Room Draw

> 2007-2008 Housing Costs > Floor Meetings > Individual Point Totals > Informational Sessions

> Housing Contracts > Proxies > Room Deposits

> Roommates > Live On Policy & Appeals > Binding Contracts > Study Abroad

2008-2009 Housing Costs:
The cost for living on-campus for the 2008-2009 academic year will be $3,484.00 for the entire year ($1,742.00/semester). The cost is the same for all housing locations on campus. 

Floor Meetings: 
Each RA will be holding a floor meeting between March 3rd and March 14th to discuss the room draw process and to help answer any questions you may have about any of the processes included in Room Draw 2008. Ask your RA for more details about time and location of this meeting.

Individual Point Total:
On March 3rd, the website used to calculate individual point totals will be activated.  Please use these point totals when completing your suite application.  If you feel an error has been made in calculating your individual point total (this is quite possible, as some portions of the information are done by hand), it is your responsibility to contact Nate Buseman by no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2nd.  After this time, no recalculations will be made!!  If you are including a person on your suite application who is unable to use the website to calculate an individual point total, be sure to contact Nate Buseman to get that information prior to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2nd.

Informational Sessions: 
Informational sessions will be held for all parts of the room draw process. These sessions are hosted by Nate Buseman, Director of Housing, and are intended for people who have questions about the process. Students are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions to help ensure they understand the process completely.

Housing Contracts:
Housing Contracts for the 2008-2009 academic year must be filled out and signed before a room can be officially reserved. Contracts will be available at room draw for your convenience. Individuals who send a proxy to room draw are asked to complete a contract prior to selection when possible.

Proxies:
If you are unable to sign up for your room at the appointed time, you must send someone else with your room deposit receipt and signed Housing Contract as your proxy. That person can select a space for you from the available spaces at that time.

Room Deposits: 
Room Reservation Deposits are required to sign up for a room. This $25.00 is credited to your account and will be applied toward your room charges for 2008-2009. Room Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE. Pay your $25.00 Room Reservation Deposit at the Business Office and bring your receipt to room draw. You must have this receipt to reserve a room, and without it you forfeit your place in the priority system. NO CASH OR CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE TIME A ROOM IS BEING SELECTED; only receipts from the Business Office. If you lose your receipt, you can get a photocopy of the receipt at the Business Office. The Business Office closes at 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Be sure to plan ahead! Don't wait until the last minute.

Roommates: 
Roommate pairs should sign up together during the earliest appropriate time slot for either individual. If you do not sign up with a roommate, you will not be allowed to select an empty double-occupancy room if there are other residents who need roommates. If there are no other residents who need roommates, you will be permitted to select an empty double-occupancy room but will be assigned the next person who comes without a roommate. As is the case every year, we anticipate all spaces will be filled, thus every student not living in a designated single will have a roommate/s. A bulletin board for advertising of roommates is located online to see a list Click Here. Self-selection of your roommate is encouraged, so if you don't know who you want to live with, please post your name on the online bulletin board by Clicking Here.

Live On Policy:
Because Buena Vista University recognizes the important role residential life plays in a student's academic career, students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in any semester at Buena Vista University are required to live on campus unless they meet one of the following 5 exceptions: (1) students over the age of 23 by August 25, 2008 (2) students who have served active military duty (3) students who are legally married (4) students who have already lived in residence halls eight consecutive semesters or (5) students living with parents or legal guardians in the Storm Lake area. Students who wish to live off campus for any of the above reasons are expected to notify the Office of Student Services and provide necessary evidence to be granted commuter status immediately.

Appeal For Commuter Status:
While students can appeal for commuter status for reasons other than those listed above, only in rare situations where extenuating circumstances can be proven, will such status be considered. Those students who wish to appeal for commuter status can do so by submitting a letter of request to Nate Buseman, Associate Dean of Students. This letter can be in hard copy or via email and should include any information that can prove extenuating circumstances.

Binding Contracts:
Once a student has completed and turned in a housing contract, that contract is binding. Once a contract is signed, ALL above exceptions are waived and the student must go through the appeal process as outlined above to be released from the contract (with the exception of complete withdrawal from Buena Vista University).

Students Currently Studying Abroad
Students who are currently studying abroad (or from extended distances within the United States) and returning to campus for the fall, 2008 semester can be included in the room draw process. If such a student will be included on a suite application, that student simply needs to send an email to Nate Buseman to confirm that she/he wishes to live with that group of students. The $25 Room Reservation Deposit must be paid and the receipt in her/his name provided at time of room selection. If a person who is currently studying abroad has asked you to be her/his proxy and select a room in Liberty, Grand, Pierce, White or Swope, you will need to complete any/all appropriate applications, meeting the appropriate deadlines, and bring their receipt for the $25 Room Reservation Deposit to the appropriate room draw location. Students currently studying abroad are classified as Moving to a New Building for purposes of Liberty, Grand, Pierce, White or Swope room selection processes.

Students Studying Abroad for the Fall 2008 Semester
Students who will be studying abroad (or from extended distances within the United States) during the fall 2008 semester and returning to campus for either interim 2009 or 2nd semester 2009 need to stop by Student Services and complete a Change of Status Form. This form will allow the student to inform the university where she/he is hoping to reside upon returning to campus. While every attempt is made to place a returning student in the desired location, no empty space will be held during the fall semester for a student returning in the spring. As is the case every year, we anticipate needing every space available during the fall semester.