While nearly everything about going away to college implies change, the most dramatic change may be the loss of privacy that often accompanies dorm life. With limited space and an abundance of roommates, times alone may be few and far between.
With the residence hall room reservation process beginning today, students living in the dorms have to make some crucial decisions regarding where, and with whom, they want to live next year.
"I really like living with other people, but sometimes I just wish I had my own room that connected to theirs, like a suite-style. Four people are a little much for one room," said Emily Copp, a sophomore business major.
According to Kevin Ahuna, senior associate director for residential life, single rooms are the highest in demand each year.
"It's our experience that the longer students are in college, the more privacy they want, but I think to say that roommates are obsolete, we would never go there, because of the valuable experience they wouldn't get a chance at," he said.
Differences in lifestyle, though, often set the stage for squabbles and disagreement among those sharing a room.
Sean Adee, a sophomore and computer science major, is living in a double this year and said he does not plan on remaining in university dorms for another year.
"Even 'rules' that seem fair in theory don't work because you can't deny your roommate to do an array of seemingly nominal things, yet in your presence they may have become intolerable, which is why I'm moving into the on-campus apartments next year," he said.
Officials at UB have taken note of students' desire for privacy and are finding ways to satisfy students' needs. According to Tom Tiberi, associate director for Residential Operations, there are currently 550 single dorm rooms with more being added each year.
University apartments also try to accommodate students who are inclined to live alone. Flint Village offers 64 single apartments, and in South Lake Village, there are 54 singles and 18 studio apartments, Tiberi said.
But not all students find living alone desirable.
Kate Canfield, a sophomore undecided major living in a quad, said her living environment has many benefits, despite the occasional irritation.
"You get to learn a lot about yourself, such as your limits and comfort levels," she said.
Allison Kretovic, a junior political science major with a minor in sociology, agreed that living alone does not have much of an appeal.
"I like living with other people," said Kretovic. "I think it'd be lonely to come home to an empty room everyday."
Others feel that full classes and social activities fulfill their need for human interaction and increase a need for space and time alone.
"I would like my own room where I can sit and have time to myself," said Marcelo Phillips, a sophomore political science major and history minor who lives in a quad. "You have to see people all day long, you're busy with classes, and I think I'd find it nice to come back to my own quiet room."
Tiberi said suites make provisions for those who want the best of both living situations.
"We knew we would like to have a variety that students wanted. Many want to have more of their own space but would still like to live with friends," he said.
Tiberi said there are currently 244 suites in the Ellicott Complex, while the Governor's Residence Halls houses 800 students within 100 suites.
Tiberi said that many freshmen want the experience of living with others, but as upperclassmen, they tend to drift toward the idea of more independence.
"I don't think roommates are becoming a thing of the past," said Lauren Tsai, a sophomore majoring in art history who lives in a quad. "I think as freshmen and sophomores, people want to get to know more people, but as you get older you already have that foundation."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
