<p>Something similar happened to my son–only he lost +$500 in one shot (Christmas money from Gramma). He strongly suspected his new roommate --a stranger with a record.</p>
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<li><p>First, lucky you. The school is proactive. Count your blessings there.</p></li>
<li><p>Do NOT under any circumstances, call the parents. You do not know the history of this boy. Most probably he’s been in lots of trouble before and they sent him to live with your son anyway. Most probably the university had an inkling of that history too. These are all rotten thoughts–and basically rotten luck for your son.<br>
Talking to his parents will only extend your angst. Your son need his parents to be the stable sounding board–not the fretful worriers.</p></li>
<li><p>This is the hardest to cope with…accept that your son may continue to be blinded by undesirable characters. He may continue to attract less than desirable friends. Keep an eye on the friends he attracts and the path of those friends. If you see that he is attracting (and seeking) undesirable friends, (and that’s very difficult to ascertain from a distance)–think of ways to reinforce methods fo choosing good friends, the importance of choosing good friends and the benefits of choosing good friends. Both of my sons are nice and non-judgemental (they get that from their dad, LOL). The downside to extreme acceptance is that it provides a harbour for undesirable friends. So says me, the big meanie.</p></li>
<li><p>Absolutely give him the $300 or close to it. Don’t add the pressure of money worries to the event. When this happend to our son, he called us in a midnight panic. He was extremely shaken and we were thousands of miles away. Within an hour, he was staying in the hotel across the street, ordering room service, on our credit card. Two days later, the university arranged a room change because they could not act against the roommate without definitive proof.</p></li>
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<p>Cyber hugs. This too shall pass.</p>