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Welcome to Graduate Housing Room Draw

GRADUATE ROOM DRAW GUIDE

2008-2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 INTRODUCTION

  GENERAL DRAW INFORMATION

APPLYING FOR THE DRAW:
THE ONLINE DRAW APPLICATION

PROCESSING YOUR APPLICATION:
HOW THE DRAW SYSTEM WORKS

SELECTING YOUR GC/ANNEX ROOM:
ONLINE ROOM SELECTION

APARTMENT HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS PROCESS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS

February 2008

Dear Graduate Student Room Draw Participant:

Welcome to Room Draw 2008!  It is time to consider your housing arrangements for the next academic year.  

There are some significant changes to Room Draw this year, so be sure to read all of the corresponding materials carefully!  As we did last year, we will accept all applications online and all Graduate College and annex rooms will be selected online as well.  

In this document you will find everything you need for Room Draw including: rules and guidelines, calendar of important dates, frequently asked questions, links to floor plans, applications, and supporting document forms.   We cannot stress strongly enough how important it is to read all of the Room Draw information carefully.  Although most of the information in this document will remain constant, a few minor changes are possible.  Should changes occur, the Room Draw Guide will be updated immediately.

It is our sincere hope that this guide will answer your questions and make the Room Draw process a smooth one for you.  Your courtesy to all members of the Housing Office staff and to your fellow students is expected and appreciated during the process. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact us at gradhsg@princeton.edu or at 609.258.3460.

Sincerely,

Graduate Housing Staff

WHAT'S NEW IN 2008

CONSTRUCTION NOTICES AND CLOSINGS

Due to the construction of the new Dinky station on Alexander Rd, this will be the last year that  graduate units on Alexander Rd. (132, 134, 138, and 140) will be available in our housing inventory. Any student who selects these spaces will not be eligible to retain these units and should be prepared to fully vacate these units on June 30, 2009.

The following is a list of other projects that will occur during the summer of 2008 and the upcoming 2008-2009 academic year.  Please be advised that some summer projects may continue into the fall if needed.  Due to summer construction projects, minor changes in square footage and room configuration may occur. These changes are unavoidable and are not grounds for room changes or contract cancellations.

Annexes:
35 University Place will be offline for the summer due to Interior Repairs, Floors & Ceilings as well as Re-roofing the Annex

Butler Tract:
Replace Flooring Community Center
Porch Replacement
Replace Site Lighting

Lawrence Apartments:
 New Bicycle Shed(s)
Walkway Restoration (Bldgs. 1-7)
Replace Smoke Detectors (Bldgs. 1-7)
Install Bypass for Hot Water Heaters (Bldgs 8-14)
Relocate Bike Racks (Bldgs 8-14)
Install Corner Guards, All Corridors (Bldgs 8-14)
Rework Drier Exhaust Vents (Bldgs 8-14)
Repair Water Leaks (Bldgs 8-14)
Replace Hallway Linoleum (Bldgs 8-14)

Millstone Apartments:
Replace Heating Units & Tanks
Install Pads & Screening for A/C Condensers
New Patio Doors & Windows
Wood Cladding Restoration
Balcony Deck Restoration
Mechanical System Upgrades

New Graduate College:
Entries 1-4 will be closed for the entire summer due to plaster repair and wood finishing
Entry door replacement
Re-keying room doors
Replace Security Screens in Breakfast & Dining Rooms
Kitchen Upgrades: Hood replacement for kitchens in entryways 4 and 9. The kitchens will be out of service from mid-June to late August. Students must use the New Graduate College kitchens during this upgrade.

Old Graduate College:
Continuation of squirrel proofing of screens
Replace Thermostats with Direct Digital Controllers


POLICY CHANGES

Maximum Occupancy in Apartments- To ensure that Princeton University housing allocation practices are based on a fair, compliant, and non-discriminatory policy we have determined that children under the age of two on the start date of a Housing contract will not be counted in the occupant number for maximum occupancy for the apartment. Therefore, graduate students with a child under the age of two may apply for studio and one bedroom apartments provided that the occupancy of those units does not exceed two people.

Coed Housing in the Graduate College- This year Graduate Housing will be implementing a pilot program that would allow opposite sex roommates in the Graduate College. The purpose of the change is to allow students of different sexes to room together. Specifically, this program has a limited number of two bedroom units available for any actively enrolled graduate students wanting an opposite sex roommate. This program includes married couples or domestic partnerships only when both people are actively enrolled graduate students. Students wishing to live with a roommate of the opposite sex will be required to fill out an application signed by all participating residents. All applications will be due the day before the Graduate College/Annex Room Selection begins, March 22nd. In order to participate in this pilot program, ALL applying students must be successful for the GC/Annex Room Selection Process.

