Skip to main content

Barnard College Columbia University

    • Academic Calendar
    • Campus Maps
    • Helpful Resources
    • Offices and Services
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • Staff
    • Alumnae
    • Parents
    • News
    • Events
    • Barnard Magazine
    • Media Relations
    • Community Messages
  • Give to Barnard
Barnard College Barnard College
  • Boldly Barnard

    • The College and its Mission
      • Facts & Stats
      • Bold History, Fearless Future
      • Accreditation
    • Knowledge & Action
    • Women Leading the Way
    • New York City
    • Our Partnership with Columbia University
    • A Fearless History
    • College Leadership
      • President Laura Rosenbury
      • Senior Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Provost
      • Dean of the College
      • Government Relations
      • Past Leaders of the College
      • President's Office
    • Offices & Services
  • The Academic Experience

    • An Education for Tomorrow
      • Learning Digitally
      • Building Strong Voices
      • NYC as a Lab
    • Barnard Global
    • The Barnard Degree
      • The Curriculum
      • Departments & Programs
      • Support & Resources
      • Deans' Office and Advising
      • Choosing Your Courses
      • Special Academic Programs & Experiences
    • The Faculty
    • Research & Scholarship
      • Academic Centers
      • Barnard International Artist Series
      • The Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning
      • Student Research Programs
      • Support for Faculty Research
      • Forum on Migration
      • Library
    • Provost & Dean of the Faculty
    • The Columbia Connection
    • Summer at Barnard
      • Summer Session
      • Pre-College Programs
      • Summer Conferences & Group Rentals
  • Our Campus & Community

    • Student Organizations
    • The Neighborhood
    • Athletics
    • LeFrak Center for Well-Being
    • CARES - Community Safety
      • CARES Department Staff
      • Response Team
      • Community Safety
      • Preparedness
      • Community Safety Advisory Council
    • On Campus
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Health & Wellness
      • Sustainability and Climate Action
      • Student Services
      • Residential Life & Housing
      • Parent & Family Resources
    • Summer Conferences and Group Rentals
    • The Toddler Center
  • Beyond Barnard

    • Prepare for Your Future
      • Alumnae Stories
      • A Lifelong Network
      • Data & Outcomes
      • Beyond Barnard Staff
      • What Does Beyond Barnard Offer?
    • Advising & Programs
      • One-on-One Career Advising
      • Peer Career Advisors
      • Career Insights
      • Focus Series
      • Conference Travel Funding
      • Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship Program
    • Internships
      • Liman Fellowship Program
      • Reinhart Richards Journalism Internships
      • Tow Foundation Public Service Interns
      • Zwas Community Impact Interns
      • Beyond Barnard Internship Program
      • GRoWing the Arts
      • Laidlaw Scholars Program
      • New Pathways Bridgewater Scholars
      • Summer Research Institute
    • Mentorship
      • Barnard Connect
      • Mentors-In-Residence
      • Ambassador Program
      • Executive Mentorship Program
      • Beyond Mentoring
    • Graduate & Professional School
      • Accelerated 4+1 Pathways
      • Health Professions at Beyond Barnard
      • BA/MA Pathways at Columbia University
    • Campus Roles
      • Professional Development & Feedback
      • Campus Role Policies
    • Fellowships
      • Fellowships Support
      • Fellowships Database
    • Employers & Partners
    • Barnard|Next: Lifelong Learning & Community
  • Admissions & Aid

    • Visit Opportunities
      • Visit Us Virtually
      • Around Our Campus
      • Visit Our Campus
      • Open House Events
    • How to Apply
      • First-Year Applicants
      • QuestBridge
      • Transfer Applicants
      • Visiting Students
      • International Applicants
      • Temporary Test-Optional Policy
      • Transgender Policy
    • Commitment to Access
    • Contact Us
      • Meet the Admissions Team
    • Financial Aid
      • Cost of Attendance
      • Estimate Your Eligibility
      • Understanding Your Aid
      • Contact Us
      • Apply for Aid
    • Apply To Pre-College Programs
  • Boldly Barnard

