General Room Selection Questions | Appointment Request | Group Formation | Room Selection Tips and Resources | Boston Area Co-Op/Internship Housing

Last updated: 2/21/2023

Newly Admitted Students for Fall 2023

I will be a new first-year or transfer student for fall 2023, how do I apply for on-campus housing?

The University requires and guarantees housing for newly admitted first year students, and additionally guarantees transfer students housing if they submit their preference application between June 1, 2023 and July 14, 2023. If you are a newly admitted student for Fall 2023, you will receive more information in May as students become fully matriculated. For now, please refer to the New Undergraduate page. 

General Room Selection Questions

Who is eligible to participate in fall 2023 room selection?

The following students are eligible to participate in Fall 2023 Room Selection:

-All students who currently live on campus and are expected to be active students for fall 2023.
-All students returning from a University Approved Study Abroad Program who lived on campus prior to leaving for their program.

Students included in the above groups who are also members of the Commonwealth Honors College in good standing will receive a separate appointment to select from available suite and apartment spaces in the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community.

Students who are projected to graduate in spring or summer 2023 are not eligible to participate in fall room selection processes.  If your projected graduation term in SPIRE is prior to fall 2023, but you expect to be an active student, please update your expected graduation term in SPIRE as soon as possible to be eligible for this process.

Detailed explanations of the available processes and eligibility can be found on the main Fall 2023 Room Selection website.

What happens if I miss the appointment request deadline?

Residential Life expects more students to request an on-time appointment for fall 2023 room selection than there will be available spaces on campus.  Students who do not request a fall 2023 room selection appointment by March 23 at 11:59pm will not receive an appointment and will not be eligible to select an assignment or group form within the available processes.  If you did not request an appointment before March 23 at 11:59pm, your next opportunity to secure an assignment will be as part of the Unassigned Fall Room Selection process, outlined below.  This process will take place after all new first-year and transfer students have been assigned.

Based on this, we are not able to guarantee that students who request an appointment for the Unassigned Fall Room Selection process will be able to select a space for fall 2023 and strongly encourage them to begin researching Off Campus Housing options.  

Appointment Request: July 1 - August 4, 2023 at 11:59pm
Appointments Post: August 8 at 3:00pm
Room Selection: August 9 - August 18 at 4:00pm

Students who miss the appointment request deadline are also strongly encouraged to research off campus housing options as well.

I am a Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) or University Without Walls (UWW) student.  When can I select housing?

Residential Life is required to offer selection opportunities to all current on- campus and new undergraduate students before spaces can be offering to CPE or UWW students.  Based on this, Residential Life is not able to offer CPW or UWW students housing options until all undergraduate student demand is met.  Spaces will only be offered if there are vacancies at that time.  Please check with Residential Life Assignments in mid-August if you are interested in living on campus for fall 2023.

I haven't decided if I intend to live on campus for fall 2023.  What do you suggest?

Students who are unsure about their fall housing plans are strongly encouraged to request an appointment.  This allows you to see available spaces and make a decision based on the options available when your appointment begins.  Please only select an assignment if you intend to live on campus.  Students who select an assignment and later cancel are subject to the Cancellation Fee Schedule.

I have a University hold on my SPIRE account.  How does this affect participation in Fall Room Selection?

Holds do not prevent students from requesting an appointment or selecting a housing assignment.  In some cases, having a hold on your account can result in you becoming withdrawn.  If you are withdrawn, your housing assignment will be canceled and you will be subject to the Cancellation Fee Schedule.

What appointments will be offered in Fall 2023 Room Selection, what spaces will be available and who is eligible? 

In traditional residence halls, students can find single, double and triple occupancy spaces across campus.  Economy triples will also be available in Southwest.  Economy triples are large double rooms converted to triple occupancy and are billed at a reduced rate.  Expanded Housing will be available in Central, Northeast, Orchard Hill and Southwest.  Expanded housing are traditionally lounge spaces that have been converted into student rooms and are billed at a reduced rate.

