Changes to Housing Lottery

by Nicholas Caramico
edited by Phil Enright

Due to controversies over last year’s results, the Department of Residential Life has made significant changes to the 2010 Housing Lottery.

This year, the Department of Residential Life has made all students lottery numbers public in an effort to avoid the issues of the past. Many students were left disappointed and confused upon leaving lottery night last year, still questioning their future housing situation. This confusion led to a second lottery night, where those with lottery numbers in question re-selected their housing.

Beginning April 26^th, students will be able to log on to eRaven and view their lottery number and where they stand in the overall lottery. A student’s lottery number is calculated by multiplying their GPA and their earned credits. This number is added with your roommate or roommate’s number. The roommate group with the highest number will select their housing first moving down the list until all students have selected. With the list being made public there is the hope that there will be no disputing the final list.

“Publishing lottery rosters ahead of time will make students aware of their housing option before lottery night and let them know if their roster needs to split up,” said Director of Residential Life Ken Ervin.

While this is the most important change to the actual procedures of lottery night, several new housing options will be made available. Students who will be sophomores in the fall will again have the option of Granite Hall suites that began last year. In addition, Monadnock hall will be comprised entirely of single rooms for sophomores. Both sophomore area housing in Monadnock and Edgewood will offer a common lounge area on each floor. These lounges will be equipped with tables, chairs, a television and a DVD player. Seniors in the fall will have the option of a three-person apartment in Sawmills.

“With all the new housing changes including co-ed and wellness, we have the widest options of living we can offer,” said Junior Area Experience Director Michael Lynch.

To be eligible to participate in the housing lottery, students need to be registered for classes in the fall, pay $250 housing deposit, pay any financial holds, and complete all judicial sanctions. On April 6^th and 7^th, lottery cards and room and board contracts will be available in Pierce Hall between noon and 2:00. Students wishing to room together will then submit a roster to the Residential Life office in New Hampshire Hall. Students will need to turn in their cleared lottery cards and completed roster on April 21^st.