Skip to main content

    • Faculty
    • Students
    • Staff
    • Alumnae
    • Parents
    • Offices and Services
    • News
    • Events
    • Academic Calendar
    • Barnard Magazine
    • Media Relations
    • Community Messages
  • Give to Barnard
  • COVID-19 Information
Barnard College Barnard College
  • Leading the Way

    Discover the bold, brilliant voices and achievements of Barnard women – from activism to entrepreneurship, making their mark on the world.

    • Boldly Barnard
      • The College and Its Mission
      • Facts & Stats
      • Institutional Areas of Focus
      • Organizational Charts
      • Accreditation
    • Knowledge & Action
    • Women Leading the Way
    • The Whole Self
    • New York City
    • Our Partnership with Columbia University
    • A Fearless History
      • College Leadership
      • President Beilock
      • Senior Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Provost
      • Dean of the College
      • Government Relations
      • Past Leaders of the College
  • Departments & Majors

    There are nearly 50 majors at Barnard — in the humanities, social sciences, arts, natural sciences, and many interdisciplinary areas — waiting to be explored.

    • The Academic Experience
      • An Education for Tomorrow
      • Learning Digitally
      • Building Strong Voices
      • NYC as a Lab
      • The Curriculum
      • Departments & Programs
      • Support & Resources
      • Deans' Office and Advising
      • Choosing Your Courses
      • Special Academic Programs & Experiences
    • The Faculty
      • Research & Scholarship
      • Academic Centers
      • Academic and Arts Programming
      • The Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning
      • Student Research Programs
      • Faculty Research & Opportunities
      • Library
    • Provost & Dean of the Faculty
    • The Columbia Connection
    • Barnard Global
    • Summer Session & Continuing Studies
  • Feel Well, Do Well

    Thriving — in college and in life — requires taking care of every component of your well-being. See how Barnard helps you do wellness your way.

    • Our Campus & Community
    • Student Organizations
    • The Neighborhood
    • Athletics
      • CARES - Community Safety
      • CARES Department Staff
      • Response Team
      • Community Safety
      • Nondiscrimination & Title IX
      • Preparedness
      • Community Safety Advisory Council
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Health & Wellness
      • LeFrak Center for Well-Being
      • Sustainability and Climate Action
      • Student Services
      • Residential Life & Housing
      • Parent & Family Resources
    • Summer Conferences and Group Rentals
    • The Toddler Center
  • Your Path. Your Purpose.

    Beyond Barnard builds a bridge — helping students and alumnae define, pursue, and achieve success in their careers and their communities.

    • Beyond Barnard
      • Prepare for Your Future
      • Beyond Barnard Advising & Programs
      • Beyond Barnard Goes Virtual
      • Internships, Student Jobs, Experiences
      • Graduate & Professional School
      • Competitive Fellowships
      • 4+1 Pathways
    • A Lifelong Network
    • Alumnae Stories
    • Employers & Partners
    • Data & Outcomes
  • Applying to Barnard

    Get all of the details on applying to Barnard, including virtual tours, test policies, interviews and how the process works.

    • Admissions & Aid
      • Visit Us Virtually
      • Around Our Campus
      • Visit Our Campus
      • Open House Events
      • How to Apply
      • First-Year Applicants
      • QuestBridge
      • Transfer Applicants
      • Visiting Students
      • International Applicants
      • Temporary Test-Optional Policy
      • Transgender Policy
      • Barnard Bound
      • Contact Us
      • Meet the Admissions Team
      • Cost of Attendance
      • Estimate Your Eligibility
      • Applying for Financial Aid
      • Understanding Your Aid
      • Contact Us
    • Apply To Pre-College Programs
  • Boldly Barnard

    Leading the Way

    Discover the bold, brilliant voices and achievements of Barnard women – from activism to entrepreneurship, making their mark on the world.

    • Boldly Barnard
    • The College and its Mission
      • The College and Its Mission
      • Facts & Stats
      • Institutional Areas of Focus
      • Organizational Charts
      • Accreditation
    • Knowledge & Action
    • Women Leading the Way
    • The Whole Self
    • New York City
    • Our Partnership with Columbia University
    • A Fearless History
    • College Leadership
      • College Leadership
      • President Beilock
      • Senior Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Provost
      • Dean of the College
      • Government Relations
      • Past Leaders of the College
  • The Academic Experience

    Departments & Majors

    There are nearly 50 majors at Barnard — in the humanities, social sciences, arts, natural sciences, and many interdisciplinary areas — waiting to be explored.