Suites in the Sylvan Residential Area will offer single and double occupancy rooms.  All suites include a bathroom and shared common room.

All apartments in North include four (4) single rooms and share two (2) bathrooms, a common space and kitchen area.  Kitchen areas include a refrigerator, stovetop and oven.

The following processes will be offered:

1. Fall 2023 Fr/So Selection - This process will include enough spaces to accommodate all students projected to be a freshman or sophomore for fall 2023.  Spaces will be include shared rooms across campus including doubles, triples, quads, expanded housing and economy triples.  This process will also include limited single rooms in Sylvan.  This process is available to the following students:

-Students who currently live on campus or who are returning from a study abroad program who are projected to be a freshman or sophomore for fall 2023
-Students who currently live on campus or who are returning from a study abroad program who were admitted as a freshman for fall 2022 or spring 2023

2. Fall 2023 Jr/Sr Selection - This process will include North Apartments, single rooms and any shared rooms not included in the Fr/So Selection process.  After all Fr/So Selection appointments have begun, any unselected spaces will be added to this process as well.  More information on the exact date and time that spaces will be available will be shared when Fall Room Selection appointments post.  This process is available to the following students:

- Students who currently live on campus or who are returning from a study abroad program who are projected to be a junior or senior for fall 2023

3. Fall 2023 Soph CHCRC Selection - This process will include all single and double occupancy suite spaces in the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community.  The process is available to the following students:

- Students who currently live on campus or are returning from a study abroad program who are projected to be a freshman or sophomore for fall 2023 and who are members of the Commonwealth Honors College who are in good standing
- Students who currently live on campus or are returning from a study abroad program who were admitted as a freshman for fall 2022 or spring 2023 and who are members of the Commonwealth Honors College who are in good standing 

4. Fall 2023 JrSr CHCRC Selection - This process will include all single and double occupancy apartment spaces in the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community.  Also the 4th and 5th floors of North D will be available as a break housing option for CHC eligible students.  After all Fall 2023 Soph CHCRC Selection appointments have begun, any unselected spaces will be added to this process as well.  More information on the exact date and time that spaces will be available will be shared when Fall Room Selection appointments post.  This process is available to the following students:

- Students who currently live on campus or are returning from a study abroad program who are projected to be a junior or senior for fall 2023 and who are members of the Commonwealth Honors College who are in good standing 

I am interested in living in a Defined Residential Community, what are the options for fall 2023?

The following communities are accepting applications through March 3:

-Asian/Asian American Student Community in Northeast
-Disability Defined Residential Community in Central
-El Barrio: Latinx Student Community in Southwest
-Harambee: African American Student Community in Southwest
-Spectrum: LGBTQIA+ Student Community in Central

Students who apply and are accepted will receive an earlier appointment to select from available spaces in their community.  Any remaining spaces will be available in the main Fall Room Selection process for other interested students.  The communities will be identified in the 'Living Options' column of the search results.

Where are Gender Inclusive rooms available?

Gender Inclusive rooms are intended for students who wish to live with another person who may have a different gender.  Gender inclusive rooms are located on the ground, first and second floor of Baker Hall and several suites in Cashin Hall.  Students can search for these spaces by searching for Gender Inclusive under 'Step 3' of the room selection search tool.  Students can also more information about gender inclusive options, including bathrooms here.

If you would like to update your name or gender marker on file with the university, please complete the steps outlined on the Stonewall Center's website.

How much will on-campus housing cost for fall 2023?

The Board of Trustees typically finalize housing rates in late June or early July.  The rates for fall 2022-spring 2023 are available here.  Rates are projected to increase by 3-5% for fall 2023.

I currently live off campus, and am interested in living on campus in fall 2023. When can I search for spaces on campus?

Residential Life is required to offer selection opportunities to all current on-campus and new undergraduate students before spaces can be offered to students currently living off campus.  Based on this, Residential Life is not able to offer off campus students housing options until new students student demand is met.  Unassigned students can use the Unassigned Room Selection process outlined here.

Is a COVID-19 vaccine required to live on campus?

