Room Selection 2008
Room Selection 2008 Process Directions:
Welcome to the Room Selection 2008 Process. We look forward to you staying with us again during the upcoming year.It is important to read the instructions carefully and pay close attention to all the deadlines. Any questions about the process should be directed to a member of the Residential Programs staff in your residence hall. You may also stop by the Office of Residential Programs, 244 Student Center, or call us at x3-6930.
Room Selection Lottery Time Schedules
Click for Room Selection Lottery Time Schedule
| Please follow these links for more information: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Requirements | Home- steading |
The Housing Lottery | Lottery Options |
| General Guidelines | Special Lottery Information | FAQs | Download Homesteading Form |
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for any part of the Room Selection Process students must:
- Be a current residential student (commuting students are not eligible to take part in Homesteading or the Lottery)
- Have lived on campus for 8 semesters or less effective Fall 2008
- Pay a $300 Housing Deposit* by Tuesday,March 11. (Please Note: If you are not compliant with New York State immunization requirements, you will not be able to pay your deposit).
- Have $0 balance with the Office of Student Accounts by Tuesday, March 11.
- Undergraduate students must register full time for the fall 2008 semester by Monday, June 2.
*You can avoid long lines by opting to pay the required $300 deposit online (print receipt). All other forms of payment, including credit card deposits (Visa or MasterCard only) must be paid at the Office of Student Accounts.
Students who do not meet the above eligibility criteria by the stated deadlines will not be allowed to secure a room for the fall 2008 semester.
Homesteading
(Monday, March 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Rooms)
Homesteading gives you the option of: (1) reserving your current room/suite or (2) living with another residential student in his or her current room/suite. To homestead a room/suite, you should know that:
- The person homesteading a single cannot "pull-in" anyone into the adjoining rooms in the suite.
- At least one person applying must have lived in the room/suite/apartment prior to the homesteading process.
- Rooms and suites may only be homesteaded at full occupancy. (For example, a person homesteading a four-person suite must "pull-in" three other students to retain the suite. No partial suites can be homesteaded). No student can be "pulled-in" to a single room in a suite, nor can a single be homesteaded by anyone other than the current resident student.
- All students applying for a room or suite must meet eligibility requirements.
- If all occupants of the current room or suite wish to homestead the space but do not wish to remain roommates next year, and cannot reach a mutual agreement, the Office of Residential Programs will determine who will retain the room.
- All roommates/suitemates who choose not to homestead must sign a Homesteading Form stating that they are opting not to live in their current room/suite for the following year. The person who is applying to homestead the room must return this form during the homesteading process.
- Students who cancel their room/suite contracts after homesteading will jeopardize their roommate's placement. The University reserves the right to reassign students when necessary or to assign a new student to that space. When a roommate cancels, the student(s) remaining in the room/suite may be reassigned to other rooms or halls to accommodate housing demands.
- Once you choose to homestead a room or suite, you are no longer eligible to participate in the lottery process. All decisions made during homesteading are final.
If you are homesteading your room or suite or being "pulled into" a homesteaded room, you must meet all of the above eligibility requirements and bring the following items to the Plaza Rooms on the above dates:
- $300 Housing Deposit Receipt or Department Waiver Form
- Completed Student Housing Application Form
- Homesteading Form (one copy per group)
- Room Selection Letter
- Current HofstraCard
- Proxy Card (if applicable) *See "General Guidelines"
The Housing Lottery
The Housing Lottery selection process gives you the opportunity to select space in the living area that best suits your needs and preferences. No guarantee is made, however, that the space you wish to reside in will be available for selection. Computer generated lottery numbers are randomly assigned to all current residential students. Lottery numbers are prioritized by class: Senior students receive the lowest numbers enabling them to participate earlier in the process, while freshmen receive the highest numbers requiring them to participate later in the process. Graduate/law, PHED and Displaced students have their own separate lottery.
To participate in the lottery, you must meet all of the eligibility requirements and bring the following items to the Student Center Theater on one of the dates indicated below:
- $300 Housing Deposit Receipt or Department Waiver Form
- Completed Student Housing Application Form
- Room Selection Letter
- Current HofstraCard
- Proxy Card (if applicable) *See "General Guidelines"
Lottery Options
(March 25-27 in the Student Center Theater for Undergrads)
- Graduate/Law Student Selection
Monday March 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. room 142 Student Center
All graduate and law students who wish to live in the Newest building for the upcoming fall semester may come during this lottery time to sign up for a single, or suite double. Rooms are selected by the lowest/best lottery number and must be filled to capacity.
- Relocated Room Selection
Tuesday, March 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Rooms
The Office of Residential Programs has notified a number of students in writing that they cannot return to their current room assignment due to room reconfigurations (i.e., singles to doubles or male to female). These displaced students can move to the same type of room within the same residential area (i.e., single to single, double to double, a suite without a lounge to a suite without a lounge, etc.). Displaced students have the option of pulling in a roommate and/or suitemates when selecting a new room assignment. NOTE: if the displaced student would like to obtain a different type of room than their current room assignment, they must attend that appropriate lottery night as any other student choosing to participate in the lottery option (i.e., if you are displaced from a double and would like to obtain a single, you must use your lottery number and attend the single room selection on Tuesday, March 25).
