Triples are housed in Russell, Rodney, Ray Street and George Read residence halls.
“The University is handling it well. It's providing us with a Three's Company magazine, monthly gifts and 25 percent off the room and board fee,” Rosalynne Sommer said.
Sommer, a university studies major from Baltimore, Jessica Jones from Claymont, Del., and Melissa Hanlon from Hockessin, Del., both health sciences majors, are rooming together in George Read Hall this semester.
"The first thing that came into my head was, 'Wow, we might be a little cramped,'" Jones said. But, she said, there are compensations. "We even got free fleece blankets because we were in a triple. You get to learn about two other people instead of just one. It's a bit of extra work, but it's really worth it because you gain two friends instead of one," she said.
“We had 128 triples at the opening of the semester, but that number will decrease, because as space comes up, we offer it to triples,” Linda Carey, director of Housing Assignment Services, said.
While housing services takes care of the physical needs of those in extended living, the Residence Life staff helps mediate conflicts, answer questions and provide support.
Through the Triples Assistance Program (TAP), Residence Life proactively educates and supports three in a room through formal and informal programming and interaction such as a TAP reception, a creative room-judging contest and an “Ice Scream” party. Along with the fun events, Residence Life offers roommate negotiation techniques, a chance to interact with students who have lived in extended housing in the recent past and social programs to bring interaction between extended housing students and the rest of the complex.
Residence Life also assists with conflict management by helping students put together effective roommate agreements, working closely with parents and supporting Housing Assignment Services during the de-tripling process and beyond.
Article by Barbara Garrison
Photo by Kathy Atkinson