University of Delaware

2011-2012 Returning Student Sign-Up Guide

Apply Now!Warner Hall

Application available starting February 15, 2012.

Students who apply by MARCH 15, 2012 will be GUARANTEED a space on campus. All other applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Quick Glance

Live on campus! Students who apply by MARCH 15, 2012 will be guaranteed housing for the 2012-2013 academic year.

  • Enjoy the variety of living options.
  • NEW! Break Housing - If you need to live on campus during academic-year break periods, all upper-class residence halls and the Christiana Towers will remain open (fee may apply).
  • NEW! Friends Together option is now offered in all upper-class residence halls.
  • NEW! Apartments available outside of Laird Campus - Apartments are available for undergraduate students seeking peer mentor positions on campus. A meal plan is not required.
  • Apartment-style living in the Christiana Towers
    • Suite Style Housing on Laird Campus in Independence Complex and Ray Street
    • Traditional Housing on North and South Central Campus
    • Large rooms and Suites on Central Campus
    • Living Learning and Special Interest Housing Communities
  • All residence hall rooms and public areas are smoke-free.
  • Dining Plans are required in all Traditional Residence Hall rooms; Christiana apartments do not require a dining plan.
  • Assignments are based on your "priority group" (determined by the number of regular semesters you have lived on campus). Within each group, applications are sorted by a randomly assigned number. Assignments ARE NOT first-come first-serve.
  • upper-class Housing is guaranteed IF you apply by March 15, 2012. Late applications are assigned pending availability.

IMPORTANT: The Binding Date of the Academic Year Student Housing Agreement is June 1. Students are obligated for all housing charges for the entire academic year.

Area Options for Returning Students

  • All upper-class students are required to pay the full amount for their assigned space whether or not it is the type of space requested on your Housing Application. See current housing rates.
  • Break Housing - Need a place to live on campus during academic-year break periods? All upper-class residence halls and the Christiana Towers will remain open for the breaks. There is no additional fee for the Christiana Towers, but a small fee may apply for some of the breaks in the traditional halls.
  • Floors - For Christiana Apartments, floors 1-5 are considered "lower", 6-11 are considered "middle", and 12-17 are considered "upper". All other buildings have 3 - 5 floors.
Independence Complex
    Independence Complex
  • Three upper-class buildings and one freshman building
  • Independence, James Smith, Thomas McKean, and George Read Residence Halls
  • ADA accessible
  • NEW! Bridge Experience Living Learning Community
    •
    Christiana Towers Complex
  • Twin high-rise residence halls
  • ADA accessible
  • Accomodates approximately 1,300 upper-class students
  • Apartment suites contain a living/dining room, kitchenette, bathroom, and one or two bedrooms.
Christiana Towers
Ray Street
    North Central Campus
  • Located on the Green
  • Brown, Harter, Sharp, and Sypherd upper-class residence halls
  • Sypherd is ADA accessible
  • upper-class Honors Housing
  • Easy access to the heart of campus, Trabant University Center, and Main Street is just steps away
  • Large rooms (triples, quads, and suites) available
North Central
South Central
  • Air-conditioned residence halls are the Christiana Towers, Independence Complex, Ray Street, Rodney, Sharp, Sypherd, Kent, Sussex, and Squire.

Hall Type Options

  • Coed by Room - a hall consisting of female-only and male-only rooms interspersed
  • Coed by Floor - a hall consisting of female-only and male-only floors
  • Coed by Room/Floor - a hall that gender specific rooms and floors
  • Coed by Wing - a hall where the floor is split in two wings
  • Coed by Suite - a hall consisting of female-only and male-only suites interspersed
  • Coed by Apartment - a hall consisting of female-only and male-only apartments interspersed
  • Female Only- Warner Hall represents the only gender specific hall on campus

