A recent survey conducted by drugstore.com showed that 52 percent of college students admitted to stealing from their roommates.
Eighty-two percent of respondents said they only temporarily borrow items without permission, but that they eventually return the items.
According to The University of Memphis residence life community creed, students who live on campus vow to "respect the rights and property of others," including their roommates and their belongings. This may be why The U of M doesn't have a roommate theft problem.
Peter Groenendyk, associate director of Residence Life and Dining Services, said that The U of M has very few complaints against roommates for theft and has not had any complaints so far this year. He said it's rare to have so few of them with as many students living in dorms at The U of M.
"When you have about 2,400 students living together, there are bound to be a few complaints," he said.
There is a difference between real theft and borrowing without asking, Groenendyk added.
"The line between borrowing and taking usually depends on their (the roommates') relationship," he said.
Lindsey Parrish, a sophomore piano performance major, said that she and her roommate are familiar with each other and know how to borrow form each other.
"We're really good friends and it's not like she'd be mad if I borrowed a paper towel," she said. "We always ask [each other]."
Katie Henderson, a freshman French major and on-campus resident, said she is not close to her roommate and that her roommate has used or taken her things without asking.
"She always uses my straightener without asking, and the thing is, I don't know this girl," Henderson said.
Henderson said she says nothing in response because she doesn't think her roommate will be receptive.
Things like hair straighteners, paper towels or food may not be worth calling the campus police, but if a roommate were to actually steal something of value like jewelry or a laptop, that may be the only option.
"We always strongly encourage students to contact police services in situations involving valuables," Groenendyk said. "The campus police take these calls seriously."
Groenendyk said that while investigating, campus police usually find that a door was left unlocked and that it was not actually the roommate who stole the property.
Drugstore.com found that among items sought out by roommates, 34 percent of respondents seek snacks like chips, cookies and snack cakes. Next in line were school supplies, which accounted for 21 percent of "borrowed" items. Toiletries came in third at 12 percent, followed closely by alcoholic beverages and cologne and perfume at 11 percent. Finally, articles of clothing and jewelry came in last at 10 percent.
The list students gave of items they would want an endless supply of included school supplies, coffee and chocolate, makeup and grooming products as well as pain relief medication.
The Web site conducted the survey to comprise a list of items college students run out of or need annually.
