diff --git a/bin/cli-users b/bin/cli-users
index 248bea523..35ae78ba5 100755
--- a/bin/cli-users
+++ b/bin/cli-users
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ function getUserCreateAnswers(options) {
       password: options.password,
       confirmPassword: options.password,
       username: options.name,
-      roles: []
+      role: 'COMMENTER'
     };
 
     if (options.role && USER_ROLES.indexOf(options.role) > -1) {
-      user.roles = [options.role];
+      user.roles = options.role;
     }
 
     return Promise.resolve(user);
@@ -87,9 +87,9 @@ function getUserCreateAnswers(options) {
       }
     },
     {
-      name: 'roles',
+      name: 'role',
       message: 'User Role',
-      type: 'checkbox',
+      type: 'list',
       choices: USER_ROLES
     }
   ]);
@@ -106,13 +106,7 @@ async function createUser(options) {
     }
 
     const user = await UsersService.createLocalUser(answers.email.trim(), answers.password.trim(), answers.username.trim());
-
-    if (answers.roles.length > 0) {
-      for (const role of answers.roles) {
-        await UsersService.addRoleToUser(user.id, role);
-      }
-    }
-
+    await UsersService.setRole(user.id, answers.role);
     await UsersService.sendEmailConfirmation(user, answers.email.trim());
 
     console.log(`Created User ${user.id}.`);
@@ -250,7 +244,7 @@ function listUsers() {
           user.id,
           user.username,
           user.profiles.map((p) => p.provider).join(', '),
-          user.roles.join(', '),
+          user.role,
           user.status,
           state
         ]);
diff --git a/client/coral-admin/src/components/CommentLabels.js b/client/coral-admin/src/components/CommentLabels.js
index bff4f575a..a40777c40 100644
--- a/client/coral-admin/src/components/CommentLabels.js
+++ b/client/coral-admin/src/components/CommentLabels.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ function getUserFlaggedType(actions) {
     .some((action) =>
       action.__typename === 'FlagAction' &&
       action.user &&
-      action.user.roles.some((role) => staffRoles.includes(role))
+      staffRoles.includes(action.user.role)
     ) ? 'Staff' : 'User';
 }
 
diff --git a/client/coral-admin/src/containers/CommentLabels.js b/client/coral-admin/src/containers/CommentLabels.js
index 1d57aa526..abc7d0bed 100644
--- a/client/coral-admin/src/containers/CommentLabels.js
+++ b/client/coral-admin/src/containers/CommentLabels.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ export default withFragments({
         }
         user {
           id
-          roles
+          role
         }
       }
       ${getSlotFragmentSpreads(slots, 'comment')}
diff --git a/client/coral-admin/src/routes/Community/components/Table.js b/client/coral-admin/src/routes/Community/components/Table.js
index 97b1db996..ac9d43a0e 100644
--- a/client/coral-admin/src/routes/Community/components/Table.js
+++ b/client/coral-admin/src/routes/Community/components/Table.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ const Table = ({users, setRole, onHeaderClickHandler, setUserBanStatus, viewUser
             <td className="mdl-data-table__cell--non-numeric">
               <Dropdown
                 containerClassName="talk-admin-community-people-dd-role"
-                value={row.roles[0] || ''}
+                value={row.role || ''}
                 placeholder={t('community.role')}
                 onChange={(role) => setRole(row.id, role)}>
                 <Option value={''} label={t('community.none')} />
diff --git a/client/coral-admin/src/routes/Community/containers/FlaggedUser.js b/client/coral-admin/src/routes/Community/containers/FlaggedUser.js
index e1a205b36..26dc645bd 100644
--- a/client/coral-admin/src/routes/Community/containers/FlaggedUser.js
+++ b/client/coral-admin/src/routes/Community/containers/FlaggedUser.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ export default withFragments({
           }
         }
       }
-      roles
+      role
       actions{
         id
         created_at
diff --git a/client/coral-framework/services/perms.js b/client/coral-framework/services/perms.js
index 9848a2400..1825b1c0b 100644
--- a/client/coral-framework/services/perms.js
+++ b/client/coral-framework/services/perms.js
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-import intersection from 'lodash/intersection';
 import get from 'lodash/get';
 
 // =========================================================================
@@ -60,6 +59,6 @@ export const can = (user, ...perms) => {
       throw new Error(`${perm} is not a valid role or permission`);
     }
 
-    return intersection(role, user.roles).length > 0;
+    return role.includes(user.role);
   });
 };
diff --git a/graph/mutators/user.js b/graph/mutators/user.js
index a7a20b4ec..79e4eb96c 100644
--- a/graph/mutators/user.js
+++ b/graph/mutators/user.js
@@ -48,21 +48,16 @@ const setUsername = async (ctx, id, username) => {
   return UsersService.setUsername(id, username, ctx.user.id);
 };
 
