Stepping Out

Housing

Why do you “overbook” the residence halls for fall semester? What is temporary housing?

At the beginning of the academic year, some residents may be assigned as a third person in a room, to a converted study lounge, or as a roommate of a resident advisor—a situation known as temporary (or expanded) housing. Temporary housing can occur whenever demand (number of students who want to live on campus) exceeds supply (number of standard occupancy bed spaces in the residence halls); however, temporary housing is usually assigned only to students who hold conditional housing contracts.

Students who accept conditional contracts are guaranteed on-campus housing, but they understand that they will be among the last assigned. Initially, this could mean a temporary assignment until permanent space becomes available through no-shows and withdrawals. By offering conditional contracts in excess of our standard occupancy (which allows us to accommodate more students who want to live on campus), we provide a needed and affordable service to students and their parents. Without temporary housing, these students would be forced to seek more expensive and less convenient off-campus housing.

How do students apply for on-campus housing?

Incoming first-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing under the university’s first-year residency rule. After that first year, students who want to live on campus must participate in the Housing Application Process (also known as HAP or the housing lottery). HAP is a one-stage, online sign-up that occurs each January for the upcoming academic year. Entries are placed in a random-number program. In February, students receive a resulting generated numbers, which reflects his or her assignment priority to a specific space. In recent years, we have made first-round housing offers to 85 percent or more of students seeking on-campus housing. Students who did not receive an initial offer frequently received a housing contract later in the summer.

What if roommates don’t get along?

When roommate problems occur, residents can count on Student Programs staff for support and assistance in finding options! Some roommates may find it more difficult to live with each other than others because of different backgrounds, values, goals, and ideas. Many sources of potential conflict between roommates can be solved with good communication.

The first step in solving any conflict is to determine what the issues are. The next step is for the roommates to talk. It can be difficult to start this conversation, but it is necessary to solve the situation. The resident advisor can provide hints regarding how to better communicate during this meeting. RAs are trained in communication, leadership, confrontation, assertiveness, and conflict mediation. Finally, if things just aren’t working out (for any reason), a resident can obtain a current vacancy list from the area office as the first step toward a room change.

Why must residents evacuate their residence hall every time there’s a fire alarm, even if it’s just a drill?

We take our residents’ welfare seriously, and that includes fire safety! When the alarm sounds, residents must ALWAYS evacuate completely, and not return to the building until the “all clear” is given. Failure to evacuate during any fire alarm, real or drill, will result in a judicial referral and possibly a serious sanction. Similarly, turning in false alarms or tampering with fire safety equipment will result in severe consequences.

Each residence hall is required to schedule one fire drill per year in order to comply with the Virginia state fire code. The drill provides residents and staff with practice in the event of a real fire or other evacuation emergency. Alarms and other components of the fire safety system are checked to see that they are working properly.

Fire drills generally occur from mid-October through early November, between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. In accordance with the university room entry policy, residents receive prior notification of the general timeframe for the scheduled alarm. University staff supervise the evacuation, and enter 10 percent of student rooms (selected at random) to verify proper operation of the room alarm and evacuation of residents. Following the drill, residents receive a report and feedback on the evacuation process. Nothing is more important than our residents’ safety!

What are Theme Housing Programs?

Theme Housing Programs are residentially based learning communities in which students who share a common interest or academic focus are housed in the same residence hall or floor. Virginia Tech has a number of theme housing options available for both first-year and upperclassmen students.

How do I apply to a theme housing program?

The procedures vary, depending on which program a student is applying. For more information, go to the online theme housing application.

How do I apply to become a resident advisor (RA)?

Information about RA applications for next academic year is available in early November. Please visit Residence Life for more details.

How can I find a place to live off campus?

The Off-Campus Housing Office in 123 Squires Student Center can help you start your search for a place to live. You can also search online at www.uusa.vt.edu for a database of available housing.

I live off campus and have a problem with my roommates—who can help me?

Staff members in the Student Life Office can assist and help you develop a plan, offer some advice, or help mediate a situation among roommates. You can stop by the office in 152 Henderson Hall, call 231-3787, or e-mail.

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