Mid-Year Room Changes

Students interesting in moving to a different room for the Spring semester may submit a Mid-Year Room Change Request.

If you'd like a different room but don't want the hassle of moving out before Winter Break, check out Spring Room Change Requests and/or Direct Swaps instead. Those happen after the Spring semester starts.

Mark Your Calendars! (2025-26 Dates) +

How to Request a Change +

• How to Submit a Room Change Request (PDF)
• You’ll provide ranked preferences for the building and room types you’d be willing to move to.
• Requests are prioritized by class year, so keep that in mind. No guarantees, but we'll do our best!
• Want a specific room? You can write a specific room number on your request. If you've found someone you'd like to ask to swap with, you both need to submit a request form and name each other. Just remember, specific rooms can't be guaranteed.
• Heads up to your roomie! You must let your current roommate(s) know you're requesting a move. This gives them a chance to find a new roommate or request a change themselves.

A few extra things to know:

• Need a housing accommodation not already approved by CARDS? Submit a Housing Accommodation Request by the priority deadline above.
• First Years: You can totally request a room change, but you can only be moved to other First Year housing. No hopping up to upperclass res halls just yet!
• Columbia students: If you're a CU student living in a Barnard dorm, you aren't eligible for this process. You'll need to check in with CU Housing for your options.

The Results Are In: +

We'll email you by 11pm on December 11 to let you know if you've been assigned to a new room. If you are, your new assignment is final and binding which means you have to move.

If you don't get a new assignment, you'll stay in your current room for the Spring. You can always try again with a Spring Room Change Request or look for a 1-for-1 Room Swap.

Moving Out and Moving In: All the Details!

Moving Out of Your Fall Room +

• You must be completely moved out by 9am on Friday, December 19. No exceptions!
• Leave your room clean for the next person to move in.
• Turn in your keys via a check-out envelope in your res hall lobby. And scan the QR Code on the envelope to submit the Confirm Check-Out Form.
• If you don't move into your new room on December 19, you can't leave anything behind in your old room/suite or in common areas over Winter Break. So plan to take all your belongings with you or find a friend who can store them.

Fees to avoid:

• $100 Improper Check-Out Fee
• $100 per key Lock Change Fee (if you don’t return keys)

Moving Into Your Spring Room +

Students will two options to sign for new room keys:

Option 1: Get Keys in December

• Sign for new keys 9am - 11am on December 19. Access to Spring room is not available before then.
• If you get your keys on this day, you'll have until 11am to finish moving out of your old room (but no longer!)
• Students should be packed in advance due to the short window of time to relocate
• Your new room will be "as-is" because there's no time for cleaning.
• Students may need to coordinate with someone moving out of their new Spring room or moving into their old Fall room.

Option 2: Get Keys in January:

• If you wait until January, you'll need to take all your belongings home or store your stuff somewhere else over break. There is no storage available on campus.
• But you can request to have your new room cleaned! (see below)
• Sign for new Room keys: 
  • Sat, Jan 17: 10am–2pm
  • Sun, Jan 18: 10am–5pm
  • Mon, Jan 19: 10am–5pm
  • Tue, Jan 20: 9:30am–5pm

If you return to campus during Winter Break, you can sign for your keys during the times below:

• Jan 2 (Fri): 9:30am–5pm
• Jan 5–9 (Mon–Fri): 9:30am–5pm
• Jan 12–15 (Mon–Thu): 9:30am–5pm
• Jan 16 (Fri): 9:30am–3pm
• ⛔ No evening or weekend check-ins are available!

Want Your New Room Cleaned? +

If you're picking up your keys in January, you can request to have your new room cleaned over the break.

• Requests must be submitted by December 16 (instructions will be shared with those who receive room changes).
• Only available for Singles and Doubles where both Fall residents move out
• Mid-year room cleanings are not available for 110th St. Students assigned to new rooms in 110th St will move-in on an as-is basis.
• You must confirm you won't be moving in until January 17 or later
• Otherwise, students will move in to rooms on an "ai-is" basis.

Billing & Meal Plan Info +

First Years: All rooms are the same rate and require the Platinum Meal Plan, so your Spring bill will not change.

Upperclass Students: Most rooms have the same rate, so your Spring bill probably won't change unless you move into a Studio Single or into Hewitt (which requires the Flex 150 Meal Plan). Any changes to your bill will show up on your student account after room changes are finalized.

Questions? +

Check out Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!).

If you have additional questions, stop by the Res Life office to talk to a staff member or email housing@barnard.edu.