Grinnell College is a residential college. Students are required to live in college housing all four years unless given permission to move off-campus during their junior or senior years. While living in college housing, students learn to live within the philosophy of self-governance through a variety of living experiences and interactions with other students.

Student housing at Grinnell College is distinctive from that of other residential colleges by our room draw philosophy and practice. Upper-class students choose their rooms for the following year through Room Draw. Students' priority in Room Draw is determined by class standing as stated by the Registrar and random number assignment. Through the Room Draw process, second, third, and fourth-year students naturally distribute themselves throughout the residence halls. First-year students are assigned roommates and housing based on the information they provide Student Affairs on the housing form. Rooms are reserved on every floor in the residence halls for the new incoming class.

Students should make thoughtful, wise decisions regarding housing for the upcoming year. First-year students need to answer the questions on the form honestly because students will be matched according to those preferences. Upper-class students should think through rooming and roommate possibilities and make careful choices. Prior to Room Draw, students should have conversations with potential roommates and visit each other's rooms. Working through the Roommate Rap is highly suggested. The choice regarding roommate(s) is a very important decision that will physically last for a year. In memory, it will last much longer. It is better to make a good choice regarding a roommate and have good memories than make a poor choice resulting in not so good memories. As students think about their rooming situation for the upcoming year, keep in mind that this decision will last for the entire year.