- Single Room Selection
(Thursday, March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Single rooms located in suites, and the high rise areas are available to students via the lottery selection process. Rooms are selected by the lowest/best lottery number. When all singles have been allocated, this session will end.
- Suite, Triple and Quad Selection
(Tuesday, March 25, from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.)
Suite and Quad Selection is open only to groups of four who wish to share an entire suite or quad (or a group of three if signing up for a triple, or a group of six if signing up for a 6-person suite). A suite, triple or quad cannot be partially filled. Resident students participating in the lottery who wish to room together in a suite, triple or quad may come in together during the earliest lottery appointment time of the individual holding the lowest lottery number. If someone cannot be present, they must sign a Proxy Form giving permission for a current resident student to act on their behalf. (See below.)
- Double Room Selection
(Wednesday, March 26, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
Students who would like to reside in a double room with a roommate must participate in Double Room Selection. You cannot sign up for a double room unless you have a roommate. Double rooms are selected by the lowest/best lottery number and earliest appointment time of the roommate pair. No double rooms will be assigned to only one student. If you do not have a roommate for the upcoming year, you may submit a "Roommate Questionnaire" Form that can be obtained in the Office of Residential Programs. Students will enter information about themselves on this form and return the completed form to the Office of Residential Programs. At that time, the student will be able to view other individual's information in order to assist in the roommate/suitemate selection process. If you are unable to secure a roommate/suitemate, you must submit your Housing Application and deposit receipt (dated no later than Tuesday, March 11, 2008) to the Office of Residential Programs by Thursday, March 27, at 8p.m., and you will be randomly housed at a later date. All other deposits and applications received after the above-mentioned dates will be considered "LATE" and will not be processed until after all other new student applicants are housed.
Once you choose a room or suite, you are no longer eligible to change your decision or participate in another night of the lottery process. All decisions made during lottery are final.
General Guidelines
- Attendance at Lottery - Proxy Option
If you are unable to attend the lottery, you may send any current resident student to serve as a proxy to make a room choice for you (commuter students, family members, etc., are NOT eligible to serve as proxies). Proxy cards can be obtained from the Office of Residential Programs, 244 Student Center. You must provide your proxy with the following items:
- $300 Housing Deposit Receipt
- Room Selection Letter
- Current HofstraCard (photocopy acceptable for proxy only)
- Completed Student Housing Application Form
- Completed Proxy Card
It is also recommended that you provide your proxy with several preferences for rooms, as your first choice might not be available. Please be careful who you authorize to select an assignment, as all room selections are final and there are no appeals regarding assignments made during the lottery or homesteading. Your proxy will receive a receipt verifying the room you have obtained.
- "Pulling-In" of Current Resident Students, New Freshmen, Transfer, Graduate or Law Students
Regardless of whether you choose to homestead or attend the lottery, you have the option to "pull-in" a roommate or suitemates, provided they are not a commuter student or a current residential student who missed the March 11 deadline. All individuals must meet all eligibility requirements and deadlines as previously stated (spaces in rooms will not be held for returning students who do not meet all eligibility requirements and deadlines).
When "pulling-in," the following restrictions apply:
- Current residents of a room who wish to homestead and meet all eligibility requirements have priority over requests to pull people in.
- "Pulling-in" can only occur for rooms in the same living unit (i.e., double room, triple room or suite.) Students cannot pull someone into an adjacent room on a floor or a neighboring suite.
- "Pulling-in" cannot result in a half-empty room for any individual.
- Suite occupants cannot pull someone into a single in the suite.
New Student "Pull-In"
An incoming Hofstra University student, freshman, transfer or graduate student can be "pulled-in" if their housing deposit, tuition deposit and housing application are on file with the Office of Residential Programs by the date that the current student is applying for housing.
Commuter Student "Pull-In"
Returning resident students cannot "pull-in" current commuter students during the homesteading or lottery process. Current commuter students may submit a housing application beginning on Monday, March 31. Please note: Commuter applications will not be assigned until all new incoming student applicants are housed.
Special Lottery Information
There are times during the lottery that are designated for students with special circumstances. These special circumstances need to be documented with the Office of Residential Programs in advance. If you have any questions about these special lottery options, please contact the Office of Residential programs at x3-6930.
- Disabled Students (Tuesday, March 25, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Students that have been designated by the Program for Services for Students with Disabilities as having special needs can either homestead their current room on March 10, or 11, or select a new room designated for disabled students between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Office of Residential Programs on Tuesday, March 25. Students may select among rooms that are designed to meet their needs. If you believe you are eligible for the disabled student lottery, please contact the Office of Residential Programs.
- Netherlands North and Netherlands South Residents
Both Netherlands North and South areas are reserved for new incoming freshmen. The residents of these areas are not considered displaced.
