New Student Frequently Asked Questions

Fall 2011 assignments: Frequently Asked Questions for Incoming Freshmen Students

Why didn’t I receive an assignment in my first choice building?
Students are assigned to buildings in the order in which their application was completed.  When it was your turn to be assigned we used the building rankings on your online application. Some additional factors that impact a student’s housing assignment are roommate preferences or learning community participation.
If you went back into your online application and made edits, your original completion date was still used. Making changes to your application did not affect the order you were assigned to housing.

I don’t like my assigned building; how do I get it changed? 
University Housing does not accept requests for building changes after assignments have been made.  It is important to remember that no building is better than the others; each building has unique characteristics. 

You can learn more about your assigned community by visiting the individual building pages for more information on amenities and services for each residence hall. A 360 degree tour of each residence hall is available within our website. University Housing and the Residential Living Office recognize a community to be made up of a group of individuals sharing a mutual experience.  You, your roommate, your floor mates, and your hall mates will work together to create your home.  It’s the people, not the place, that will make your freshmen experience!

I did not opt-into a Towers Hall triple but I was placed into a triple - why?
As announced in early July and then again in mid-July via e-mail, University Housing has enacted an overflow housing plan. As such, Towers Hall was converted from double occupancy bedrooms to triple-occupancy bedrooms. Towers Hall was chosen because they have the largest rooms on campus as well as the most common area space per resident, per floor.

University Housing allowed new students to specifically opt-into Towers Hall triples in July. Due to the fact that the building was not  filled by students who opted-in, University Housing did need to assign additional students to Towers Hall.

In addition, University Housing may not have placed you into Towers Hall despite your preference to live in a Triple room. This may be due to your participation in a Living/Learning Community or other residential program.

Please visit the Towers Hall page to learn more about the offerings in Towers Hall triple rooms, including the discounted room rate, the provided MicroFridges, and the lounge amenities not offered in other residence halls.

Why was I assigned to overflow housing if I applied by the June 15th deadline?
Based on the tremendous demand for housing from the incoming first year class, University Housing was unable to assign all students who applied by the deadline to a non-overflow assignment.  Those students who were assigned to overflow housing were among the last set of students to apply for housing.  Please reference our overflow housing section [link to overflow/] for more information on your assignment.
Why was I not provided an assignment (or, I applied before June 15 and did not get an assignment!)
Based on the tremendous demand for housing from the incoming first year class, University Housing was unable to assign all students during the initial round of assignments.

A second round of assignments will occur before September 8, 2011 as more space becomes available on campus. In the past,  space became available when students decide to not attend Drexel University or opt-out of on-campus housing. When these cancelations occur, the space will become available to additional students waiting for assignments.

Why wasn’t I assigned with the student I listed as my preferred roommate on my application?
Students needed to mutually list each other on their housing applications in order to be considered preferred roommate pairs.  Both students needed a completed application (both online application and $200 housing deposit submitted). Additionally, students in learning communities (including College Learning Communities and the Pennoni Honors Community) are paired up with another student from the same learning community.  If a pair of students listed each other as preferred roommates, but one student chose to be in a learning community that the other student is not a part of the same community, these students were not assigned together.

I don’t think my roommate and I will get along; how do I get a different roommate?
University Housing and Residential Living encourage you to get in touch with your roommate prior to arriving on campus.  However, please remember that a few emails, Facebook posts, or phone calls cannot truly represent a person.  University Housing will not make changes to roommate assignments after they have been released. 

During the first few weeks of the fall, your RA will work with you and your roommate to create a Roommate Agreement.  This is an opportunity for you and your roommate to discuss important details about your living area, such as:  how often are overnight guests allowed, or how will you share the space when one roommate wants to study while the other wants to play video games? 

We do recognize that sometimes roommates need a little extra help, and if that is the case for you, please rest assured that professional live-in staff is available to work with you in the case of irresolvable roommate differences.

What if I change my mind about living on campus?
Living on campus is a great experience for first year students.  We do recognize, however, that some students may change their minds for certain reasons.  As outlined in the Individual Housing Agreement, students who wish to cancel their housing are subject to cancellation fees and the forfeiture of the housing deposit. Please visit our cancellation page for more information.

Will I get the chance to change my assignment once I arrive on campus?
Prior to the start of the winter term, University Housing sponsors a “Room Change Day.”  Students may apply to move to another assignment for any reason.  Room changes are granted on a first come, first serve basis upon availability.  Please monitor your email account, as information on how to apply for Room Change Day will be sent in late October/early November.