Columbia University Housing

Rooms Swaps

Two students may swap rooms if both students are in the same class. If a double room or a room on a single-sex floor is involved, the students must be of the same gender. Both residents must sign new Occupancy Agreements after the swap has been processed.

A Columbia student may never swap with a Barnard student, regardless of where the rooms are located, and you may swap only once per academic year. Your swap must be approved by Residential Programs and Housing, and both departments reserve the right to deny Swaps. For more information, please visit Room Swaps.

 

Room Transfers

The opportunity for students to transfer to a different room within the residence halls is limited to space availability. If you are interested in a Room Transfer, please fill out a Room Transfer Application. Transfers made during the academic year will be issued based on order of seniority and availability, and then by date of applications. Transfers are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. These transfer requests must be approved by your RA and AD to be accepted.

Please visit Summer Room Transfer Requests or Room Transfer Requests for more information about these processes.

Cancellation Policy

If you will not be staying in the residence halls, you must cancel your housing using the Cancellation Form. This applies to students who have registered and changed their mind, students taking a leave of absence, moving off-campus, graduating early, and students studying abroad. After you cancel your housing, a fee or credit will be applied to your Student Account. Your account will be only be assessed after returning your room keys to the Hartley Hospitality Desk. You may visit the Proration Schedule for information regarding cancellation fees.

You may forfeit the right to guaranteed housing for the remainder of your time at Columbia, depending on the reason for your leave of absence. If you lose the right to guaranteed housing, you will have to apply for housing every semester and be placed on the Non-Guaranteed Wait List each time.

In accordance with the Terms & Conditions of Residence, the University may cancel the contract for, among other reasons, the failure to pay any outstanding Residence Halls charges by May 1 at the Office of Student Financial Services.