While Boston University randomly matches and assigns roommates based on smoking habits or residence hall requests, some universities have begun to implement software that allows students to “reserve” their own roommates, dorms and accommodations through the Internet.
Webroomz, a service that lets students customize their dorm experience, has been available this year at both Kennesaw State University in Georgia and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“It’s basically a comprehensive housing system that does away with paperwork,” said Webroomz customer service representative Mark Korbieh. “[Webroomz] helps housing and students at the same time.”
The service has students fill out an online survey, a brief description of their living habits and then posts the survey for other pupils to see. After viewing surveys, students may pick people they think they might want to live with. The students can then contact one another if desired and reserve a room together.
However, Director of Housing Marc Robillard said he is not certain the system would fit BU’s needs.
“I’m a little skeptical about software that matches students up,” Robillard said. “I’ve seen information, but I haven’t seen the systems at work or even presentations.”
Robillard said the data that he has seen is not enough to convince him of any merits of the systems.
“In programs I have seen, there really isn’t a significant increase in student satisfaction,” Robillard said.
He believes BU’s specialty residences, such as the College of Communication and the College of Arts and Sciences floors, and specialty brownstones on Bay State Road aid students in finding people with similar interests better than software programs. Even though Robillard said the Office of Housing has no intention of using these programs in the near future, he said it is possible a more comprehensive procedure could become standard in a few years.
“We will create our own in-house system,” Robillard said. “The canned systems bought from companies do not fit in with our complex system. What works for other universities may not work for us.”
Students said a system such as Webroomz could make the move to college life more simplistic.
“Dealing with college is hard enough, the transition is enormous,” said College of Communication sophomore Justin Joy. “When roommates are in constant battle, it only makes it harder.”
Although Joy decided to move off campus for his sophomore year, he said he believes such a system could be beneficial to BU.
“I think BU is thinking more about the logistics of dorm housing, about the numbers rather than the problems it may create,” Joy said. “Last year, my roommate and I had different sleeping patterns, study habits, in general, different lifestyles. It sounds like this system would alleviate problems.”
Joy said he has friends in other schools who use more complex housing programs than BU.
“One of my friends at Miami University in Ohio filled out a roommate questionnaire, the university matched the questionnaires up, and now they’re best friends,” Joy said.
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