Frequently Asked Questions
Check here first for answers to your housing questions. Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact Panther Central. We’re at your service.
Can an incoming freshman choose a roommate?
Yes. You can indicate a
roommate preference on your housing/dining services application. If
both individuals agree, we will try to accommodate the request. Both
you and your potential roommate must submit online the other person’s seven-digit University ID (also known as the PeopleSoft number) on the online housing/dining services applications. We will do our best to accommodate any roommate
requests; however, we cannot guarantee that we will always be able
to do so.
Can incoming freshmen select their residence hall?
Incoming
freshmen can indicate the type of housing they prefer, for example, double,
single, triple, or quad, and the building. Panther Central staff will do their best to
accommodate any preferences you may have.
When do freshmen receive their housing assignments?
We generally mail a “notice of assignment” to students
in July. This notice will include information on how to go online and view your new assignment and room number, as well as contact information for your roommate(s). The residence halls’ mailing addresses will be included as well.
Can I change my room selection?
You can apply for a room change during the room change period, which
opens during the second week of term. If you live in a residence
hall, contact your resident assistant to begin the room change process.
Your resident assistant will try to mediate any roommate differences or difficulties
that may be occurring. The resident assistant will, as a last resort, sign off on a room
change and deliver it to your resident director, who will submit it
to Panther Central. You may obtain a room change request form from
the Panther Central Community online at http://my.pitt.edu.
Who has a housing guarantee?
First-year fall-term freshmen admitted
through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid are guaranteed on-campus
housing. The guarantee is good for three years, provided you continue
to meet housing application and deposit deadlines in each subsequent
year.
Who does not have a guarantee?
Fourth-year students (seniors) are not
guaranteed on-campus housing. Other nonguaranteed students are transfer students,
branch campus students, current students who live off campus, dental
hygiene students, College of General Studies students, graduate students, and any students who did not meet the current or previous years’ housing application and deposit deadlines.
What options does a nonguaranteed student have?
- The waiting list. Contact Panther Central to request a housing contract. We will add your name to the waiting list in the order that your housing contract is received.
- Off-Campus Living provides students with the necessary information and tools to successfully reside in off-campus accommodations, including a Renters' Guide, apartment listings, roommate and subletting service, as well as other useful tips and contact information to assist you in your role as tenant. Stop in our offices at 127 North Bellefield Avenue, or give us a call at 412-624-6998.
When are wait-listed students notified of housing?
Wait-listed
students are contacted as soon as housing is available to them. Usually
we are able to begin making phone calls and/or assignments in July.
Wait-listed students who are assigned to a University accommodation
will receive a “notice of assignment” after an assignment
has been made.
Is there a chance wait-listed students will not receive
housing?
Yes. We recommend that all wait-listed students pursue all
of their options and seek off-campus housing as well as remaining on
the wait list for University housing. While we cannot
guarantee that a wait-listed student will obtain University
housing, this allows a student to access all options and make an educated
decision concerning housing.
When can I check my wait-list status?
Panther Central usually has a
wait list available as early as June.
How is wait-listed status determined?
Students who do not currently
live on campus are added to the wait list in the order that we received
their contracts.
If a wait-listed student finds off-campus accommodations,
will the deposit be refunded?
Yes. Fill out a cancellation form as soon
as you no longer desire on-campus housing, and we will refund your
deposit. If you reject on-campus housing when it is offered, fill out
a cancellation form, and we will refund your deposit. If you accept
housing, but then later decline it, you will forfeit your deposit.
Once
they obtain on-campus housing, can wait-listed students obtain a guarantee
for next year?
No. Nonguaranteed students can never receive a guarantee.
Once they are living on campus, they will receive future housing materials
before incoming students.
