By: Nathan Wall
Major: Communication – Strategic Organization and Leadership
Common Conflicts That Undermine Campus Living
Moving away from home and beginning a whole new experience is tough enough, but adding living with roommates is whole other stressor to add. BYU-Idaho students come from diverse backgrounds, habits, and expectations all of which collide in shared kitchens, noisy living rooms, and uncomfortable conversations about cleanliness or guests.
Through interviews, university policies, and peer-reviewed research, there were five conflict themes identified that were affecting student satisfaction in student housing.
- Cleanliness – Disputes over dishes, chores, and hygiene standards
- Guest and Visitation Rules – Clashes over boundaries and quiet hours
- Sharing – Frustration when personal items or food are used without permission
- Noise and Quiet Hours – Conflicting schedules disrupt sleep and study routines
- Media and Entertainment – Discomfort with content or volume in shared spaces
Why These Conflicts Matter
Data gathered from Mental Health America shows that unresolved roommate conflict is one of the leading sources to stress in college students. At BYU-Idaho specifically, data gathered from the Housing and Student Living office shows that over 70% of student manager interventions stem from issues that began with miscommunication or unclear expectations in one of the five categories listed above.
According to Roompact (2025) “students who resolve interpersonal conflicts effectively are 40% more likely to renew their housing contracts and report higher satisfaction.” This not only demonstrates how much of a skill effective conflict resolution techniques are, but also shows the benefits that come from addressing these issues.
Action Steps For Student Housing Managers and Residents
- Normalize Conflict Education
- Utilize this booklet, it provides resources on the different types of conflict resolution styles that are out there. It will help understand the appropriate style necessary for that specific issue.
2. Practice Makes Perfect
- The booklet provides several phrases designed to help address five specific conflicts above. They are also phrased in a way that allows the user to make it their own. The phrases were created to jump start a conversation and address the issue in a non-contentious manner.
3. Clarifying Questions
- Similar to the phrases within the booklet, the questions were designed in a way to help understand the issue further. They also provide insights into the people involved, majority of these conflicts happen because of a simple miscommunication, these questions are a resource for understanding.
Build Relationships, Not Walls
As President Russell M. Nelson shared in his 2023 General Conference talk, “Peacemakers Needed”:
“You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”
Conflict is not a negative concept it is a part of this life, and if done correctly can be a catalyst for connection. This booklet and poster are another resource created to benefit the student body of BYU-Idaho as well as student housing managers.