Room Changes
Mid-Semester Room Changes
The Office of Residence Life recognizes that situations may arise that make it difficult for roommates to remain together. In all cases, the student will be advised to initially discuss roommate conflicts with his/her roommate and then with the Resident Advisor. The RA will act as an impartial mediator to encourage communication. A professional staff member in the Office of Residence Life may also meet with the students in an effort to facilitate problem resolution. If, after discussing his/her concerns, a student wishes to move to a different housing assignment, s/he follows the process below:
Mid-semester Room Change Process
- The student completes a Room Change Request Form.
- After obtaining the necessary signatures from the current roommate(s) and RA, the student submits the Room Change Request Form to the Office of Residence Life.
- After the Room Change Request Form has been properly submitted, the student will meet with a member of the professional staff to discuss the current rooming situation and available housing options. The student may also be required to meet with his/her roommate and a professional staff member.
- If a room change is approved, the student must meet and obtain the signature of the new roommate and RA. The new room key will be issued after the signed form is submitted to the Office of Residence Life.
- The student must complete the move to the new room and return the original room key to the Office of Residence Life by a specified deadline.
Take Note
- Submission of the Room Change Request form does not guarantee approval.
- It may be necessary for a student to be placed on a waiting list to move to a particular floor or residence hall.
- The student may not move prior to being issued the new room key.
- In the case of a roommate conflict, it should be understood that the Office of Residence Life will not “move” a student at the request of his/her roommate. One roommate must agree to look for an alternative living situation.
- Hall or room changes cannot be made during the first two weeks of each semester, except in those cases where permission is received from the Director of Residence Life.
- All room changes, including “body for body” switches must be pre-approved by the Office of Residence Life.
- Unauthorized room changes may result in disciplinary action.
Spring Semester Room Changes & Assignments
Each year, the Office of Residence Life processes many changes in housing assignments for the Spring semester. Vacancies occur due to students departing for spring study abroad programs, graduating, transferring, or taking a leave of absence. Once vacant spaces are confirmed, housing assignments are first processed for students returning from abroad. Then, new assignments are made for those returning from leaves of absence, fall residents who request room changes, and any newly admitted students. All anticipated vacancies for the spring must be verified before students can be assigned; this verification typically cannot be completed before finals end.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely that a new room assignment can be confirmed for students requesting a general room change for the Spring semester, before the end of finals. Students requesting a spring semester room change must be willing to move out of their Fall semester rooms even if a new assignment has not been confirmed.
To request a general room change for the Spring semester, a student must follow the process below:
Spring Semester Room Change/Assignment Process
- The student completes a Room Change Request Form.
- After obtaining the necessary signatures from the current roommate(s) and RA, the student submits the Room Change Request Form to the Office of Residence Life.
- If the student is requesting a specific building/room that will be vacated when the current resident departs at the end of the Fall semester, the student should obtain signatures from the new roommate and RA (step two on the form).
- At the end of the fall semester, the student must completely vacate the current room and return the room key (regardless of whether a new room assignment has been approved). This requirement enables vacated spaces to be prepared for occupancy by a newly assigned student.
- During the weeks between the Fall and Spring semesters, the Office of Residence Life will notify students as their room change requests are processed.
- Upon return to campus at the start of the Spring semester, the student signs out the new room key.
Take Note:
- There are VERY few singles available for students who are currently on campus in doubles. Singles are assigned based on class year and the date the request was filed. All juniors and seniors studying abroad have room assignment request dates from last spring (ahead of anyone currently on campus).
- Students who apply for a spring semester room change MUST vacate their fall assignments entirely and return their room key when departing at the end of the Fall semester. This requirement enables vacated spaces to be prepared for occupancy by newly assigned students.
- Spring semester room change updates will be communicated via e-mail to each student's Lafayette account. To avoid delays in processing a room change, requesting students are advised to check this account regularly between the Fall and Spring semesters.
- Due to the large number of assignments processed between semesters, staff from the Office of Residence Life are unable to call students to discuss options that are available. Students who file spring room change requests will be assigned to any open spaces in buildings they preference.
- Students who prefer to meet their potential new roommates before being re-assigned should wait until they return in January and file a mid-semester room change request instead (process above).
Specific Information for Moving Into Greek Chapter Houses and Special Interest Houses for the Spring Semester:
- Students moving into their chapter houses or other special interest houses do not need to complete a room change request form as their names will appear on the Spring Housing roster submitted by the group in early December.
- Students whose name appears on a group housing roster must vacate their fall semester assignments and return the room key by the end of Fall semester finals. This requirement enables vacated spaces to be prepared for occupancy by a newly assigned student.
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