and contribute to further misunderstandings. When people live in a close community rumors can run rampant and are not productive to developing a great place to live.

- Don't Overreact

If you make a "mountain out of a molehill" situations may get worse. Focus on what you can control.

You should always talk to your roommates and neighbors first about your concerns and feelings. You should not call Mom and Dad and ask them to solve your problem as they are often miles away and have not experienced the situation the way you have. Often when you describe your problem to Mom and Dad your emotions take over and because they are your family it is natural for them to want to jump in and help. Often this makes the situation worse. Remember you have the ability to find a solution. That solution starts with communicating with your roommate or neighbor.

Finally, if you have honestly tried to address your conflict with your roommates or neighbors and you have not met with much success, it's OK. Don't be frustrated, but stop by our offices and communicate with our staff your concerns. We will then help you address your concerns in a non-biased manner.

Try to remember that many different people live in our student community and everyone has a slightly different manner in how they live. Sometimes getting help to understand the viewpoint of another person makes the situation seem less frustrating. If you are feeling frustrated over a problem, it is important you report the concern to the people working at the student community. These are the people that can listen and help you.

If you do find yourself in conflict within the community try the following: - Listen to what the other person has to say - Compromise but don't be so flexible that you bend too much - Make eye contact when speaking - Keep your voice on an even keel-shouting doesn't help - Communicate with people what is on your mind - Get help from the RA's or manager of the student community if you are unable to resolve the situation alone.

Please remember, that you live in a student community. Your concerns and problems cannot always be fixed by moving from the community. When you decide to live at Ohia Student Suites or any other student community, you accept some degree of responsibility to work toward amicable resolutions of conflict. This sometimes means meeting and having open and honest conversations with roommates or neighbors or sometimes relocating rooms to alleviate the stress of the situation. Being released from your decision to live in the student community is a rare exception.

We again, think that living in a student community can be a wonderful college experience. Put different people in the same room or neighborhood and things are bound to get interesting! Think about what living in close proximity means and whether you are the type of person that can offer the "best of yourself" at all times in many situations. If your answer is yes to this question, than we are excited to have you as a resident at Ohia.