Frequently Asked Questions about Reapplication/Lottery 2013-14
The housing signup for undergraduate students to return to the residence halls for 2013-14 has generated lots of questions. Below are some of the most frequent. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please let us know via e-mail, housing@smu.edu.
Basic Questions & Changes for 2013-14 (Why is signup done with a lottery? Am I guaranteed housing? Is a meal plan required? Can I get housing for just Fall Semester? Am I guaranteed to return to my same room?)
Applications (Returning to an academic community, Daniel House requests, Lottery numbers)
Roommates (Requesting a roommate; signing up without a roommate)
Room during Selection (What rooms are available, What are different rooms like in different halls, ADA requests)
Please also ready General Information about Reapplication/Lottery
Basics Facts for 2013-14
Why is housing signup being done through a lottery?
We use a Lottery system because demand for campus housing is increasing, both from returning residents and entering first-years. RLSH has always limited the amount of space available for returning residents, but typically the cancellation factor has resulted in balanced demands. Recent increases from current residents wanting to return has tilted the balance, resulting in the need to limit assignments.
Am I guaranteed housing?
No. Only entering first-year students are guaranteed housing because they are required to live on-campus. Due to high demand for campus housing, we cannot guarantee housing for upperclass or returning students.
Is a meal plan required?
Yes, all residents are required to have a meal plan unless assigned to Moore Hall or Daniel House. You will select your meal plan during Room Selection and it will be added to your SMU student account. There are new options for dining plans. See the Housing Signup Brochure OR visit the SMU Dining website for information.
Can I get housing for just the Fall semester?
Generally speaking, “Fall Only” housing is not available and if you reapply for housing, you are committing to the residence halls for the full 2013-14 academic year. However, if you are studying abroad, graduating or have an out-of-town internship or engineering co-op, you may request a one-semester license agreement at the RLSH office. One-semester license agreements must be approved in advance by RLSH before February 28, 2013.
Am I guaranteed to return to my same room?
No. If you are in a first-year community, the building is not available for sophomores. If you are in a four-class community, you may be able to pick your same room only if 1) you are approved for self-assignment Room Selection and 2) if the room is available when you sign up. (NOTE: If you are in an academic community and want to return to it, you must answer the Academic/Theme Questions when reapplying or you will not be considered for that community.)
Applications, Theme/Academic communities, Lottery numbers
How can I sign up for my current academic community?
The first step is to sign up (online or in person) February 25-28 during the Reapplication/Lottery process. Complete the application, e-signature AND request the academic community you wish live in (Engineering, Fine Arts and Honors) for next year. If approved for that specific community, you will log-in to the housing signup website March 5 for Room Selection for that academic community. If there is no space in the community, you may either be approved for general (non-theme) Room Selection OR you may be placed on the waitlist. Assignments from the waitlist will use the preferences in your 2013-14 application, but housing is not guaranteed.
What if I want to live in a different academic community?
Any current resident who wants to live in a theme community (Honors, Fine Arts or Engineering) should request that theme when reapplying. If approved for the academic community, your Room Selection will be limited to the hall(s) designated for that academic community (Honors is Virginia-Snider, Fine Arts halls are Mary Hay and Peyton, and Engineering is housed on Cockrell-McIntosh 2nd floor and a portion of the 1st floor.) If you don't actually request the Theme, you won't be considered for Theme community assignment.
How can I sign up for Daniel House?
Daniel House is an option for juniors and seniors. When you reapply (online or in person), indicate that you want Daniel House in the hall preferences portion of the process. If you are approved for Daniel House, you will be given instructions for selecting a room at the RLSH office on March 6. Selection for Daniel House is not available on-line. It is recommended that roommates come to sign up together. If Daniel House is full, but space is available in the residence halls, you may be approved for Room Selection in traditional residence halls.
How are Lottery numbers generated?
The numbers are generated by a computer algorithm. Applying online or in person with a paper license agreement will not affect your Lottery number. Lottery numbers are generated AFTER the Reapplication/Lottery process closes on February 28.
Roommates
How can my roommate and I sign up together?
You and your roommate must apply (online or in person) between February 25-28 and request each other. You MUST provide your roommate’s SMU ID number during the process for the system to recognize the request. If approved for Room Selection, you and your roommate must individually log-in to the signup website during the Room Selection phase to choose one space within the room. We cannot guarantee roommate requests, but will do what we can to facilitate your assignment together.
Am I guaranteed my roommate? How do we get the same lottery number?
Roommates must mutually request each other during the Reapplication/Lottery process (online or in person) and each will receive a Lottery number which will be the average of the two individual numbers. Because roommate Lottery numbers are averaged, roommates will both either be approved for Room Selection or Waitlisted. If approved for Room Selection, each roommate is then responsible for logging in to the signup website during Room Selection to choose their space within the room. We cannot guarantee roommate requests, but will do what we can to facilitate your assignment together.
Do I have to have a roommate to select a double room?
No. You may select a double room even without a roommate as long as you understand that RLSH reserves the right to move you within the same hall in order to consolidate upperclass students and accommodate first-year student assignments.
Single Rooms
Can I get a single room?
If you are approved for Room Selection, you will be able to see all the available rooms, including singles. While not all singles will be available, residents selecting during General Room Selection will be able to see available single rooms in Cockrell-McIntosh, Morrison-McGinnis, Mary Hay, Peyton and Shuttles Halls. Single occupancy rooms are more expensive than doubles, so be aware when selecting a single room that you will be charged at the single occupancy rate. The Room Rates are available here in a pdf format.
Can I get a double room for single occupancy?
No. If you wish to have a single, you should pick a room designed for one person. Doubles may not be occupied by one person due to high demand for residence hall housing. Residents who pick a double room during Room Selection will be assigned a roommate or consolidated within the same hall to accommodate first-year student assignments.
Rooms during Selection
Are all rooms available during Room Selection?
Approximately 90% of rooms will be available during selection, but specific rooms may have been previously selected by other residents when you log-in to select a room. If you are approved for Room Selection, you will see all rooms still available for you to select when you log-in at your pre-determined date/time.
How do I know what different rooms are like in different halls?
We have information about all the residence halls in our offices in Boaz Hall. Please stop by our office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to have your questions answered.
What if I have a single for medical or ADA needs?
Please contact the RLSH office for instructions as soon as possible. RLSH will make every effort to assist residents with ADA requirements. Registration with the Office of Disability Accommodations and Student Success may be required.
updated 1/2/2013