Room Change & Consolidation Process
Room Change Process General Information
Students wishing to change rooms at the beginning of the Fall or Spring semester will need to work with their RLC. Room changes are not typically considered until after the first two weeks of classes to allow our office time to contact students who have yet to arrive.
After the first two weeks of classes, the Res Life Office will open the formal room change process by emailing the Room Change Request Form to everyone who lives on campus. By filling out and signing the Room Change Request form, you are formally requesting a room and/or building change from your current housing assignment. Until you receive notice from the Office of Residential Life, your request to move is not approved and you cannot begin moving items until you receive an email stating your request has been approved. All room changes are based on room availability.
This form will only be available for two weeks and then the process will close. Any room change requests received after this time period will be forward to the student’s RLC where they will receive further assistance. Only emergency room changes will be allowed after this time period.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A ROOM CHANGE REQUEST
- Prior to the second week of classes: Room Change Requests start by working with your RLC.
- During formal the Room Change Process: Room Change Requests can be submitted HERE.
- After the formal Room Change Process has ended: Room Change Requests will be referred to the RLC.
ROOM CHANGE REQUEST NOTIFICATION
After your request is received, The Office of Residential Life will decide on your request based on housing availability and future demand and needs. We will contact you within five to ten business days of the form closing date with an update on your request. This does not mean your requested move will occur within this time frame. This means the Office of Residential Life will provide you with the status of your request within that time frame.
If you requested a specific roommate we will contact your requested roommate (if applicable) to confirm the roommate’s request is mutual. We cannot move forward unless the request is mutual so please inform your friend to reply to any emails they are sent by our office in a timely fashion.
In addition to your requested roommate being notified, The Office of Residential Life will also contact your current roommate (if applicable) to make them aware of your potential room change.
ROOM CHANGE PROCESS
If your request is approved by The Office of Residential Life, you will receive instructions (via your valpo email) on how and when to move in and out of your new and former housing assignment. You must properly check out of your present room within the date stated on your room change instructions. If you fail to do so, you will be assessed a fine of $50 in addition to any other damage fees, key charges, and/or cleaning costs.
Once you complete your move to your new room, you will need to check out of your former room by completing an Express Checkout envelope, located near the front desk area of your building (it is a black box with a slit at the top). Your housing assignment will not be changed in the housing system nor will your student account be updated (if applicable) until after you have officially checked out of your former space.
If your request is denied, this mean that we either do not have the space/room availability to meet your request at that time or the person you requested has declined your roommate request.
If you have any questions regarding the Room Change Request Process, please contact our office via email at ResLife@valpo.edu or visit us in Harre Union suite 120.
Consolidation Process General Information
The Consolidation Process Occurs at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters after the census is complete.
What is the consolidation process?
Consolidation requires those students on the same floor without roommates to move into the same room. The consolidation process occurs as the university is obligated to maximize bed space for new and returning students for the Spring semester. Additionally, the consolidation process occurs as university policy states that all freshmen must have a roommate when possible.
Where will you be consolidated to?
You could be consolidated with another member of your floor or suite (for Beacon residents) who is also without a roommate. Consolidation will NOT force you to move off your current floor/suite. Beacon residents will be consolidated within your suite.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
As a first-year student, you have the following options regarding consolidation:
- You can find another student who is living alone to move into your room.
- You can move into a room that is occupied by another student living alone.
- You can remain in your current room and be assigned a roommate or be reassigned to another room with someone from the consolidation list. When conflicts occur as to who will move, the student with the fewer number of earned credits will make the required move.
- You can buy out your room as a single on a pro-rated basis for the remainder of the academic year. (Typically, this option is only offered in the Spring semester.)
As an upper-class student, you have the following options regarding consolidation:
- You can find another student who is living alone to move into your room.
- You can move into a room that is occupied by another student living alone.
- You can remain in your current room and be assigned a roommate or be reassigned to another room with someone from the consolidation list. When conflicts occur as to who will move, the student with the fewer number of earned credits will make the required move.
- You can buy out your room as a single on a pro-rated basis for the remainder of the academic year. (Typically, this option is only offered in the Spring semester.)
Recommendations
If you know someone you would like to live with please have the individual who would move fill out the Room Change Request Form in your Housing Self-Service (via DataVU) by the deadline of the room change request process. The sooner you complete this form the sooner we will be able to accommodate your request.
If you do not know people on your floor, start asking your RA and your RLC for help in finding a new roommate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to consolidate?
To better understand why you have to consolidate and our process please take the time to look at the consolidation section of Student Guide to University Life.
Will I have to leave my floor?
NO. You will only be consolidated with individuals from your floor, but this does not mean that you cannot be proactive and choose to live on a different floor in your building with another individual who is without a roommate.
Will I be charged if I cannot find a roommate?
NO. If there is an odd number of roommate pairs you may not have a roommate, but one could be placed in your room at any time so half of the space will need to remain “move-in ready”.
Can I buy out my double room as a single room?
First-year and Upper-class students you can request to buy out your room as a single, in the Spring Semester. Please note that a request does NOT guarantee a single room as space could be limited to your current building. Our office will contact you with approval or denial of your request based on space needs.