Room Selection

The Office of Community Living is excited to work with students on new ideas and plans for intentional housing opportunities that will have a wide array of amenities and features. Through the RSP, we provide students the opportunity to live with friends and like-minded individuals with common interests, passions, and identities to foster a common sense of belonging, purpose, and values. Students have the opportunity to develop lasting friendships and learn the importance of connection and meaning-making in residential experiences.

Looking for open applications?

How Does it Work?

As a four-year residential college, Albion affirms the educational benefits inherent in the residential aspect of our undergraduate experience, and as such requires all students to reside and board within the College residential system.

New first-year and transfer students joining the Briton community in the Fall semester will not participate in the Room Selection Process, but will submit style and roommate preferences through the New Student Housing Request Form.

Every returning student receives a unique “Lottery Number” which helps ensure a fair and equitable process. Lottery numbers are not random. However, they are based only on units completed as provided by the Albion College registrar. Other factors, such as grades, Greek or athletic status, leadership in student organizations, etc. do not impact lottery numbers. Group lottery priority is the average lottery number of students in an application group.

We encourage students to discuss living options, community styles, and building choices with their friends and then decide to apply together. If awarded, the student group receives an invitation to attend a Selection Forum for that application type (e.g. apartment living, suite-style, or community-style) and then chooses their specific apartment or room in order of group lottery priority.

Any student who selects a room during the RSP but is not registered for Fall semester classes by the end of April may be removed from their selected assignment and placed on a wait list, pending registration.

If you are planning to study off-campus during the Fall semester, you are not eligible to apply for housing during the Room Selection Process. Students returning from an off-campus program in January are assigned a room during Winter break, and will receive communication and support from Community Living. Assignments are based on the availability of rooms/spaces.

Where Should I Apply?

Students should consider all possible living arrangements in our upperclass student communities, as they need to apply as a group, according to their preferred housing style and location. For example, a group of 2 students applying for an apartment is eligible for the 2-person apartments in Burns Street Apartment and Munger Place Apartments. A group of 4 students is eligible for all 4-person apartments. Students can apply in groups of 2 or 4 for suite-style living (Mitchell Towers and Whitehouse Hall), understanding that a group of 2 will only select half of a suite with a shared bathroom and may not know the other half-suite.

Attending one of our RSP workshops or info sessions is HIGHLY recommended. Check the schedule here.

We encourage students to consider preferred living styles beyond the building. Where you live can be a gateway to learning and leadership opportunities, and the opportunity to contribute your voice, work, and passion to new programs, deepening the knowledge and awareness of your peers, and serving the greater Albion community. Our Intentional Learning Communities (ILCs) offer one way to pursue this deeper experience, and students applying for ILCs will follow a unique proposal process. This process will occur before other applications open, to avoid conflicting applications. Themed communities are integrated throughout our residential communities, and students can apply to live within them as part of the general application process (e.g. suite-style and community-style).

When Will Applications Become Available, and How Should I Plan?

Because some students may apply for one style of housing and not be awarded an assignment based on their lottery number (apartment-style), their group proposals, or other eligibility criteria (Intentional Learning Communities, I-Space), each application type has a different open and close date.

See a full calendar of information sessions, building tours, application workshops, and application open/due dates on our 2023-2024 Room Selection Process Calendar page.

During Summer Break, all students will be notified by Community Living to confirm their room assignment for the Fall semester. Students must reside in the room, suite, or apartment that has been officially assigned, and room changes are not made without the approval of an Area Coordinator (AC) or the Office of Community Living. Students assigned to double rooms can expect to have another roommate assigned if their initial roommate does not return for Fall semester or pursues another assignment.

I’m Off Campus Right Now - How Do I Participate?

Informational emails, programs, and workshops will be offered to all students who are enrolled in classes, internships, and off-campus programs. We encourage all current students to engage in events and meetings offered during the Spring semester to learn more about intentional housing plans and options for next year.

Exemptions and Accommodations

While the classroom is at the heart of the educational mission of Albion College, as a residential college, Albion College also strongly believes in the personal growth and learning that students gain when sharing a living space with roommates on campus. If you are experiencing difficulties based on your room and board assignment, please speak with your Area Coordinator or other Community Living staff. We are happy to meet with you to discuss your situation.

Housing policies and expectations are initially defined in the Student Handbook. However, some factors, such as documented disabilities may lead students to seek accommodations and exceptions to housing policies. To request exemptions or accommodations, students must provide adequate supporting documentation to Community Living and the Housing Petitions Committee for review. In some circumstances, students may be referred to other campus partners, such as Accessibility Services or Dining.

If you plan to request an exemption or accommodation, please review our detailed Exemptions and Accommodations page, and schedule an appointment to register with the Office of Accessibility Services as applicable.

Housing assignments are subject to change based on enrollment, space allotment, and the State of Michigan Executive Orders on Public Health. If your assignment does change you will be notified via email. Students may be asked to consolidate or move to new housing arrangements based on quarantine and isolation needs. In the event of temporary closures, restrictions, and/or adjustments to the academic schedule, Albion College shall not be obligated to issue refunds or credits, whether partial or full, for such interruptions or adjustments.