-const addRole = (ctx, id, role) => {
-  return UsersService.addRoleToUser(id, role);
-};
-
-const removeRole = (ctx, id, role) => {
-  return UsersService.removeRoleFromUser(id, role);
+const setRole = (ctx, id, role) => {
+  return UsersService.setRole(id, role);
 };
 
 module.exports = (ctx) => {
   let mutators = {
     User: {
-      addRole: () => Promise.reject(errors.ErrNotAuthorized),
       changeUsername: () => Promise.reject(errors.ErrNotAuthorized),
       ignoreUser: () => Promise.reject(errors.ErrNotAuthorized),
-      removeRole: () => Promise.reject(errors.ErrNotAuthorized),
+      setRole: () => Promise.reject(errors.ErrNotAuthorized),
       setUserBanStatus: () => Promise.reject(errors.ErrNotAuthorized),
       setUserSuspensionStatus: () => Promise.reject(errors.ErrNotAuthorized),
       setUserUsernameStatus: () => Promise.reject(errors.ErrNotAuthorized),
@@ -76,8 +71,7 @@ module.exports = (ctx) => {
     mutators.User.stopIgnoringUser = (action) => stopIgnoringUser(ctx, action);
 
     if (ctx.user.can(UPDATE_USER_ROLES)) {
-      mutators.User.addRole = (id, role) => addRole(ctx, id, role);
-      mutators.User.removeRole = (id, role) => removeRole(ctx, id, role);
+      mutators.User.setRole = (id, role) => setRole(ctx, id, role);
     }
 
     if (ctx.user.can(CHANGE_USERNAME)) {
diff --git a/graph/resolvers/root_mutation.js b/graph/resolvers/root_mutation.js
index f13739dec..ac64bdad7 100644
--- a/graph/resolvers/root_mutation.js
+++ b/graph/resolvers/root_mutation.js
@@ -55,11 +55,8 @@ const RootMutation = {
   updateAssetStatus: async (_, {id, input: status}, {mutators: {Asset}}) => {
     await Asset.updateStatus(id, status);
   },
-  addUserRole: async (_, {id, role}, {mutators: {User}}) => {
-    await User.addRole(id, role);
-  },
-  removeUserRole: async (_, {id, role}, {mutators: {User}}) => {
-    await User.removeRole(id, role);
+  setUserRole: async (_, {id, role}, {mutators: {User}}) => {
+    await User.setRole(id, role);
   },
   setCommentStatus: async (_, {id, status}, {mutators: {Comment}, pubsub}) => {
     const comment = await Comment.setStatus({id, status});
diff --git a/graph/resolvers/user.js b/graph/resolvers/user.js
index 1dadbbd9b..a9ac63ab6 100644
--- a/graph/resolvers/user.js
+++ b/graph/resolvers/user.js
@@ -67,11 +67,11 @@ const User = {
     const connection = await Users.getByQuery({ids: user.ignoresUsers});
     return connection.nodes;
   },
-  roles({id, roles}, _, {user}) {
+  role({id, role}, _, {user}) {
 
     // If the user is not an admin, only return the current user's roles.
     if (user && (user.can(UPDATE_USER_ROLES) || user.id === id)) {
-      return roles;
+      return role;
     }
 
     return null;
diff --git a/graph/typeDefs.graphql b/graph/typeDefs.graphql
index 689d3d6bf..419cb50a4 100644
--- a/graph/typeDefs.graphql
+++ b/graph/typeDefs.graphql
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ type User {
   actions: [Action!]
 
   # the current roles of the user.
-  roles: [USER_ROLES!]
+  role: USER_ROLES
 
   # the current profiles of the user.
   profiles: [UserProfile]
@@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@ type SetUsernameResponse implements Response {
   errors: [UserError!]
 }
 
-type ModifyUserRoleResponse implements Response {
+type SetUserRoleResponse implements Response {
 
   # An array of errors relating to the mutation that occurred.
   errors: [UserError!]
@@ -1447,11 +1447,9 @@ type RootMutation {
   # Removes a tag.
   removeTag(tag: ModifyTagInput!): ModifyTagResponse
 
-  # Adds a role to a user.
-  addUserRole(id: ID!, role: USER_ROLES!): ModifyUserRoleResponse
-
-  # Removes a role from a user.
-  removeUserRole(id: ID!, role: USER_ROLES!): ModifyUserRoleResponse
+  # Set's a given users role to the one provided. If `null` is passed, the user
+  # will not have any role.
+  setUserRole(id: ID!, role: USER_ROLES): SetUserRoleResponse
 
   # Updates settings on a given asset.
   # Mutation is restricted.
diff --git a/middleware/authorization.js b/middleware/authorization.js
index 742b6983a..c261ac2e7 100644
--- a/middleware/authorization.js
+++ b/middleware/authorization.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ const ErrNotAuthorized = require('../errors').ErrNotAuthorized;
 authorization.has = (user, ...roles) => {
 
