FAQs on Expanded Occupancy Rooms

At SUNY Geneseo, we are committed to making the residential learning experience available to all students who would like the opportunity to live on campus.  Our commitment to house all students sometimes requires the assignment of students to "expanded occupancy" rooms (three students assigned to a room normally housing two students).  By placing you in this type of accommodation we have been able to house you and two other students like you who are eager to attend Geneseo.

This page will attempt to answer many of your questions regarding expanded occupancy rooms.

By move-in day in August, many students initially assigned to a "triple" or "expanded occupancy" room will already have received a double room assignment by that date.  The residence hall staff will be able to answer any questions you may have and will keep you informed of vacancies as they occur throughout the semester.

It is important to stay in contact with your Resident Assistant and Area Coordinator regarding any issues with your temporary housing situation after your arrival.

Why does the College assign students to "expanded occupancy" rooms?

As a residential liberal arts college, Geneseo knows that your broad education includes the people you meet and the experiences you have outside the classroom.  When there is a slight increase in the numbers of new students excited to attend Geneseo, we may not have enough space to house every new student in a double room.  We consider "expanded occupancy" rooms to be temporary, and occupants of triple rooms will be offered spaces in doubles as they become available.  These spaces often become available prior to August move-in. 

Why were you assigned to an "expanded occupancy" room?

Your priority for housing was based upon when you paid your housing deposit and when you returned your housing preference materials.  We have worked hard this year to keep all incoming students with or near other incoming students.  To the greatest extent possible we have avoided placing incoming first-year students in suite spaces where the other suite members are continuing students. Students who paid their housing deposits before April 25 are not tripled.  Most students who paid their housing deposits on April 26 or thereafter are tripled, but students who were placed in suite-style buildings, EcoHouse, Writers House, Dante House, or Monroe are not tripled, regardless of when they paid their deposits.
 

How many rooms are currently tripled?

As of July 29, 2015 there are 63 rooms tripled.  We expect this number to continue to decrease steadily before Opening Weekend.

How long will you be in your expanded occupancy room?

Our process for reassigning students in "expanded occupancy" rooms begins as soon as vacancies occur.  Students with the earliest deposit dates will be offered the opportunity to move first.  In past years, most residents in "expanded occupancy" rooms were offered opportunities to move by the end of the first semester.

What type of furniture is in an "expanded occupancy" room?

The furniture in your room will include 3 beds, 3 sets of dressers, 3 nightstands, 2 desks, 2 desk chairs, and 2 closets.  Of the 3 beds, 2 will be bunked.  In a few rooms, we are able to offer three distinct loft beds so that no bed is bunked, but other rooms cannot accommodate this furniture.  A safety rail will be attached to the top bunk.  If you know that you will want 3 desks in your room, just notify us prior to Friday, August 14, and we will arrange to bring another desk and desk chair into your room before your arrival.  If, after you arrive, you and your roommates decide that you want another desk and desk chair, you can submit an online work order, and an additional desk and desk chair will be delivered to your room within several days.

How is it decided who gets what furniture?

The residents of the room decide how to arrange the furniture, choose beds, and utilize closet space.  The most equitable way to do this is to wait until all the roommates have arrived before you unpack everything and choose a bed and a closet.  Your resident assistant may be able to help you by making suggestions for equitable distribution.

Do the residents of expanded occupancy rooms get refunds?

Should you not be offered the chance to de-triple before certain dates in the semester, you are will receive a  partial refund of your housing cost.  The dates and refund structure are listed below.

de-triple offer extended on or before 9/12:  no refund

de-triple offer extended between 9/15 and 10/24:  $205 refund

de-triple offer extended on or after 10/27:  another $205 refund (for a total refund of $410)

What is the process for filling spaces prior to moving in?

We will reassign a small number of students prior to move in based upon the same priority system with which they were originally assigned.

What is the process for deciding who relocates?

Once the residents of the room have been informed about available space, the residents of the room must come to a mutual agreement as to who will move.  You and your roommates should begin discussing this before you are offered the option to move.  Making the decision early will be much easier than waiting until you are offered a space.  Area Coordinators/ Residence Directors and resident assistants are able to help facilitate this discussion.

If you decide to move where will you be reassigned?

When vacancies occur after move in day, priority is given to residents of "expanded occupancy" rooms in the same building.  Students may also be offered rooms in other buildings, depending on occupancy.

Can you move in with a friend who has a vacancy in his/her room?

Students in expanded occupancy rooms will have the first priority to move into vacancies within their own halls.  Any vacancies remaining after all students in "expanded occupancy" rooms have been given the opportunity to move will be made available to other students.  At no time can a student move without the acknowledgment of their Area Coordinator.

How can you find out if a hall has vacancies?

The Area Coordinator of each hall will have a list of vacancies in his or her hall and can help you contact the Area Coordinator of the hall in which you are interested.

Can residents of "expanded occupancy" rooms choose to remain with their roommates and not move?

Residents in expanded occupancy rooms are not usually required to move from "expanded occupancy" rooms into vacancies that occur within their assigned residence hall.  However, if you decide not to accept reassignment when offered, you will not be eligible for any type of room billing adjustment.

I will be living in Suffolk or Nassau, but I have 2 roommates.  I thought that rooms in suite-style buildings would not be tripled.  Is this a mistake?

A:  In both Suffolk and Nassau Halls, 6 rooms are designed triples.  These rooms differ from the expanded occupancy triples in Onondaga, Niagara, and Steuben Halls, since the rooms in Suffolk and Nassau are larger. Designed Triples are charged the “double rate.”