Non-Discrimination and Accommodations

In keeping with the College’s policy of non-discrimination, housing assignments are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, nationality or ethnicity, age, handicap or other factors irrelevant to participation in programs for the College. Student preferences for type of housing and choice of roommate may be honored, provided this will not result in discrimination in violation of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Kalamazoo College’s Office of Disability Services will work with students who have special needs when completing housing assignments. The College will provide accessible housing to students with disabilities. Contact the Office of Disability Services at 269.337.7209.

Housing Requirement

Kalamazoo College affirms the educational benefits inherent in the residential undergraduate experience. Residential living is supportive of one’s academic preparation and plays an integral role in one’s experiential education, providing rich opportunities for involvement and development. Therefore, Kalamazoo College requires all students to reside within the College’s residential system and board with the College’s dining center through their sophomore year. Please see the Housing and Board Requirements page for more information.

New Students

Once a student makes a deposit to the College, they are sent a letter that contains the link to the Entering Student Housing Application to fill out and submit electronically to the Office of Residential Life. When they are received by Residential Life, each application is date-stamped and numbered. During the summer, new students are matched by hand with roommates based on living styles and preferences and assigned to spaces. Students may request specific roommates, and we will do the best we can to accommodate roommate requests as long as the requests are mutual. Requests for specific neighbors will not be accepted. We take into account all of the information students provide to us on their applications. As such, it is very important for students to be honest and thorough when filling out this form.

First-year students will be assigned to one of our first-year residence halls: Hoben and Trowbridge house exclusively first-year students and Harmon houses both first-year and upperclass students. Transfer students will be assigned to one of our upperclass residence halls: DeWaters, Crissey, and Severn house exclusively upperclassmen and Harmon houses both first-year and upperclass students.

There are a limited number of single rooms available and they cost $350 more per quarter. Singles are assigned on a first-come, first-served and space-available basis. If you are interested in a single, it is highly advised that you turn in your Entering Student Housing Application as soon as possible. Most first-year students will be housed in double rooms.

New students will receive their housing assignment and roommate information (if applicable) via their Kalamazoo College e-mail account during July.

Returning Students

The Fall Housing Selection Process for returning students takes place during Spring Quarter. A lottery is run for each class and students sign up in lottery number order per their class standing. Students must plan to be registered as full-time students for Fall in order to sign up for housing. The assignment process is predicated upon students being knowledgeable about the process, its requirements, and making their own informed choices. It is the responsibility of returning students to locate their own compatible roommates. Any attempts at forgery, misrepresentation, to advantage one student at the expense of others, or to circumvent the assignment process in any manner will result in the loss of assignment for all involved students and referral to the Student Code of Conduct system.

Once the Fall assignment process is over, rooms with vacancies will be assigned at the discretion of the Office of Residential Life, which reserves the right to assign space or modify this policy as needed to meet the needs of the College and its students.