GRADUATE HOUSING ROOM DRAW
2008-2009 CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 4
 Room Draw Guide posted online
FEBRUARY 19 Pre-Draw Retention Pull-in form is due to the Housing Office
FEBRUARY 26 Pre-Draw Retention Offer Issues sent out electronically
MARCH 3 Room Draw Application goes live on the Graduate Housing Website
MARCH 4 Deadline to accept retention offer and electronically sign contract
MARCH 14 HARDSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE - Clio Hall, First Floor
MARCH 21 Last date to delete any preferences from your application - you may still accept or reject any pending preferences
MARCH 28 ALL HOUSING DRAW APPLICATIONS DUE - Last day to submit supporting documentation for domestic partners/spouse, children, and special needs requests
APRIL 11 Notification to hardship applicants
APRIL 17 Successful draw lists posted on the web after 5pm for all students including GC/Annex Draw times and GC/Annex retention list
APRIL 18-21 Deadlines for GC/Annex retention contracts as well as approved contracts for hardship housing or disability/medical housing for GC/Annex to be accepted electronically
APRIL 23-25 GC/Annex Room Selection
MAY 1-2 Apartment Renewal contracts will be emailed to all successful Draw apartment applicants who are retaining their current apartments
MAY 8-9 Last day to accept Room Draw apartment renewal contract offers online
MAY 12 Apartment Assignments begin. NOTE: Please see Apartment Assignments section for information on when you will receive your fall apartment assignment and contract.

 GENERAL DRAW INFORMATION

If you are a current Princeton student and wish to obtain University housing for the next academic year, you should apply for Room Draw.  The Draw application should be completed electronically through our website link. This application will be available on March 3. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THIS DRAW GUIDE AND THE ONLINE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE DRAW?

Any Princeton graduate student who will be enrolled for the 2008-09 academic year. 

Students who will not be enrolled for 2008-09 (ETDCC) may submit a wait list application online beginning March 29.  Those students who are not enrolled cannot participate in Draw and should not be listed as roommates!!  See the wait list section for further information.

MARCH 28TH DEADLINE

In order to be included in the Draw, you must access the Housing Office website and complete your application electronically by this deadline.  Any “pending” preferences that are not accepted by all roommates by this deadline will be deleted.  Only “valid” preferences will be considered for the Draw.  In the unlikely event that computer access is not possible for you to complete an application, please contact the Housing Office.
SINGLE STUDENTS OR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR HOUSING WITHOUT FAMILY MEMBERS

Single Student housing applications may include any type of unit.  You can apply with preferences for GC/Annex housing, for apartment housing alone (listing a studio or a one bedroom unit as one of your preferences) or for shared apartment housing.  If you want to share an apartment list one, two, or three roommates. If you do not apply with the correct number of roommates, that preference will be invalid. These roommate(s) must also apply to accept the same housing unit type preference.  Keep in mind that housing type preferences and their ranking is independent for each person that applies, while location preferences for students applying as roommates for a specific unit type are related - modifications to location preferences and move in dates will affect the related group. The preferences of the roommate with the higher draw rank order will be used during the assignment process.  You can also use your preferences to apply for the same type of housing, with different roommate combinations.  All applicants in a group will receive an email if any changes were made to their group preferences.  Please be sure to read this email carefully because you may be required to login to the system and accept the changes.  IMPORTANT: If a roommate does not accept the application, your unit preference with that roommate will be invalid and not considered in your draw application. 

FAMILY HOUSING

If you want to apply as a family (family = grad student with at least one of the following:  spouse, approved domestic partner, children, or dependent who will live with you full-time during the academic year) you need to submit the required supporting documents by March 28th. If applying as a family, you may select from apartment housing unit types. Families with children/dependents may apply for studio, one, two, three, or four bedroom units. Please keep in mind that children under the age of two on the start date of a Housing contract will not be counted in the occupant number for maximum occupancy for the unit. When applying to draw as a family, your Draw application should reflect your anticipated marital status, domestic partner information, and child/dependent information as of the start date of a Housing contract.  If you need to update your personal information, please email gradhsg@princeton.edu.  Changes after the March 28 deadline cannot be taken into account for the Draw process.  If the housing assigned to you is no longer suitable for your needs, you may cancel and apply to the wait list. 

