Contracting - New Students

Nine out of ten new Iowa State students choose to live on-campus. The DOR provides a variety of neighborhoods to fit the needs of our students. One will surely fit your lifestyle, so explore the different on-campus neighborhoods and pick the one that's right for you. We look forward to having you live with us!

When can I contract for on-campus housing?

As soon as you have accepted your admission to ISU -- the sooner the better! We start accepting NEW STUDENT housing contracts on July 1 of the prior year (i.e. July 1, 2007 for 2008-2009).

How can I contract for on-campus housing?

If you are a new, incoming UNDERGRADUATE freshman or transfer student, you must first accept your offer of admission to Iowa State University online at http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/accept/ or via the paper process as described by the Admissions Department. After you accept your offer of admission, you can submit a housing contract using AccessPlus.

If you are a new, incoming GRADUATE student, you must first be admitted by your college and provided with your University ID number, username and password. Once you have these items, you can submit a housing contract using AccessPlus.

It is STRONLY SUGGESTED that you submit your contract using on-line AccessPlus. Your assignment priority is determined using the date that you complete your contract. For on-line contracts, this is that instant you FINALIZE your contract using AccessPlus. For paper contracts, this is that date your contract is RECEIVED by the DOR.

You can obtain a paper copy of the contract in the Forms & Documents section of our web site or by contacting the Administrative Services office. Due to the unpredictability of delivery services, the DOR cannot accept responsibility for contracts delayed or lost in the mailing process.

How will my assignment be made?

Preferences are considered as follows. Please remember that your contract is for a space only, not a specific building or room. Assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, comparing preference requests to available space. As such, an assignment within your preferences cannot be guaranteed.

  1. Learning Community (LC) preferences are considered first. Most LCs have eligibility requirements you must meet to be considered. If you have selected an LC and also indicated a roommate request, your roommate request will be considered only if space is available, the request is mutual and your roommate is also eligible for and has preferenced the same LC.
  2. Roommate Requests are considered second and the earliest contract date determines priority for the group. Roommate requests must be mutual (you each must have requested the other) and you must all be eligible for the same type of housing. Roommate Requests take priority over Room Preferences. We use your Room Preferences to guide us in making your assignment, but your assignment may be anywhere your roommate request can be accommodated. If you preferenced a Single Room, you will only be considered for a single if we can't accommodate your Roommate Request.
  3. Single Room preferences are considered third. Requests for single rooms take priority over Room Preferences. We will use your Room Preferences to guide us in making your assignment, but your assignment may be to any single in Union Drive or Richardson Court. PLEASE NOTE: Single Rooms are very limited and not everyone who requests a single room receives one.
  4. Room Preferences are considered fourth. Please list eight preferences. If you list less and we can't accommodate you in those preferences, we will have to make our best guess as to your assignment. PLEASE NOTE: While it varies yearly, some of the most popular options, such as Eaton, Friley, Maple and Martin Halls, fill with early contract dates, often as early as two months after we begin accepting contracts. It is recommended that you preference at least one option outside of these areas.

How can I guarantee the room that I want?

We can't guarantee a specific room or building to any student, but we try very hard to accommodate your preferences. Getting your contract in early increases your chances of getting your top choice. Keep in mind that the locations that are popular with new students are also popular with returning students.

When will I know my assignment?

For FALL, we start sending Assignment postcards the week of June 1. This postcard gives you instructions on how to find your assignment, roommate and move-in details in AccessPlus. Not every student will have an assignment by June 1, so we will continue to send out postcards throughout the summer. Some students may not know their assignments until late July.

For SPRING, we start sending Assignment letters the week of December 15. This letter gives you instructions on how to find your assignment, roommate and move-in details in AccessPlus. Due to Winter Break and the short turn around time between December 15 and when the spring semester begins, students who contract after December 15 may be notified of their assignment via e-mail or phone.