   // If no user is specified, then they can't have the roles you want!
-  if (!user || !user.roles) {
+  if (!user) {
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ authorization.has = (user, ...roles) => {
 
   // If there's a user, and roles, then check to see that the user has at least
   // one of those roles.
-  return roles.some((role) => user.roles.includes(role));
+  return roles.some((role) => user.role === role);
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/migrations/1511801783_user_roles.js b/migrations/1511801783_user_roles.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..296fc2d0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/1511801783_user_roles.js
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+const UserModel = require('../models/user');
+
+const findNewRole = (roles) => {
+  if (roles.includes('ADMIN')) {
+    return 'ADMIN';
+  } else if (roles.includes('MODERATOR')) {
+    return 'MODERATOR';
+  } else if (roles.includes('STAFF')) {
+    return 'STAFF';
+  }
+
+  return 'COMMENTER';
+};
+
+module.exports = {
+  async up() {
+    const cursor = await UserModel.collection.find({
+      roles: {
+        $exists: true,
+      },
+    });
+
+    const updates = [];
+    while (await cursor.hasNext()) {
+      const user = await cursor.next();
+
+      updates.push({
+        query: {
+          id: user.id,
+        },
+        update: {
+          $set: {
+            role: Array.isArray(user.roles) ? findNewRole(user.roles) : 'COMMENTER',
+          },
+          $unset: {
+            roles: '',
+          },
+        },
+      });
+    }
+
+    if (updates.length > 0) {
+
+      // Create a new batch operation.
+      const bulk = UserModel.collection.initializeUnorderedBulkOp();
+
+      for (const {query, update} of updates) {
+        bulk.find(query).updateOne(update);
+      }
+
+      // Execute the bulk update operation.
+      await bulk.execute();
+    }
+  }
+};
+
diff --git a/models/enum/user_roles.js b/models/enum/user_roles.js
index 098eb0960..1788fea55 100644
--- a/models/enum/user_roles.js
+++ b/models/enum/user_roles.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 module.exports = [
   'ADMIN',
   'MODERATOR',
-  'STAFF'
+  'STAFF',
+  'COMMENTER',
 ];
diff --git a/models/user.js b/models/user.js
index 98643157c..742c669d0 100644
--- a/models/user.js
+++ b/models/user.js
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ const Schema = mongoose.Schema;
 const uuid = require('uuid');
 const TagLinkSchema = require('./schema/tag_link');
 const TokenSchema = require('./schema/token');
-const intersection = require('lodash/intersection');
 const can = require('../perms');
 
 // USER_ROLES is the array of roles that is permissible as a user role.
@@ -87,13 +86,13 @@ const UserSchema = new Schema({
   // Tokens are the individual personal access tokens for a given user.
   tokens: [TokenSchema],
 
-  // Roles provides an array of roles (as strings) that is associated with a
-  // user.
-  roles: [{
+  // Role is the specific user role that the user holds.
+  role: {
     type: String,
     enum: USER_ROLES,
-    required: true
-  }],
+    required: true,
+    default: 'COMMENTER',
+  },
 
   // Status stores the user status information regarding permissions,
   // capabilities and moderation state.
@@ -225,7 +224,7 @@ UserSchema.index({
  * returns true if a commenter is staff
  */
 UserSchema.method('isStaff', function () {
-  return intersection(['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR', 'STAFF'], this.roles).length !== 0;
+  return this.role !== 'COMMENTER';
 });
 
 /**
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index e2cc43a17..fc645e0d0 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
   },
   "talk": {
     "migration": {
-      "minVersion": 1510174676
+      "minVersion": 1511801783
     }
   },
   "repository": {
diff --git a/perms/utils.js b/perms/utils.js
index aced52a0e..ddbec6063 100644
--- a/perms/utils.js
+++ b/perms/utils.js
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-const intersection = require('lodash/intersection');
 
 /**
  * check will ensure that the user has the desired roles.
@@ -6,9 +5,7 @@ const intersection = require('lodash/intersection');
  * @param {Object} user user being checked for roles
  * @param {Array<String>} roles roles to check that the user has
  */
-const check = (user, roles) => {
-  return intersection(roles, user.roles).length > 0;
-};
+const check = (user, roles) => roles.some((role) => role === user.role);
 
 module.exports = {
   check
diff --git a/plugins/talk-plugin-moderation-actions/client/components/ApproveCommentAction.js b/plugins/talk-plugin-moderation-actions/client/components/ApproveCommentAction.js
index 125a3589e..0f16ca595 100644
--- a/plugins/talk-plugin-moderation-actions/client/components/ApproveCommentAction.js
+++ b/plugins/talk-plugin-moderation-actions/client/components/ApproveCommentAction.js
@@ -26,4 +26,4 @@ ApproveCommentAction.propTypes = {
   comment: PropTypes.object,
 };
 
