<p>D just found out that her other 2 dorm mates arrived earlier this week (sports, I guess) so she has the top bunk in a very small room built for 2. One girl told her that they have taken up all available space including the electric outlets.</p>
<p>D is worried that she will be odd man out and have no under the bed space for any storage. I am more concerned on how to get electricity (I do not think extensions cords are allowed) to a top bunk for a clip on light and fan (which I now have to find and buy). And someone (D) will have to gently inform the room mates that she needs electricity and some storage space.</p>
<p>I am not looking forward to this at all. And I now have several things to return to BB and B. Anyone need bed risers and under the bed storage boxes?</p>
<p>When you go to unpack, bring along one of those big temporary hanging rods. Set it up smack dab in the middle of the room and start hanging clothes on it; put some storage bins underneath. The roommates will take one look at all that, their eyes will get big as saucers, and suddenly they will find/make room for all kinds of storage space for your daughter's stuff.</p>
<p>But odds are there is still room under one of the beds for your daughter's underbed storage boxes and the college will have provided her with a dresser.</p>
<p>Well that certainly was inconsiderate! What do they expect your D to do-- live out of a suitcase?</p>
<p>I don't know which school this is or what the policies are, but if it is a possibility, I would get her on a waiting list for a double (if available) second semester ASAP.</p>
<p>Either they will connect as roomies or not despite this initial display of selfishness--if not, she should have alternatives.</p>
<p>My heart goes out to your D-what a way to start, and she's not even there yet! Who needs that aggravation. I'd say if they are not accommodating when she moves in, after polite but firm discussion, then her best recourse is to appeal to the RA, and then Housing if it's not resolved.</p>
<p>This is the reason why D's college forbids freshmen from unpacking and putting their stuff away or even choosing a bed, desk, or side of the room until all the roommates are present. We arrived first and we stuck to the rule - keeping D's stuff piled in the middle of the room until roommate arrived.</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but it sounds as if this one is cognizant of the need to be fair, while the other one is taking half the space. If so, the former might turn out to any ally once she gets there --fingers crossed.</p>
<p>I'm sure your daughter doesn't want to start off the relationship negatively, but she really does need to speak up. Something along the lines of "I hope we can settle this without having to bring in the RA to mediate, but...." She should make it very clear that she reasonably expects access to one third of all available storage space in the room.</p>
<p>Things may very well change once she moves in, and she should give the roommates a chance to reconfigure the space then. I think it's far too early to be thinking about calling in the RA. For all we know, once she arrives, both of her roommates may spontaneously move their things around to give her more space. No reason to have high anxiety over a lack of space that hasn't really happened yet.</p>
<p>I was recently in a situation in which a lot of adults had to share space, and when more people came into the rooming situation, people immediately made room. Perhaps that's what her roommate is planning to do.</p>
<p>Sounds like a forced triple to me - so in all fairness - 3 gals need to devise a way to share the space equally - no matter that 2 are there earlier cuz they are athletes!! If there are 2 dressers - with a total of 9 drawers - then each gets 3 drawers - period - and equal closet/desk/underbed storage space. The point needs to made to all the parties involved that fair is fair - you are all paying the same amount to live in that space. They may all have to be very creative to make it work :)</p>
<p>It may be that when your gal arrives that this will have to be the subject that introduces all of you - can be touchy - but - I think there is some good advice above. Your gal doesn't want to be the odd gal out from the gitgo.</p>
<p>OP - Make sure your gal is on the first to move to another room list - but that may not happen that soon (tho can happen pretty quickly as well - someone doesn't show up and that bed/room can be re-assigned) - so keep your eyes/ears open for that possibility.</p>
<p>"One girl told her that they have taken up all available space including the electric outlets."</p>
<p>Mean girl commentary aside, and she does sound mean, power strips should resolve the outlet problem. Don't return anything yet--and do stop at Stalels or a similar store for one or to UL-rates power strips (surge protectors).</p>
<p>You've gotten great advice. I'm only adding my sympathy to the situation. At least, one gal sounds considerate, and by the time your D arrives, the space may be distributed fairly.</p>
<p>Bring a set of big ugly plastic drawers or stacking plastic boxes with you. If the girls do not split up the existing drawers equally, use the boxes. No explanations, no complaints, no pouting. Just fill them up and put them wherever they can fit, whether it's at the end of a bed or in the middle of the room. Smile and be friendly, proactive, and positive. If anyone objects or questions the unsightly bins, just smile and say sweetly, "well I need a little extra drawer space" and bat eyes. They'll get it. They'll offer you some space. They'll do it without you having to wheedle or tattle. They'll do it and think it was their idea.</p>
<p>I wonder if the two girls just spread out because they could and it was easier instead of trying to squeeze all their stuff in. No reason to let outlets and places to go to waste until your daughter gets there. It will be obvious that your daughter will need room for her things and I think the original roommates will rearrange pretty quickly.</p>
<p>On a more practical note--see if the girls can get the other bed bunked or at least lofted, and have the housing office bring in a third dresser and desk. That will also make space for some extra stackables. Perhaps some clothes could then be put in extra drawers to make more room in the closets for those things that must hang.</p>
<p>And, like another poster said, power strips for each outlet should solve that problem.</p>