Dorm rooms have always been a hot spot for students to enjoy each other's company, but what many people don't realize is that it's also a place for students to become intimately acquainted with one another without anyone knowing.
"It's by far the quickest, easiest and less stressful place to get the job done," a University of Memphis resident advisor said. "I mean, most students do it anyways, as long as people are courteous to let their roommate know, then everything is fine."
The RA's name was withheld.
For many students, the best way to not draw attention is by doing things that arouse suspicion such as playing music at a reasonable volume and finding a time where the majority of other students are out of the dorms and in class or doing extra-curricular activities.
"Well, it's actually not that hard to get away with it," Melanie Daniel, an undecided major and campus resident, said. "The best thing to do would be to lock the door, let your roommate know ahead of time, know that your boyfriend is coming over and then play some music in the background so other people won't hear you."
There is also a secret code among many students to let their roommates know not to barge in if they forgot to inform them they were having company over. Tiger tails, rubber bands and colorful socks are all items students put on doorknobs to let their roommates know what is happening behind closed doors.
"Communication is key," Megan McDivitt, an education major and former campus resident, said. "If I have to get something and they didn't let me know, I honestly don't care. I'll go and get it and it's their fault for not letting me know."
While the dorms may serve as an efficient place to easily get the deed done, it can also bring undesired attention and accusations to people simply spending time with each other.
"It's hard because even if you're not doing anything, people will assume you are and in the end spread rumors," McDivitt said. "When people see you walk out with someone, they instantly assume that you did something, and it's pretty petty."
If students are caught in the act, RAs are required to fill out an incident report.
"The residents would be informed that they are breaking student conduct," the RA said.
According to the RA, they would rather have students be safe in their dorm rooms instead of putting themselves in a situation where they can easily get caught.
"I doubt they want to try doing it somewhere else on campus, or even worse, try and do it at their parents' house," the RA said.
