Open Room Change Process - Fall 2007

What if I do not get the housing choice I prefer?

Housing assignments are made based on deposit date
and a first choice preference. If your first choice building is
full, you will be assigned randomly to one of the four Residence Halls (LaFarge, Sourin, Overbrook and McShain) or Campus Houses. The truth is, there is limited available space in each building. We cannot possibly place every student in their first choice for housing. We ask that you give the building/ community for which you have been assigned a chance, and we will work with you on a room change if after giving the hall a chance, you still wish to relocate to another available residence hall community.

Open Room Change Process

Now that you’ve recieved your housing assignment, you may find yourself thinking, “I’m not completely happy with my current room assignment, I wonder if there is space in another building?” If this scenario fits, and you are interested in exploring your options for a room or resident hall change, the Office of Residence Life offers an open room change process that begins after the second week of classes.

Process Overview:

On Monday, September 10, 2007, within the Office of Residence Life, the waitlist for resident students will become available. You may visit our office starting at 9 AM – 5 PM (located on the ground floor of LaFarge Hall) on or after this date to place your name on this list. Room assignment changes will begin to be offered starting September 17, 2007, based on availability. Per your housing contract, The Office of Residence Life reserves the right, in the event of a partial room vacancy, to assign new roommates as needed without prior notice.

In order to minimize the disruption in our community caused by room changes, all students who have processed a room change must arrange to have moves completed by 9:00 AM on Monday, October 1st. If you are unable to complete your move by this pre-determined deadline, we will be unable to process your room change application.

Finally, when being offered a room change, in order to respect the privacy and minimize the intrusiveness caused by constant interruption, our policy is to only provide the building and room type information to the waitlist participant. We will not disclose the names of current resident(s) in a room or apartment, nor will we offer the room/apartment number.

Reassignment of an Individual (1 person):

Only one housing reassignment offer will be made to a participant on the waitlist. If the participant on the waitlist does not wish to accept an offer made for reassignment, but wishes to remain on the waitlist, he/she will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist and the offered vacancy will be given to the next person with a request match on the waitlist.

Reassignment of a Group (2 or more people):

Should multiple persons wish to be considered for a group reassignment, they may sign the waitlist as a group. Only one housing reassignment offer will be made to a group on the waitlist. If the group on the waitlist does not wish to accept an offer made for reassignment, but wishes to remain on the waitlist, they will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist and the offered vacancy will be given to the next group with a request match on the waitlist.

Reassignment to a Specific Known Vacancy:

If a person or group wishes to express interest in a known or anticipated vacancy in a hall, he/she/they may list the specific known/anticipated vacancy room assignment on the waitlist. This does not guarantee placement into this space. If a person or group who is higher on the waitlist has a request that matches this vacancy they will be offered the space first. Remember, the waitlist is a first come, first serve process.

Amicable Room Changes:

If you know of a vacancy in a room or apartment and have an interest in filling that space with the current resident you must still place your name on the waitlist. At this time you will also receive a postcard that must be signed and returned to our office within 24 hours by the current resident(s) of the space you wish to occupy. A completed and returned postcard constitutes a record of amicable room placement. Our office will work with these cases on an individual basis in an attempt to satisfy the amicable request. Please note that completing this process does not guarantee placement into the desired space.

Roommate Conflict Resources

Finally, please remember that your RA and Area Coordinator are also available to assist you in making your current living situation as comfortable as possible. If you are dealing with a roommate conflict, please seek out your RA or AC for assistance in dealing with this situation. They can help to mediate many situations, providing you an opportunity to remain in your current room assignment.

Do not hesitate to contact our office with questions.