-export default ApproveCommentAction;
\ No newline at end of file
+export default ApproveCommentAction;
diff --git a/services/tags.js b/services/tags.js
index b0d0c4b96..fae5e1a00 100644
--- a/services/tags.js
+++ b/services/tags.js
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ class TagsService {
 
       // If the tag has roles defined, and the current user has at least one of
       // the required roles, then modify the tag without checking for ownership.
-      if (tag.permissions && tag.permissions.roles && tag.permissions.roles.some((role) => user.roles.include(role))) {
+      if (tag.permissions && tag.permissions.roles && tag.permissions.roles.includes(user.role)) {
         return {tagLink, ownership: false};
       }
 
diff --git a/services/users.js b/services/users.js
index ada293874..f045e5916 100644
--- a/services/users.js
+++ b/services/users.js
@@ -370,7 +370,6 @@ class UsersService {
     user = new UserModel({
       username,
       lowercaseUsername: username.toLowerCase(),
-      roles: [],
       profiles: [{id, provider}],
       status: {
         username: {
@@ -521,7 +520,6 @@ class UsersService {
       username,
       lowercaseUsername: username.toLowerCase(),
       password: hashedPassword,
-      roles: [],
       profiles: [
         {
           id: email,
@@ -557,25 +555,12 @@ class UsersService {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Adds a role to a user.
+   * Sets a given user's role to the one provided.
    * @param  {String}   id   id of a user
    * @param  {String}   role role to add
    */
-  static addRoleToUser(id, role) {
-    return UserModel.update({id}, {$addToSet: {roles: role}}, {runValidators: true});
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Removes a role from a user.
-   * @param  {String}   id   id of a user
-   * @param  {String}   role role to remove
-   */
-  static async removeRoleFromUser(id, role) {
-    return UserModel.update({id}, {
-      $pull: {
-        roles: role
-      }
-    }, {runValidators: true});
+  static setRole(id, role) {
+    return UserModel.update({id}, {$set: {role}}, {runValidators: true});
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/test/server/graph/context.js b/test/server/graph/context.js
index d6362e4ff..d04247367 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/context.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/context.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ describe('graph.Context', () => {
     let c;
 
     beforeEach(() => {
-      c = new Context({user: new User({id: '1', roles: ['ADMIN']})});
+      c = new Context({user: new User({id: '1', role: 'ADMIN'})});
     });
 
     it('creates a context with a user', (done) => {
diff --git a/test/server/graph/loaders/metrics.js b/test/server/graph/loaders/metrics.js
index 4414428bd..27af2e912 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/loaders/metrics.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/loaders/metrics.js
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ describe('graph.loaders.Metrics', () => {
           beforeEach(() => ActionModel.create(actions));
 
           it(`returns the correct amount of metrics flagged=${flagged}`, () => {
-            const context = new Context({user: new UserModel({roles: ['ADMIN']})});
+            const context = new Context({user: new UserModel({role: 'ADMIN'})});
 
             return graphql(schema, query, {}, context, {
               from: (new Date()).setMinutes((new Date()).getMinutes() - 5),
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ describe('graph.loaders.Metrics', () => {
           beforeEach(() => ActionModel.create(actions));
 
           it(`returns the correct amount of metrics flagged=${flagged}`, () => {
-            const context = new Context({user: new UserModel({roles: ['ADMIN']})});
+            const context = new Context({user: new UserModel({role: 'ADMIN'})});
 
             return graphql(schema, query, {}, context, {
               from: (new Date()).setMinutes((new Date()).getMinutes() - 5),
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/addTag.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/addTag.js
index 2481360ad..d99d9c8ff 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/addTag.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/addTag.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ describe('graph.mutations.addTag', () => {
   `;
 
   it('moderators can add tags to comments', async () => {
-    const user = new UserModel({roles: ['MODERATOR']});
+    const user = new UserModel({role: 'MODERATOR'});
     const context = new Context({user});
     const res = await graphql(schema, query, {}, context, {id: comment.id, asset_id: asset.id, name: 'BEST'}, 'AddCommentTag');
     if (res.errors && res.errors.length) {
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ describe('graph.mutations.addTag', () => {
     Object.entries({
       'anonymous': undefined,
       'regular commenter': new UserModel({}),
-      'banned moderator': new UserModel({roles: ['MODERATOR'], banned: true})
+      'banned moderator': new UserModel({role: 'MODERATOR', banned: true})
     }).forEach(([ userDescription, user ]) => {
       it(userDescription, async () => {
         const context = new Context({user});
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/changeUsername.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/changeUsername.js
index 601080c60..0eebfb76a 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/changeUsername.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/changeUsername.js
@@ -47,16 +47,19 @@ describe('graph.mutations.changeUsername', () => {
   `;
 
