Students decorate rooms

By Laura Pelner
Summer Reporter

Moving into a space that may be the same size as a bedroom at home, and then having to share it with someone else who possibly is a stranger can be a difficult adjustment.

In order to feel at home, and as comfortable as possible, students are encouraged to decorate their rooms and personalize them.

Barbara Middleton, the director of marketing for housing and food services, said the biggest residence room essential is anything that personalizes the room for students so they are comfortable. "If they are very close with family and friends, they should bring a lot of pictures."

Middleton also advises that students should try to call their roommates before arriving on campus. "It's a good idea to know who your roommate is before coming to campus — have a conversation with them prior to arriving."

The rules for personalizing rooms are relatively easy-going. Middleton said that almost anything is allowed. "They can decorate their rooms any way they want."

She added that a lot of students go all out, "they have lofts and incorporate a living room with a complete home entertainment center with couches, a refrigerator and a microwave."

A loft is a structure that raises a bed off the floor and almost makes it like a top bunk in bunk beds. Lofts are useful because they create more space on the floor of rooms. Lofts are allowed in all university residences, but Middleton said, "Lofts have to be inspected by a residence hall facility person, and they must meet standards that are set." The standards are distributed through the halls.

There are only a few items not permitted in residence rooms. No big pets are allowed, only fish. Also, no halogen lamps or sunlamps, no items with open flame-like candles or incense and no electric blankets or sheets are allowed because they are all fire hazards.

Many students take a lot of care in decorating their rooms and really have a lot of pride in them. Middleton said that roommates sometimes work out color schemes and design schemes for their rooms.

She also said, "A lot of students will decorate for whatever holiday there is."

For those students who are serious about decorating their rooms, there is a room-decorating contest every October. The contest has been held for the last six years.

Middleton said, "We encourage students to do that. It's the culmination of their efforts in having great rooms that reflect their personalities."

The contest is judged based on three main criteria; creativity, efficient use of space and adherence to rules so that no regulations are violated.

There are a few items that most students always bring, like shower shoes. Middleton advises that people should also remember a shower bucket or something that is portable so students can carry their health and beauty aids to and from the bathrooms.

Probably the most important part of living in a University Residence is to know that it is communal. "Remember you are about to enter a community, and that you have to respect that community and community living. There are other people you need to think of besides yourself."