I have not read the article. Did the designer say what happens when two (or more) students room together, but one roommate’s family either doesn’t have the disposable income or doesn’t want to spend that kind of money on dorm decorations? I imagine that tension over whether to hire a designer might be a difficult way to start a rooming relationship. On the other hand, I think most families wouldn’t be able to afford such a splurge.
No it didn’t. It was a pretty short article. But the woman who charged that graduated in 2021 I believe. And had 200 rooms to do this year with a staff of 25. I thought that was impressive.
One of my kid’s roommates decorated his room with cracker boxes. Of course my brother decorated his with cereal boxes. That is more my style. Good thing H is in charge of our house.
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I’m sure that the ability to pay for a dorm designer is highly vetted during the roommate search process.
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Are you suggesting that schools would support economic segregation in their roommate process?
I’m interested to know how schools would differentiate between ability and willingness to pay.
I highly doubt it. My guess (based on limited experience) is that the rich roomie (or rather their mom) railroads the plan, pays for it and then acts virtuous about their generosity.
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There are many schools that allow you to choose your roommate. Not all schools assign roommates.
And when you communicate with a potential roommate you can discuss how you approach dorm living (night person or partier, or introvert, etc.)
This, can easily include discussion about the importance of dorm decoration, too.
If a match is made then the details can follow.
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Re-reading this…maybe @CollegeNerd67 is referring to the kids…picking their own roommates?
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My daughter was randomly assigned a roommate who immediately went MIA (and daughter doesn’t think she attended the school, as she never ran into anyone with that name). She was then assigned another just days before they moved in. They talked on the phone once I think, then texted. This roommate then stated she would bring the microwave and something else, and daughter should bring the fridge and something. Ah, no. Daughter was already packed into the car as she was moving in a few days early for a camping program.
It worked out. D moved in and got first choice of the beds, but also took the closet and drawers tucked into the corner (a tight squeeze). She was able to get a used fridge at the yard sale the second week of school (although it was too big for the rules so they had to cover it with a blanket; I don’t think they used it much anyway).
They got along fine but aren’t friends now. The roommate had all kinds of rules like no boys in the room until she needed to change that rule when she got a boyfriend. My daughter is a push over.
But no one spent $10k. No one spent $100 or at least I didn’t.
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I didn’t read anything like this in the article.
Uh no. It’s not that serious - wow. I’m saying that roommates vet each other via the various roommate search/match sites. Perhaps you’re not aware that the majority of the roommate matching happens outside of a college’s control via social media.
Um yeah - again, wow.
See above 
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I grew up in Alabama, escaped to go to college “away” and never really returned. Well, except for a few years in New Orleans but that’s a different kettle of fish).
You just helped me recall why. I feel suffocated just looking at those photos! A nephew’s wedding in Birmingham last year gave me the same feeling. I simply don’t belong in that world.
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The process you were thinking of was unclear from the comments. Wow.
Because it was my opinion and not in the article.
To jump to the assumption you did was something else. Maybe dm next time if it’s unclear.
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I went to a non-Greek, small liberal arts college rather than the state flagship. I’d gone up to the latter for a college football game in the fall of my senior year of high school. We unexpectedly beat a rival, and it was just insane on the main drag after the game. Party central.
I did enjoy staying with a friend in her sorority house, but I’m honestly a nerd at heart. I think I could have done it, but I’m happy I made a different, more academically-minded choice.
And, yes, I know Greek life and being a scholarly person are not mutually exclusive.
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My kid is a social nerd that is happy to go to parties after many years of not having many to go to. Could’ve gone to a big school with a sports culture and Greek life and found a way to make the experience their own, even if they are not the “obvious type” to do so.
The article did highlight the DIY that some of the parents did to make the spaces happen.
This week the kid’s school has at least one auction of previously-appreciated student stuff. We’ll see what’s available.
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I do not think parents paying for 10K dorm rooms and sorority dues are complaining about college costs. 
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They DO complain about costs. Sometimes it’s a humble brag (because everyone listening to the rant understands that a $300 textbook or the $2500 upcharge for the “fancy” dorm room isn’t a hardship.) Sometimes it’s because the costs are for things their own kids will not benefit from. (if your kid joins the Equinox gym down the street from their dorm, why SHOULD you have to pay a $100 student athletic center fee?) And sometimes it’s because we live in a consumerist society and people want to know “what am I getting for my money?” And paying for a college education is just another one of those things. Kid is majoring in Sports Management- why the heck should you pay for things like a neuroscience lab or a historical archive of Abraham Lincoln’s letters?
Don’t think that being affluent and paying for interior decorators means you don’t complain about college costs!
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So this is a friend’s daughter’s room at a southern school. It’s my favorite and the prettiest I have seen so far. This dorm has an ugly accent wall so the girls cover it as best they can.
As my favorite Southern comedienne says, “Can we get rid of the desk? This isn’t honors college; it’s just college college. “
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Does the dorm require a fire safety check?
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