    • The Academic Experience
    • An Education for Tomorrow
      • An Education for Tomorrow
      • Learning Digitally
      • Building Strong Voices
      • NYC as a Lab
    • The Barnard Degree
      • The Curriculum
      • Departments & Programs
      • Support & Resources
        • Help Rooms
        • Peer-to-Peer Tutoring
      • Deans' Office and Advising
        • First-Year Class Dean
        • Senior Class Dean
        • Assistants and Support Staff
      • Choosing Your Courses
      • Special Academic Programs & Experiences
        • FLI @ Barnard
          • Peer Academic Leader (PAL) Program
          • First-Generation/Low-Income Student Advisory Board
          • Spelman College Exchange Program
        • Double Degree Program with Jewish Theological Seminary
        • Resumed Baccalaureate
    • The Faculty
    • Research & Scholarship
      • Research & Scholarship
      • Academic Centers
      • Academic and Arts Programming
        • Barnard International Artist Series
        • Forum on Migration
      • The Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning
      • Student Research Programs
        • Beckman Scholars
        • Scholars of Distinction
        • Science Pathways Scholars Program (SP)²
        • Summer Research Institute
          • About the Summer Research Institute
          • 2023 SRI Program Details & Calendar
          • SRI Eligibility & Requirements
          • Finding a Research Mentor
          • Funding for SRI
          • Past Programs
          • The Lida Orzeck ’68 Poster Session
      • Faculty Research & Opportunities
      • Library
    • Provost & Dean of the Faculty
    • The Columbia Connection
    • Barnard Global
    • Summer Session & Continuing Studies
  • Our Campus & Community

    Feel Well, Do Well

    Thriving — in college and in life — requires taking care of every component of your well-being. See how Barnard helps you do wellness your way.

    • Our Campus & Community
    • Student Organizations
    • The Neighborhood
    • Athletics
    • CARES - Community Safety
      • CARES - Community Safety
      • CARES Department Staff
      • Response Team
      • Community Safety
        • Access to Campus
        • Annual Security & Fire Safety Report
        • Blue Light Locations
        • Campus Alert System
        • Crime Alerts
        • Transportation Services
        • Lost and Found
        • Safety Tips
      • Nondiscrimination & Title IX
        • Respond
        • Inform
        • Support
        • Empower
      • Preparedness
        • Annual Security & Fire Safety Report
      • Community Safety Advisory Council
    • On Campus
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
        • DEI Cabinet
        • DEI Mission
        • Strategic Priorities
        • Institutional Commitments
        • Access Barnard
        • Trans@Barnard
        • DEI Partners
        • Council on DEI
      • Health & Wellness
        • Primary Care Health Service
        • Furman Counseling Center
        • Denise LeFrak Foundation Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program
        • The Wellness Spot Health Promotion Program
        • Being Barnard Violence Prevention Program
      • LeFrak Center for Well-Being
      • Sustainability and Climate Action
        • Circular Campus
        • Student Opportunities
        • Environmental Justice
        • Climate Action Vision
        • Academics
        • Finance & Governance
        • Campus Culture & Operations
        • Events
        • Rheaply @ Barnard
          • Rheaply FAQ
        • Barnard Sustainability Student Leadership
        • Contact Us
      • Student Services
        • Testing Accommodations
        • Campus Accessibility
        • BCIT Student Computing
        • International Student Services
          • Dean for International Students
          • New Full-Degree International Students
          • Current Full-Degree International Students
          • International Student Services Staff
          • Administrative Internationalization Group
          • Visiting International Students Programs
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • International Students
        • Opportunity Programs
          • Meet the Staff
          • CSTEP
          • HEOP
        • Resources for Barnard Staff
        • Student Experience & Engagement
        • Students' Roles and Responsibilities
          • The Honor Code
          • Student Code of Conduct
        • Leaves of Absence and Returns
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Types of Leaves of Absence
          • Returning from a Leave of Absence
      • Residential Life & Housing
        • New Students
          • NEW STUDENTS (up level ▲)
          • Why Live in Campus Housing?
          • Applications & Assignments
          • Roommates
          • What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
          • Important Dates
        • Housing Options
          • HOUSING OPTIONS (up level ▲)
          • Quad Residence Halls
          • Off-Quad Residence Halls
          • Housing Exchange
            • HOUSING EXCHANGE (up level ▲)
            • Barnard Students Living at Columbia
            • Columbia Students Living at Barnard
          • Off-Campus Housing
          • Virtual Tour & Floor Plans
        • Residence Hall Handbook
          • HANDBOOK (up level ▲)
          • Housing Contract
            • HOUSING CONTRACT (up level ▲)
            • 2021-2022 Housing Contract
            • 2020-2021 Housing Contract
          • Forms
          • Programs
          • Services
            • SERVICES (up level ▲)
            • Repairs
            • Cable TV
            • Exterminators
            • Heating and Cooling
            • Internet Access & Computer Labs
            • Keys & Lock Changes
            • Laundry
            • Mail and Packages
            • Music Practice Rooms
            • Storage
          • Policies
            • POLICIES (up level ▲)
            • Community Policies
            • Housing Policies
            • Guest Policies
          • Procedures
            • PROCEDURES (up level ▲)
            • Apply for Housing
            • Moving In
            • Moving Out
            • Disability Housing Accommodations
            • Room Change & Swap Requests
            • Room Selection
            • Winter Break
            • Summer Housing
          • Campus Safety & Emergency Response
          • Fire Safety
        • Important Dates
        • Employment Opportunities
          • EMPLOYMENT (up level ▲)
          • Resident Assistants
          • Residence Hall Coordinator (RHC)
          • Office Assistants
        • About the Department
          • ABOUT RES LIFE (up level ▲)
          • Welcome to Campus Living
          • Mission & Goals
          • Partnership Statement
          • Staff Directory
          • Organizational Chart
          • Contact Information
        • RA Union Information
      • Parent & Family Resources
        • Parent Frequently Asked Questions
    • Summer Conferences and Group Rentals
    • The Toddler Center
  • Beyond Barnard

