<p>Does anyone know how beds are filled if a roommate does not return for the spring term? At the school my son attends, students were encouraged to pick their roommates and if they did not meet anyone through FB, accepted student day, there was an extensive roommate survey that all incoming freshmen completed for a good match. Additionally, after 2 weeks students were able to switch roommates if all involved parties agreed to do so. </p>
<p>So, my question is if most private schools will typically just put anyone (transfer student, upperclassman who studied abroad, student who was ill during fall term, someone who did not get along with their fall semester roommate etc.) who needs a room into that empty bed for the spring term?</p>
<p>I think this depends on the school, the size of the school, and how large a group coming in/out due to study abroad and transfers. My guess is there’s lots of movement at some schools, particularly those that offer study abroad. Why not have your son/daughter call up Housing and find out.</p>
<p>Back in my day, yes, my school filled mid-term beds on an as-needed basis. No questionnaire, no survey, etc. But I bet if your son had someone in mind that he wanted to room with who also wanted to change rooms, he could make a request.</p>
<p>Don’t assume that random roommate assignments are a disaster.</p>
<p>I met someone who has been a life-long friend when I came back from a semester away and got stuck into his room after his roommates got suspended for disciplinary reasons. He was a couple of years behind me, and I helped him get two important jobs at the start of his career. He is a big, big deal now. </p>
<p>Not only that, but there was a woman living just upstairs from that room in our entryway (sort of a vertical hallway), and everyone who visited her passed by our door. One of her friends and I have been together for 31 years.</p>
<p>My son’s roommate moved out (to a hockey dorm) his freshman year and they didn’t assign anyone. That of course meant that the mess spread to the other side of the room. But he had a double-sized single for the second term.</p>
<p>D1 had roommate issues freshman year, and with the blessing of her RA decided to move out. The housing department at her LAC put her in touch with another girl who needed a roommate. They met for coffee and to chat before deciding to go ahead, and it worked out fine. I think either of them could have vetoed it, and the housing department would have looked for another opening.</p>
<p>As an incoming spring transfer, my S was placed in a room where one of the occupants transferred out after the fall semester. I don’t believe there was any “matching” because I don’t remember him filling out any such form. It was the perfect place for him at the time as he has remained very close friends with several of the guys on that floor. They were a very supportive group for “the new kid”.</p>
<p>I’m guessing it depends on how in-demand dorm beds are at a particular school. I would guess most schools are more relaxed about movement after the first fall semester or quarter.</p>
<p>It depends. At my college, doubles where one of the roommates moved out early or changed dorms were often left vacant (we called them “open doubles”) however the housing office could fill them at any time with someone of their choosing. Some schools may have different policies.</p>
<p>DD’s roommate moved out after a month during her freshman year. Her school just assigns someone who needs a room to vacant rooms. She got a roommate in January when the new term began. It wasn’t the greatest situation. Luckily, DD had made good friends with others on her floor.</p>
<p>S2’s friend had a similiar situation. The friend’s roommate was kicked out of the dorm before Fall Break of their freshman year (caught with illegal substance in dorm room).
I was really surprised that housing never put another guy in the room. S2’s friend had a private room for the rest of the year.</p>