Frequently Asked Questions

• Why didn't I get the Hall I requested?
• How did my request for a particular roommate affect my placement?
• Do I have the option of only contracting for one term?
• Why didn't I get the Co-op I wanted?
• I don't like my room assignment. Is there any way I can change rooms?
• Should I still sign my contract, even if I want to change my room?
• Why didn't I get the roommate I requested?
• I'm not sure I want to live on campus. What should I do?
• What if I want to join a sorority or fraternity?
• I am a freshman. Can I live in Bloss?
• How do I get a loft kit?
• What appliances are allowed in the rooms?

Why didn't I get the Hall I requested?

University Housing and Dining Services is committed to providing housing options to students that will support them in their academic pursuits at Oregon State University. However, there are a number of reasons that can help explain why you didn't get a housing assignment consistent with the preferences you made:

When did you apply? We started receiving applications in early January, so students who applied in March and April had about 1000-1500 students apply before them. Note: If you applied after April you will probably be in our second round of assignments, which happens at the end of July.

Which halls did you choose? Our more "popular" halls (such as Hawley, Buxton, or McNary) were filled quickly with recontractors (current students at the university who have lived with us before). The incoming/new students who did get assigned to these facilities applied very early in January and February.

How did my request for a particular roommate affect my placement?

If you requested to live with another student, our assignments program will look for a fully open room to put you in together. The program will look at the preferences of the student who completed the application first to find a fully open room. If there are no fully open rooms available in his or her preferred halls, the program will look at the preferences of the second student. If there are still no open rooms, chances are you may not get assigned until our second round of assignments when we will have more spaces available. Our first priority is to keep roommate requests together; our second is to accommodate your building preferences.

Do I have the option of only contracting for one term?

Poling hall now offers term by term contracts. Students agree to complete the entire academic term of the UHDS Contract, with the option to renew the contract for subsequent terms. There is a premium fee charged for the the contract flexibility. The academic terms run from September 17, 2006 to December 8 (Fall), January 7, 2007 to March 23, 2007 (Winter), April 1, 2007 to June 15, 2007 (Spring). If you are interested in a term by term contract, please select Poling Hall as your first building preference on your on-line application.

Why didn't I get the Co-op I wanted?

Co-ops fill up very quickly with recontracting students. Oxford, Azalea, and Avery had a limited number of openings for new students.

I don't like my room assignment. Is there any way I can change rooms?

If you want to change your room assignment, you need to contact UHDS directly either by phone or email to request the change. Note: we can not guarantee the change will happen, and the more flexible the request, the better the chances we will be able to make the change happen.

Should I still sign my contract, even if I want to change my room?

Yes! The contract is not for a specific hall and room, but rather for a space somewhere within University Housing. You should still sign and return the contract to secure a space with UHDS. It is better to return the contract to us to ensure that you will have a space on campus. Again, we are committed to providing you with housing that will help you succeed in your academic endeavors.

Why didn't I get the roommate I requested?

Both students who want to live together need to make the same request on their applications. If the request is not mutual, you will not be placed together. Please feel free to contact UHDS if you feel there was an error in your roommate assignment. We will work hard to get you into a room together.

I'm not sure I want to live on campus. What should I do?

Students assigned during the first round of housing assignments have until July 15th to sign their contracts, or cancel without financial penalty. After July 15th, any student with a signed contract who still plans on attending OSU is subject to the $6 per day (for the remainder of the academic year) cancellation fee of $1368. Students who have not signed the contract by July 15th will forfeit their space; so it is very important to get the contract in on time. Students who are assigned during our second round of assignments will be notified of their cancellation deadline with their assignment letter.

What if I want to join a sorority or fraternity?

Students who are on the formal recruitment list with the Office of Greek Life (541-737-5432) will have until the last Friday of August to cancel their contracts with UHDS without being subject to the cancellation fee. If a student is not on the formal list the Office of Greek Life provides us or cancels after the last Friday of August, the cancellation fee will be valid.

I am a freshman. Can I live in Bloss?

Bloss has been designated as a "Sophomore and Above" focus hall. Transfer and upper-class students have first priority over placement in Bloss Hall. Once we have accommodated all the transfer and upper-class students who have requested Bloss, we will assign incoming freshman as space is available.

How do I get a loft kit?

We've had a lot of questions about maximizing space in student rooms. Some halls - specifically, McNary, Halsell, Hawley-Buxton, West International and Weatherford hall have beds that can be lofted with a UHDS-provided kit. We have a limited amount of these loft kits available - on a first come first served basis so a lottery is used to dispense these. In our other halls, lofting a bed requires compliance with specific rules which ensure safety and building code compliance which includes use of the safety rails. Custom built or homemade lofts are permitted with the express understanding that the safety of the loft is the sole responsibility of the occupant. Raising the bed with cinder blocks is not permitted.

What appliances are allowed in the rooms?

Appliances such as (but not limited to) candles, halogen lights, air conditioners, toaster ovens, grills, hot plates, coffee pots, microwaves, crock pots, and coffee makers are not permitted. Refrigerators are allowed, but are restricted to those that are 2.5 cubic feet or less, and generate 1.5 or less amps of power. The smallest MicroFridge combination (Model: MH27TP) unit is acceptable. Micro fridge units at the following website http://www.microfridge.com and others that are Energy Star efficient should fit the bill.