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Shared Living

By Andy Gregory on January 22, 2014

Two roommates talking in kitchen

By Brook Jones, UBC student

Living in residence with dozens of peers, and no parents, is probably new. As with any new experience, there may be a few adjustments to make.

Luckily, the key to success is summed up in one word: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That’s how Aretha Franklin spelled it, and who am I to argue with the First Lady of Soul? The only way to keep these shared living spaces from falling into utter chaos is by showing respect for your roommates, housemates and floor mates.

Different strokes

One of the great things about living in residence is being close to friends and peers. But it can sometimes be a drawback. For example, everyone has his or her own standard of acceptable noise levels, which can vary depending on the time of day, time, or whether exams are happening.

Realize that you’re a member of an academic community. You need to respect your neighbours’ noise level needs and they need to respect yours. If you can do that, and be willing to compromise, you’ll definitely be able to make residence livable.

Clean up your act

Cleanliness is another area where respect is paramount. You’ll share hallways, a lounge and, possibly, a room. And each one of you will have your own definition of acceptable cleanliness. It’s important to establish standards and cleaning responsibilities. With common areas it’s simple:

  • Be tidy.
  • Don’t let food rot in the fridge.
  • Clean your dirty dishes promptly

Housekeeping staff tidy common areas, but only the basics. You and your neighbours are all responsible for keeping these areas clean and tidy. Also, leaving a large mess might result in your floor being charged for the cleanup.

Talk it out

Respect for others is the guiding principle of residence contracts, which all residents agree to before moving in. For questions, or if you feel disrespected, contact your Residence Advisor. They are there to help resolve these sorts of situations. Remember, a little Aretha goes a long way.

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We acknowledge that SHCS and UBC are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. We thank the Musqueam Nation for its hospitality and support of our work.

  
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  • Home
  • Getting Started
    ▼
    • Prospective Students
    • Returning Students
    • Graduate Students
    • Parents/Guardians
    • Important Dates
    • Useful Resources
  • Residences
    ▼
    • Residences Overview
    • Residences
      ▼
      • Acadia Park
      • Brock Commons – Tallwood House
      • Exchange
      • Fairview Crescent
      • Fraser Hall
      • Graduate Colleges
      • Iona House
      • Marine Drive
      • Orchard Commons
      • Pacific
      • Place Vanier
      • Ponderosa Commons
      • Ritsumeikan-UBC House
      • Thunderbird
      • Totem Park
      • Walter Gage
    • Rooms & Suites
      ▼
      • Shared Room
      • Connected Single Room
      • Single Traditional Room
      • Six Bedroom Suite
      • Four Bedroom Suite
      • Three Bedroom Suite
      • Two Bedroom Suite
      • One Bedroom Suite
      • Studio Suite
      • Nano Suite
      • Townhouse
      • Student Families
    • Residence Map
  • Applications
    ▼
    • Essential Application Facts
    • Important Dates
    • How To Apply
    • Fees & Payments
    • Eligibility
    • How We Assign Rooms
    • Residence Contracts
    • Cancellations & Refunds
    • Subletting
  • Dining
    ▼
    • Meal Plans
      ▼
      • Totem Park, Place Vanier & Orchard Commons
      • Suite-style Residences
    • Places To Eat
  • Residence Life
    ▼
    • Community Living
      ▼
      • Rights and Responsibilities
      • Solving Problems
      • Living With Roommates
    • Residence Standards
    • Health & Safety
      ▼
      • Safety & Security
      • Health & Wellness
      • Counsellor in Residence
      • Fitness in Residence
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • COVID-19 Residence Rules
    • Services & Amenities
    • Moving In
      ▼
      • Before You Leave Home
      • What Should I Pack?
      • Move In Day
      • Move In Day Volunteer Registration
    • Get Involved
    • Grad Student Programs
    • Events
    • Student Family Housing
      ▼
      • Get Involved at Acadia Park
      • Moving In & Out of Acadia Park
    • Mindful Move Out
      ▼
      • Cleaning & Checkout
  • Other Housing
    ▼
    • Living Off Campus
    • More Campus Housing
    • Visitor Housing
    • Commuter Student Hostel
    • Self-Isolation Accommodation
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