Choosing Your Room for the Academic Year

*** The following information is for the 2012-2013 academic year and is for reference purposes only.  It will be updated early in second semester for the 2013-2014 academic year. ***

This information is for current Cornell students only.  If you are an incoming new or transfer student, you will complete your housing preference form as a part of your admissions process to the College. The form asks for certain lifestyle preferences you have (when you go to bed, if you keep your room neat, if you smoke, etc.).  We use that information to help us place you in a building and with a roommate that best meets those preferences. You can contact your admission counselor if you have any questions.

About room selection

Every student is required to go through some form of room selection (even those interested in living off campus or commuting from home). To help any of you who may be interested in exploring several housing options, we have intentionally spaced the various parts of the process throughout all of second semester.  We encourage you to watch your e-mail and this website for updates, timelines, expectations, etc.

Off-campus lottery (updated for 2012-2013)

Each year the Dean of Students allows a portion of the senior class to live off campus through participation in a lottery. Students interested in living off campus for 2012-2013 should refer to the off-campus lottery information.

Living Learning Communities (updated for 2012-2013)

Students interested in applying for a Living Learning Community charter should attend an informational session. Refer to the living learning communities information for details.

Room Selection Process (updated for 2012-2013)

• Dates  Intent to Withdraw 
• Off Campus Study First Semester
• Numbers Draw 
• Late Numbers Draw
• Room Selection Information
• Room Selection Process
• Room Selection Timeline
• Floor Plans
• Frequently Asked Questions

Dates

Intent to Withdraw
Students who do not intend to return to Cornell College in Fall 2012 are not eligible to participate in any room selection activities (including Resident Assistant selection, Living & Learning selection and apartment draw). Students intending to withdraw must contact the Dean of Students Office no later than WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11th. Students who notify the Deans Office BY THE DEADLINE will be eligible for a refund of their enrollment deposit (less any charges owed the College). Students may contact the Dean of Students Office at x4234 or by sending an e-mail message to mailto:jgoetschius@cornellcollege.edu?subject=Intent%20to%20Withdraw.

Off Campus Study 1st Semester
Students who will study off campus first semester should not select a room.  They should stop by the Residence Life Office on Thursday, April 12th to fill out a housing preference form to assist in their housing assignment for second semester.

Numbers Draw
Numbers Draw is Tuesday, April 17th, on the Orange Carpet at breakfast (8:00 am - 9:00 am) and lunch (11:00 am - 1:00 pm). Numbers draw will be held at breakfast and lunch only. EVERY STUDENT planning to live in a Residence Hall MUST draw a number. Students who are unable to draw a number, may designate a proxy to draw a number. The proxy must have the ID (or a photocopy) of the student for whom he or she is drawing. 

1. Bring your Student ID
2. Draw a number according to your classification for 2012-2013.
   (Classification lists are provided to the Residence Life Office by the Registrar's office for Room Draw.)
3. You will be given a Room Selection Pass with your name, classification, and number.

Late Numbers Draw
Students who miss Numbers Draw may participate in Late Draw by stopping by the Residence Life Office beginning at 8:00 am on Wednesday, April 18. Students participating in late draw may not select a room, NOR MAY THEIR ROOMMATE(S) SELECT A ROOM, until all other students have selected a room. Late draw participants and their roommate(s) may select from any remaining rooms on Thursday, April 26, beginning at approximately 8:30 pm. This would be VERY unfortunate, so please remember to draw a number at the regular numbers draw time (breakfast and lunch on Tuesday, April 17).

Room Selection Information

1. Rooms are selected according to class standing, with next year's seniors drawing first, juniors second, sophomores third and students without roommates fourth. Groups with a student or students who participated in Late Draw must wait until after sophomores choose rooms on Thursday (approximately 8:30 pm).
2. A student selecting a room may choose any person who has participated in numbers draw as a roommate(s).
3. The number of students drawing into a room must equal the capacity of the room as designated by the Residence Life Office.
4. Rooms are designated as either male or female rooms. The College does not provide a co-ed room option.
5. Lists of rooms, special interest areas and floor plans will be available FOLLOWING Numbers Draw.
6. If drawing into a double or larger, only one person from the room will be permitted in the Room Selection Area (Hedge Conference Room). This person MUST have the Cornell IDs (or photocopies) of all who will be living in the room.

Room Selection Process

1. Arrive at The Ratt at the time listed for the type of room that interests you, and if appropriate, your classification.
2. When your number is called, show your ID(s) and Room Selection Pass(es) to the checker at the door of Hedges. You must have your student ID as well as those of your roommate(s) to participate in Room Selection.
3. Proceed to the table of the building you prefer.
4. Select a room and present your Room Selection Pass(es) to the person at the table. If your preference is taken, select another room or go to the table of your second choice building.
5. Proceed to the final check out station. Your selection will be recorded and the Room Selection Pass(es) collected. It is very important that you stop at the check out station.

Room Selection Timeline

FRIDAY, APRIL 20

TUESDAY, APRIL 24

THURSDAY, APRIL 26

Floor Plans
Floor plans are provided on-line to assist students in determining the location of a room within a residence hall. Diagrams are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain building renovations and/or improvements may not be included. If you have questions, please contact the Residence Life Office.

Bowman-Carter Hall - Dows Hall - Merner Hall - Olin Hall - Pauley Hall -
Pfeiffer Hall - Rorem Hall - Tarr Hall

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I do not have a roommate?
If you do not have a roommate for next year contact the Residence Life Office immediately. Students without a roommate will not be permitted to select a room unless they have completed a Roommate Request Form at the Residence Life Office PRIOR to Room Selection. You will be assigned a roommate Thursday night beginning at approximately 8:20 pm.

What do I do if I'm unable to attend Numbers Draw and/or Room Selection?
You will need a proxy. A proxy is permitted to draw a number for you as long as the proxy has a copy of your ID. A proxy is permitted to select a room for you provided the proxy has a copy of your ID and your Room Selection Pass. Other arrangements may be made by contacting Judy Goetschius (jgoetschius@cornellcollege.edu) prior to Numbers Draw and Room Selection.

Can I change rooms after Room Selection?
No room changes will be permitted for the first semester. Anyone moving into a room other than the room assigned at room draw, will lose the privilege of living in that building, will be moved, and will be fined.

How can I be assigned to a Substance Free or co-ed floor?
Students wishing to select a room on a special interest floor may do so during their allotted time. Students selecting rooms on substance free floors will be required to sign an agreement stating they understand and agree to abide by the special policies of the particular floor or building. Students who violate the agreement will be fined, disciplinary action will be taken, and the student may lose the privilege of living in the building and/or on the floor. Students selecting rooms on co-ed floors in Merner will be required to sign an agreement stating they understand that the restrooms are shared by both men and women and acknowledging that they are aware that urinals are also present in these restrooms.

What if I am gone on a trip during first semester?
This year, because of space availability, students on trips Blocks 1 and 2 will be allowed to participate in Room Selection.  Students choosing a room will be responsible for room charges even if they have not moved in.  Students gone for Blocks 1 -4 should not participate in Room Selection, but should fill out a preference form in the Residence Life Office.  Trip students will be assigned in December.