Room Change Process

Each year after move-in, the Office of Residence Life staff verifies that all students have moved into their assigned spaces. All room change requests are on hold until these checks are complete, which is typically two to three weeks into each semester. After the team has confirmed vacant rooms, these spaces are offered to students during the room change process.

Throughout the academic year, there are two opportunities for students to request a room change. These include:

The Open Room Change Process

The Open Room Change process will begin two to three weeks after the start of the semester. Participating students will attend an event to review empty spaces with the Housing Administration team. Students will be emailed additional instructions prior to the start of the event. Room changes are offered based on availability and because of this, we encourage students to consider many options and be flexible with their choices. The more flexible students are with their preferences, the higher the likelihood that there will be available spaces. As per our Family Communication Philosophy, students should be the primary attendee for the Open Room Change process and should relay any decisions and information to their family members. No third parties will be allowed to select for someone else at the event. During the process, students will select a room. They must begin their move the following business day.

The Room Change Waiting List Process

At the conclusion of the Open Room Change Process, students are required to participate in a roommate mediation before a room change is granted. Residence Life staff are trained to review roommate agreement forms, discuss living habits and help students come to a consensus on how they would like to improve their relationships with their roommates. Students requesting a room change must meet with their Resident Assistant and/or Area Coordinators (AC) to initiate this process.

If the Area Coordinator determines that a room change would be the best course of action for the student, they will refer the student to the Room Change Waiting List. Students are then expected to fill out the Room Change Waiting List form. Students are encouraged to consider a variety of room types/options to have the best opportunity to move.

The Room Change Waiting List is reviewed on a weekly basis and offers are made via Spartan email accounts. One room option will be given to the student along with the names and emails of the students who live in that space. Students have 48 hours to make a decision on whether they accept the move or not.

If the student declines the offered room, they will remain in their current room, and can request to stay on the waiting list to be considered for other rooms in the future. The student will be moved to the end of the list and will be considered again after all the new requests have been reviewed.
If the student does not respond to the offer by the provided deadline, the request will be rescinded, and the room change request will be rejected. Additional offers will not be made. If the student wishes to move again in the future, they will need to restart the process by reaching out to the Area Coordinator of their community.
If the student accepts the offer, they will be sent instructions via email on how to complete their move. Students will not receive any other offers after their waiting list room is approved. If the student would like to seek a new room change after being moved, they will need to start the process over again by making an appointment with their Resident Assistant or Area Coordinator.

Additional Information About the Room Change Process

Room changes are not guaranteed.
Immediate moves may not be possible due to the limited nature of vacant spaces on campus.
The Room Change Waiting List will remain open through early November in the fall and mid-April in the spring.
Moves with a group of students may not be possible due to limited options. Most empty bed spaces will be in separate suites and apartments, so students are more likely to move if they ask to move independently.
All students in the group must submit their own room change request in order to be considered for a room change.
If students need to change their room preferences, be removed from a group, or cancel their room change, it is their responsibility to contact Residence Life in writing.
Daily and weekly updates on the status of room changes are not able to be provided due to the volume of requests we receive. If students do not receive a room change offer, then a room change is not possible for them at this time.
After students are approved for a room change, they must follow this checklist of correct move-out procedures:
- Remove all belongings from the room and common spaces
- Clean the space
- Make a check-out appointment with an RA in the building
- Return their key to their RA
- Failure to follow these directions may result in improper room change, cleaning, damage, trash removal or lock change fees being assessed.

To increase the possibility of moving as soon as possible, please consider doing the following:

Consider moving independently. Empty spaces can be limited and may be located in separate suites or apartments.
Consider multiple buildings. If you only list one residence hall, then your chances of moving may be limited.
Consider multiple room types (singles, doubles).

Please note that room rates vary across campus and that there are specific meal plans required for certain areas. Please review the housing and meal plan rates on our website before requesting to be moved to a different type of room or to a different area: ut.edu/residencelife/rates. By requesting to live in a certain area, you accept any rate changes that the room change requires.

If you live in Barrymore or Jenkins, you are required to have a 12-meal plan or higher. Only those living in Urso, Straz and Palm; RAs; or those off campus can have a 7-meal plan. If you move to a location where a 12-meal plan is required and you are currently on a 7-meal plan, your meal plan may be increased to the required level when you move.

You can explore each residence hall from this page: ut.edu/residencelife/halls

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Room Change Process