Think the idea of living with a dude in that beloved, 2×4 box of a dorm room is out of the question? Think again! More and more schools (including Dartmouth, Cornell and Michigan…maybe they’re onto something?) are introducing gender-neutral housing which allows men and women to become roommates in dorms. I’ve always thought this should be an option because I have a lot of studly guy friends if we’re legal adults, we should be able to choose who we want to live with!

Most of the participating schools made the change because gay, bisexual and transgendered students felt more comfortable with an opposite-sex roommate, but they restricted the option to housing with “gay themes.” I applaud the universities for trying, but why not allow the same for the general population? Yes, I understand the obvious potential for sex, but does having a same-sex roommate prevent anyone from bringing someone else home to their twin-XL? I think not. Actually, I know not.

My group of friends is pretty mixed between guys and girls, and now that we’re upperclassmen and live off-campus, it seems totally normal for them to share houses. In fact, it seems quite splendid. But would it be quite the same to co-habitate with a manly man in that closet I used to affectionately consider my room? Read More »

Midterms are still weeks away, and already you can’t stand your roommate. Being forced to share such small quarters as a dorm room with another person can take its toll on one’s sanity. Perhaps you got a random roommate, and the two of you just never clicked, or maybe you chose to room with a friend, only to find that spending every waking moment with her is a nightmare. You want to do a housing swap, but you’re settled into your room. Problem is, so is she. The gauntlet has been thrown; how do you make her move out?

1.Leave Passive-Agressive Notes.

The PAN is a surefire way to irk any person who gets it. You know what I’m talking about: Post-It notes that are written in a polite tone of voice, yet irritate you more than your mom nagging you to clean your room in high school. In fact, often the PAN comes off as sounding like your mom. I’m getting annoyed just thinking about PANs! So, use this technique to get under the roommate’s skin. Read More »