As a participant in the room selection process, your responsibilities begin before arriving at the designated lottery night. To ensure a satisfying room selection process, it is imperative that each student takes the time to look at and consider a range of housing options. Use the days prior to the room selection process to make a realistic assessment of what is likely to be available when it is time to make a choice and to discuss who you would like to have as a roommate/suitemate.
Online Application
How to pay your housing deposit on-line
- Simply log into http://my.hofstra.edu
- Click on Hofstra Online Tab
- Click on Student Payment Center
- Click on My Payment Center
- A new browser will launch and a tab will appear that says Deposits
- On the Deposit tab, select the Housing Deposit
- Select the term e.g. 200809 (fall 2008)
- Payment Amount - $300
- Select Payment Method and complete payment
How to submit a housing and meal application on-line
- Simply log into http://my.hofstra.edu
- Click on Hofstra Online Tab
- Click on Personal Information
- Click on Student Services and Financial Aid Tab
- Click on the Residential Programs menu
- Click on Residential Programs Room and Meal Application
- Select the term for which you are applying e.g. 200809
- Follow instructions to complete the Housing Application
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my chances of getting ... ?
It is almost impossible to predict the chances of securing any particular space as it depends on the number of those spaces available and their popularity. When petitioning for a certain space, students should take into account their lottery number and the number of those types of spaces available.
What if I do not have a roommate?
If you do not have a roommate to live with for 2008-2009, you should complete a "Roommate Questionnaire" Form that can be obtained in the Office of Residential Programs. Students will enter information about themselves on this form and be able to view other individuals' information in order to assist in the roommate/suitemate selection process. Students interested in participating in this service should stop by the Office of Residential Programs before the Housing Lottery Selection Process begins. Note: It is up to the students participating in this service to seek out a roommate/suitemate based on the information supplied to them. This is NOT a matching service. If you do not find a roommate, you can choose to be randomly housed after the selection process is complete.
Can I give my unused lottery number to someone else?
No, lottery numbers are not transferable.
What do I do if I arrive after my lottery number has been called or I am unable to come at my scheduled time?
If you lose your lottery letter you may obtain a copy by visiting the Office of Residential Programs in 244 Student Center. If you arrive for your scheduled session after your number has already been called, you may go through the lottery before the next number is called since you possess a lower number (simply locate a member of the Residential Programs staff and explain your situation).
What if I turn in my $300 Housing Deposit after the deadline?
If you do not submit the $300 Housing Deposit by Tuesday, March 11, you cannot participate in the room selection process (you are not eligible to participate in the Homesteading or Lottery Process nor are you eligible to be "pulled-in"). You should submit your completed housing application along with your receipt for the deposit payment to the Office of Residential Programs.Your application will be processed after all eligible students, including incoming first-year and transfer students, have been accommodated.
What happens if I paid the deposit by the designated deadline of March, 11 but do do not go through the homesteading or lottery process and fail to turn in my Student Housing Application Form by Thursday, March 27?
If you do not submit a completed Student Housing Application Form to the Office of Residential Programs by Thursday, March 27, you may not receive a room assignment prior to the start of the fall semester. Your application will be processed after all eligible students, including incoming first-year students, have been accommodated.
What if I want to live with someone who is currently a commuter?
Any student who currently lives off campus will not be assigned a lottery number. Returning resident students cannot "pull-in" current commuter students during the lottery or homesteading process. Current commuter students who meet all eligibility requirements may submit a housing application to the Office of Residential Programs beginning Monday, March 31. Commuter students will be assigned housing once all new students to the university are housed.
What if I am going to study abroad or returning from study abroad?
Students considering leaving the University at the end of the fall 2007 semester or mid-spring 2008 semester for a University-approved reason (study abroad, internship, etc.), should meet all eligibility requirements as detailed on this web site and provide a proxy (current spring 2008 residential student) with all necessary information to secure a bed space for the fall 2008 semester.
How will I know that the Office of Residential Programs has confirmed my choice of room assignment?
The Office of Residential Programs will provide all students with a Room Assignment Receipt when their assignment is made. Please make sure you wait for your room receipt before leaving the homesteading or lottery location and maintain this receipt with your important documents. The Office of Residential Programs will also send an assignment letter to the student's home address during the month of June (this mailing includes students who request to be randomly housed).
What if I decide to cancel my housing assignment?
If, for any reason, you need to cancel your housing assignment, you must submit a written request to the Office of Residential Programs. You can also fax your request to (516) 463-4107 attention Residential Programs. Requests must be submitted by May 1, 2008, to receive an automatic refund of your deposit. After May 1, housing deposits are considered Non-refundable and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with no guarantee of refund.
What if I sign up for a room with friends and someone becomes an RA? Can I pull someone new into that space?
It is the responsibility of your friends to inform you if they have applied for a resident assistant position. If that student is hired by the Office of Residential Programs our office will reassign the space and the remaining resident is NOT allowed to pull anyone into that room.
What if I have additional questions about the Room Selection process?
If you have any questions about the Room Selection process, please speak with a member of the Residential Programs staff or stop by the office in room 244 Student Center. You can call us at x3-6930 or e-mail Residential Programs.