Room Type Options

  • Single - Private bedroom in a traditional residence hall; shared hall bath (Occupancy 1)
  • Single-in-Suite -  Private bedroom sharing half a suite in a suite-style residence hall; shared semi-private bath (Occupancy 2)
  • Double - Two-person bedroom in a traditional residence hall; shared hall bath (Occupancy 2)
  • Double-in-Suite - Two-person bedroom sharing half a suite in a suite-style residence hall; shared semi-private bath (Occupancy 4)
  • Triple - Three-person bedroom in a traditional residence hall; shared hall bath (Occupancy 3)
      • Specific rooms may be requested
  • Quad - Four-person bedroom in a traditional residence hall; shared hall bath (Occupancy 4)
      • Specific rooms may be requested
  • Central Campus Suite/Apt (considered a “multiple” room “with bath” for billing purposes)
      • It is important to specify which room you desire because suites (rooms including bathrooms) have different costs than other “multiple” room choices.
  • 1 Bedroom Apartment - Private apartments including bathroom, kitchenette, living room, and a two-person bedroom (Occupancy 2)
  • 2 Bedroom Apartment - Private apartments including bathroom, kitchenette, expanded living room, and a pair of two-person bedrooms (Occupancy 4)

Notes Regarding the Christiana Towers Apartments

  • Full Apartment Advantage - Full-apartment groups are either (a) two students applying for a one-bedroom apartment, or (b) four students applying for a two-bedroom apartment have top priority.
  • Partial groups will be assigned after full groups, in the order of the Roommate Captain's priority group and random number.
  • If you wish to include an incoming transfer student in your group, please contact Housing Assignment Services at (302) 831-3676.
  • Christiana Towers applicants will be asked to designate a floor preference. Floors 1 through 5 are considered "lower," floors 6 through 11 "middle," and floors 12 through 17 "upper." Please choose whichever floor range best fits your needs and preferences.

Applying for Housing - Step by Step walk through of the Application

Review the Housing Agreement and Dining Agreement before beginning the application process.

Additional information is available from the on-line 'Tell me more' links throughout the application.

Check marks appear next to each step of the application as completed

  • Pay Deposit- Pay your $200 deposit using a credit card, electronic check, or UD1 FLEX account. Deposit is held in a separate university account until July 1. Students on financial aid may qualify to have their deposit waived based on level of current aid received. Contact Housing Assignment Services for any questions.
  • Returning Student Housing Application - Denotes student agreement to the Student Housing and Dining Agreements as well as the June 1 binding date.

"By submitting this application, I understand that as of June 1, 2012, I am obligated to live on campus in my assigned space for the 2012-2013 academic year and pay all associated costs. I also agree to pay all deposits when due, damage assessments and housing rates for the academic year and abide by the University of Delaware regulations, policies, and procedures including the Academic Year Student Housing Agreement and Dining Services Agreement. I affirm that I have read and understand these Agreements and that the Agreements are for the full academic year."

All matriculated students who submit applications by March 15 are assigned based on the number of Fall and Spring semesters you have lived on campus. Within each "priority group" (students who have lived on campus the same number of semesters), the applications are given random, computer-generated lottery numbers. The Roommate Captain's priority group and random number will determine the order of assignment for each applicant or applicant group.

Housing Requests Involving Medical, Psychological, or Disability Needs (complete details)

  • Housing accommodations made available to best suit your particular medical need.
  • Requests for housing exceptions are evaluated through the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS).
  • Any returning student with a medical, psychological, or disability need should complete the Housing Requests due to Medical, Psychological, or Disability Reasons form, and return it to the DSS Office by March 15.
  • The request form and documentation of your circumstance is required. Evaluation by an appropriate professional will relate the current impact of the condition to your housing request. All information is considered confidential.
  • NOTE - While your preferences will be considered, specific areas and types of rooms are not guaranteed.

Roommate Captain and Roommates

  • Select up to four roommates; including you (full groups have priority)
  • Designate a Roommate Captain
    • Groups individual students together as roommate pairing/group
    • Be consistent - Make sure everyone in the roommate pairing/group designate the same roommate captain, including the Roommate Captain him/herself
    • Designate the person with the highest assignment priority
      • Return Request
      • Greatest number of semesters having lived on campus

        NOTE: If one or more of your roommate group applied for housing after the housing application deadline of March 15, your group will be assigned after all students who met the application deadline have been assigned.

Filling out the Roommate Characteristics Questionnaire

  • Every student is strongly encouraged to fill out the Roommate Characteristics Questionnaire
    • If you do not select a roommate and are assigned one
    • If you cannot be placed with your selected roommate
    • If your selected roommate cancels their Housing Application or withdraws from the University
    • If you apply for a single (demand for single rooms is usually high, and many applicants for singles are given doubles)
  • Any student who does not complete the questionnaire runs the risk of being housed with a roommate who has not been matched for compatibility.
    • Please respond to each question carefully and honestly.
    • You may not necessarily be matched with another person who answered each question with the same selection, but with someone who would be compatible according to the combined answers of all questions.
    • Review the "Tell me More" explanation of each question.

