East Tennessee State University is introducing a new housing assignment system designed to simplify the room selection process for incoming and returning students. The new system is designed to simplify the process for students and better support different living needs for an increased number of students.
Richard Swearingen, director of Housing and Residence Life, provided a breakdown of the various changes that will affect student life starting next semester.
Swearingen explained that one of the biggest changes is a shift in how students apply for housing and choose their rooms.
“The changes include a shift from a staff-assigned system to a self-guided process where students select their own rooms through a live online platform,” Swearingen said.
Previously, students submitted building preferences and staff worked to accommodate those requests. Under the new model, students will choose from available rooms in real time.
“Our goal is to have all students aware of their housing assignment before the summer orientation season begins,” Swearingen said.
Another major change involves separating housing communities for first-year and returning students. Swearingen said returning students will primarily select from apartment-style housing, while first-year students will live in suite-style and community-style residence halls.
“Apartments will allow returning students to exercise the autonomy that they have developed in their social and academic lives,” Swearingen said. “Community and suite buildings will keep first-year students plugged in to a close cohort of students experiencing ETSU together for the first time.”
According to Swearingen, returning students will likely feel the most immediate impact from the new system. In the past, returning students could be placed across different building types, which sometimes led to upperclassmen living in residence halls typically meant for freshmen.
“The difference is just in distribution,” Swearingen said. “Where we have allowed any returning applicant an immediate assignment in the past, that led to returners spilling over into all building types.”
Incoming freshmen will also experience some new features in the housing process. Students will now be able to select their own rooms and connect with potential roommates through the Housing and Residence Life portal.
“We have also lowered the financial burden of entry for incoming students by doing away with the $100 deposit requirement and moving instead to a one-time $35 application fee,” Swearingen said. He added that the fee will only apply to a student’s first housing application, meaning returning applications will not require an additional fee.
Housing preferences will no longer be included on the application. Instead, students will select their rooms through the live online system, which will remain active throughout the summer.
“Students will see what is available in a live, online marketplace and select their own room in an experience very similar to online shopping,” Swearingen said. “As cancellations occur or other students change their assignments, the marketplace remains live and refreshed.”
Swearingen said the university expects to be able to accommodate all students who need on-campus housing.
“We fully expect to be able to serve any student who needs housing from either the first-year, returner or transfer populations,” he said.
To ensure fairness, access to room selection will be randomized rather than based on the timing of applications or deposits.
“We want a system that has accountability and fairness, but that does not necessarily create competitiveness,” Swearingen said.
The housing changes have been communicated through ETSU email, residence hall staff and the Housing and Residence Life website. Swearingen said updates and reminders will continue to be sent to students as the process moves forward.
Looking ahead, Swearingen said the long-term goal is for the system to become a normal and stress-free part of the housing process.
“Over time, the development of intentional communities will help us deliver a service that is relevant to exactly where students are in their college path,” he said.
