Blaring music, significant others shacking up night after night and waking up every morning to an endless buzzing alarm clock.

These are just a few scenarios ISU students said they have experienced with roommates. However, local experts agree thorough communication and early intervention can avert roommate stress.

Sally Deters, ISU residence life coordinator, said the most common reason roommate disputes arise are differences in living styles.

“Those differences may be friends, music or habits,” she said.

Deters said many students come to Iowa State after having their own rooms, which can make the adjustment to sharing a room a difficult task. She said communication is the key to establishing and maintaining a healthy relationship between roommates.

“Students should have an up-front talk about things like study habits, sleeping habits or whether they’re clean or messy,” she said.

The process the Department of Residence goes through when roommate troubles arise depends on the type of disagreement, Deters said. Disputes may range from differences in opinions to a violation of a residence hall rule or university policy.

Deters said if problems can’t be resolved through roommate communication, there are community advisers, resident assistants and hall directors available to help mediate conversation.

If problems between roommates are irreconcilable, students have the option of changing rooms, buildings or housing complexes, Deters said.

ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger said from time to time, his department will respond to a call concerning roommate disputes.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a real frequent occurrence that we respond [to roommate calls],” he said. “Certainly we do on occasion, though.”

ISU Police responded to a roommate dispute on Dec. 18. after receiving a report a man had threatened and attempted to stab his roommate with a pair of scissors. Sean Gaynor, 18, 5362 Larch Hall, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault by use or display of a dangerous weapon, aggravated harassment and interference with official acts.

Deisinger called the Larch Hall incident “pretty extreme.”

However, Deisinger said if safety concerns do arise, students should contact ISU Police or the Ames Police Department.

“We really want to encourage people to address disputes before it escalates into a personal safety concern,” he said.

While ISU students are eager to share roommate horror stories, they aren’t as enthusiastic to share their identities for fear of reprisal. The most common grievances students mentioned about current or former roommates are:

* Consistently skipping class,

* Sleeping all day,

* Insisting the other person spend the night elsewhere because of expected company,

* Loud music and

* Coming home drunk on weeknights.

Deisinger said the earlier the differences are addressed, the more positive the end result will be.

“The best thing to do is to talk directly to the other person,” he said. “It’s also helpful to get perspective from a friend or residence staff member.”