    • The College and its Mission
      • Facts & Stats
      • Bold History, Fearless Future
      • Accreditation
    • Knowledge & Action
    • Women Leading the Way
    • New York City
    • Our Partnership with Columbia University
    • A Fearless History
    • College Leadership
      • President Laura Rosenbury
      • Senior Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Provost
      • Dean of the College
      • Government Relations
      • Past Leaders of the College
      • President's Office
    • Offices & Services
  • The Academic Experience

    • An Education for Tomorrow
      • Learning Digitally
      • Building Strong Voices
      • NYC as a Lab
    • Barnard Global
    • The Barnard Degree
      • The Curriculum
      • Departments & Programs
      • Support & Resources
      • Deans' Office and Advising
      • Choosing Your Courses
      • Special Academic Programs & Experiences
        • FLI @ Barnard
          • Peer Academic Leader (PAL) Program
          • Spelman College Exchange Program
        • Double Degree Program with Jewish Theological Seminary
        • Resumed Baccalaureate
    • The Faculty
    • Research & Scholarship
      • Academic Centers
      • Barnard International Artist Series
      • The Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning
      • Student Research Programs
        • Beckman Scholars
        • Scholars of Distinction
        • Science Pathways Scholars Program (SP)²
        • Summer Research Institute
          • About the Summer Research Institute
          • 2025 SRI Program Details & Calendar
          • SRI Eligibility & Requirements
          • Finding a Research Mentor
          • Funding for SRI
          • Past Programs
          • The Lida Orzeck ’68 Poster Session
      • Support for Faculty Research
      • Forum on Migration
      • Library
    • Provost & Dean of the Faculty
    • The Columbia Connection
    • Summer at Barnard
      • Summer Session
      • Pre-College Programs
      • Summer Conferences & Group Rentals
  • Our Campus & Community

    • Student Organizations
    • The Neighborhood
    • Athletics
    • LeFrak Center for Well-Being
    • CARES - Community Safety
      • CARES Department Staff
      • Response Team
      • Community Safety
        • Annual Security & Fire Safety Report
        • Blue Light Locations
        • Campus Alert System
        • Crime Alerts
        • Transportation Services
        • Lost and Found
        • Safety Tips
      • Preparedness
        • Annual Security & Fire Safety Report
      • Community Safety Advisory Council
    • On Campus
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
        • Diversity Resource Hub
        • Employee Resource Groups
        • Fund for Innovation in Teaching
        • Institutional Commitments
        • Mission Statement
      • Health & Wellness
      • Sustainability and Climate Action
        • Circular Campus
        • Circular Community
        • Get Involved
        • Environmental Justice
        • Climate Action Vision
        • Academics
        • Finance & Governance
        • Campus Culture & Operations
        • Events
        • Give & Go Green and the Green Sale
        • Rheaply @ Barnard
          • Rheaply FAQ
        • Barnard Sustainability Student Leadership
        • Contact Us
      • Student Services
        • Campus Accessibility
        • BCIT Student Computing
        • International Student Services
          • New Full-Degree International Students
          • Current Full-Degree International Students
          • International Student Services Staff
          • Visiting International Students Programs
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • International Students
        • Opportunity Programs
          • Meet the Staff
          • CSTEP
          • HEOP
        • Resources for Barnard Staff
        • Student Experience & Engagement
        • Students' Roles and Responsibilities
          • The Honor Code
          • Student Code of Conduct
        • Leaves of Absence and Returns
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Types of Leaves of Absence
          • Returning from a Leave of Absence
      • Residential Life & Housing
        • New Students
          • Why Live in Campus Housing?
          • Applications & Assignments
          • Roommates
          • What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
          • Important Dates
        • Housing Options
          • Quad Residence Halls
          • Off-Quad Residence Halls
          • Residence Hall Bathrooms
          • Housing Exchange
            • Barnard Students Living at Columbia
            • Columbia Students Living at Barnard
          • Off-Campus Housing
          • Virtual Tour & Floor Plans
        • Residence Hall Handbook
          • Housing Agreement
          • Forms
          • Programs
          • Services
            • Repairs
            • Cable TV
            • Exterminators
            • Heating and Cooling
            • Internet Access & Computer Labs
            • Keys & Lock Changes
            • Laundry
            • Mail and Packages
            • Music Practice Rooms
            • Storage
          • Policies
            • Community Policies
            • Housing Policies
            • Guest Policies
          • Procedures
            • Apply for Housing
            • Moving In
            • Moving Out
            • Room Selection
              • Room Selection Calendar
              • Eligibility & Registration
              • Housing Lottery
              • Available Spaces
              • After Room Selection
              • Pre-Lottery Disability Housing
              • Housing Exchange
              • Guaranteed List
              • Frequently Asked Questions
            • Disability Housing Accommodations
            • Room Change & Swap Requests
              • Direct Swaps
              • Fall Room Changes
              • Mid-Year Room Changes
              • Spring Room Changes
              • Post-lottery
            • Winter Break
            • Summer Housing
          • Campus Safety & Emergency Response
          • Fire Safety
        • Important Dates
        • Employment Opportunities
          • Resident Assistants
          • Office Assistants
        • About the Department
          • Welcome to Campus Living
          • Mission & Goals
          • Partnership Statement
          • Staff Directory
          • Contact Information
        • RA Union Information
      • Parent & Family Resources
        • Parent Frequently Asked Questions
    • Summer Conferences and Group Rentals
    • The Toddler Center
  • Beyond Barnard

