Temporary Housing And You!
A Guide To Your Temporary Housing Placement
Why Schools House Students in Temporary Accommodations
It's common for colleges and universities across the nation to offer temporary housing to students. The biggest reason why has to do with how students are admitted which, at best, is an inexact science. It's often very difficult to determine the exact number of beds available until just weeks before classes begin. In the meantime, temporary housing situations are offered. In a good number of cases, beds in standard rooms open prior to or shortly after the school year begins; however, it is also possible that standard rooms won't open until much later, if at all. Each school year is different.
Why Me?
We use a variety of criteria when assigning housing, the most important being roommate compatibility. You may be placed in temporary housing if your hall choice was not available or space was not available with a compatible roommate. Also, if you did not submit a housing preference form, you may initially be placed in temporary housing until we can get to know you and can determine a compatible roommate for you. We also consider the date Augustana received your tuition deposit. The college begins to receive deposits as early as September, so it's possible that some of our later deposits...especially those received near or after May 1...may qualify a student for temporary housing.
What is Temporary Housing?
At Augustana, we use two types of rooms for overage housing:
Guest Rooms
Five guestrooms are available in Erickson Residence Center. These rooms are similar in size to a standard room, and are furnished with the same functional college furnishings available in standard rooms. Telephone, computer, and cable jacks are available. Occupancy ranges from one to three, depending on the room.
Flex Spaces
Each residence hall has flex spaces with multiple uses. In years of higher enrollments, these spaces provide comfortable living areas. Flex spaces are spacious, often carpeted, private, and offer all the same amenities of a standard room including telephone/cable/computer jacks and locking doors. Typically, four to five students are assigned to each flex area. Students who are assigned to flex areas are the first to relocate when permanent beds are available. When not needed for residential living, the areas are furnished with sofas, chairs and tables to be utilized by students for study and recreation.
Room Rate Information
The room rates for temporary assignments are less than the standard room rate. Once you move out of the temporary room your rates will be pro-rated to reflect your new room rate.
How Does the Relocation Process Work?
When a sufficient number of beds are available, temporarily-housed students will be required to move. Relocation timing is based on several variables: the number and type of openings that develop in the system, the preferences and desires of temporarily-housed students as well as those in rooms with open beds. In some cases, we are able to make a permanent placement before the student arrives on campus. While every attempt is made to relocate students by the end of fall term, it is possible that some students will remain in temporary housing for longer periods of time. There is a possibility that students will remain in flex spaces the entire school year. Please remember, it's often not possible to keep roommates from the temporary room together. If beds in standard rooms are not available by winter break, you will be allowed to permanently reside in your temporary room until the end of the school year.
What You Can Do To Assure The Best Outcome
There are two things you can do to ensure you are comfortable with your housing assignment: maintain a regular dialogue with your Area Coordinator (AC) and keep an eye out for a permanent room. The better you know your Area Coordinator, the easier it will be for you to make a smooth transition. Also, if you have an idea where and when you would like to move, the transfer process will be much easier for all involved. This contact may be accomplished by phone or by e-mail. Personal meetings can easily be arranged by contacting your AC to schedule an appointment. Area Coordinator Contact Information is available online.
Your AC can provide you with information regarding open rooms in your hall. In addition, you will receive regular e-mails from the Office of Residential Life informing you of standard room vacancies available in the residential system. If you see a possible opening that looks promising please feel free to contact the AC of that hall. Often, he or she can give you more information to help you in the decision-making process.
We expect that you will respond to voicemail or e-mail messages from your AC or the Office of Residential Life. When open beds are offered, failure to respond within 48 hours will be interpreted as your acceptance of that room assignment.
Questions?
Contact your Area Coordinator or the Office of Residential Life at 309-794-2686.