Theme Housing Options

  1. Indicate specific Theme housing preference on your Housing Application
  2. Complete the required Supplemental Application

    Except for upper-class Honors Housing applicants, all students who submit supplemental applications are assigned manually. Return Requests, number of semesters on campus, and other criteria are all considered in making assignments. Please be sure to read your supplemental application for complete details on your particular Theme Housing.
  3. Rank Order your choices

    Please note the preference order of all Theme Housing preferences you are applying for (if more than one) on the Preference Form, as well. If you have applied for more than one Theme Housing preference and are not assigned to your first choice, then your other Theme Housing applications will be considered before assigning you to any other type of housing.
  4. Alternate Type of Housing

    If you are not assigned to a Theme Housing preference as requested, Housing Assignment Services will attempt to place you in the alternate type of housing you indicate on the Preference Form.

Return Request Option

  • You may choose to return to your same building or same room if you are in an upper-class area.
    • Students are guaranteed re-assignment to their existing traditional room or suite with the 'Return-to-Room' request option in all upper-class residence halls.
    • Christiana Apartments - You are guaranteed reassignment to the same room only if you have a full group (two persons for a one-bedroom apartment, four persons for a two-bedroom apartment).
    • The Roommate Captain is a student who is currently living in that space.
  • Certain exceptions may apply
    • A particular apartment or room on a floor may be needed to fulfill a "Friends Together" request, or a particular room may be needed to fulfill another Unique Housing Option. In these cases, students are still guaranteed reassignment to their buildings, but not necessarily to the same room or apartment.
    • If you and a current roommate both request to return to the same apartment or room but with different roommates, the priority group and random numbers of the Roommate Captains will determine whose request is honored. Both roommate groups will be assigned to the same building.
  • If you choose to apply for a Return Request, it is important that you still complete your Preferences Form with information you will want considered, in the event that your Return Request cannot be honored.

How to Ask for What You Want on the Application

If you want a double room with a specific roommate:

  • Select your Roommate and Roommate Captain. If you are the Roommate Captain, select yourself.
  • If one student has lived on campus more semesters or has selected the Return Request option, that student should be designated as the Roommate Captain.
  • You will be assigned to the same room according to the preferences listed on the Roommate Captain's form, as long as empty double rooms are available and you have indicated Roommate as your top priority.
  • If no double rooms remain at the time of your assignment, you and your requested roommate will be assigned separately according to the preferences noted on your individual forms.
  • If you or your roommate applied for on-campus housing after March 15, the student who applied after the deadline is not guaranteed housing and will be assigned only after all guaranteed students are assigned.

If you want a double room but do not have a specific roommate request:

  • The system will read your "Roommate Characteristics" preferences and will try to match you with someone whose responses are compatible with yours.

If a single is the most important factor to you:

  • Select Room Type as your top priority. However, please keep in mind that a limited number of singles are available.
  • If you need a single for medical reasons, completion of the medical needs form is required.

If you want to share a double suite with three other roommates in the Laird Campus Suites:

  • Decide which one will serve as the Roommate Captain. If you select the student who has lived on campus the most semesters and you have a full group, you will maximize your chance of receiving the type of assignment you prefer.
  • Agree on the preferences and priorities to be specified on the Roommate Captain's form. You will be assigned according to these preferences and all of the students in your group will be assigned together according to these criteria, as long as empty apartments of the type you are requesting are available.
  • Roommates will be arbitrarily placed in the two rooms of the suite. To change roommates within the suite, complete a Summer Room Change Request Form when available.

 

If you want to live with a specific roommate or roommates in the Christiana Towers:

  • Decide which one of you will serve as the Roommate Captain. If you select the student who has lived on campus the most semesters and you have a full group, you will maximize your chance of receiving the type of assignment you prefer.
  • Agree on the preferences and priorities to be specified on the Roommate Captain's form. You will be assigned according to these preferences and all of the students in your group will be assigned together according to these criteria, as long as empty apartments of the type you are requesting are available.
  • Make sure the Roommate Captain's name correctly appears on each person's form.

