The Class of 2024 is ready to take a stand for their Residential Life during their first year of college. There is a new policy that will not allow students to pick their own roommate(s). This recent change has upset future sharks, as many have already found future roommates and have started to form connections through social media. 

The process of random rooming is a source of anxiety to many people. Many people consider the freedom of picking a roommate an important factor in their college decision. Freshmen students experience an overwhelming move as they transition from High School to College, from living at home to living at school. Being able to connect with their roommate prior to moving in can help make a smoother transition.  We feel as if this roommate decision should have been made prior to our commitment to Simmons University. 

The first admissions decisions were released on December 16, 2019. Since then, bonds were created over the past 4 months. Some students have already virtually introduced their families to their child’s future roommate. Others have not only begun planning but also purchasing necessities for their future dorm rooms.

In addition, The Class of 2024 has had some devastating losses over the past month. We are losing the last part of our senior year, which encompasses some of the iconic senior events which we have been looking forward to for 12 years. Some people have worked tirelessly to be the first person in their family to graduate High School, and are terrified they will not have the opportunity to walk the stage at graduation and receive their diploma. The worst part is, these are the last moments we have with our friends before we end up on different sides of the country, or even the other side of the world. While none of this is in Simmon’s control, the recent news about roommates is just one more disappointment to the Class of 2024.

Furthermore, we are requesting that this policy be lifted and that the Simmons University incoming Freshman class be allowed to select their own roommate, if desired.