Roommate success guide – selection process

There are a few ways to search for roommates. You will only will be able to search for roommates who have a completed application (and for freshmen, those who have completed Priority Enrollment).

• Browse overall best-matched roommates – you can see others whose responses to the roommate questionnaire were similar to yours and are not currently part of a group
• Browse best-matched roommates based on specific questions – you can browse the profiles of others in your Residential College who answered a roommate questionnaire question a certain way and are not currently part of a group
• Search and request a specific roommate – you can find a specific person by their NAU UserID (abc123) or Web Name (42587)

Potential roommates are listed based on how well their answers in the Roommate Questionnaire match your answers. For freshmen, the system only displays applicants who are part of your Residential College and have completed Priority Enrollment.

The percentage shown represents the number of questions answered the same way, so the higher the percentage, the greater the number of matched answers. You can click on View Profile to review responses to the Roommate Questionnaire, Personal Bio and other details.

We encourage you to communicate and get to know potential roommates to help you determine your interest in living together. You can message potential roommates through the housing portal by clicking on “Send Message” next to the person’s personal bio. While talking to a potential roommate can be intimidating, it can also be a lot of fun as you continue to share information and meet someone new.

Suggested questions

Pick 4-5 of the questions below to help introduce yourself. Then as you correspond, ask other questions to build on what you’re learning about each other. Exchange phone numbers and chat over the phone – this will help you to get a great sense about how well you connect. It’s also important to note that even if you already know the person you plan to live with, it is still critical to discuss these questions. Knowing someone from high school – whether a best friend or an acquaintance – is not the same as living with that person!

• Where are you from/hometown?
• Why did you choose NAU?
• What is your major?
• What are some of your hobbies or interests? How do you spend free time?
• How do your friends describe you?
• Unique habits?
• Do you know anyone else who is going to NAU?
• Night owl? Early riser? How many hours do you typically sleep each night? Do you take naps during the day?
• Activities you were involved with in high school?
• What’s your biggest pet peeve?
• What is okay for a roommate to do while you sleep? (TV, music, typing, gaming, talking on phone, etc.)
• What kind of music do you like? Preference for speakers or headphones?
• Favorite TV shows, movies, books, games?
• Are you in a relationship? If so, are they also going to NAU?
• Do you plan to get a job while in school?
• Do you drink/smoke/party? How do you feel about alcohol/drugs?
• Do you like sports? Watching? Playing?
• How do you feel about guests/visitors in the room? How often? Same sex/opposite sex guests?
• How often do you clean? What is your definition of clean?
• Time of day you like to study? How much do you study?
• How do you respond to stress?

Suggested email template

To help you start the conversation, use the template below for your initial email to a potential roommate:

Hello <screen name>!

My name is <first name>. I saw your profile in the housing portal as a potential roommate match and wanted to see if you’re interested in talking some more. I’ve answered some of the suggested questions below to share some initial information about me.

1. Where are you from/hometown?
Ex: I’m originally from Denver, CO but moved to Glendale, AZ when I was in 6th grade. While I’ve enjoyed living here, I’m excited to get back to the mountain air!

2. Why did you choose NAU?
Ex: I’ve known a few people from high school who have gone to NAU and they love it! When I visited Flagstaff and the campus it seemed like a great fit with friendly people. I’ll be away from home but close enough to head back every once in a while if I need to.

3. What is your major?
Ex: I’m a Computer Science major. I’ve always liked computers and math, and I’ve developed a few apps. I haven’t decided if I’ll have a minor yet, but I want to explore a few options.

4. What are some of your hobbies or interests? How do you spend free time?
Ex. I love the outdoors – especially hiking and climbing, but I also enjoy developing apps and games. I usually hang out with friends on the weekends – movies, going out to eat or climbing. My favorite TV shows are Big Bang Theory and Stranger Things.

That’s a little bit about myself. If you’re interested, email me back with some of your responses. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

<first name>

To initiate a roommate request, click on “Add to Roommate Group” next to the student’s personal bio. A roommate group is automatically created.

• The person who initiates the invitation becomes the group leader.
• Those who accept invitations become group members.
• A roommate group may consist of 2-4 members.
• You can only be part of one roommate group at a time.

When you invite others or have been invited to a roommate group, you will see a list of pending requests.

• “Pending Outgoing Requests” are those people you or a group member have invited to be part of your roommate group and are awaiting their decision to accept or decline.
• “Pending Incoming Requests” are invitations from others to be part of their group and are awaiting your decision to accept or decline.
• Those who accept invitations are displayed as group members.
• Those who decline will not become a group member and will be removed from Pending Incoming/Outgoing Requests.
• Any group member can invite others or cancel pending requests.

• If you no longer want to be part of a group, you will need to first remove yourself from your current group.
• While a member a group, you will not be able to be invited to other groups. To be added to a different group, first remove yourself from your current group.
• If you are the group leader, you will need to “Pass Leadership” to another member before leaving the group.

Please note: A roommate group serves as a request to live together. It does not guarantee placement, but is dependent on space availability. The following conditions must apply for roommates to live together:

• Freshman roommates must be in common Residential Colleges in designated residence halls
• Roommate requests must be mutual and accepted prior to room selection
• Space must be available in a fully open room at the time of room selection

If the above conditions apply, take the following steps to place group members at the time of room selection (you will not be able to later add roommates after selecting a room):

• Any group member can place other group members during room selection based on space availability.
• The group member with the earliest room selection time should place other group members for greatest availability.
• The person completing room selection should first place themselves and then assign as many group members as will fill the available space in the unit (i.e. up to two roommates in a discounted triple).