If you have not previously applied for housing as a family, you must provide documentation of the relationship of the spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependents by March 28th to the Graduate Housing Office, MacMillan Building, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544. Supporting documents are subject to approval and applications for family housing cannot be completed until supporting documents are approved.  Applicants bear responsibility for presenting professionally translated versions of documents that are not in English. Acceptable documentation includes the following:

For a dependent child:
  • a copy of a birth certificate for a dependent child*; or
  • a copy of the most recently filed Federal Income tax return (Form 1040) containing dependent status** information.

* Families with a child(ren) and who have birth certificate(s) on file with the Housing Office by the Draw deadline will be given a “child adjustment” that will bring that applicant to the top of their year of study.
** A child over the age of 23 (or 25 with college enrollment status) no longer qualifies as a dependent for family housing.
*** Children under the age of two on the start date of a Housing contract will not be counted in the occupant number for maximum occupancy for the apartment. However, documentation is still required.

For a spouse:
  • a marriage certificate; or
  • a copy of the most recently filed Federal Income tax return (Form 1040) containing joint marital filing status information; or
  • a passport showing spouse’s name
  • For those planning to be married by the start date of a Housing contract, a copy of their reception contract, a wedding invitation, or a letter from the ceremony officiate must be supplied
 
For a domestic partner
  • A completed Application for Domestic Partnership Multiple Occupancy Housing found in the Forms and Applications section
      AND
  • a copy of a deed, mortgage agreement, or lease signed by both parties, or other proof of real property held in common (a contract for shared Princeton University Housing is not acceptable for this purpose); or
  • proof that the parties are pension beneficiaries of one another or are primary beneficiaries of life insurance coverage of one another (other than coverage provided by Princeton University); or
  • a copy of a joint bank account statement or a voided check with both names

In the case of a couple (married/domestic partnership) where both partners are eligible to draw you have 2 options: 

  1. Register as a Family in the Housing Office - One student is responsible for the entire amount of the monthly rate. The monthly rate will not be split between two students who are registered as a family in the Housing Office. On the Draw application, families are only eligible for family housing preferences (apartment housing).
  2. Apply as single students and select each other as roommates. The monthly rate will be split between each roommate. If you have gone through the Draw in the past as a “family”, you will have to contact the Housing Office to let us know that you want to apply separately prior to March 28 and prior to entering the application online.
 

PRE-DRAW RETENTION OPTION

Housing will once again offer a Pre-Draw Retention option for all first year and second year graduate students residing in apartments. This option affords the first and second year graduate student the opportunity to fully retain their current apartment without entering Room Draw. The retaining students will also have the ability to pull in eligible enrolled graduate students (through current third-year students) or family members. Students who decide not to accept the Pre-Draw Retention option will still be eligible for the regular Room Draw. All other students (those housed in the GC/Annexes, and those in their 3rd year and above) should enter the regular Room Draw process. Please email the graduate Housing Office at gradhsg@princeton.edu with any questions.

DISABILITY AND/OR MEDICAL ACCOMMODATION

If you have a disability and/or medical condition that might require a special housing assignment, the Housing Office, in consultation with the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School and University Health Services, will make the necessary housing assignment based on your need. To qualify, you must apply for Draw and check the box on the Placement Options section indicating this request.   In addition, you must submit the Disability And/or Medical Accommodation Request Form along with proper medical documentation by March 28 to the Housing Office.  Medical documentation must clearly support your housing request. You must also be successful in the Draw to receive this accommodation.

HARDSHIP HOUSING

Current housing policy was developed to ensure that the program for graduate student housing continues to respond to the needs of both students who require single occupancy and those who require accommodations for families.  In balancing these program priorities, nothing should be construed as limiting access to housing unit types.  Therefore, students who wish to be considered for exception to our general policies due to hardship, special circumstances, or because they may not be successful in the Draw, may receive priority over other returning students if they submit the following information to Lisa Schreyer, Assistant Dean of the Graduate School, Clio Hall, First Floor by March 14:
  1. A statement explaining your situation (financial or personal)
  2. A completed hardship application
  3. A copy of your 2007 Federal Income Tax Return.

Hardship applications can be found online by clicking here or at Clio Hall, first floor.  The following items will be taken into consideration when determining eligibility for hardship status: the student's stipend or other income, loan fund availability and previous borrowing record, spouse's income, number of dependents, ability of spouse to work, outside income, and relevant personal information.  Hardship applicants will be notified of a decision by April 11. Please remember you also need to submit your online Draw application by March 28.