   [
-    {roles: null},
-    {roles: ['STAFF']},
-    {roles: []},
-    {roles: ['MODERATOR']},
-    {roles: ['ADMIN']},
-    {roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']},
-  ].forEach(({roles}) => {
-    it(`can change the username with roles ${roles && roles.length ? roles : JSON.stringify(roles)}`, async () => {
+    {role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {role: 'STAFF'},
+    {role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {role: 'MODERATOR'},
+    {role: 'ADMIN'},
+  ].forEach(({role}) => {
+    it(`can change the username with roles ${role}`, async () => {
       let username = 'spock';
 
+      // Update the user role.
+      await UsersService.setRole(user.id, role);
+      user.role = role;
+
       let ctx = new Context({user});
 
       let res = await graphql(schema, changeUsernameMutation, {}, ctx, {
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/createComment.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/createComment.js
index 2aa04527a..4288e498c 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/createComment.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/createComment.js
@@ -208,15 +208,14 @@ describe('graph.mutations.createComment', () => {
     beforeEach(() => AssetModel.create({id: '123'}));
 
     [
-      {roles: [], tag: null},
-      {roles: ['ADMIN'], tag: 'STAFF'},
-      {roles: ['MODERATOR'], tag: 'STAFF'},
-      {roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR'], tag: 'STAFF'}
-    ].forEach(({roles, tag}) => {
-      describe(`user.roles=${JSON.stringify(roles)}`, () => {
+      {role: 'COMMENTER', tag: null},
+      {role: 'ADMIN', tag: 'STAFF'},
+      {role: 'MODERATOR', tag: 'STAFF'},
+    ].forEach(({role, tag}) => {
+      describe(`user.role=${JSON.stringify(role)}`, () => {
 
         it(`creates comment ${tag ? `with tag=${tag}` : 'without tags'}`, async () => {
-          const context = new Context({user: new UserModel({roles})});
+          const context = new Context({user: new UserModel({role})});
 
           const {data, errors} = await graphql(schema, query, {}, context);
 
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/removeTag.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/removeTag.js
index e5c75f2ca..175f93370 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/removeTag.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/removeTag.js
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ describe('graph.mutations.removeTag', () => {
   `;
 
   it('moderators can add remove tags from comments', async () => {
-    const user = new UserModel({roles: ['MODERATOR']});
+    const user = new UserModel({role: 'MODERATOR'});
     const context = new Context({user});
 
     // add a tag first
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ describe('graph.mutations.removeTag', () => {
     Object.entries({
       'anonymous': undefined,
       'regular commenter': new UserModel({}),
-      'banned moderator': new UserModel({roles: ['MODERATOR'], banned: true})
+      'banned moderator': new UserModel({role: 'MODERATOR', banned: true})
     }).forEach(([userDescription, user]) => {
       it(userDescription, async function () {
         const context = new Context({user});
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserBanStatus.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserBanStatus.js
index 3ea9f68df..6dc1c3167 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserBanStatus.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserBanStatus.js
@@ -57,18 +57,17 @@ describe('graph.mutations.banUser', () => {
   `;
 
   [
-    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: null},
-    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: ['STAFF']},
-    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: []},
-    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: null},
-    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: ['STAFF']},
-    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: []},
-    {error: false, roles: ['MODERATOR']},
-    {error: false, roles: ['ADMIN']},
-    {error: false, roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']},
-  ].forEach(({self, error, roles}) => {
-    it(`${error ? 'can not' : 'can'} ban ${self ? 'themself' : 'another user'} as a user with roles ${roles && roles.length ? roles : JSON.stringify(roles)}`, async () => {
-      const actor = new UserModel({roles});
+    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'STAFF'},
+    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'STAFF'},
+    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {error: false, role: 'MODERATOR'},
+    {error: false, role: 'ADMIN'},
+  ].forEach(({self, error, role}) => {
+    it(`${error ? 'can not' : 'can'} ban ${self ? 'themself' : 'another user'} as a user with role=${role}`, async () => {
+      const actor = new UserModel({role});
 
       // If we're testing self assign, set the id of the actor to the user
       // we're acting on.
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserSuspensionStatus.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserSuspensionStatus.js
index 84f24ceb7..79604d7c4 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserSuspensionStatus.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserSuspensionStatus.js
@@ -60,18 +60,17 @@ describe('graph.mutations.suspendUser', () => {
   `;
 
   [
-    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: null},
-    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: ['STAFF']},
-    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: []},
-    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: null},
-    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: ['STAFF']},
-    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: []},
-    {error: false, roles: ['MODERATOR']},
-    {error: false, roles: ['ADMIN']},
-    {error: false, roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']},
-  ].forEach(({self, error, roles}) => {
-    it(`${error ? 'can not' : 'can'} suspend ${self ? 'themself' : 'another user'} as a user with roles ${roles && roles.length ? roles : JSON.stringify(roles)}`, async () => {
-      const actor = new UserModel({roles});
+    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'STAFF'},
+    {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'STAFF'},
+    {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+    {error: false, role: 'MODERATOR'},
+    {error: false, role: 'ADMIN'},
+  ].forEach(({self, error, role}) => {
+    it(`${error ? 'can not' : 'can'} suspend ${self ? 'themself' : 'another user'} as a user with role ${role}`, async () => {
+      const actor = new UserModel({role});
 
