2008-2009 ROOM CHOOSING

To:  All freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and any current students who plan to return in the fall
From: Wes Lawson, Assistant Dean of Students
Subject:  Regular Room choosing for 2008-2009
Date:  March 17, 2008

Room choosing this year will occur online March 31-April 4.  Refer to the academic hours and room selection time bracket to determine your exact selection date and time, and read this entire memorandum carefully.   You should pay particular attention to regulations that govern securing a double room or signing an online TBA (to be assigned) housing contract.   In very basic terms, students select rooms based on cumulative grade point average within brackets of earned hours at the end of the Fall 2007 semester.  Please contact the Assistant Dean of Students office in Blake A by March 28 if you have questions regarding this process by calling x: 6317 or e-mail wlawson@hsc.edu. 

Preparations you must do in advance to be eligible for online housing selections:

• Contact the Business Office or Registrar to resolve any holds on your account.
• See your advisor to retrieve your id and pin number in preparation for Fall 2008 course registration and room selection. 
• REGISTER FOR FALL 2008 COURSES during your registration period.  Students who are not registered for Fall 2008 courses will not be able to sign up for housing and will be charged a $100.00 late registration fee.
• Read and become familiar with the online selection process.

New for 2008: Students will select a MEAL PLAN at the end of their online housing selection.  Meal plan options are based on a student’s class status/residence.  (See page 15 of The Key.)  ALL students must select a room or sign an online TBA housing contract.  Online TBA Waiting List:  If all housing is filled during online room choosing, a waiting list will be established online for housing on campus.  Students whose selection time falls after all housing is filled or students who don’t have a chosen roommate and  wish to be assigned a double or single room when one becomes available, MUST go online to sign a TBA (to be assigned) housing contract and SELECT A MEAL PLAN. Anyone who fails to sign an online contract or contact the Assistant Dean of Students office regarding their housing plans for Fall 2008 will be charged a $100.00 late registration fee.  Although the Assistant Dean cannot guarantee housing in specific residence halls or rooms, students on the waiting list are guaranteed a room on campus.
Selected College-owned cottages and apartments are being offered as single and double apartment bedrooms.  Estimated rental rates are listed below and are higher than those of residence hall bedrooms.

ESTIMATED Rental Rates for the year 2008-2009:

• Resident hall double room rent: $3,830.00 and telecommunication fee: $732.00  Residence hall single room rent: $5,282.00 and telecommunication fee: $1,086.00
  Apartment/Cottage double room rent: $4,738.00 and telecommunication fee: $732.00
  Apartment/Cottage single room rent: $6,524.00 and telecommunication fee: $1,086.00

Room Choosing Criteria
Class rank will be determined by the Academic Regulations and administered as follows:

     To be considered a senior, you must currently have 73 or more hours of credit earned at the end of the Fall Semester of 2007.

     To be considered a junior, you must currently have 41 or more hours of credit earned at the end of the Fall Semester of 2007.  NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO THIS STANDARD.

    Transfer students, who entered in the spring semester, select rooms at the all men’s average (2.710) with their hours bracket.

ONLINE HOUSING CONTRACT STIPULATION:   Any housing assignments made prior to Fall 2008 course registration are contingent on a student registering for Fall 2008 courses during their registration period. Failure to do so will result in the contract becoming VOID and forfeiture of the assignment for a group or individual.

Special Housing Circumstances

• Going Abroad:  By April 22, students who are definitely going abroad in the fall 2008 should inform the Assistant Dean in writing (wlawson@hsc.edu) about your plans to study abroad. Students who will have limited or no internet access should e-mail Dean Lawson stating his intention of returning to the College in the Spring and provide three housing preferences.  Housing in a specific residence hall is not guaranteed.  It is your responsibility to discuss housing availability with the Assistant Dean of Students one month prior to your return from abroad.  The College cannot “hold” a room for students who chose to study abroad.  Students studying abroad will receive College information via their H-SC e-mail address.

•  Student Senate/Court:  Students who are serving on the student senate or the student court for the current academic year will be permitted to make room selections at the front of their academic hours bracket.  Please contact the Assistant Dean of Students office within 24 hours of your selection date.            

• Off-Campus:  Only those students granted permission according to the off-campus housing policy will be allowed to live off campus.  Students granted permission to live off campus for the 2008-2009 academic year must register for Fall 2008 courses to secure their award. 

• IFC Fraternity presidents must reside in their respective houses during the Fall 2008 semester.  Students on the fraternity housing roster must register for Fall 2008 courses.  Failure to do so will disqualify other members from any off campus or housing awards. 

Room Selections will be conducted online in the following manner.  Diagrams of the residence halls will be available at the time of sign-up on the website.  The academic hours bracket and room selection times are as follows:

posted 3-13-2008