Room assignments for approved hardship applicants for the GC/Annex will be made prior to the GC/Annex Room Selection.  Notification of the assignment will occur by April 11.  The contract for the assigned room must be signed by April 18 in order for this room to be withheld from the list of available rooms.  Apartment assignments for approved hardship applicants will be made in May and June.

MEAL CONTRACTS

All students successful for the Graduate College are required to accept a meal plan in order to accept their contract. There are 4 meal plans offered that the student has to choose from. The plans and their costs are as follows:

  • Unlimited:        $5,223
  • Block 235        $5,015
  • Block 190        $4,807
  • Block 95          $2,883

Students may reduce their meal contracts only once per semester, during the third full week of classes in the fall and during the first full week of classes in the spring. All changes during this period must be made in the Housing Office 8:45am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday.  Exemption or termination of a meal plan requires written approval from the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School and is processed at the Housing Office in the MacMillan Building.  Adding a meal plan or making changes that increase the number of meals may be made at any time during the semester at the Housing Office.  See your Housing/Dining Contract and Terms and Conditions for more information.

WAITLIST

Students who were unsuccessful in the Draw Lottery, but have checked the wait list box on their Draw application, will be put on the wait list in draw rank order.  Those students who did not apply to the Draw may submit a wait list application beginning on March 29.Wait list students will be considered for the housing type selected on their Draw or wait list application (as applicable and/or available) after all successful Draw participants have been assigned.  As openings arise for a housing type, the first person on the wait list that has indicated that unit as a preference will be offered that unit type.  Please note that being placed on the wait list does NOT guarantee housing. If you no longer need housing, please contact the Housing Office to remove your name from the wait list. ETDCC students can apply to the wait list beginning March 29 but will only be offered housing (if available) after all enrolled students have been housed.
CANCELLATIONS

A student who accepts a housing contract and then wishes to cancel it will have 10 days after acceptance to do so without penalty.  After 10 days, a $200 fee will be assessed and the student may be held responsible for the full contract value if the space cannot be reassigned by another eligible person from the wait list for housing. 

APPLYING FOR THE DRAW:  THE ONLINE APPLICATION

BROWSER REQUIREMENTS

Please note the following tips prior to accessing the application:
  1. Users must have JavaScript enabled in their browser.
  2. When logging into the application, you should not enter “Princeton\” before your net ID.  You should simply login with your net ID and password.
Users should disable any pop-up blocker software for the web site (facilities.princeton.edu or anything with princeton.edu in it)  
ACCESS THE APPLICATION

In order to access the Room Draw application please click here and follow the appropriate link. Enter your Princeton Net ID and password. 

The Room Draw application instructions page will be displayed.  Please review this page carefully before starting your application.  You can also refer back to this page at any time while you are completing your application.  In the Housing Room Draw system every eligible student applies separately, listing his or her housing preferences in order.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Your personal data (i.e. name, year of study, gender, local address, etc.) will be displayed for confirmation.

Current Year of Study: If your current year of study or department is incorrect, exit the application and contact Housing and your department to correct your year of study. Post-enrolled students will not be assigned until all enrolled students have been assigned. 

Current Address: Your current address will only be displayed if you live on campus and have a University address.
 

PLACEMENT OPTIONS

You can specify if you would like to apply for the wait list. If you have a disability and/or medical need that may require a special housing assignment, please check the appropriate box. Also indicate if you will have a pet or car on campus. This is for information purposes only and does not guarantee placement into any specific housing unit/complex.  

HOUSING PREFERENCES

Your next step is to go to Housing Preferences.  Here you will be asked to list your preferences for housing.  List each preference in rank order from 1 (1 being your most desired preference).  Type preference number in the box next to the selection to re-order your preferences. Each preference consists of a unit type (apartment size) and a possible list of roommates.  You will always be listed as roommate number one.  Please enter additional roommate Net IDs if applicable, then click on “add a preference”.  You will be able to accept, reject, or delete preferences on this page as many times as needed prior to March 21 – this is the last date to delete preferences from the application.  This will allow students whose groups have been deleted the chance to re-submit or rank preferences by the application deadline of March 28.  We encourage that you list at least five preferences.  Remember: only list those preferences which you are willing to accept.  Consider the possible locations where such units are situated (e.g., there are 2 bedroom units in the Butler, Lawrence, Hibben, and Magie apartment complexes, as well as on Alexander street).  Only the type of unit selected will be considered in the Draw (apartment assignments will be done by the Housing Office at a later date).  If you are successful in the Draw it will be based on a housing type only.  Locations cannot be guaranteed. For the purpose of the Draw, the graduate housing stock is divided into seven types: studio (Millstone or Lawrence), one, two, three, and four bedroom apartments, and the GC/Annex rooms.  
LOCATION PREFERENCES

Your Location Preferences are updated every time you add, delete, accept, reject, or change housing unit type or roommate information. The application contains one entry for each preference that you accepted, even if it is still pending (waiting for other roommates to accept – please check your application frequently prior to the deadline to be sure that all potential roommates have accepted preferences). Be sure that your application shows only valid preferences by the March 28 deadline. Only valid preferences will be considered for the Draw! Any pending preferences not accepted prior to the Draw, will not be considered.

