What's New - Room Selection

What's New

• All of Room Selection will be ONLINE and in real time.

• Group size will be expanded to a maximum of 10.  

• Junior and Senior Regroup will no longer be required. Groups will automatically pick the number of rooms or suites needed to accommodate their group size as long as all suites and doubles are filled.  

• Lottery numbers will be categorized by class seniority, so it’s easier to understand your ranking. 

• Each Housing Group will select a group leader who will enter the final decision on behalf of the group. 

• The registration period will be extended to two weeks from the previous one week to allow for more time to form groups and register.  

• In-Person Group Room Selection will no longer take place in John Jay Lounge. Hartley Lounge will have drop-in hours and help will be available throughout the process.  

• Information sessions will be held for each class (rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors) in February. 

• Students with approved accommodations from Disability Services can enter the Selection process and join a group, as in previous years. Rising Sophomores can pick 2 Disability Riders to enter Selection with them. 

Why Did the Process Change?

Columbia Housing and the Residence Hall Leadership Organization (RHLO) partnered together on the new Room Selection process. The goals were to reduce student stress around Room Selection, give students more options and flexibility, and to streamline the selection process.

What’s the Same

• Barnard seniors can still choose to live with Columbia students in the residence halls, based on previously set guidelines. 

• The process for special living communities like fraternities and sororities, Special Interest Communities, and the LLC will not change and will still take place separate from general Room Selection. 

• Room inventory will be posted online in real time so students can track the availability of options prior to their appointment time.