       // If we're testing self assign, set the id of the actor to the user
       // we're acting on.
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserUsernameStatus.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserUsernameStatus.js
index cc02ac83e..609fb8cb6 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserUsernameStatus.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/setUserUsernameStatus.js
@@ -33,18 +33,17 @@ const {expect} = chai;
   `;
 
     [
-      {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: null},
-      {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: ['STAFF']},
-      {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: []},
-      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: null},
-      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: ['STAFF']},
-      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: []},
-      {error: false, roles: ['MODERATOR']},
-      {error: false, roles: ['ADMIN']},
-      {error: false, roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']},
-    ].forEach(({self, error, roles}) => {
-      it(`${error ? 'can not' : 'can'} ${name} a username with the user roles ${roles && roles.length ? roles : JSON.stringify(roles)}${self ? ' on themself' : ''}`, async () => {
-        const actor = new UserModel({roles});
+      {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+      {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'STAFF'},
+      {self: true, error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'STAFF'},
+      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+      {error: false, role: 'MODERATOR'},
+      {error: false, role: 'ADMIN'},
+    ].forEach(({self, error, role}) => {
+      it(`${error ? 'can not' : 'can'} ${name} a username with the user role ${role}${self ? ' on themself' : ''}`, async () => {
+        const actor = new UserModel({role});
 
         // If we're testing self assign, set the id of the actor to the user
         // we're acting on.
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/updateAssetSettings.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/updateAssetSettings.js
index 64d0b0ffc..7ec694c2d 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/updateAssetSettings.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/updateAssetSettings.js
@@ -27,12 +27,13 @@ describe('graph.mutations.updateAssetSettings', () => {
   describe('context with different user roles', () => {
 
     [
-      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED'},
-      {roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']},
-      {roles: ['MODERATOR']},
-    ].forEach(({roles, error}) => {
-      it(roles ? roles.join(', ') : '<None>', async () => {
-        const user = new UserModel({roles});
+      {role: 'COMMENTER', error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED'},
+      {role: 'STAFF', error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED'},
+      {role: 'ADMIN'},
+      {role: 'MODERATOR'},
+    ].forEach(({role, error}) => {
+      it(`role = ${role}`, async () => {
+        const user = new UserModel({role});
         const ctx = new Context({user});
 
         const settings = {
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/updateAssetStatus.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/updateAssetStatus.js
index 77be55976..9dcac731e 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/updateAssetStatus.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/updateAssetStatus.js
@@ -28,12 +28,12 @@ describe('graph.mutations.updateAssetStatus', () => {
   describe('context with different user roles', () => {
 
     [
-      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED'},
-      {roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']},
-      {roles: ['MODERATOR']},
-    ].forEach(({roles, error}) => {
-      it(roles ? roles.join(', ') : '<None>', async () => {
-        const user = new UserModel({roles});
+      {role: 'COMMENTER', error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED'},
+      {role: 'ADMIN'},
+      {role: 'MODERATOR'},
+    ].forEach(({role, error}) => {
+      it(`role = ${role}`, async () => {
+        const user = new UserModel({role});
         const ctx = new Context({user});
 
         const closedAt = (new Date()).toISOString();
diff --git a/test/server/graph/mutations/updateSettings.js b/test/server/graph/mutations/updateSettings.js
index b31b95dc6..c660ea169 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/mutations/updateSettings.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/mutations/updateSettings.js
@@ -26,17 +26,12 @@ describe('graph.mutations.updateSettings', () => {
   describe('context with different user roles', () => {
 
     [
-      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED'},
-      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', roles: []},
-      {roles: ['ADMIN']},
-      {roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']},
-      {roles: ['MODERATOR']},
-    ].forEach(({roles, error}) => {
-      it(roles ? roles.join(', ') : '<None>', async () => {
-        let user;
-        if (roles != null) {
-          user = new UserModel({roles});
-        }
+      {error: 'NOT_AUTHORIZED', role: 'COMMENTER'},
+      {role: 'ADMIN'},
+      {role: 'MODERATOR'},
+    ].forEach(({role, error}) => {
+      it(`role = ${role}`, async () => {
+        const user = new UserModel({role});
         const ctx = new Context({user});
 
         const newSettings = {
@@ -74,7 +69,7 @@ describe('graph.mutations.updateSettings', () => {
   });
 
   describe('nested objects', () => {
-    const user = new UserModel({roles: ['ADMIN']});
+    const user = new UserModel({role: 'ADMIN'});
     const ctx = new Context({user});
 
     it('should handle nested objects', async () => {
diff --git a/test/server/graph/queries/settings.js b/test/server/graph/queries/settings.js
index 338999145..afbde97a3 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/queries/settings.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/queries/settings.js
@@ -56,18 +56,12 @@ describe('graph.queries.settings', () => {
     ];
 
