OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING LOTTERY 2010– GENERAL INFORMATION

What Is Off-Campus Housing Lottery?

Housing Lottery is the process by which our current registered students select off-campus housing for the next academic year.  Students will select houses or apartments according to their Housing Lottery number (lowest number to highest).

How Are Housing Lottery Numbers Assigned?

Housing Lottery numbers will be assigned to all students who will have 60 earned credit hours by the end of spring 2010 semester.  The numbers are randomly computer generated, according to credit hours (96 earned credit hours equaling senior status), as recorded by the registrar at the end of Fall Semester 2009.  Sophomores will be issued a Blue card and juniors a Yellow card.  You may not sell or trade a Lottery Number to another student.  Students who attempt to do so will be moved to the end of the list.

Is There Anything I Must Do In Order To Participate In The Housing Lottery?

Yes.  If you have a balance on your account, you will receive a Housing Lottery Number, however, you will not be allowed to select an apartment or house as long as the balance exists.  Double check to make sure you do not have any outstanding library fines, parking tickets, unpaid tuition or other fees prior to attending Housing Lottery.  All balances must be cleared by March 1, 2010 at 5:00 PM in order to participate in Housing Lottery next year.

Can I Stay In My Current Residence Next Year?

Students who wish to stay in their current house or apartment have the opportunity to renew their contract for next year.  If a student has a current housemate graduating or moving to another rental property, the remaining student has the right to add other qualified student(s) to the application for renewal.  Students renewing contracts for the 2009-2010 academic year must submit one Student Rental Renewal Application per group at the Office of Residence Life by 4:00 PM, Friday, February 5, 2010.  These applications have been previously mailed to all qualified students with renewal rights.

How Does The Housing Lottery Process Work?

Lottery cards, with your lottery number, will be sent to your student mailbox on Friday, March 19, 2010.  The Housing Lottery Card is your entry ticket to Housing Lottery, which will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 (1, 4, and 5 Bedroom Units), and Thursday, March 25, 2010 (2 and 3 Bedroom Units).  In order to select a rental unit, you must have your Housing Lottery Card and your Wittenberg ID.  You and your housemate(s) should arrive at Housing Lottery with several rental choices in case your first choice has already been selected.  The person with the lowest number in your group officially selects the room for the group.  You should attend Housing Lottery during the time allotted for the lowest number in your group.  Seniors have priority and select their housing first.  If a group has a senior in the mix, that senior carries the priority and would bring any juniors in their group to the senior lottery.

What If I Can’t Attend Housing Lottery?

If you know you will not be available during your appointed time slot, prior to March 24, 2010, you may fill out a form allowing a friend or your future housemate to be your proxy.  Both you and your proxy must go to Student Development and sign the proxy form.  If you are studying abroad during lottery, you may send an e-mail to your proxy, they must bring a copy of the e-mail to lottery.  This email will be used as your proxy form.  The Off-Campus Housing Coordinator must approve all proxy requests.  If you miss housing lottery, you may select your housing from the remaining units by contacting Jeanne Riedel in Student Development at 327-7802 after March 26, 2010.

Off-Campus Housing Lottery Dates and Times:

Housing Lottery for all 1, 4, and 5 Bedroom Houses and Apartments Will Occur on March 24, 2010, and 2 and 3 Bedroom Houses & Apartments will occur on March 25, 2010.  Both Days in Room 201 Shouvlin Center from 6:30 – 9:30 PM.  Your randomly assigned lottery number determines what time you should attend lottery.  If your perspective housemate(s) has a lower lottery number than you, you should attend housing lottery during their identified time slot.  Please plan on being available for at least one hour following your time slot.  When you arrive at Housing Lottery, charts will be available showing you which houses and apartments are still available.  They will be updated each time a student selects a property.  Both you and your housemate for next year (or their proxy) must be present at Lottery and have your Wittenberg ID and Housing Lottery Card with you.

What If My Housemate Withdrawals?

If a housemate withdraws before June 15, 2010, you and any other housemates will split the entire cost for the unit, or find another student to take their place. If a housemate withdraws after June 15, 2010, the housing office may contact you during the year to meet with a student needing a place to live.  Placing another person in your rental would have to be a mutual agreement between all students involved.

What If I Don’t Get The Rental I Want?

Be sure that you keep your options open.  Remember that people are most likely choosing open units before you.  When you come to lottery, bring a list of all the units you would be willing to live in.

Contract Signing

On the same night of selection and assignment of your housing, you will move to another room where contracts will be signed and all other information distributed.  Once your housing has been assigned and contracts signed, your Off-Campus housing for 2010/2011 will be complete.

If I Have A Question Or Concern About Housing Lottery That Hasn’t Been Addressed, Whom Should I Contact?

Please feel free to contact Jeanne Riedel, Coordinator of Off-Campus Housing at 327-7802 for assistance.