By Ashlynn Worley

Spring is here and many dates and deadlines are near.

Now is the time students must tackle the housing selection process and things will look a bit different this year.

All students returning for the 2018-19 semester and those wishing to stay on campus this summer must first read and electronically agree to the housing application.

Themed housing is one of the latest additions to the selection process. Students can gather a group of roommates and agree on a common interest or theme.

Once a theme is unanimously chosen, students will propose two ideas for a program they want to participate in. The Office of Student Development is prepared to fund the selected programs.

Students who do not submit the housing application form by Wednesday, April 4th will not be given a lottery number for the room selection process.

Themed housing is available for Willer Hall, Greek and nursing housing, and honors community students located on the 6th and 7th floor of Friars Hall.

Director of Residence Life Johann St. John says a fair lottery process will be introduced to students and numbers will be assigned according to class rank and credit hours earned.

Everyone is required to be present for the lottery selection process April 11th-12th.

Students can select their lottery numbers in the Student Success Center starting at 9 a.m.

In case of an emergency, students who will not be present those two days may request a proxy permission slip allowing a friend or faculty member to stand in their place.

Anyone not in good financial standing with the university should visit the business office, otherwise, you will pick a number from the last box.

Afterward, students will be given a designated group number for the selection process.

Beginning Friday, April 13th from 6-10 p.m. the Student Success Center will be filled with floor plans of every dorm and house on campus.

Students will select their dorm room based on assigned group numbers.

This process allows students to see who will be living next door or down the hall. St. John hopes this will serve as a way to  minimize issues within the dorms and foster a sense of community.

The housing rates for the upcoming academic year have also been released. Padua Hall previously required residents to pay an extra $300 for the installation and electricity of their own air conditioning unit.

Instead, QU raised the cost of living in Padua by approximately $400 per resident in order to provide a/c for every room.

The residence life staff is happy to help answer any questions by appointment.