Many colleges and universities across the country are adoptingan Internet-based roommate selection program, but others, like TheUniversity of Memphis, aren't sure high-tech is the way to go.
WebRoomz, a Web-based college housing assignment systemdeveloped by WebRoomz Corporation of Atlanta, allows students tochoose their roommates via the Internet.
The program mirrors an online dating service. Using theanonymity of a screen name, students answer survey questions thatreveal their interests and characteristics like neatness andsleeping habits.
The system then automatically groups together the mostcompatible profiles, and like an online dating service, thestudents might have up to 15 profiles of possible roommates.
Administrators have given thought to implementing the program atThe U of M, but not until it is reported successful.
The program is very new, and The U of M Department of ResidenceLife wants to make sure all the kinks are worked out beforecommitting to it, said Daniel Armitage, associate dean of ResidenceLife and Dining Services.
"Some schools (that have implemented the program) have notcommunicated 100 percent results," Armitage says.
Reportedly, a few schools that adopted the program encounteredproblems with it and lost 70 percent of their housing data. Inaddition, U of M plans to purchase a housing management softwarepackage from another company were delayed due to complaints aboutit from other universities as well.
"It makes people more comfortable on the front end, but itdoesn't necessarily turn out good," Armitage said.
Of the 2,190 students living on The U of M campus, 5 to 7percent of those students requested room changes. In comparison,the percentage of room changes at universities that have the onlinehousing system is the same as universities with the traditionalsystem, Armitage said.
Finding a compatible roommate was not a problem for U of Mjunior Michelle Edwards because she has known her college roommatesince high school. However, Edwards said she thinks the program isa good idea because it would reduce the problems that sometimesarise when living with a new person.
"Part of the reason (my roommate and I) get along so well isbecause our living styles, schedules and study habits are sosimilar," the psychology major said. "The surveys would eliminate alot of conflict between the people that are living together."
Unlike Edwards, sophomore Myla Young met her roommate when theymoved into the dorm in the fall 2002 semester. Young is skepticalof the idea of finding a roommate online. The business marketingmajor said she thinks students who use the service risk gettingroommates who did not truthfully describe themselves on thesurvey.
"I would rather come in not knowing because the person (couldhave lied on the profile)," Young said. "You never really know aperson until you live with them."