Location Preferences allow you the opportunity to retain your current apartment or rank locations for each unit type/roommate preference you have entered.  Within each entry, if you or any of your potential roommates currently live in that unit type, you will be able to choose which apartment you would like to retain.  Remember, as a rule, if you are successful in obtaining housing of the same type as you currently occupy, you are required to retain and your contract will be renewed.

Below the retain options, where applicable and if the entry is for an apartment, you are asked to rank the various location preferences where that unit type is available.  If you are successful for that preference (that unit type with those roommates), housing will assign an apartment to you based on this list. We cannot guarantee that your first choice will be available. This ranked list is not used if you are retaining your apartment.  It only applies if the current apartment will be retained by someone else, when moving to a unit type that none of the roommates currently occupy, or if you have requested a transfer. If you are moving to a new apartment, select a preferred move-in date from the drop down list.  This date is not guaranteed, but it serves as a guide during the assignment process.  
GC/ANNEX RETENTION

If you are currently living in a GC/Annex room and wish to retain your room, you must apply for the GC/Annex Draw and indicate that you want to retain under Location Preferences.  If you are successful in the GC/Annex Draw, your name will be placed on a successful GC/Annex retention list. You are not eligible to retain your room if you retained last year.  If you are living in a double, triple, or quad room, the room may only be retained once by any roommate so that the room will not be withheld by retention for two or more consecutive years.  You cannot retain a room that is being converted to lower occupancy for the upcoming 2008-2009 academic year. You cannot draw in roommates when retaining a room; they must draw into the suite separately.  If you successfully retained, you must sign an electronic contract for that room and indicate the gender of the shared bathroom if applicable between April 18 to 21. Your name will only be listed on the retention list and not on the GC/Annex Draw list.  Onceyour contract is signed, your room will be reserved for you.  The room will be pulled from the GC/Annex available rooms list.  If you do not sign by April 21, your room will be placed in the available rooms list.  If you sign up for retention, you will not be allowed to draw.  Therefore, be sure you want to retain your room.

CONFIRMING THE APPLICATION

Please login and review your application as many times as you would like before March 28. There is an Application Summary section in the Housing menu on the left side of the screen (in orange). Make sure that all of your preferences have been accepted by all roommates, and are thus valid. Double check your rankings for the preferences, and your selections.  ONLY the valid preferences you have entered by the March 28 deadline will be considered in the Draw.  The application will be automatically submitted at this time.  Reminder: no deletions will be accepted after March 21.

PROXY FOR THE GC/ANNEX DRAW

If you will not be able to select your room online during your draw time, you can assign a proxy to act for you in the Room Draw selection process. A proxy may be either another student or the Housing Office. If you select the Housing Office to act as your proxy, you must complete an online application. You must then submit it to the Housing Office to indicate your preferred features and type of room, so that the Housing Office will be able to make an appropriate selection for you.

PROCESSING YOUR APPLICATION:
HOW THE DRAW SYSTEM WORKS

DRAW RANK

All applications received by the March 28 deadline from eligible enrolled students are separated into groups as follows:

            0.   Residential Committee Members & others eligible for priority draw rank
              1.   (current) First-year students
              2.   (current) Second-year students
              3.   (current) Third-year students
              4.   (current) Fourth-year students
              5.   (current) Fifth-year students

Utilizing an applicant’s current year of study and in accordance with draw rules for priority, applicants are assigned a random draw rank.  Students with children who have supporting documentation on file by March 28 will be ranked and randomized at the top of their year of study. A computer program then considers each application in turn by draw rank.  When considering your application, the system will find your highest preference such that all roommates (if any) are still available (have not been assigned other housing), and such that units of that type are still available.  Moreover, enough beds must be available to house all incoming students who applied by April 15.  If the system can accommodate your first housing type preference (based on the available housing), you will be placed on the list for that type of housing.  If you were successful in getting an apartment to share with other student(s) (whose names must have appeared on your application and vice versa), they will be “pulled in”, and their other preferences will be ignored.  Note:  When applying for an apartment, the roommate with the best draw rank will pull in all other roommates. Year of study for all roommates is not averaged.

