Residential Life
Dear Goucher Parents and Friends,
Greetings from a quiet spring break campus. I am hopeful your student is taking a
well-deserved break from classes and mid-terms and finding ways to refresh during
their week away. As we near the end of the semester, I want to provide information
about our upcoming housing selection process.
Our housing selection process is done completely online through The Housing Director,
the software we use for all housing-related applications. Your student should be familiar
with the platform and how to submit applications. A full-time fall schedule and submission
of the housing application are the only two steps needed to obtain on-campus housing,
and, as a reminder, Goucher has a four-year residency requirement. This year, room
draw will take place on April 19, 2023. Students will receive selection times randomly
based on class standing.
Students have several options for their housing, including special interest houses,
apartments, traditional single & double rooms, and suites. You can find more information
about the various options below:
Special Interest Housing
Four special interest houses are accepting new and returning applicants. These houses
include the Language House, the Gaming House, the Robinson-Barland House, and the
Arts & Media House. Special interest houses are student-run themed houses within the
residence halls. Visit the Special Interest Housing page.
Apartment Selection
Students who wish to be assigned to an apartment must meet the following criteria:
- Must have completed a minimum of 45 credits.
- Must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Must demonstrate a record of good citizenship on campus.
- Must complete the apartment application found within the General Housing Application.
Read more about on-campus apartments.
General Housing Application
All students must complete the 2023-24 General Housing Application even if they hope
to draw into a single room, special interest house, or apartment. This application
is tied to the housing lottery, housing contract, and meal plan options. Filling out
the housing application is required for every part of the room draw process.
Applications are currently live and due April 6, 2023. Students who do not submit
the General Housing Application by the April 6 deadline will be waitlisted. Waitlisted
students do not participate in room draw and will select rooms on Monday, April 24,
2023.
Students Requiring Special Accommodations
Students who have a medical need for a specific style of room must complete the accommodation
request and documentation forms. All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis,
and documentation of a special need or disability does not guarantee that your application
will be approved. Assignment to a specific residence hall cannot be guaranteed.
Students must apply for housing accommodations annually. Find more information on the housing accommodations page.
Moving Off-campus
While students wishing to apply to live off-campus in non-Goucher housing may do so
on The Housing Director, the deadline for next semester has passed. Students who choose
to live off-campus even if denied will be financially responsible for room and board.
Students are cautioned not to sign a lease off-campus unless they have received permission
to be released from their residential living requirement. Students who choose to live
off-campus even if denied will be financially responsible for room and board.
2023 Room Draw Timeline
- Monday, March 27, 2023: Release from Campus Residency Application Due
- Thursday, April 6, 2023: General Housing Application Due
- Wednesday, April 12, 2023: Room Draw Times Distributed
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023: General Room Draw for All Classes
- Monday, April 24, 2023: Waitlisted Students Housed
We know that housing season can feel stressful for students. Housing, after all, is
a basic need, and the role of the Office of Residential Life is to help students find
a space that allows for respite. This does not mean every single student will get
the exact room they want, and as family and friends, one of the best ways you can
support your student through this process is to help manage expectations and consider
multiple options. The goal of room draw is to get students into rooms for next year,
but so much shifting happens over the summer. If your student is unhappy with their
room selection, encourage them to contact our office so that we can keep their names
on our radar as things change over the coming months.
Should you have any questions about the process or how to support your student through
it, our office can be reached at residentiallife@goucher.edu.
Best,
Lindy Bobbitt
Director of Residential Life
Goucher College
She/her/hers