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' "place in line" for Room Draw is determined by their class status, as determined by the Registrar, and random number assignment. Through the Room Draw process, second, third, and fourth-year students distribute themselves throughout the residence halls. Incoming first-year students are assigned roommates and housing based on the information they provide on their on-line housing form. Rooms are reserved on nearly every floor in the residence halls for the incoming first-year class.

All incoming first-year students will have (at least) one roommate. We encourage prospective (incoming first-year) students to answer ALL questions on their on-line housing form and answer them honestly. Students are matched with their future roommate according to the information provided.

Upper-class or returning students should consider all room and roommate possibilities. Prior to Room Draw, we encourage all students to attend one of the Housing Info Sessions. During the info sessions, students are presented with the different housing options available, as well as info about Spring Room Draw. There is plenty of time during the session for students to ask any housing questions they may have.

Roommate Mixers are held for students in need of a roommate. All incoming first-year and returning second year students must always plan to have (at least) one roommate. The mixers provide students the opportunity to meet other students in need of a roommate. Residence Life Coordinators (RLCs) and other staff are available to facilitate the mixers and answer any questions. The choice regarding roommate(s) is a very important decision. As students think about their rooming arrangements for the upcoming year, keep in mind that this decision will last for the entire year.

Click on the Important Dates and Deadlines tab found on this page for the exact dates, times, and locations of the Housing Info Sessions and Roommate Mixers, as well as other important housing dates of which you need to be aware.