If your first housing type preference is not available (all units/beds of that type are already taken), the program will consider your other housing type preferences in order.  If you were unsuccessful for all types of housing you applied for, you will be placed on the wait list if you have indicated this on the application and will be ordered by draw rank.  For the purpose of the Draw, the graduate housing stock is divided into seven types: studio (Millstone or Lawrence), one, two, three, and four bedroom apartments, and the GC/Annex rooms.

SELECTING YOUR GC/ANNEX ROOM:  ONLINE ROOM SELECTION

Students who have selected the GC/Annex as a unit type preference and are successful for that unit type will enter the online GC/Annex Draw from April 23rd through April 25th to select a room. Any successful student, at his or her draw time, can choose any empty space. In addition, students can select any empty multiple-occupancy room or suite that is available and can pull in other students who are successful for the GC/Annex (their name must appear on the GC/Annex Draw time list) but may have received a later draw time. Students who are successful for this unit type will be placed on a GC/Annex Draw list with a draw time based on their draw position. The list will be posted online after 5:00 pm on April 17.

PROCEDURES FOR SELECTING GC/ANNEX ROOMS

Students who are placed on the Draw list for Graduate College/Annex housing will participate in an online room selection process.  The Graduate College/Annex Draw will be held online between April 23rd through April 25th. 

To select rooms, students will enter the Room Selection link on the Room Draw main web page during their draw time. Selected rooms will be held for 10 minutes while the contract is being processed and accepted.  Rooms that are not selected within this time period will be released and become available again. If room selection is not completed during the original draw time, students will be able to login any time after their original time but no later than the last draw time.  Students with draw times who fail to enter room selection will NOT automatically be put on the wait list.  They must apply for the wait list and their application will be considered according to the date their request is submitted, regardless of original draw time.

Specific instructions for selecting rooms are available in the online help menu option on the Room Draw main web page.  Below are some guidelines for selecting rooms:

To Select a Single Room:

  1. Sign in to the Housing Application & Room Selection system.
  2. Click the link under Room Selection on the Welcome page.
  3. On the Room Selection Terms page, click the checkbox indicating that you have read the room selection instructions and agree to the terms.
  4. Click the Submit button to continue. Tip! The Submit button is only displayed when you have agreed to the terms by clicking the checkbox.
  5. The Housing Available Rooms page is displayed.
    • You can filter the list of available rooms by building or by rated occupancy. Select the building and/or occupancy you want to display from the appropriate drop-down list and click the View Rooms button.
    • You can sort the list by Building, Rated Occupancy, Price, or Room Gender by selecting the column title in the drop down menu then select ascending or descending to determine the order.
    • If the rooms fill more than one page, you can scroll through the pages using the arrow buttons above the list on the right.
    • If changes have been made, you can click the Refresh button to reload the list of available rooms.
  6. Select the room you want by clicking on the Select button at the beginning of the line. Tip! Room selections are mutually exclusive. If you click the Select button for a room, and then click another, the first selection is replaced by the second selection.
  7. If you selected a room with a shared bath, you are prompted to select the gender (same gender or either gender) of the adjoining room. Click OK to continue.
  8. Select your meal plan from the drop-down list, if applicable. Tip! Meal plans are not required for Annex spaces, therefore you have the option to select none if you choose not to have a meal plan.
  9. Click the Accept Room button. (If you have changed your mind, click the Reject Room button to return to the Available Rooms page and select a different room.)
  10. When the contract is displayed on the Confirm Housing Contract page, you must explicitly accept it by clicking the I Accept this Contract button. (If you have changed your mind, click I Reject this Contract and select another room.)
  11. To print a copy of your contract, click the View Printer Friendly Contract button, and then use the browser Print function to print the contract.
  12. When you have printed the contract, you may close the browser window, or click the browser's Back button to return to the Housing Application & Room Selection system.
To Select a Multi-Occupant Room:
  1. Sign in to the Housing Application & Room Selection system.
  2. Click the link under Room Selection on the Welcome page.
  3. On the Room Selection Terms page, click the checkbox indicating that you have read the room selection instructions and agree to the terms.
  4. Click the Submit button to continue. Tip! The Submit button is only displayed when you have agreed to the terms by clicking the checkbox.
  5. The Housing Available Rooms page is displayed.
    • You can filter the list of available rooms by building or by rated occupancy. Select the building and/or occupancy you want to display from the appropriate drop-down list and click the View Rooms button.
    • You can sort the list by Building, Rated Occupancy, Price, or Room Gender by selecting the column title in the drop down menu then select ascending or descending to determine the order.
    • If the rooms fill more than one page, you can scroll through the pages using the arrow buttons above the list on the right.
    • If changes have been made, you can click the Refresh button to reload the list of available rooms.
  6. Select the room you want by clicking on the Select button at the beginning of the line. Tip! Room selections are mutually exclusive. If you click the Select button for a room, and then click another, the first selection is replaced by the second selection.
  7. If you selected a room with a shared bath, you are prompted to select the gender (same gender or either gender) of the adjoining room. Click OK to continue.
  8. To pull up another student to share the room, click the Pull Up Applicant button. On the Select Applicant to Pull-Up, type the NetID of the student you want to share with, and click OK. The student will be added to the room. Repeat as often as needed to fill the room.
    Note: It is not necessary to fill the room. If the room is not filled, it will appear on the Available Housing page as partially occupied, and another student may select the room from there.
  9. Select your meal plan from the drop-down list, if applicable. The Accept Room button will appear.
  10. Click the Accept Room button.
  11. When the Housing Contract page is displayed, each roommate must explicitly accept it by clicking the I Accept this Contract button. If you have changed your mind, click I Reject this Contract and select another room.
  12. To print a copy of your contract, click the View Printer Friendly Contract button, and then use the browser Print function to print the contract.
  13. When you have printed the contract, you may close the browser window, or click the browser's Back button to return to the Housing Application & Room Selection system.
 