    • Prepare for Your Future
      • Alumnae Stories
      • A Lifelong Network
      • Data & Outcomes
      • Beyond Barnard Staff
      • What Does Beyond Barnard Offer?
    • Advising & Programs
      • One-on-One Career Advising
      • Peer Career Advisors
      • Career Insights
      • Focus Series
        • Arts Focus
        • Consulting Focus
        • Law Focus
        • Nonprofit Focus
        • Tech Focus
      • Conference Travel Funding
      • Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship Program
    • Internships
      • Liman Fellowship Program
      • Reinhart Richards Journalism Internships
      • Tow Foundation Public Service Interns
      • Zwas Community Impact Interns
      • Beyond Barnard Internship Program
      • GRoWing the Arts
      • Laidlaw Scholars Program
      • New Pathways Bridgewater Scholars
      • Summer Research Institute
    • Mentorship
      • Barnard Connect
      • Mentors-In-Residence
      • Ambassador Program
      • Executive Mentorship Program
      • Beyond Mentoring
    • Graduate & Professional School
      • Accelerated 4+1 Pathways
        • 4+1 Pathway: Engineering
        • 4+1 Pathway: International & Public Affairs
        • 4+1 Pathway: Public Health
        • 4+1 Pathway: Harriman Institute
        • 4+1 Pathway: Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences
      • Health Professions at Beyond Barnard
      • BA/MA Pathways at Columbia University
    • Campus Roles
      • Professional Development & Feedback
      • Campus Role Policies
    • Fellowships
      • Fellowships Support
      • Fellowships Database
    • Employers & Partners
    • Barnard|Next: Lifelong Learning & Community
  • Admissions & Aid

    • Visit Opportunities
      • Visit Us Virtually
      • Around Our Campus
      • Visit Our Campus
      • Open House Events
    • How to Apply
      • First-Year Applicants
        • The Application Process
        • Special Programs for First-Year Applicants
        • Double Degree Program with the Jewish Theological Seminary
        • Homeschooled Applicants
      • QuestBridge
      • Transfer Applicants
      • Visiting Students
      • International Applicants
      • Temporary Test-Optional Policy
      • Transgender Policy
    • Commitment to Access
    • Contact Us
      • Meet the Admissions Team
        • Jennifer Fondiller '88
        • Julia Barnett
        • Christina Lopez
        • Ruby Bhattacharya
        • Virginia Hart
        • Grace Bradley
        • Danielle Schiestle
        • Erick Gredonia
        • Lucy Jurina
        • James Gallagher
        • Priscilla Kong '22
        • Ellie George '23
        • Zara Ding '23
    • Financial Aid
      • Cost of Attendance
      • Estimate Your Eligibility
      • Understanding Your Aid
      • Contact Us
      • Apply for Aid
    • Apply To Pre-College Programs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Campus Maps
    • Helpful Resources
    • Offices and Services
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • Staff
    • Alumnae
    • Parents
    • News
    • Events
    • Barnard Magazine
    • Media Relations
    • Community Messages
  • Give to Barnard
Residential Life & Housing > Handbook > Procedures > Room Changes

Direct Swaps

  • Direct Swaps
  • Fall Room Changes
  • Mid-Year Room Changes
  • Spring Room Changes
  • Post-lottery
Semester Request Form Opens Request  Form Closes
Fall Tuesday, September 10, 2024 12noon Thursday, November 21, 2024
Spring Friday, January 24, 2025 12noon Thursday, April 17, 2025

What is a Direct Swap?

