We asked аIJʿª½±½á¹û’s team of residential life professionals to share insight on the housing selection process and important ways they help students to think about the meaning and purpose behind their living situations.
аIJʿª½±½á¹û’s goal is to shepherd and organize more than 2,800 students into safe places where they can be successful academically, develop positively as a whole person, and live with people who matter to them. The types of housing at аIJʿª½±½á¹û are quite varied — and the process is designed to offer options for students based on their habits, style of living preferences, and who they wish to live with.
The team provides students with information explaining their options and the housing selection process and are always happy to answer questions or have a discussion with them along the way.
Here is some of the advice they give to students.
Develop goals and a set of choices
Given the complexity of placing so many people in a finite set of spaces, it’s impossible to hand-pick everyone’s top choice. Good strategies for students include purposefully identifying specific goals for their residential experience, as well as identifying several choices they would be comfortable with.
Students should read the materials provided so they can be informed about what options are available to them. Ideally, they will come to the process having considered the type of living situation and the corresponding facilities that interest them.
Just as students do for course registration, where because of limits to class sizes, prerequisites, and the assigned time slot in the selection process there is no guarantee of getting into every first-pick class, it’s a good idea to have a backup list.
In the realm of helping students to manage their expectations and to plan productively, it’s important to note that more than two-thirds of аIJʿª½±½á¹û’s housing inventory is multi-occupancy bedrooms, whether doubles, triples and quads — with doubles being more than half of the spaces. Students in all class years, including seniors, are likely to have at least one roommate.
The housing selection process includes several application-based options, as well as a general lottery. The options differ between sophomores, juniors, and seniors, but, universally, students can decide who they want to live with or near. Then — as individuals or groups, depending on the option — they can either apply for one of those options or wait and participate in the general housing lottery.
In addition to the student’s class year, the available options depend in part on who they might wish to live with, and/or whether they are:
- Receiving accommodations for any accessibility or other needs
- Intending to transfer to a different Residential Commons (sophomores)
- Applying to live in the Harlem Renaissance Center (sophomores, juniors, and seniors)
- Enrolling in a course with a residential component (sophomore residential seminars)
- Intending to live in a fraternity or sorority house (juniors and seniors)
- Seeking theme or interest group housing (juniors and seniors)
The application deadlines are staggered — allowing students who don’t get their first choice to apply for other options along the way, or move into the general lottery — so, keeping an eye on the schedule and asking timely questions is important.
In the end, all undergraduate students in good standing are guaranteed housing for four years, so all students will receive a room assignment, and we do our best to make as close a match to their preferences as possible.
It’s also important for students to understand that once they are accepted through a process, the housing assignment is final.
Important Guidance On Senior-Year Off-Campus Housing
аIJʿª½±½á¹û requires every student to live in University-owned housing during all four years of their education, with one exception. Historically, аIJʿª½±½á¹û has permitted a limited number of students — approximately 30 percent of the senior class — to live off campus during their senior year. Interested students must apply for and then secure a slot through the private off-campus housing lottery during the fall semester of their junior year. Securing permission to live off campus is not a guarantee for seniors — approximately 40 to 50 percent of applicants secure a place through the lottery.
Applicants must meet conduct expectations that demonstrate a pattern of respectful, healthy community behavior. If students are in good standing with their conduct record, they will receive written notice of eligibility to participate in the off-campus lottery from the Office of Residential Life
It is important that students not sign a lease with an off-campus landlord before receiving approval from аIJʿª½±½á¹û. Students who sign a lease prior to obtaining a place through the lottery process will be responsible for paying both University housing and any financial obligations to the landlord required by the lease.
In other words, signing a lease will not release students from the requirement to live in University-owned housing and will not be considered a valid reason for аIJʿª½±½á¹û to release a student from this requirement.
Value People Over Place
The way students live at аIJʿª½±½á¹û shapes their education and their experiences. Through the strong foundational community built through their Residential Commons membership in the first and second years, as well as classes, activities, sports, and social time, there are ample opportunities to build meaningful relationships.
When it comes to housing selection, a student’s choice of whom to live with is an important aspect of the residential experience. So, it’s often helpful for students to prioritize choosing the people and the type of housing (such as commons or theme or interest housing) rather than having their hearts set on a specific residence hall, facility, or type of room.
Learning Moments
Everyone hopes to land an early slot in the housing lottery. And yet, the fairness of randomizing the selection order means that while someone gets to go first, someone else has to go last.
If your student is upset about where they’ve landed in the housing lottery, lend them an ear and sympathize, but help them develop a healthy perspective: It’s not their fault, and it wasn’t personal; in some cases, our circumstances fall to the luck of the draw. Remind them of a challenge they have previously come through, or share a situation when you had a similar disappointment but overcame it.
Support and Resources for Students
The residential life staff are happy to help students with questions or concerns about the housing selection process.
To support students through the selection process, the Office of Residential Life offers information sessions about seeking housing adjustments/accommodations and the overall process as well as extended hours to have individual questions answered.
Students are welcome to come talk through their options, plan a strategy, or ask for help in locating a roommate. The more the staff can get to know them and understand the nuances of their situation, they will address whatever they can that is within the available resources.
In addition, the housing portal has functionality to help students find roommates, search for housing options, and form roommate groups.
Helping Your Student
If your student is going through the housing process and expresses any uncertainty or mentions that they are encountering a difficulty, ask open-ended questions that help them problem-solve.
- What are your goals for your housing experience?
- What kind of setting do you think you will function best in and why?
- What resources can you tap?
- Have you spoken with a member of the residential life staff?
- What did you/do you plan to discuss with them?