    Your Path. Your Purpose.

    Beyond Barnard builds a bridge — helping students and alumnae define, pursue, and achieve success in their careers and their communities.

    • Beyond Barnard
    • Prepare for Your Future
      • Prepare for Your Future
      • Beyond Barnard Advising & Programs
      • Beyond Barnard Goes Virtual
      • Internships, Student Jobs, Experiences
      • Graduate & Professional School
      • Competitive Fellowships
        • Competitive Fellowships
      • 4+1 Pathways
    • A Lifelong Network
    • Alumnae Stories
    • Employers & Partners
    • Data & Outcomes
  • Admissions & Aid

    Applying to Barnard

    Get all of the details on applying to Barnard, including virtual tours, test policies, interviews and how the process works.

    • Admissions & Aid
    • Visit Opportunities
      • Visit Us Virtually
      • Around Our Campus
      • Visit Our Campus
      • Open House Events
    • How to Apply
      • How to Apply
      • First-Year Applicants
        • The Application Process
        • Special Programs for First-Year Applicants
        • Double Degree Program with the Jewish Theological Seminary
        • Homeschooled Applicants
        • Undocumented and DACA Applicants
      • QuestBridge
      • Transfer Applicants
      • Visiting Students
      • International Applicants
      • Temporary Test-Optional Policy
      • Transgender Policy
    • Commitment to Access
      • Barnard Bound
    • Contact Us
      • Contact Us
      • Meet the Admissions Team
        • Jennifer Fondiller
        • Christina Lopez
        • Ruby Bhattacharya
        • Nicole Molina
        • Grace Bradley
        • Danielle Schiestle
        • Virginia Hart
        • Tiffany Thimba
        • Aydan Shahdadpuri
        • Yasmin Elkoush
    • Financial Aid
      • Cost of Attendance
      • Estimate Your Eligibility
      • Applying for Financial Aid
      • Understanding Your Aid
      • Contact Us
    • Apply To Pre-College Programs
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • Staff
    • Alumnae
    • Parents
    • Offices and Services
    • News
    • Events
    • Academic Calendar
    • Barnard Magazine
    • Media Relations
    • Community Messages
  • Give to Barnard
  • COVID-19 Information
Residential Life & Housing > New Students

Roommates

  • NEW STUDENTS (up level ▲)
  • Why Live in Campus Housing?
  • Applications & Assignments
  • Roommates
  • What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
  • Important Dates

The information on your Housing Application serves as a guide to match you with another person(s). 

