Parent and Family FAQ
Are freshmen required to live on campus at The University of Alabama?
The University of Alabama is committed to providing its students with a comprehensive educational experience. In recognition of the value of the living-learning experience associated with living on campus, incoming freshmen who are enrolled for nine or more hours are expected to live on campus as part of the Freshman Residency Program. Students who live in the primary residence of their parent or guardian may request exemption from the program, as can students who believe they have another reason for exemption. Students requesting exemption should print the exemption form and return it to Housing and Residential Communities by July 15, 2009.
Students other than freshmen are not required to live on campus, but may apply for campus housing as space permits. Housing and Residential Communities does not anticipate being able to accommodate transfer students or current UA students who live off campus for 2009/2010.
How does an incoming freshman apply for housing for 2009/2010?
The online housing contract for 2009/2010 is scheduled to be available beginning October 1, 2008. Incoming freshmen can return the contract and pay their $250.00 deposit ($25.00 application fee and $225.00 prepayment) after they have been admitted to the University and after they have paid their freshman enrollment deposit. Students must return their housing contract and pay their deposit in order to be eligible for the online room selection process in the spring. A student’s initial date to begin the room selection process is determined by the date the contract and payment are returned; living-learning community participation, if any; and any special needs. Therefore, students are encouraged to return their contract and housing deposit as soon as possible. The preferred application deadline for students interested in a living-learning community, including Honors Housing, and those with special needs, is March 1. The preferred application deadline for other incoming freshmen is April 1. Students who apply after these deadlines may not be able to take part in online room selection or receive campus housing.
Do incoming freshmen get to pick their own residence halls rooms?
Yes, incoming freshmen who return their contract and deposit by the preferred deadlines will select their own rooms online, as space permits. Students who take part in the Arts and Sciences Capstone Living-Learning Community in Harris Hall, and the C&IS Community, the Nursing Community, and the HES Community in Harris Hall, will be assigned by Housing and Residential Communities. Students in the WILL Program will also receive their housing assignment from HRC. Students who apply for housing after the room selection process has ended will be assigned by HRC, as space permits.
How does a student change his/her housing assignment once on campus?
A student can submit a room change request form in order to make a change. Requests to change rooms within the same residence hall should be submitted to the Community Director. Requests to change from one residence hall to another should be submitted to the HRC office, located on the ground floor of Burke East. HRC considers all room change requests as space permits, beginning two weeks after the start of class, as long as no students remain in overflow housing situations.
What if my freshman student decides not to attend UA?
If your student applies for campus housing and then decides not to attend the University, you may cancel his/her housing until July 1, 2009, and receive a refund of your $225.00 prepayment. To cancel, please notify HRC in writing at housing@sa.ua.edu. Cancelling with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is not the same as cancelling your student’s housing through HRC. Students who cancel their housing after July 1 will not receive a refund of their prepayment and are assessed an additional charge of $250.00.
My student is having a difficult time getting along with his/her roommate. What can I do to help?
Learning to live with another person can be a challenge, whether roommates are old friends or have just met. If your student is having trouble with a roommate, encourage your son or daughter to communicate openly and honestly about the issue. The RA (resident advisor) will also be happy to help them discuss the issue and/or complete a roommate agreement. Encourage your student to enlist the assistance of the RA, as necessary. If they cannot find a way to live together comfortably, either student can request a room change, which will be considered as space permits.
How does a current campus resident apply for housing for 2009?
The online application for current residents is scheduled to be available beginning December 1, 2008. Students who wish to live on campus should complete the application by the February 1, 2009, deadline. No money is due at the time the application is completed. Applying for housing does not guarantee that current residents will receive housing. All students for whom there is space will be contacted on February 2 and will be able to pay their $250.00 online from February 3-6. Students who fail to pay their deposit by the deadline will have their housing applications cancelled and will not be able to select a room during the online room selection process. Students who pay their deposit will be able to select a room during the online room selection process during February. More information about the recontracting process will be e-mailed to current residents in October.
How will my student receive information about recontracting for housing?
Your student will receive e-mails to his/her Bama e-mail address beginning in October. Community meetings for students will take place in the residence halls in January. Students are strongly encouraged to go to one of these meetings, or contact HRC, for the latest information on recontracting.
How can my student cancel his/her housing?
A student agrees to a housing contract for the full academic year (unless s/he applies only for spring or summer housing). Once a student has moved in, s/he will be released from the contract only in the event of graduation; withdrawal from school; student abroad, coop or internship; or marriage. Moving into an apartment or a sorority or fraternity is not reason for contract cancellation. A student who applies for housing for the following year may cancel, at the discretion of HRC, by July 1 and receive a refund of the $225.00 prepayment. A student who is allowed to cancel after July 1 will not be refunded the $225.00 prepayment and will be assessed an additional charge of $250.00.
What should my student do if s/he plans to move off campus next fall?
A student who plans to live off campus should not take part in the recontracting process. That student does not need to inform HRC. To make the best decision about where to live, students should attend one of the programs about off-campus living that will be held in the residence halls throughout the year and may want to attend the Off-Campus Housing Fairs that will take place in the Ferguson Center.
How do students living on campus receive mail and packages?
The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail to the residence halls. In order to receive mail, campus residents should rent a P.O. Box in the Ferguson Center Post Office. In order to receive packages, students who have them sent by UPS, DHL, Airborne Express or FedEx should have them sent to the Package Delivery Center in Paty Hall. Click here for more information.
Does the University offer shuttle service to the airport in Birmingham?
Yes, airport shuttle service is offered for holiday breaks when the residence halls will be closed. Click here for more information.
When do the residence halls close for holiday breaks?
The residence halls close for Thanksgiving Break at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26, and will reopen at noon on Friday, November 28. They will close for Winter Break at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, and will reopen at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 4. Although the residence halls do not close until December 13, students are expected to vacate their rooms within 24 hours of their last exam. The residence halls will close for Spring Break at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13, and will reopen at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 22. Please note that all residence halls remain open during the Fall Study Break and Rose Towers, Bryce Lawn and the Highlands remain open during Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks. For additional information, please contact Housing and Residential Communities at 205-348-6676 or visit http://housing.ua.edu.
Living on campus puts you right in the middle of The University of Alabama. It's harder not to dive-in when you are exposed to so many activities and people are literally knocking on your door telling you about opportunities. It's not always fun and games. Sometimes you are forced to live with someone you never thought you would even speak to, but that's when you grow up and find out who you really are.
Sarah Luken Hydrick, MBA candidate 2009, Hall Director in Friedman Hall