Question: How is my class status determined?
Answer: When you entered Grinnell College, the Registrar classified you. Each semester completed at Grinnell or on an official off-campus study program adds one semester to your status. Class year/status does not advance for each term a student is not enrolled. Students who take a leave of absence or are suspended for any reason do not advance in class year/status for the semester(s) they are not enrolled.
Question: I received my room draw number, but it shows a different class year/status than I thought I was. Why?
Answer: Class year/status is determined by the Registrar and indicates the total number of semesters completed. (For example: A student with a spring class year/status of 2nd semester 2nd year who takes a leave of absence before completing spring term will return for the fall term as a 1st semester 2nd year (for housing purposes) and will not advance to the class year/status of 2nd semester 2nd year until the start of fall term. Students approved for early graduation do not advance in class year/status until the semester of their anticipated graduation.
Question: If I will be a second-year student next year, how likely is it that I can get a single room?
Answer: Single rooms are awarded to third and fourth-year students, or students awarded a Special Housing Draw (containing single rooms). This means first and second year students must plan to have a roommate(s). Second-year students must plan to draw into a double room OR apply for a Special Housing Draw.
Question: What happens if I am a second-year student next year and I don't have a roommate?
Answer: Each year, a number of students have difficulty finding a roommate for the following year. Students without roommates may contact their RLC to add their name to a Roommate Needed list. Students on the list will receive the names of other students in need of a roommate. RLCs will work with students to find a suitable roommate. If you are still unable to find a suitable roommate, you must complete a Room / Roommate Request Form. Forms are available from the Residence Life Office (3rd floor/JRC) or at Room Draw. Students in need of a roommate will be housed according to their housing/roommate preferences during the summer with a transfer student, a student returning from leave, or another student in need of a roommate.
Question: If I am a second-year student next year, can I live off-campus?
Answer: Grinnell College students are not eligible to request off-campus living unless they are a third or fourth-year student. Automatic approvals for off-campus living granted to students who are 22 years of age by September 1; live with their parents in the Grinnell area; have their child(ren) living with them; or are legally married (or legally partnered in a civil union).
Question: If I am going to be a second-year student next year, what are my odds of getting a Group Draw room?
Answer: Group Draw rooms are a random draw and not based on seniority. Odds are determined by the number of groups with complete applications for each location. All students who would like to be eligible to live in a Group Draw room must complete and submit an application by the deadline.
Question: If I am going to be a third-year student next year, how likely is it that I will be able to live off-campus?
Answer: There are a limited number of students who may live off-campus each year. The number of students who may live off-campus is determined during spring semester for the following academic year. Automatic approvals for off-campus living granted to students who are 22 years of age by September 1; live with their parents in the Grinnell area; have their child(ren) living with them; or are legally married (or legally partnered in a civil union). If off-campus spaces are still available after all automatic approvals are granted, they will be offered to third and fourth-year students as established by their random number assignment. All students who meet the off-campus criteria and want to be eligible to live off-campus must request permission by the deadline. Students should not sign a lease until they are granted off-campus permission. Students are responsible for room and board costs until permitted to move off campus. Please review our Off-Campus Non-College Owned website for more information.
Question: If two or more groups apply for the same Project House, how does the Residence Life Committee decide who receives the house?
Answer: After the Project House Presentations, the Residence Life Committee picks the top groups based on their presentation. Out of the top groups picked, the committee will do their best to meet preferences, but a group may be selected to receive a house they did not request.