If you currently live in the Christiana Towers and want to choose the Return Request option:

  • A student who currently resides in the apartment or building in which you wish to live must serve as the Roommate Captain for your group.
  • Complete your form with information you will want considered if your Return Request cannot be honored.
  • If you are not part of a full-apartment group, your Return Request will be considered only if your apartment is not needed for a full group.

If you are applying for an apartment in the Christiana Towers and do not have a full-apartment group:

  • Individual applicants and partial groups are still guaranteed assignment, even though the preferences of full groups receive priority.
  • The system will note your responses to the "Roommate Characteristics" questions and assign you with a person or persons whose responses are as compatible with yours as possible.

Canceling Your Housing Application

  1. Students who cancel their Application by April 15, 2011 will receive a $100 refund.
  2. No refunds after April 15, 2011.
  3. Students who do NOT cancel prior to June 1 are obligated to the Academic Year Student Housing Agreement and financially obligated for the full Academic Year.

Dining Options

  • Dining Services provide a variety of dining plan options and food choices.
  • Take time to pick the plan that best suits your academic schedule and eating style.
  • Visit Dining Services for a complete listing of their options.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Sign-Up Process

What are the important dates and deadlines for the 2012 - 2013 housing process?
For a complete list of dates and deadlines, see the Housing Assignment Services calendar.

Is on-campus housing guaranteed for returning students?
Yes, students who submit their housing application and $200 deposit by March 15 are guaranteed a space on campus.

What are my payment options for the $200 deposit?
Payment by credit card, on-line check, or UD1 FLEX are accepted for the Web application ~ PLEASE DO NOT pay your deposit through the Student Financials Office. If you wish to pay by cash or check (in person or through mail) to the Student Financials Office, please make a payment to your flex account and pay your housing deposit using UD1 FLEX. In this case, you will be able to access the Web application 24 hours after your payment clears.

Is the housing deposit refundable?
A $100 refund is given for cancellations received by April 15.

I am not sure I want to live on campus next year. Should I stil pay the deposit?
No, the deposit should only be paid when you decide to apply for on campus housing, as deposits are not completely refundable. However, on-campus housing is only guaranteed if an application and deposit are received by March 15.

Can my financial aid package be used to pay the housing deposit?
Some financial aid packages may be used to pay the housing deposit. Contact Financial Aid at (302) 831-8761 or e-mail finaid@udel.edu with any questions. However, should you cancel, you will be billed the applicable deposit cancellation fee.

What are the terms of the annual Student Housing Agreement?
The Student Housing Agreement is available here. The Agreement becomes binding annually on June 1. This means that if you are assigned on-campus housing, you will be obligated to pay for your assigned housing for the full academic year. For students living in traditional residence halls, a dining plan is also mandatory. If you wish to cancel your on-campus housing assignment, you must do so prior to June 1. To initiate a cancellation, please complete the Housing Assignment Services Contact form or e-mail UD-Housing@udel.edu. Contact DiningServices@udel.edu to cancel your dining plan.

Can I still apply for on-campus housing after the March 15 application deadline?
Yes, but Housing Assignment Services cannot guarantee on-campus housing. If you submit your application after March 15, you will be assigned housing as space permits, based on the date of application.

How can I change my room assignment?
If you are not satisfied with your room assignment, students may request a room change . All requests are processed by Housing Assignment Services over the summer. The Fall Room Change Request Form may be found online or obtained from Housing Assignment Services. Be sure to include your summer contact information or a cell phone number. These forms are processed throughout the summer and confirmation of any change in your room assignment will be available online. While Housing Assignment Services makes every effort to accommodate student preferences, some areas of campus may be more popular than others in any given year, thereby limiting the ability to reassign you.

If I am accepted into a Study Abroad program, can I be released from the Housing Agreement?
Students who are accepted into a Study Abroad program must cancel their housing within two weeks of their acceptance in order to receive a full refund of the housing deposit. Students may also defer their housing until the Spring Semester, retaining their priority. Students will receive information in their acceptance letters regarding this.

I am going to rush for a fraternity/sorority. If I decide to live in the chapter house, can I cancel my housing?
Students who are new pledges may cancel their housing application by March 31 and receive a full refund of their deposit as long as their names are included on the list of house members. Special cancellation forms are available online.