Students may request specific roommates and all requests must be mutual in order to be considered.

Over the years, many incoming Barnard students have expressed anxiety about deciding whether to request a roommate or to be paired with a roommate(s) through the matching process. It may seem easier or more comforting,to live with someone you know well, someone you have met during an Open House, or someone you met on Facebook. However, attending a particular high school or sharing a common background does not predict a successful roommate match. The lifestyle questions on the Housing Application have often proven to be a more accurate predictor of successful roommate matches.

Students are strongly encouraged to be open to the roommate matching process, as it is a time-honored Barnard tradition that successfully matches students every year.  Some students find that living with a person they knew prior to attending Barnard can be isolating, as they are less inclined to reach out and meet new people. Many students find that having a friend already on-campus who is not their roommate increases their social network.

Please note that the College makes room and roommate assignments without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, religious practices, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, dietary preferences, abilities, and/or age.

Living with a roommate(s) can be one of the most exciting parts of your first year at Barnard; it can also be one of the most challenging. Everyone has their own habits and ways of approaching life. While sharing a room with others, there’s bound to be some tension now and then.

Communication is key. If you are feeling uncomfortable with anything that is going on in the room, the very best thing to do is approach your roommate(s) as soon as possible to talk about it. Most people are surprised to learn how accommodating roommates are willing to be, if and when they are approached in a constructive, non-hostile manner. If you want to approach your roommate(s) about any issues, but you are not sure how to start the conversation, speak with your RA. They not only has training in these types of situations but also has experience with their roommate(s) from their own first year. They can help you work out a strategy of how to raise an issue in the most non-threatening way possible. A good way to start communicating with your roommate(s) is to discuss the topics in the FYF Roommate Agreement Workbook, which you will receive during orientation. Take a few moments in the first week of your arrival to discuss the questions presented there. You will be required to fill out a roommate contract to turn in to your RA.

Every attempt will be made to match you with a roommate(s) with whom you share a similar lifestyle. It is important for roommates to discuss their similarities and differences at the time they receive notification of their assignment or upon move-in as a means to better understand each other and to establish a cooperative relationship.

We believe students from diverse backgrounds can live well together if they communicate, compromise, and are honest with each other. You may find that you and your roommate become best friends or that you are able to coexist peacefully and be respectful roommates.

In any relationship, conflict is natural and healthy! When you are experiencing troubles with your roommate, the first step is to speak with them. If you're still experiencing troubles, your RA will be able to help you with strategies to approach what is troubling you.

Typically room changes are not available for First Year students due to the residence halls being full (although 1-for-1 room swaps may be possible). If a student is experiencing severe trouble living with their roommate, Res Life staff will work with them and their roommate to mediate the conflicts that they are having. Following mediation meetings with the RA or Residence Hall Coordinator, the Community Director has the discretion to explore the possibility of a room change if they feels that it's in both students' best interest and if an open space is available.

Site Footer

Footer

  • About the College
    • Offices & Services
      • Purchasing
        • Citizens Bank MasterCard
        • Purchasing Procedures & Forms
      • Ombuds Office
        • About the Ombuds
      • Finance & Operations
      • Mail Services
        • Addressing Incoming Mail
        • Breaks, Leaves & Graduation
        • Incoming Mail
        • Local Mail
        • Outgoing Mail
        • Outgoing Mail
        • Privacy Policy
        • Prohibited Items
        • Receiving Your Mail and Packages
      • Printing at Barnard
      • Human Resources
        • About HR
        • Benefits
        • Compensation
        • Employment Opportunities at Barnard
        • Employment
        • Diversity and Inclusion
        • Policies
        • News and Announcements
      • Accounts Payable
      • Bursar
        • Bursar (up level ▲)
        • Tuition & Fees
        • Understanding your Fall Bill
        • Understanding your Spring Bill
        • Payment Options
        • Perkins Loan Information
        • 1098-T Tax Credits
        • Tuition Refunds
        • Tuition-related forms
        • Policies
        • About the Bursar
      • Facilities
        • Service Information
  • Job Opportunities
  • Visit
    • Directions
    • Campus Map
    • Local Resources
      • Parking
      • Restaurants
      • Accommodations
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Nondiscrimination & Title IX
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Barnard College | Columbia University | 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 | 212.854.5262