     [
-      {bl: true},
-      {bl: true, roles: []},
-      {bl: false, roles: ['ADMIN']},
-      {bl: false, roles: ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']},
-      {bl: false, roles: ['MODERATOR']},
-    ].forEach(({bl, roles}) => {
-      it(roles && roles.length > 0 ? roles.join(', ') : '<None>', async () => {
-        let user;
-        if (roles != null) {
-          user = new UserModel({roles});
-        }
-
+      {bl: true, role: 'COMMENTER'},
+      {bl: false, role: 'ADMIN'},
+      {bl: false, role: 'MODERATOR'},
+    ].forEach(({bl, role}) => {
+      it(`role = ${role}`, async () => {
+        let user = new UserModel({role});
         const ctx = new Context({user});
 
         const res = await graphql(schema, QUERY, {}, ctx);
diff --git a/test/server/graph/queries/user.js b/test/server/graph/queries/user.js
index ccd9bdfcf..d81979c4b 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/queries/user.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/queries/user.js
@@ -60,13 +60,13 @@ describe('graph.queries.user', () => {
     `;
 
     [
-      {roles: [], can: false},
-      {roles: ['STAFF'], can: false},
-      {roles: ['STAFF', 'MODERATOR'], can: true},
-      {roles: ['STAFF', 'MODERATOR', 'ADMIN'], can: true},
-    ].forEach(({roles, can}) => {
-      it(`${can ? 'can' : 'can not'} query with roles = ${roles.length > 0 ? roles : '<none>'}`, async () => {
-        const actor = new UserModel({roles});
+      {role: 'COMMENTER', can: false},
+      {role: 'STAFF', can: false},
+      {role: 'MODERATOR', can: true},
+      {role: 'ADMIN', can: true},
+    ].forEach(({role, can}) => {
+      it(`${can ? 'can' : 'can not'} query with role = ${role}`, async () => {
+        const actor = new UserModel({role});
         const ctx = new Context({user: actor});
 
         const {data, errors} = await graphql(schema, query, {}, ctx, {
diff --git a/test/server/middleware/authorization.js b/test/server/middleware/authorization.js
index 7966cffa9..91dbe059d 100644
--- a/test/server/middleware/authorization.js
+++ b/test/server/middleware/authorization.js
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ const authz = require('../../../middleware/authorization');
 describe('middleware.authorization', () => {
   describe('#has', () => {
     it('allows if no roles are specified', () => {
-      expect(authz.has({roles: []})).to.be.true;
+      expect(authz.has({role: 'COMMENTER'})).to.be.true;
     });
     it('allows if the correct roles are met', () => {
-      expect(authz.has({roles: ['ADMIN']}, 'ADMIN', 'MODERATOR')).to.be.true;
+      expect(authz.has({role: 'ADMIN'}, 'ADMIN', 'MODERATOR')).to.be.true;
     });
     it('disallows if the role required is missing', () => {
-      expect(authz.has({roles: []}, 'ADMIN', 'MODERATOR')).to.be.false;
+      expect(authz.has({role: 'COMMENTER'}, 'ADMIN', 'MODERATOR')).to.be.false;
     });
   });
 
@@ -24,17 +24,17 @@ describe('middleware.authorization', () => {
     };
 
     it('allows if no roles are specified', () => {
-      needed()({user: {roles: []}}, {}, (err) => {
+      needed()({user: {role: 'COMMENTER'}}, {}, (err) => {
         expect(err).to.be.undefined;
       });
     });
     it('allows if the correct roles are met', () => {
-      needed()({user: {roles: ['ADMIN']}}, {}, (err) => {
+      needed()({user: {role: 'ADMIN'}}, {}, (err) => {
         expect(err).to.be.undefined;
       });
     });
     it('disallows if the role required is missing', () => {
-      needed('ADMIN', 'MODERATOR')({user: {roles: []}}, {}, (err) => {
+      needed('ADMIN', 'MODERATOR')({user: {role: 'COMMENTER'}}, {}, (err) => {
         expect(err).to.not.be.undefined;
       });
     });
diff --git a/test/server/routes/api/assets/index.js b/test/server/routes/api/assets/index.js
index 0dacccbad..ae9f98517 100644
--- a/test/server/routes/api/assets/index.js
+++ b/test/server/routes/api/assets/index.js
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/assets', () => {
       for (const role of ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']) {
         const res = await chai.request(app)
           .get('/api/v1/assets')
-          .set(passport.inject({roles: [role]}));
+          .set(passport.inject({role}));
 
         const body = res.body;
 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/assets', () => {
       for (const role of ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']) {
         const res = await chai.request(app)
           .get('/api/v1/assets?value=term2')
-          .set(passport.inject({roles: [role]}));
+          .set(passport.inject({role}));
 
         const body = res.body;
 
