2011 Housing Lottery Frequently Asked Questions

I want to arrive early to the Lottery.  How soon can I get there?

Doors open for students to check into the Lottery process at 5 p.m. on February 23, 2011, in the Pioneer Arena.  We advise you come early so our staff can verify your Passport and you can enter into the fun with minimal waiting!  Senior selections begin at 6 p.m., Juniors at 7 p.m., and Sophomores at 8:30 p.m.  We recommend you arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your start time.  You can follow the process of the Lottery live by following the Office of Student Affairs on Facebook.  If the line becomes long, we will give priority to the group whose turn it is to register (example: if Rising Sophomores show up to check-in at 5:45 p.m., Rising Seniors will be given priority check-in status).

What does it mean to “pull” someone?

A student with the better number can “pull” a roommate of their choice to live in a space with them in certain areas.  “Pulling” someone means that both of you select a space at the same time and the one of you with the higher Lottery number does not have to wait until their number is called, they select with the one of you with the lowest number.  Example:  John and Marcus plan to live together.  John is #14 in line to select rooms, while Marcus is #215.  When John chooses a room, Marcus will be “pulled up” to live in John’s space.  Students can pull to all spaces except the single bedrooms of the apartments.  Students can pull to double rooms in Katherine, Welty-Craig, COGs, and the “D” bedroom of the apartments.

There are already names showing on the Lottery Selection Projections?!?  What is that all about?

Resident Assistants do not get to choose their rooms, so they are placed in their space ahead of time in the Lottery.  However, Resident Assistants DO get to choose their roommate, so in every RA room you will see the roommate who has agreed to live with the RA.

What happens if I am not there when my number/name is called?

Throughout the Lottery, a up-to-the-minute list will be posted so you can see where your name is in relation to those who have already been called.  While you are enjoying the fun events that are taking place with the Lottery, you can keep track of where you are on the list.  When you are within 10 names of your own selection turn, you will be called to the “wait area” where you will have an up-close view of available spaces.   We will call your name three (3) times before we move on to the next name on the list.  If you arrive after your name has been called you will be placed in the next selection spot we are serving.

 What do I need to have completed in order to choose a room?

You must have your Passport completely stamped meaning you have no holds in the Business Office or Financial Aid, you do have a 2011-2012 class schedule entered by the Registrar, and you do have your immunization records complete with the College.  If you are missing any one of these three items, you will not be able to participate in the Lottery.

I am missing one of the three required areas to complete the Lottery.  What happens to me?

If your issues can be resolved at the Lottery, then we want to do that.  Offices from across campus will be present at the Lottery to do everything we can to help you get cleared to participate in the Lottery.  If you cannot resolve your issues to participate in the Lottery, then you can complete your business after the Lottery.  Once you have resolved your issue with either the Financial Aid Office, Business Office (account holds), Registrar (class schedule), or Student Affairs (immunizations), then you can come by Student Affairs, and we will work with you to find a space for you for 2011-2012.

What types of things are going on to keep me entertained until my Lottery number is called?

We will have card games, board games, and other activities will be available so you can pass the time enjoyably while you wait.

Some of the areas are showing as unavailable; why can’t I choose them?

It is part of our programmatic philosophy to group our students in a manner which allows our upperclassmen to live together and our freshmen to live together, but not directly intermixed with one another by floor or wing.  This allows us to provide services targeted to those populations-for example, the developmental needs of freshmen students are far different from those of upperclassmen.  To facilitate this, we have pulled areas offline across campus for incoming freshmen.  We also pull some rooms offline to accommodate students with different needs.

I got the room I wanted, but now I have changed my mind.  What do I do?

We ask that students be certain of a space when they select it.  Trying to change spaces after your turn has passed slows down the Lottery process for other waiting students and creates confusion.  So, the bottom line is BE SURE WHEN YOU SELECT A SPACE.  However, if your room must be changed immediately please find a member of the Student Affairs professional staff at the Lottery and let us know.  We will talk with you about the nature of your room change and work with you.  We cannot guarantee all changes will be immediate; some changes will be easier to facilitate than others. For example, two people wanting to mutually switch places is an easier change to facilitate than three people wanting in one apartment together when there are only two spaces left.  It is always best if you come to us with a solution in mind where all affected students are in agreement with the solution, but we will try to work with you to fashion a workable solution.

I want a single room.  There has always been a waiting list for that, how does it work now?

Single rooms are up for selection as well. 

I didn’t get the space I wanted.  What happens now?

We will begin creating waiting lists for 2011-2012 Residential Spaces at the Lottery. In the Lottery administration area, there will be a table designated “waiting lists” where you can submit your name as you come up to select your room.