Looking to swap rooms? A 1-for-1 Room Swap is when two students want to exchange room assignments. It’s the official and only way to swap rooms, so make sure you follow the steps below.
Students having challenges living with their roommate or suitemates are encouraged to try mediation first with the help of their RA or Community Director before submitting a room swap request.
How to Look for a Room Swap (PDF)
Questions? Email Housing@barnard.edu, call 212-854-5561, or stop by the Res Life office (110 Sulzberger)
How to Do a Direct Swap: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Find your swap: Log in to the Housing Portal (and click FORMS > Direct Swap) to look for other students interested in swapping rooms.
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Discuss potential swaps: You should should talk to potential new roommate/suitemates and the other students should talk to your current roommate/suitemates, to ensure the swap would be a positive transition for all parties involved
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Submit your request: Once you and the other student confirm you'd like to swap, finalize the request on the Housing Portal.
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Pro-Tip: Make sure to submit your request before noon on Thursdays to be considered for a move that weekend.
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Get it approved: Your request will be reviewed by Res Life.
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Move in! After your request is reviewed & approved, you'll get the details on when and how to move into your new room (see "Approved Swaps" below).
When Are Swaps Available?
- Fall -- Available starting Monday, September 8, through 12noon Thursday, November 20, 2025
- Spring -- Available starting Monday, January 26, through 12noon Thursday, April 16, 2026
Who Can Swap?
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First-years can only swap with other first-years.
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Upperclassmen can only swap with other upperclassmen.
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Swaps are not available between Barnard and Columbia students and/or rooms.
Important Things to Know!
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Your keys are a big deal: You must sign for new room keys and return your old keys when you finish moving. A lost key is a fee you don't want!
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Don't skip the process! Students who fail to follow this procedure will be required to move back to their assigned rooms and could face disciplinary action. Always get your swap approved by Res Life first!
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Meal plans may change: If you are an upperclassman moving into Hewitt and aren't already enrolled in the Flex 150 meal plan, your billing will be adjusted to reflect that change.
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Studio Singles: If you are moving into (or out of) a Studio Single, your billing will also be adjusted.
Approved Swaps: Your Weekend Timeline
Got your swap approved? Awesome! Now, follow these steps to make sure your move goes smoothly.
Step 1: Get Your New Keys
On the Friday of your approved swap weekend, you must sign for your new room keys:
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Where: Res Life Office (110 Sulzberger)
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When: Between 9am - 5pm
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Heads up! Only you can pick up your keys. The office will not release them to anyone else.
Step 2: Make the Move
You and your swap partner must move out of your old rooms and into your new rooms by 11 p.m. on Sunday. Make sure to coordinate with each other to get this done on time!
Step 3: Return Your Old Keys
After you've moved, you must return your old room keys.
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You'll be given a Blue Room Change Envelope for your old room keys.
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Return them to the Res Life Office or the check-out box in the Sulzberger Hall lobby by 10am on Monday.
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Warning! If you don't return your old keys, you'll be charged a $100 improper check-out fee and an additional $100 lock change fee per key.
Important Rules to Remember
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Don't just swap keys! You must go through the official process to get new keys from the Res Life Office.
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Your room swap must be completed on the weekend it was approved for. If you don't pick up your new keys, your swap will be cancelled.
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Room swaps are not approved during Fall, Thanksgiving, or Spring Break. Any requests submitted before or during a break will be approved to take place on the weekend following the break.