PULLING UP ROOMMATES FOR THE GC/ANNEX ROOM SELECTION

Any student drawing a multiple occupancy room (a double or larger) which is otherwise unoccupied may select and pull-up any person(s) as a roommate (same gender) who entered the Draw and was successful for the GC/Annex Draw (i.e. given a draw time for the GC/Annex Draw list).  Only officers of the Graduate College House Committee may pull-up students who have applied but were unsuccessful for the GC/Annex Draw.

To accept or reject a room, if you've been pulled up:

  1. Sign in to the Housing Application & Room Selection system.
  2. Select View Contract from the menu.
  3. The List of Contracts page shows the room for which you have been pulled. To accept or reject the room:
    1. Click the radio button for the contract.
    2. Select your meal plan from the drop-down list, if applicable.
    3. To accept the room, click the I Accept this Contract button. To reject the room, click I Reject this Contract and select another room during your own draw time.
  4. To print a copy of your contract, click the View Printer Friendly Contract button, and then use the browser Print function to print the contract.
When you have printed the contract, you may close the browser window, or click the browser's Back button to return to the Housing Application & Room Selection system and click Log Off.

Many rooms within the OGC share an in-suite bathroom.  In this case, the first student to draw into one of the rooms chooses whether the bathroom will be a single-sex or co-ed bathroom for the year, and this designation information will be shown on the room lists as they are updated during the Draw.  For example, OGC room 51 shares a bathroom with OGC room 53 – if a male student draws OGC 53 and designates the bathroom as single-sex, then OGC 51 may only be occupied by male students.

 

ROOM CHANGES

No changes can be made to contracts for GC/Annex rooms accepted during the room selection process.  Room change applications and information will be available in September.

APARTMENT HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS PROCESS


Assignments will be made on a rolling basis beginning May 12th and students should anticipate notification 30 days in advance of the effective move-in date, but no later than June 30th. Every effort is made to offer contracts for the move-in date requested on the draw application; however this cannot be guaranteed. Also, for current apartment residents that were successful in the Draw for another unit type, contracts with a move-in date of July 1st will be offered, as possible, to coincide with the June 30th vacate date of the current unit. In cases where this is not possible due to lack of availability of that unit type for a July 1st move-in, Housing will grant an extension in the current unit and offer a move-in date on the new unit, in most cases by July 21st.

Contract offers for apartment assignments will be sent via email and must be accepted within seven calendar days. Once accepted, the security deposit should be paid to the Housing Office prior to the move-in date. If the offer is rejected and Housing is still desired, students should immediately put themselves onto the wait list by applying online. Please give careful consideration toan offer before rejecting it since wait list housing is not guaranteed.

SUCCESSFUL APARTMENT APPLICANTS


If you are successful in the Draw to retain the apartment you currently live in, we will email your apartment renewal contract by May 2nd. If you are not currently in an apartment or will be switching units based on the Draw results, the Housing Office will make an assignment and email your new apartment contract to your Princeton University email address. This will be done mid-May through June. Reply to the email contract offer by the deadline indicated in the email. If you do not currently live in an apartment and do not have a security deposit with Princeton University, you will need to submit your security deposit (equal to the monthly rate or your portion thereof) separately as per the instructions in your email offer. Security deposits must be paid prior to moving into your apartment.
 

