As you have probably noticed, noise carries well between apartments, especially in the older buildings. In addition, there are residents from over 60 countries, each with different customs and cultural backgrounds. Add over 800 children, the stresses of student life, and the varying schedules that go along with academia, and it seems inevitable that some friction might occur between neighbors. In practice, we have found surprisingly few serious problems. However, if they should arise, we offer the following tips:

• If there is something that bothers you about your neighbors, please personally address them about it before you become upset. People react much better to civil conversation than to angry confrontation. Jabbing a broom handle on your ceiling is not considered civil conversation.
• If your efforts fail, call a Resident Advisor for help at 224-8298.
• Resident Advisors can help in a variety of ways, from reviewing rules to speaking with both involved parties. In some cases, mediation may be necessary. The Village trains all Resident Advisors in mediation and we are happy to provide these services when necessary.

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University Village is a unit of the Office of Student Development