Mid-Year Room Changes

If you're interested in moving to a different room for the Spring semester, you can submit a Mid-Year Room Change Request.

If you want a new room but don't want the hassle of moving out before Winter Break, you might want to look into a Spring Room Change or a Direct Swap 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 put down a specific room number in your request. If you've already found someone you want 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 have to 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 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 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 +

You have two options for key pickup:

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 elsewhere over break. There is no storage available.
• 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 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 would 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 at minimum). 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 additonal questions, stop by the Res Life office to talk to a staff member or email housing@barnard.edu.