Currently, all students who intend to live, learn, conduct research, or access any resources on campus are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.  Previously approved religious or medical exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement remain in effect.  For more details, visit the UMass Coronavirus website or read the Coronavirus FAQs.

Appointment Request

How do I request an appointment?

All students who wish to participate in fall 2023 room selection must complete 3 steps in SPIRE: 

1. Sign the most recent version of the occupancy license under Housing>Room Selection>Occupancy License
2. Resubmit your Housing Profile under Housing>Room Selection>Housing Profile
3. Request an appointment under Housing>Room Selection>Room Selection Home between February 23 and March 23 at 11:59pm.

If steps 1 and 2 are not complete, the request a new appointment button will be grayed out. 

You will receive an email confirmation when you successfully request an appointment.  Also, you can see your appointment requests on the Room Selection Home page in SPIRE under 'Requested Appointments.'  If you did not receive an email and you do not see 'Fall 2023 Room Selection Process' listed under your 'Requested Appointments,' you have not successfully requested an appointment to live on campus for fall 2023.  Please review the 'Getting Started and Requesting an Appointment' Video Tutorial or contact Residential Life Assignments if you need assistance.

How are appointment times determined?

Residential Life uses a priority system to determined appointment times for Room Selection Processes.  Students who have lived on campus longer will receive earlier appointments.  Residential Life also uses a random number called Priority Order as a tie breaker for students with the same number of completed semesters.  Priority for fall 2023 selection processes will be calculated on February 23 and can be found in SPIRE under Housing>Room Selection>Room Selection Priority.  Please review the example below:

Example:

John (4 semesters on campus)
Priority Order: 2123

Mary (2 semesters on campus)
Priority Order: 75

Alicia (4 semesters on campus)
Priority Order: 245

If all three of the students above requested an appointment and are eligible for the same process, Alicia’s appointment would begin first.  They have lived on campus for the most semesters and have a priority order closest to one (1).  Then, John’s appointment would begin.  Finally, Mary’s appointment would start next as she has lived on campus for 2 semesters.  For more information on eligibility, please review the 'What appointments will be offered in Fall 2023' question above.

I have a medical accommodation, which is already on file with Residential Life Assignments.  How does this affect my room selection appointment?

If Residential Life has already received documentation about a medical accommodation and you have requested an appointment, then you will receive a priority appointment based on the type of accommodation on file.  Please refer to the email that you received from Residential Life when your accommodation was approved for more specific details.  All students with a private room accommodation from Disability Services will receive an appointment for the Fall 2023 Jr/Sr Selection Process to give them the best opportunity to secure a space based on their needs.  Please note: Students with only an approved assistance animal accommodation will not receive priority appointments in Online Room Selection.

Group Formation

What is a roommate group?

A roommate group is a collection of 2-8 students who intend to share a space together.  In traditional halls, this means that there must be enough vacant spaces in a room for all group members to be assigned.  Groups are not able to select into multiple rooms.

In Sylvan, North and CHCRC, group members can be assigned to any vacant space in the same suite or apartment.

In all groups, one student will be the group leader.  The group leader is responsible for inviting students into the group, assigning all group members to a space, or dissolving the group if necessary.  We suggest that your group leader be the person who is most knowledgeable about Online Room Selection and who will be available when your group’s appointment begins.  The group leader does not have to be the person with the earliest appointment time.

While part of a group, the group leader can select for their group at the earliest appointment assigned to group members.

I plan to be a group leader, what do I need to know?

Remind all group members to request an appointment before March 23 at 11:59pm.  If they do not request an appointment, you are not be able to invite them into your group.

You can begin forming a roommate group after appointments have posted on March 28 at 3:00pm.  It is your responsibility to invite all group members and to verify that they respond to your invitation.  Please remember that you can only form a roommate group if all preferred roommates have an appointment for the process. 

Example:

Maya and Alexa want to be roommates for Fall 2023 Room Selection.

-Maya received appointments for the CHCRC Soph Selection and Fall 2023 Fr/So Selection processes.
-Alexa only received an appointment for Fall 2023 Fr/So Selection process.

