Services for Current Students

Room Change Process
Room Lottery
Request to Move Off Campus
Special Housing for Medical Needs

Room Change Process

Room changes are permitted throughout the semester (fall and spring) after the first two weeks in order to allow for occupancy of the halls to stabilize. After that time, room change requests are granted freely but are subject to the availability of spaces and rooms.

The first step is to talk with your resident assistant about your room change request.  Often, your RA can be helpful in assisting you in working through conflicts that may arise on the floor or with your roommate.  However, we realize that not all conflicts can be resolved, and we will not force any student to remain in an uncomfortable situation.

Next to facilitate the room change process, submit the Room Change Form (PDF) to the director of housing.   

(Important: all room changes must be approved prior to any physical moves taking place.) Residence Life reserves the right to make changes and place students in vacant spaces/rooms if needed. Students who find themselves in a double or triple room without a roommate or roommates will most likely receive a roommate during the year.

Once your room change is approved, you will go to the Office of Security to pick up the keys to your new room. You will be allowed to keep both your new keys and the keys to your old room for 72 hours while you complete the move. Once your move is finished, return you old keys to the Office of Security.

Room Lottery for Returning Students
           
Room lottery is the process by which current students select room assignments for the upcoming year. The process is broken down into two parts – number draw and room selection. Room lottery is held in March.

In order to participate in the room lottery, you must pay the college a deposit of $300 and clear your current student account of any outstanding debits. The deposit is paid to the Business Office. The deposit is applied to your bill for the upcoming year. Students who do not pay the advanced deposit and have not cleared their financial account with the college are not eligible to participate in room lottery. However, students who pay their deposit and clear their account after room lottery are eligible to live in on campus housing and will be placed in available rooms/spaces after June 1.

Once the deposit is paid, a student draws a random number at number draw. This number determines the order in which she selects a room. Numbers are selected within each academic classification with rising seniors going first, then juniors and sophomores. Academic classification is determined by credit hours earned, not by expected graduation year.

At the appointed day and time as indicated by the number drawn, the student comes to room selection and chooses a room. Students must have the correct number of students to sign up for a given room. That means for a double room, two students must sign up, for a triple room, three, etc. If a house or apartment is selected, the correct number of students must sign up for the entire house or apartment at the time of room selection. Single rooms are available on a very limited basis and usually go to rising seniors.

If you are a former Mary Baldwin student who is returning to the college after time away (leave or absence, study abroad, etc.) please contact the director of housing to discuss your housing needs and determine your eligibility to participate in the room lottery. Also, please contact the director of housing if you will be away from the college during room lottery and would like to participate via proxy.

Detailed information can be found in the 2008-2009 Room Lottery Guide

Request to Move Off Campus
           
At Mary Baldwin College, the residential environment is a key component of each student’s college experience. Students enrolled in the Residential College for Women are expected to live in on campus housing for the duration of their tenure with the college. Exceptions may be approved for compelling and extenuating circumstances:

• students who are 21 or older by August 31
• students who wish to live with their parents and/or extended family within the surrounding Staunton area 
• students who experience a change in life status, such as getting married
• students with a medical need that cannot be accommodated on campus

A student must be in good standing academically as outlined in the MBC Academic Catalog in order to be approved to move off campus.

Moving off campus can have a significant consequence for financial aid packages. Therefore, an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid is required.

In order to initiate the process, submit an Off Campus Housing Request Form (PDF) . 

Special Housing Requests for Medical Needs

To request special housing, due to medical concerns, fill out a Medical Exception Form (MSWord). For example, a student with mobility issues may need to be placed in a residence hall with an elevator, or a student with asthma may require air conditioning. In addition to the form, you must submit documentation from a physician verifying the need for special accommodations.