Information for New Students

Living on campus has always been an integral part of the Lafayette experience. Living in a residential academic community boosts both intellectual and social development.

Much of your out-of-classroom time will be spent in your residence hall. Your room can become your study space, your center for communications, and your social scene. By living on campus, you will learn so much without even thinking about it. For example, a casual exchange in the hallway with a floormate can teach you about customs and cultures other than your own.

During each year of their enrollment, all students are required to live in College housing unless they apply and are approved to 1) commute from their parents/guardians’ home or 2) reside in a private off-campus house or apartment (seniors only).  Review the suggested packing list(pdf) to prepare for your new home on campus.

First-year Student Room Assignments

Our goal is to establish robust and diverse first-year residential communities.  We believe there is value in learning to negotiate common living space, so as a first-year student, you will live in a double, triple, or quad room.  To help us make your assignment, complete the First-year Housing Application in your MyHousing account.  The information you provide will be used to match you with compatible roommates based on a number of factors including sleep, study, and living habits. It is critical that you indicate your preferences accurately and honestly.  There is also a process to request a specific roommate which may be honored if the request is mutual.

We offer these opt-in residential communities for first-year students.

  • Wellness/Substance-free Community: This housing community provides students with opportunities to develop and maintain habits that support a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle.
  • First-year LGBTQ+ community:  This living environment affords students the opportunity to live in a mixed gender wing with a common bathroom to be used by all members of the community regardless of sex or gender expression.   Bedroom assignments may be mixed gender.

Instructions for completing the First-year Housing Application within MyHousing will be sent to your Lafayette email approximately May 15.  Your room assignment and roommate information will be available in mid July.

Transfer Student Room Assignments

As a transfer student, you will complete a Housing Application through your MyHousing account to help us assign your housing.  Transfer students are assigned to available spaces within upper-level housing.  (Please contact the Office if you would prefer to be assigned to a first-year community).  You will be assigned based on availability and will be with a roommate(s).

For transfers enrolling in the Fall Semester – Instructions for completing the Housing Application will be sent to your Lafayette email approximately June 15.  Your room assignment and roommate information will be available approximately August 1st.

For transfers enrolling in the Spring Semester – Instructions for completing the Housing Application will be sent to your Lafayette email in early January.  Your room assignment and roommate information will be available approximately the week prior to the start of the Spring semester.

Housing Accommodations

Students who would like to request a disability related housing and/or dining accommodation are asked to contact Accessibility Services to begin the request process.  If you believe you may be eligible for a housing accommodation due to a physical or mental health disability as defined by The Americans With Disabilities Act and Section 504, please see the  website for complete information, instructions, and policies regarding accommodation requests.  Please do not send requests and/or documentation to the Residence Life Office.  

Students may contact Accessibility Services at any time regarding the accommodation request process. However, during the current academic year, housing accommodations are assigned as a space available basis. Accommodation requests for the next academic year must be submitted by February 15th (current students) or June 1st (incoming first year students) Once on campus housing assignments have been assigned (usually in April/early May for Fall semester and mid-June for incoming students), there may be limited (or no) options left for on-campus housing that will meet accommodation needs.