As a member of the Residential Life and Housing Services team who administers the overall program, I understand that some students may not be pleased with all the choices they are presented. That said, we have tried to have an inclusive process for housing selection and retention and always appreciate student feedback.

In your March 21, 2016 article “A Guide to Housing Gripes,” there are several factual issues that I think need to be clarified.

It is important to note that the process for returning upperclass student room selection was first created by student leaders within the Inter-Residence Hall Council in the late 1980s. Since then, the IRHC has played an integral role in the ongoing development of this process.  

If any student disagrees with elements of the upperclass room assignment process, then there is a way to give feedback and make suggestions for improvement by working through the IRHC’s advocacy committee. The committee meets every other Tuesday evening at the Palladium multipurpose room. Each year, student-informed changes are incorporated into the processes. These changes are implemented to meet student expectations for service, improve the ease of use and ultimately ensure that fairness is maintained.

With this in mind, I offer the following in regard to the information provided in the article:

Freshmen are asked to submit building preferences as part of their housing application process, and their room assignments are based on the ranking they provide. They do not participate in the room selection process.

Not everyone is going to get their first choice, but the housing office has had a pretty good track record of providing first year students with one of their top three choices.

The upperclassmen room selection and the upperclassmen dedicated inventory are both separate and distinct from the freshmen room assignment process and inventory.

The returning student process does not ask for building preferences as individual selection times are based on priority and determined via lottery. Should students not be satisfied with the room they are assigned, they can place themselves on a room change wait list immediately after the process is over.

NYU continues to offer additional lower-cost housing options. Next year the university will provide over 600 more lower-cost spaces within the overall system in a variety of halls, including the Union Square residences.

Subsequent to the “Explore the Halls” event, a housing fair held annually in the Palladium multipurpose room, the university tries to provide adequate time for students to visit different buildings in different neighborhoods. Each building recently had two evenings when it was open and available for students to take tours, see floor plans and talk with staff and current residents.  Additionally, there is an upcoming online room preview that will allow students to become familiar with the selection software and browse the inventory online.

Again, please remember: the room selection process for upperclass students is designed by students. We strongly encourage students to take the time to be engaged and informed about the process and continue to provide constructive feedback. We can work together to provide a better experience.

Tom Ellett is the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and the Associate Vice Provost for University Programs.