Room Selection Process

Current students who are contracted for housing for the upcoming Fall Semester are provided the opportunity in the Spring or Summer Semester to search for and select the room they would like to live in.  To view the status of the Room Selection process, visit the Important Information and Dates page.

To participate in this process, students must have completed the application process detailed on the Applying for Housing page. Students who do not participate in this process will be assigned a space by Residence Life.

Who May Participate

  • Full-time, matriculated, students currently attending classes at William Paterson University
  • Students currently participating in a William Paterson University sponsored semester-long study-abroad program

Students who complete their application and deposit before posted deadlines may receive a Housing Selection Number, allowing them to participate in the Room Selection Process before the Open Selection period.

Housing Selection Numbers

Housing Selection numbers are used in the Online Room Selection process to determine access times for the online selection module.  Housing Selection Numbers are randomly generated and assigned to students based on various factors.

Housing Selection Numbers are issued to students before the room selection module becomes active.  Status information regarding Housing Selection is available to students in their ResCenter portal. 

Selecting a Space Online

Participating students can access the MyResCenter Portal to view the Online Room Selection timeline and to access the Room Selection module.  All room selection modules start with: “Select a Room:”

Students can view room options and make room selections based on the number of confirmed roommates and suitemates they have. Students who select a room or suite with vacancies may also assign those confirmed roommates and suitemates into those vacancies

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I stay in the space I’m assigned now?
    • Students are not allowed to maintain occupancy beyond the duration of their housing contract or ‘buyback’ a currently occupied space for future semesters.

  • What if I need to request medical accommodation?
  • Will I get a better selection number if I apply earlier?
    • Application acceptance date is one of the criteria that adds room selection points for students, specifically meaning that submission date of application and/or deposit are contributing factors for Housing Selection.

  • What can I do if I miss the deadline for housing selection numbers?
    • Students who miss the deadline may participate in Open Selection periods. These will happen after all other Room Selection periods have concluded.

  • What if my class year changes during the semester?
    • Residence Life will use a student’s Class Standing as recorded by the first date of classes for the Spring Semester.

  • What if my first choice is not available?
    • Residence Life encourages students to consider multiple options when making decisions about housing. Opportunities may be available for students to select their first choice housing option during future Open Selection periods but will be determined by inventory and availability.

  • Once I choose a space, can I change my mind?
    • Students will not be able to change their assignment during the Room Selection Period.  Students may submit a Room Change Request should they wish to make a change to their assignment.  

  • What if I miss the time to select a room?
    • Students who miss the Open Selection periods will be assigned a room by Residence Life. Students may be given additional opportunities to participate in the Online Room Selection process.  Students will be notified via e-mail in these circumstances.

  • I want a single room. What are my chances of getting one?
    • Elective Single Rooms are assigned to students based on Housing Selection process and availability.  Please note that only a small number of elective single rooms are available on campus each academic year.