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/assets', () => {
       for (const role of ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']) {
         const res = await chai.request(app)
           .get('/api/v1/assets?value=term3')
-          .set(passport.inject({roles: [role]}));
+          .set(passport.inject({role}));
         const body = res.body;
 
         expect(body).to.have.property('count', 0);
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/assets', () => {
       for (const role of ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']) {
         const res = await chai.request(app)
           .get('/api/v1/assets?filter=closed')
-          .set(passport.inject({roles: [role]}));
+          .set(passport.inject({role}));
         const body = res.body;
 
         expect(body).to.have.property('count', 1);
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/assets', () => {
       for (const role of ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']) {
         const res = await chai.request(app)
           .get('/api/v1/assets?filter=open')
-          .set(passport.inject({roles: [role]}));
+          .set(passport.inject({role}));
         const body = res.body;
 
         expect(body).to.have.property('count', 1);
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/assets', () => {
 
       const res = await chai.request(app)
         .put(`/api/v1/assets/${asset.id}/status`)
-        .set(passport.inject({roles: ['ADMIN']}))
+        .set(passport.inject({role: 'ADMIN'}))
         .send({closedAt: today});
 
       expect(res).to.have.status(204);
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/assets', () => {
 
       const promise = chai.request(app)
         .put(`/api/v1/assets/${asset.id}/status`)
-        .set(passport.inject({roles: ['MODERATOR']}))
+        .set(passport.inject({role: 'MODERATOR'}))
         .send({closedAt: today});
       await expect(promise).to.eventually.be.rejected;
     });
diff --git a/test/server/routes/api/settings/index.js b/test/server/routes/api/settings/index.js
index d3728ff2c..582b08733 100644
--- a/test/server/routes/api/settings/index.js
+++ b/test/server/routes/api/settings/index.js
@@ -20,9 +20,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/settings', () => {
       for (let role of ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']) {
         const res = await chai.request(app)
           .get('/api/v1/settings')
-          .set(passport.inject({
-            roles: [role]
-          }));
+          .set(passport.inject({role}));
         expect(res).to.have.status(200);
         expect(res).to.be.json;
         expect(res.body).to.have.property('moderation', 'PRE');
@@ -35,7 +33,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/settings', () => {
     it('should update the settings', () => {
       return chai.request(app)
         .put('/api/v1/settings')
-        .set(passport.inject({roles: ['ADMIN']}))
+        .set(passport.inject({role: 'ADMIN'}))
         .send({moderation: 'POST'})
         .then((res) => {
           expect(res).to.have.status(204);
@@ -50,7 +48,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/settings', () => {
     it('should require ADMIN role', () => {
       const promise = chai.request(app)
         .put('/api/v1/settings')
-        .set(passport.inject({roles: ['MODERATOR']}))
+        .set(passport.inject({role: 'MODERATOR'}))
         .send({moderation: 'POST'});
       return expect(promise).to.eventually.be.rejected;
     });
diff --git a/test/server/routes/api/user/index.js b/test/server/routes/api/user/index.js
index 76f144999..60b651ecc 100644
--- a/test/server/routes/api/user/index.js
+++ b/test/server/routes/api/user/index.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/users/:user_id/email/confirm', () => {
 
       return chai.request(app)
         .post(`/api/v1/users/${mockUser.id}/email/confirm`)
-        .set(passport.inject({roles: ['ADMIN']}))
+        .set(passport.inject({role: 'ADMIN'}))
         .then((res) => {
           expect(res).to.have.status(204);
           expect(mailer.task.tasks).to.have.length(1);
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ describe('/api/v1/users/:user_id/email/confirm', () => {
     it('should send a 404 on not matching a user', () => {
       return chai.request(app)
         .post(`/api/v1/users/${mockUser.id}/email/confirm`)
-        .set(passport.inject({roles: ['ADMIN']}))
+        .set(passport.inject({role: 'ADMIN'}))
         .then((res) => {
           expect(res).to.have.status(204);
           expect(mailer.task.tasks).to.have.length(1);
diff --git a/test/server/services/users.js b/test/server/services/users.js
index c1db0519f..3c7a8f654 100644
--- a/test/server/services/users.js
+++ b/test/server/services/users.js
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ describe('services.UsersService', () => {
     it('should not ignore a staff member', async () => {
       const user = mockUsers[0];
       const usersToIgnore = [mockUsers[1]];
-      await UsersService.addRoleToUser(usersToIgnore[0].id, 'STAFF');
+      await UsersService.setRole(usersToIgnore[0].id, 'STAFF');
 
       try {
         await UsersService.ignoreUsers(user.id, usersToIgnore.map((u) => u.id));