FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a private?  How is it different from a single?
"Private" refers to any room that has less than it's maximum occupancy.  This can mean a double room reserved for a single person or a triple reserved for one or two people.  Private rooms are available most years, but Doane Housing always reserves the right to dissolve a private and assign a roommate if the need for housing demands it.  Dissolution of privates is extremely rare, and we dissolve based on lottery points.
A single room is one intended to house only occupant.  Singles cost a little more per semester, but not as much as a private double or triple. 

What if I cannot find someone to live with in time for Housing Selection?
You have two options.  First, you can reserve a double room as a private.  Second, you can sign a waiting list for roommates.  The waiting list is for general housing.  You can request a hall when signing the list, but you cannot request a specific room.  Depending on availability, we may not be able to honor your hall request, either.

What if I cannot make it to room selection for Traditional Housing on May 3rd?
Please stop by the Residence Life Office in Perry at your earliest convenience.  You will need to complete the housing selection form, sign a housing contract, and designate a representative using a proxy form.  Your representative will need to present the selection form and contract when s/he chooses your room; the proxy form must be turned in to the Residence Life Office prior to selection.
Please note: By selecting a person to represent you, you are giving them the right to pick your room and use your lottery points when making that selection.  We strongly encourage you to give them a list of your first choice and several backups.
If we have not received your proxy form by noon on May 3rd, your representative will not be allowed to pick a room for you.

If I'm representing someone else during room selection, and their lottery number is higher than mine, can I select my room when I select theirs?
Unfortunately, no.  You will need to wait your turn and select your own room when your lottery number comes up.  Any other way would be unfair to the people ahead of you.

Can I reserve my current room and live in it again next year?  Do I get special preference for squatting in my current room?
You're welcome to reserve your room again for next year.  Unfortunately, you do not receive special preference in the selection process for staying in the same room year to year.

My roommate just moved out!  What do I?
If you lose your roommate shortly before or during the academic year, you have a couple options. 
For vacancies after Census Day, you can keep your room without being charged for a private.  Doane Housing may assign a roommate for you, or reassign you to a vacancy in another room, but your housing rate for the semester won't go up.  In order to avoid the private room rate next semester, however, you will need to find a roommate before the following Census Day.  Alternately, you can opt to pay for a private for the remainder of the semester/year.  Doing so will increase your housing fee, but Doane Housing will not assign a resident to the empty spot in your room, nor will we reassign you to another room unless housing needs mandate it.  Housing moves and forced dissolution of private rooms is exceptionally rare.
If your roommate leaves before Census Day, you are responsible for finding a new roommate or paying the private rate for the room.  This means you can either find someone to move in with you, or find someone and move in with them.  You must either reserve the room as a private or begin the room move process by Census Day in order to avoid a private charge.

What is Census Day?
Census Day is the second Friday after classes start.  On that day, Doane College finalizes its numbers for class enrollment, housing assignments, and more.  Doane Housing relies on the reports generated on Census Day to determine in-hall retention rates, building occupancy, and housing fees for residents.