Talking Stick: What alterations have been made to the process in recent years, or have you worked at another institution that managed assignments differently? Magura: For this year we implemented a new software system that came with its own roommate matching process. We still developed our own questions but utilized the new software application and functionality to provide roommate matches. My preference is to allow more student choice in the process even though I know it does not seem to impact satisfaction with roommates down the line. The difference for me is where the onus of the roommate challenges will lie. If students have more choice in roommates, the onus of roommate concerns is on them. When my staff assign roommates, it's easier for students to blame us for their roommate issues. Humphries: This year we purposefully did our best to pair international students with domestic students for similar reasons of personal growth and cross-cultural learning. We also found that international students, if paired together, tended to have a harder time making connections to local students. Apanel: At another institution, we had intermixed housing with respect to class year. All class years lived on the same floor. That university was more focused on retaining students, and having them mixed provided a better mentorship opportunity. Johnson: To my knowledge and that of everyone else in the department, we have always allowed students to request their own roommates. To assign those students who do not request roommates, we have Classic SoFlux Innerspring Mattresses Quilted Mattress and Boxspring Set Replacement Mattress Covers Quality Foam Mattresses www.americanbeddingmfg.com ● 800.203.2507 ● sales@americanbeddingmfg.com JANUARY + FEBRUARY 2016 41http://www.americanbeddingmfg.com