Housing Selection | Colgate University

We're committed to a residential learning environment that requires and guarantees on-campus student housing for all four years.

Getting Ready for Housing Selection

Choose Your Housing Option

As students progress through their living-learning experience at Colgate they have a variety of housing options to select from dependent on whether they are a sophomore, junior, or senior. Housing selection for each academic year occurs during the spring term. Students are required to live on campus for all four years of their undergraduate experience, as outlined in the student handbook, a policy designed to foster a strong sense of community and personal growth. Living in a campus environment promotes lasting relationships and a support network among peers, which enhances their college experience. Take a look at your options and begin planning as early as possible.

Student walking through residential quad

First-Years and Transfers

All first-year students are placed within one of the four Commons and assigned a residence hall.

Andrews Hall with fall foliage surrounding it

Sophomores

Rising sophomores can choose to live in any Commons or have the opportunity to apply for other residential learning opportunities.

Sun dappled Cushman House during the summer

Juniors and Seniors

Juniors and seniors move out of their Residential Commons and make housing choices in line with their own personal interests.

Rising Sophomore Housing Selection

Most rising sophomores live in the residence halls assigned to their Commons during their second year, but do have the opportunity to apply for other residential learning opportunities like the Sophomore Residential Seminars (SRS) or the Harlem Renaissance Center (HRC).

Instructions

All students must complete the Housing Form located on the Housing Portal before they can form a roommate group or select a room during the selection process. Each student's housing process will be specific to the options and opportunities that student wishes to pursue.

Commons Residential Housing

Rising sophomores will complete the Housing Form and will be able to choose roommates and rooms in any commons. To secure a desired room, it must be filled to capacity (e.g. a double occupancy room must include two people). Much like course registration, each student will receive a randomized housing lottery number, which determines when they will be able to select from rooms available at that time. Students struggling to find individuals to room with can connect with Residential Life for additional resources like attending our roommate matching events.

Sophomore Residential Seminar and Harlem Renaissance Center

Students interested in SRS or HRC must submit an application linked below.

How to Select Housing if Studying Off-Campus for Fall or Spring Semester

If you are studying off-campus during the fall semester

Following the conclusion of housing selection, you may arrange to take the space of someone studying off campus in the spring with a Roommate Replacement Contract. If you do not complete such a contract, the Office of Residential Life will coordinate with you during your semester off-campus to place you in a housing assignment.

If you are studying off-campus during the spring semester

Students will participate in the normal housing selection process and can arrange a replacement for their space in the spring with a Roommate Replacement Contract.

Event hosted in the Edge for the Harlem Renaissance Center theme community.

Harlem Renaissance Center (HRC)

Housed in Bryan Complex - Crawshaw House, the HRC is a living and learning center for all sophomores interested in African and African American history and culture.

Sophomore Residential Seminars (SRS)

Housed in 100 Hamilton, SRS is an immersive living-learning experience that culminates in a 7-10 day trip that extends the academic experience.

Accessible Housing & Accommodations

Colgate is committed to providing reasonable and appropriate housing adjustments/accommodations as needed.

Rising Juniors and Rising Seniors Housing Selection

As juniors and seniors, students may move out of their Residential Commons and make housing choices in line with their own personal interests. This may mean joining a community of peers such as a fraternity or sorority, applying for a theme community, or electing to reside in an apartment or townhouse with friends.

Instructions

All students will need to complete the Housing Form located on the Housing Portal before they can form a roommate group or select a room during the selection process.

General Housing Lottery

All rising juniors and rising seniors, if not choosing to live in a theme community, fraternity chapter house, or sorority chapter house, will be entered into a general housing lottery and will need to match up with their peers to form a group that matches the capacity of the room, apartment, or townhouse they are hoping to fill. Students struggling to find individuals to room with can connect with Residential Life for additional resources like attending our roommate matching events. More information about what housing options are available for juniors and seniors, as well as their amenities, can be found on our Residence Halls page.

Fraternity and Sorority Housing

Students interested in living with a fraternity or sorority should speak directly to their chapter leaders regarding this process.

Theme Community Housing

Students interested in theme communities will need to apply through the housing portal.

How to Select Housing if Studying Off-Campus for Fall or Spring Semester

If you are studying off-campus during the fall semester

Following the conclusion of housing selection, you may arrange to take the space of someone studying off campus in the spring with a Roommate Replacement Contract. If you do not complete such a contract, the Office of Residential Life will coordinate with you during your semester off-campus to place you in a housing assignment.

If you are studying off-campus during the spring semester

Students will participate in the normal housing selection process and can arrange a replacement for their space in the spring with a Roommate Replacement Contract.

Fraternity & Sorority Housing

Students who have joined one of the campus’ recognized fraternities or sororities may elect to seek housing within that organization’s residence.

Theme Communities

Theme housing allows individuals with shared passions to integrate them into their residential experience. Interest communities may be placed in a Broad Street house, apartment, or townhouse.

Rising Senior Off-Campus Housing

A small cohort of rising seniors may apply and be accepted into privately-owned, off-campus housing in Hamilton. Individuals interested must apply and be approved before signing an off-campus lease.