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 > Room Swap) to look for other students interested in swapping rooms.
- Discuss potential swaps: You should talk to potential new roommate/suitemates and the other student should talk to your current roommate/suitemates, to ensure the swap would be a positive transition for all parties involved
- Submit your request: Once you and the other student confirm you'd like to swap, finalize the request on the Housing Portal.
- Pro-Tip: Submit your request before noon on Thursdays to be considered for a swap that weekend.
- Get it approved: Your request will be reviewed by Res Life.
- Move in! After your request is reviewed & approved, you'll get the details on how & when to move into your new room (see "Approved Swaps" below).
When Are Swaps Available?
- Fall -- Available starting Friday, September 11, through 12noon Thursday, November 19, 2026
- Spring -- Available starting Friday, January 22, through 12noon Thursday, April 15, 2027
Who Can Swap?
- First-years can only swap with other first-years.
- Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors can only swap with other upperclass students.
- Columbia students living in Barnard residence halls can may submit requests to swap within their current suite.
- There is no swapping between Barnard & Columbia residence halls.
Important Things to Know!
- 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!
- 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!
- Meal plans may change: If you are an upperclassman moving into Hewitt and aren't already enrolled in the Flex 150 meal plan, the Bursar's office will enroll you and your account would be billed the prorated change in price.
- Studio Singles: If you are moving into (or out of) a Studio Single at 110th Street, 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:
- Where: Res Life Office (110 Sulzberger)
- When: Between 9am - 5pm
- Heads up! Only you can sign for your room 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 11pm on Sunday. 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.
- You'll be given a Blue Room Change Envelope for your old room keys.
- Return them to the Res Life Office or the check-out box in the Sulzberger Hall lobby by 10am on Monday.
- 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
- Don't just swap keys! You must go through the official process to get new keys from the Res Life Office.
- You must complete your room swap on the weekend it was approved for. If you don't sign for your new room keys, your swap will be cancelled.
- Room swaps are not approved during Fall, Thanksgiving, or Spring Break. Any requests submitted before or during a break will be held for considersation after the break.