A Direct Swap request is when two students want to “swap” room assignments with each other. Students can look for others to potentially swap with and confirm those requests through the Housing Portal (see below).

Students must receive permission from the Res Life office to swap rooms (even within the same suite). As it is vitally important to your safety & security that records accurately reflect where students live on campus, students who swap or move rooms without permission could be subject to disciplinary action and would be required to move back to their original assigned space.

To look for a Direct Swap, log into the Housing Portal and click FORMS > Look for a Room Swap.

  • How to Look for a Direct Swap (PDF)

Students experiencing challenges living with their roommate or suitemates are encouraged to try mediation with the help of their RA or other Res Life staff members first before submitting a room swap request.

The College expects all students living in a multiple and/or suite discuss any potential room swaps with their current roommate/suitemates, as well as any new roommate/suitemates that would result from a room swap. This is intended to ensure a positive & smooth transition for all parties involved.

Upperclass students who wish to change rooms but cannot find another person to swap with through the Portal may submit a Fall, Mid-Year, or Spring Room Change Request.

The students who wish to swap must be the students to fill out the form and submit the request via the Portal. If you submit a request on the Portal, you would be the one to move (not your roommate).

  • First years may only swap with other first-year students
  • Barnard Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors may swap with other upperclass students in Barnard housing
  • Columbia University students living in Barnard residence halls are not eligible to swap rooms and there is no switching permitted between Barnard & Columbia residence halls. Columbia students should direct any questions regarding room change requests to the CU Housing office.

Room Swap Requests must be submitted before 12noon on Thursdays in order for students to be considered for approval & to be able to move that weekend. Any requests submitted after 12 noon Thursday would not be reviewed or approved until the following week.

Student may not switch rooms unless their submitted Room Swap Request is approved by Residential Life & Housing. Requests are generally approved, but processing time may vary. The College reserves the right to deny requests.

If approved for a room swap, students will need to follow the instructions & timeline provided to them by the Res Life office.

  • Students may not swap room keys.
  • Students will sign for new room keys at the Res Life Office (open 9am-5pm) on the Friday of their approved swap weekend. Only the student themself may pick up their keys and must do so between 9am-5pm.
  • Students must coordinate with each other to move out of their old room and into their new room by 11pm on the Sunday of their approved room swap weekend.
  • Students will use the special Blue Room Change Envelope they are given to turn in their old room keys to the Res Life office or Sulzberger Front Desk by 12noon on the Monday following their approved room swap weekend.
  • Students who do return their old keys will be subject to a $100 improper check-out fee and $100 per key lock change fee.
  • Room swaps must be completed the weekend they are approved for. Room swaps will be cancelled for students who don't sign for their new room keys.

Note: room swaps will not be approved to take place during Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, or Spring Break. Room Swap Requests submitted before or during those breaks would only be approved to take place over the weekend following the break.

Students who move into (or out of) a Studio Single will be charged a prorated increase (or receive a prorated credit) for the rest of the semester.  

Upperclass students who complete a room change into floors 2-8 of the Quad are required to enroll, at minimum, in the Quad Upperclass Meal Plan. First Year students living in campus housing are required to remain enrolled in the Platinum Meal Plan, regardless of room assignment.

If you have any questions about the Room Swap Request process, please email housing@barnard.edu or stop by the Residential Life & Housing office (110 Sulzberger).

Site Footer

Footer

  • Career Opportunities
  • Visit
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Nondiscrimination & Title IX
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Accessibility

Copyright © 2025 Barnard College | Columbia University | 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 | 212.854.5262