These students can only form a roommate group in the Fall 2023 Fr/So Selection process.

The group leader can select an assignment at the earliest appointment time within the group.  Once a group leader selects a space, the group dissolves.  If you and your group members wish to continue searching for spaces, please be sure to reform your group.

I plan to be a group member, what do I need to know?

All students must request their own appointment by March 23!  Group formation takes place after appointments post and your group leader will not be able to add you to the group if you have missed this important step.  Also, you will not be eligible to select a fall 2023 housing assignment.

Once you and your group members have requested your appointments, determine who will be the Group Leader.  The group leader is ultimately responsible for assigning all group members to a space.  Once appointments post, the group leader can invite you into a roommate group.  By accepting membership into a roommate group, you are giving up your ability to select an assignment to your group leader.  It is your responsibility to confirm that they have selected an assignment for you.  All group members will receive email confirmation when the group leader selects an assignment.  If you have not received email confirmation, please contact your group leader immediately.

Please note: It is critical that you respond to your group invitation by either accepting or declining membership.  If you or another group member does not respond to the invitation, all group members will remain in a pending state and will not be able to select an assignment.  If you accept membership into a group and later change your mind, please contact the group leader to request that they dissolve the group and reform it without you.

I am trying to form a roommate group, but can't find the person I wish to live with. Why?

There are several reasons this could happen:

1. You are attempting to form a roommate group before appointments have posted.  You can only form a group with other students with an appointment.  Appointments will post by March 28 at 3:00pm.  Once appointments post, you can form your group.
2. The person you are attempting to form a group with does not have an appointment for this process.  For example, you are not able to invite someone into a CHCRC Room Selection group if they do not have an appointment for the CHCRC selection process.  If your preference is to live with your friend, please form your group in a process that you both have an appointment for.  If your priority is a specific area (such as CHCRC), you will not be able to form a group with your friend.
3. You or the person you are attempting to form a group with did not request an appointment before March 23 at 11:59pm.  If this is the case, you will not be able to form a roommate group with this person.

Boston Area Coop/Internship Housing

I am interested in housing on the Mount Ida campus, what are my options?

If you're on an internship, part of a program on campus, or taking online classes, you can sign up to live on the Mount Ida Campus.  At Mount Ida, you'll enjoy everything you love about UMass Amherst living and more - free fitness center, free on-campus parking and free transportation to the MBTA green line, offering easy access to Boston.

Find more information about living on Mount Ida Campus today! On this page, you can find information for securing Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 Housing.

Room Selection Tips and Resources

What does 'Selection Opportunities Remaining' mean?

This is the number of times that you can select or change your housing assignment within a process.  When your appointment posts, you will have 3 selection opportunities for each appointment process that you receive.  When you select an assignment, you release any previously held space for other students to select, your assignment is updated to the new space you selected, and your Selection Opportunities are reduced by 1.  If you have no remaining selection opportunities, you are not able to change your assignment again within that process.

The select button on the Room Selection Home page is grayed out.  Why?

There are several reasons why this button may be grayed out:

1. Your appointment has not begun.  Please verify this by checking your appointment start date and time on the Room Selection Home page in SPIRE.
2. You are a member of a roommate group or you have been invited into a roommate group.  Only the leader is able to select assignments on behalf of their group members.  If you were invited into a group and do not wish to be a part of it, decline your invitation.  If you accepted group membership but have changed your mind, please contact the group leader to dissolve and reform the group.  You can also confirm the status of your group by clicking the 'View/Change Group Member Status' button
3. Someone in your roommate group has not responded to their group invitation.  This will leave the group in a pending state and prevent all members from securing a housing assignment.  Please contact this person or the group leader to dissolve and reform the group if necessary.
4. You or a member of your group have no Selection Opportunities Remaining.  If you have used up all of your selection opportunities, then you are not able to change your assignment for the remainder of the process.

If none of the situations above are true, please contact Residential Life Assignments as soon as possible for assistance.