Room Transfers

Related Policies

Room Assignment
Room Selection
Room Swaps

Introduction

Room transfers are at the discretion of Residential Life. For immediate support and resources navigating a difficult living arrangement, students should contact their RA or Hall Director. Residential Life staff can assist in providing strategies for various challenges and can offer support services, including roommate mediation conversations. 

Please note that singles are typically not available for transfer requests; students currently residing in a double will be able to explore options for relocating to another double. 

Due to limited availability, transfer requests are not guaranteed.

Fall Semester Room Transfer Request Period

Transfer requests can be submitted through the Transfer Request Form during the request period. The room transfer period closes after the fourth week of classes and transfer requests received after the deadline will not be processed. 

Spring Semester Room Transfer Request Period

Requests can be submitted between the third and fourth week of classes during the spring semester. Please see the Housing Calendar for specific dates. The room transfer period closes after the fourth week of classes and transfer requests received after the period has closed will not be processed. 

Submission of the Transfer Request Application is Binding

Once a transfer is authorized, the student agrees to abide by the following:

  • If Columbia Housing can accommodate one of the student’s choices, the student will be required to move on the next approved move day (either Tuesday or Friday). Failure to move within 24 hours of notification forfeits the transfer request.
  • If students begin moving and do not complete the move within the assigned moving timeframe, the items in their old room will be considered trash and discarded. 
  • Pay the charges for the space into which the student transfers, from the day the transfer becomes effective until the last day of the occupancy period.
  • Pay the charges for the space from which the student transfers, from the first day of the contract period until the day the transfer becomes effective, until all personal property is removed and the keys are returned, whichever is later.
  • Students must remove all belongings, complete Check-Out at the Hartley Desk, return or deactivate all room and suite keys and access, and notify Housing when the move is completed.

Once the transfer has been completed, the following information will appear on the student account:

  • A prorated daily charge for the room the student is leaving, up to the date of transfer or until all personal property is removed and the keys are returned or access deactivated, whichever is later.
  • A prorated daily charge for the new room, effective the date of transfer.

The room charges on the student’s bill will be split between the two rooms.

  • Upperclass students cannot transfer into first year spaces, and vice versa.
  • If students are discovered living in a room other than the one for which they have a signed Occupancy Agreement, they will be charged a $100 administrative fee and will be required to return to their assigned room.
  • Students who are approved to transfer will likely be reassigned to a building that matches their class standing. 
  • There will be no room transfers during Winter break. All moving must take place by the fall semester Check-Out date.

Transfer requests should be submitted within the request period. Requests received after this period will not be processed.

  1. Students should complete the Room Transfer Request Form.
  2. The student’s HD will contact the student and may request a meeting to better understand their concerns. Please note that due to limited availability, transfer requests may only be accommodated in certain extenuating circumstances.
  3. If the transfer request is approved, the HD will coordinate with Housing to explore options for alternate assignment. The student will have the opportunity to discuss the alternate options with the HD before the transfer is initiated.
  4. Housing will communicate instructions to the student for relocating and signing an updated occupancy agreement. 

Living with a Roommate

Across campus, many students have the opportunity to live together in double rooms. This shared living experience can be a valuable one for students during their time at Columbia.

When sharing a living space, it is important to establish shared expectations for cohabitating. These expectations can cover sleep/study times, sharing of each others’ belongings, guests, alcohol usage (for residents 21 and older), and more. 

Within the first few weeks of the semester, RAs will distribute roommate agreements to all residents with roommates. Roommates should jointly complete these documents and return them to their RA by the announced due date. Residents are encouraged to engage their roommates in open, honest conversations about their needs and desires for a comfortable living space. If residents would like assistance in navigating these conversations, they should speak with their RA.  

If during the course of the year a resident experiences a conflict with their roommate, they are encouraged to approach their roommate to discuss the concern. If the concern is related to a violation of the roommate agreement, the resident can use the agreement to help facilitate the conversation. If a resident needs assistance navigating this conversation, they should speak with their RA.  

Residents may also contact their hall director for support in managing challenging roommate dynamics. Given limited housing availability on campus, room transfers for reasons related to standard roommate conflicts cannot always be accommodated. Residential Life makes every effort to work with roommate pairs to resolve conflicts and ensure a comfortable living situation for all residents.

Living within a Suite

In various residence halls (East Campus, Ruggles, 47 Claremont, Hogan, and some brownstones), residents live in suite settings and share amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. This shared living experience can be a valuable one for students during their time at Columbia.

When sharing a suite, it is important to establish shared expectations for the space. These expectations can cover cleaning responsibilities, sharing of each others’ belongings, guests, alcohol usage (for residents 21 and older), and more. 

Importantly, suite residents are responsible for cleaning and upkeeping the common spaces of the suite, including regular cleaning of bathrooms and kitchens. Housing recommends that residents use a roommate chore chart.

Within the first few weeks of the semester, RAs will distribute suitemate agreements to all residents of suites. Suitemates should jointly complete these documents and return them to their RA by the announced due date. Residents are encouraged to engage their suitemates in open, honest conversations about their needs and desires for a comfortable living space. If residents would like assistance in navigating these conversations, they should speak with their RA.  

If during the course of the year a resident experiences a conflict with their suitemates, they are encouraged to approach their suitemates to discuss the concern. If the concern is related to a violation of the suitemate agreement, the resident can use the agreement to help facilitate the conversation. If a resident needs assistance navigating this conversation, they should speak with their RA.  

Residents may also contact their hall director for support in managing challenging suite dynamics. Given limited housing availability on campus, room transfers for reasons related to standard suitemate conflicts cannot always be accommodated. Residential Life makes every effort to work with suites to resolve conflicts and ensure a comfortable living situation for all residents.