Residential Life & Housing > Handbook > Procedures > Room Changes

Fall Room Changes

How to submit a Room Change Request (PDF)

Note: dates are subject to change.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

  • The Room Change Request form will open on the Housing Portal (login and click FORMS).

Monday, September 16, 2024

  • 4pm Deadline to submit Room Change Request form on the Housing Portal.

Wednesday, September 18, 2023

  • Results for room change requests will be emailed to students by 11pm

Friday, September 20, 2024

  • Sign for new room keys (if granted a room change) between 9am-5pm at the Res Life office 
  • Start moving in cooperation with the person vacating the new room (if applicable) and the person replacing you in your old room (if applicable)

Sunday, September 22, 2024

  • Complete room change (if granted) by 9pm
  • Turn in old room keys to the Sulzberger Front Desk using Blue Room Change envelope by 9pm

Fall Room Change Request Form (log into the Housing Portal and click FORMS)
How to submit a Room Change Request (PDF)

Students will rank preferences for building & room type combinations they'd be willing to move to on the request form.

  • Requests are prioritized by class year and cannot be guaranteed.
  • Students may request specific spaces; however, assignment to specific spaces cannot be guaranteed.
  • The more ranked preferences a student includes on their request form the more possible a matching space may be available. However, students should only rank preferences they would be willing to move to as approved room changes are BINDING and must be completed.

The number of spaces open for potential room changes will be very limited (especially for any single rooms). Students are encouraged to also look for Room Swaps.

  • Students may both request a room change and look for a swap; however, if you are granted a room change you must move to the new assigned room and cannot swap using your original room assignment.

This process is for Barnard Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors only.

  • First-year students who may be experiencing challenges with their room and/or roommate assignments should speak to their RA and/or the Community Director in charge of the Quad.
  • Columbia University students living in Barnard residence halls are not eligible to participate in this process and there is no switching permitted between BC-designated and CU-designated spaces (please consult CU Housing for information about room change requests for CU students).

Students who submit a Room Change Request form are obligated to inform their roommate(s) / suitemates(s) of their request, in order to give them an opportunity to either submit a Room Change Request form of their own or try to recruit a new roommate/suitemate.

Students who may need priority for a room change to accommodate a disability or medical condition should submit a Housing Accommodation Request to CARDS (in addition to the room change request form) before the Priority Request deadline listed above. Please note that room changes as accommodations are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Room Change Requests may be edited on the Portal through the submission deadline. If you wish to cancel your request, you must email housing@chalakseir.com to do so before the submission deadline.

Students will be emailed the result of their request by the date/time listed in the Timeline section above.

While the College will attempt to provide new room assignments for as many students as possible based on availability, room changes are not guaranteed. Students who are not able to receive a room change are encouraged to look for Room Swaps. Students may also apply again for a Mid-Year or Spring Room Change.

Approved room changes are FINAL and BINDING. Students who are granted a room change MUST complete the move, as other room changes will be dependent upon the spaces that will be vacated.

Students who receive a room change will need to sign for their new room keys following the Timeline above.

Students will be given a special blue Room Change envelope to use to turn in their old room keys to the Sulzberger Front Desk (by the date/time listed in the Timeline above).

Students will be responsible for coordinating their move (if applicable) with both the person moving out of the newly assigned space and/or the person moving into the space they vacate (names & email addresses will be provided).

Students will be responsible for leaving their old room in a clean condition. Because students will be moving at the same time, the College will not be able to clean rooms between occupancy.

See Frequently asked questions (and answers) about Room Change Requests