APARTMENT RENEWALS

If you currently live in an apartment and want your contract renewed you should apply for the appropriate housing unit type. If you are successful in obtaining a unit of this type, you will be allowed to retain your apartment. If you are a single student signing up to share with another single student, and you are both successful for the unit type that you both currently occupy, you will have to decide which unit you will retain and enter it in the application. The preferences of the person with the higher draw rank order will be considered first.

TRANSFER REQUESTS

If you are currently in an apartment and are successful for the same unit type, as a rule your apartment contract will be renewed. According to policy, graduate student apartment residents must live in their units for at least three years before becoming eligible for an apartment transfer. However, if you are a first-year student that was assigned to an apartment, you may be eligible for a transfer after your first year. If you would like to request a transfer, you must complete the Apartment Transfer Request Form found at http://www.princeton.edu/facilities/housing/graduate_info/forms_apps/ in addition to applying to the Draw.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When is the application deadline?
All applications are to be submitted to Housing by March 28th at 11:59:59pm.
2. What if my application is late?
You will not be able to submit an application after the deadline. You must apply to the wait list.
3. I want to live with my domestic partner/spouse/family, what do I need to do?
If you want to apply as a family (family = grad student with at least one of the following: spouse, approved domestic partner, children, or dependent who will live with you full-time during the academic year) you need to submit the required supporting documents. If applying as a family, you may only select from apartment housing unit types. See the family section of the Draw Guide for more information.
4. If I accepted a Pre-Draw Retention offer, do I need to submit a Room Draw application?
No, your housing assignment for the 2008-2009 academic year is established. Only those who reject their Pre-Draw Retention offer can apply for Room Draw.
5. I do not want to remain in university housing next year, what should I do?
Do not apply for the Draw. All apartment contracts end on June 30th and GC/Annex contracts end on May 25th.
6. Where can I find the rates for different units?
All rates for the 2008-2009 academic year will be posted on the Housing web site on February 5th.

7. When will I get my assignment?
All students will receive their housing assignments 30 days prior to their assigned move-in date and no later than June 30th.

8. How long do I have to accept my housing contract offer?
You will have seven days after the issue date to accept your contract. If you do not make a decision by that time your contract offer will be rescinded and you can apply to the wait list.

9. When will I get my GC/Annex room assignment?
Students will select their own room in the GC or Annexes through the online room selection process form April 23rd through April 25th.

10. When will the Successful Draw List be posted?
The Successful Draw List will be posted on the housing web site on April 17th.
11. Will my security deposit transfer from one apartment to the next?
Yes, upon accepting your contract your deposit will automatically transfer to your assignment next year.
12. Does being successful in the Draw List guarantee my first choice of location?
No, success means you qualified for one of your indicated unit types, not apartment location.
13. What if I cancel my contract after I have accepted it?
You have 10 days after the date of your contract acceptance date to cancel your contract without penalty. After 10 days, a $200 fee will be assessed.
14. Can I see floor plans or maps of the units before I select my preferences?
Yes, all floor plans are available on the Housing web site.
15. Are applicants with spouses/domestic partners given higher priority than those without?
No, applicants with spouses/domestic partners have the same priority as students applying on their own.
16. What if I have other questions?
Please contact Graduate Housing at 8-3721 or gradhsg@princeton.edu with any questions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

To read the specific Terms and Conditions that relate to your housing type, please follow the links below.

Apartment Housing
GC/Annex Housing:


UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS

Members of the University community are expected to honor agreements or contracts relating to official University activities and/or processes. This obligation specifically includes: providing accurate information on official forms and documents, as well as to official University persons, offices, and committees. Misrepresentation of any facts on your Draw Application is considered serious. The University may ask you to provide certifiable documentation of those facts. Deliberate violations of this provision will be considered serious offenses and disciplinary action will be taken, including, but not limited to, rendering violators ineligible for University housing.

Princeton University expects all residents to fulfill the terms of their housing contracts and will hold them financially accountable accordingly. If there are extraordinary circumstances that may necessitate an early termination of one's contract, you may request a release. For contractual release, such circumstances must be compelling. Please consult the Residential Living Policies and Dining Services Guide for Graduate Housing, Apartment Life for Graduate Students for the proper procedure to make such a request.