Saratoga Terrace Townhouse and Ontario Deluxe Single Early Access Application Instructions
Living on campus is a core component of the Geneseo student experience. Residence Life staff aim to foster an environment where each resident feels a sense of belonging and support, as well as social and intellectual stimulation. We are committed to making on-campus housing available to all undergraduate students while they pursue their bachelor's degree.
The Saratoga Townhouses and Ontario Deluxe Singles are designed primarily to meet the needs of a more independent living style for our Junior and Senior students. These areas are both open for all of academic year break housing (not during the summer months). Staffed by Community Assistants (CA), rather than traditional Resident Assistants (RA), this housing option provides residents with on-campus residential safety and convenience with different types of oversight and community engagement. Staff assistance is available, however there is an expectation that Saratoga and Ontario residents are more independent and able to use their experience to problem solve and negotiate minor house and suite mate challenges on their own. In these areas, lockouts and conflicts are far less. Residents in the townhouses and deluxe singles should be prepared to need far less staff intervention. The Saratoga Townhouses and Ontario Deluxe Singles offer all the convenience and safety of on-campus living with the independence off-campus housing.
Both area: As on campus housing, students have access to the fitness center, maintenance staff, high speed wi-fi, and 24 hour emergency on-call staff. Both of these areas provide single bedrooms.
Saratoga Terrace: An off-campus feel with a central location. The Townhouses are located in the center of campus close to your classes with furnished common spaces, full kitchens, air conditioning*, and close parking in TT lot. Townhouses are available in four (4) or five (5) person units.
Ontario Deluxe Singles: A single room in a suite setting with an off-campus vibe. The Deluxe Singles are located in the coveted North Village. They feature priority parking in E lot, furnished common rooms including TVs and Microfridges, and full size beds in spacious bedrooms. The bathrooms in Ontario are cleaned regularly by facilities staff. Deluxe Single Suites are available in three (3) and four (4) person units.
Spaces that are not filled during Early Access Selection will be available during the Returning Student Housing Selection process in April 2025.
Application Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for early access selection, students must have been admitted to SUNY Geneseo January 2024 or earlier. Transfer students are allowed to apply if they will have Junior standing (61 credits or more) by the time they will be living in the townhouses or deluxe singles. Students that live off campus currently are also eligible to apply.
To participate in this early access selection for the next academic year, applications are available October 1.
Early Access Selection for 2025-2026 Academic Year
Step 1
The first step for this selection is to go into our Symplicity Residence software and complete the Residential License Agreement Form. This application is available to all students who entered the college in January 2024 or before.
Current Saratoga or Ontario residents who do not meet the above qualifications may request a exception through their Area Coordinator.
Before submitting your application, please review the SUNY Geneseo Residential License. The Residential License describes important policies and conditions for living in the residence halls. It also specifies that, by consenting to its terms, residents agree to live in the residence halls for the entire 2025 - 2026 school year. Meaning that, once you select a room, you are immediately and automatically under contract with Residence Life for the entire academic year.
Please Note: Submission of the application creates a binding contract if the following steps are taken. In this process, selecting a room is the event that locks the contract for next year (2025-2026). Do not apply and select a housing assignment (room) as a place holder for next year unless you plan to live in the room for 2025-2026 academic year. Once you select your space, you are obligated to your assignment and responsibilities therein, including but not limited to room fees and damage charges incurred to your assigned space.
Applications are available October 1, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. and close October 27, 2024 at 11:55 p.m. Selection will occur October 29, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
As a reminder, SUNY Geneseo guarantees housing for all undergraduate students so it is not recommended to use this process is a backup plan to off campus housing. Releases from the housing contract are rare.
Step 2
The next step is to form your "roommate" group in the Symplicity Residence software by October 27, 2024. This step is optional.
Once you submit your application, you should form a roommate group. Townhouses are 4-person or 5-person units. The Deluxe Singles are 3-person and 4-person units. If you are applying without a full roommate group, you will still be eligible for this selection, however you will select after those residents who have applies as full groups. You will be provided with remaining spaces after the Full Group process is complete. Full groups will select first, partial groups or individuals will select after.
You -- or another member of your group -- should establish your group in the Symplicity Residence software. The order in which groups and individual students select their housing is determined by average of the group's application dates (the sooner you and your group members fill out the application, the earlier your time slot will be). Our singles areas fill very quickly so submitting an application early (and encouraging your group to do so also) is key.
Using Symplicity Residence Software
In order to view the screen depicted below, navigate your Symplicity Residence menu as follows: click on Roommate Matching, then click on Group.
In the Roommates field of this screen, you can type the passcode of your group member. (Dummy Student-15's passcode is serfan798, as illustrated in the upper-right corner of the screenshot.) You -- or the leader of your group -- will need to ask all other group members for their unique passcodes. When you enter a correct passcode, that person's name should appear in the box below the Roommates field. You should repeat this process until all group members are added, then click the Save button.
Note: Only 1 group member needs to form the group in the Symplicity Residence software. It is unnecessary for all group members to form roommate groups. However ALL MEMBERS must complete an application.
Step 3: Times and Selection
Groups will be confirmed and given their selection time by end of the day on the Monday before the selection takes place. Selection times will be based on the group's average application submission date. These areas tend to fill quickly so apply early and make sure your group applies early as well. Your group leader (if applicable) will need to be available to select during the assigned selection time. You will be able to change the group leader before selection if your group leader is not available at your time. Note: It is important to be in good communication with your group mates and to ensure that everyone has completed their application.
Any spaces left over will be available in April during Housing Selection. There will not be a waiting list until after Housing Selection is finished in April.