Overflow Housing Basics

As the name suggests, overflow spaces are used only when we need a higher capacity for students than our traditional campus footprint allows. When returning students select housing, we don’t yet have a full picture of what the student numbers on-campus will look like come fall, and thus whether or not overflow spaces will need to be activated. If there is a need for overflow housing,   we will email all eligible students with more details at that time. 

Application

This application is for students interested in forfeiting the space they selected during housing selection in favor of placement within overflow housing. If you are interested in giving up your current space to move to overflow housing, please submit the following preference information.  Summer Placement students may also apply. Please note: This application is binding. If you are placed in overflow housing you must accept the assignment. Please read carefully the information provided on this page to understand if this option is something you would like to pursue. 

The application for overflow housing for the 2023-2024 academic year has now closed.

Overflow Spaces: Frequently Asked Questions

What is an overflow apartment?
All overflow spaces are located within a few blocks of the main campus. Many are adjacent to other campus spaces, and there are non farther from campus than 10 Frye is to Commons. 

Overflow apartments and houses all contain a kitchen (stove, fridge/freezer, microwave), living space (couch, table, TV, WiFi), a private entrance, and bedrooms. All houses have the same dorm furniture found throughout campus buildings. Bedrooms and common spaces in overflow spaces are comparable in size to other “on-campus” buildings.

These are buildings owned and maintained by the college and have similar aesthetics to other campus buildings. 

All students in an overflow apartment are considered “on campus” and will be on the meal plan. Students in living in overflow spaces will follow all other Residential Regulations/Policies of the college.

How many students can live in an overflow apartment?
Overflow spaces house exactly three (3) students. They are comprised of different arrangements- all singles, singles and doubles, etc. Due to the City of Lewiston housing ordinances, there can not be more than three (3) students in a unit. Students must apply in groups of 3 to be eligible for overflow housing.

Can I take a look at these apartments? What if I have questions?
There are no pictures of the spaces, floor plans, or tours available. If you would not be happy with any overflow assignment, you should not apply.

Were these the spaces that were used previously for overflow or isolation?
Addresses may or may not have been used for student use in previous overflow iterations (2019-2020; 2021-2022, etc.) or isolation spaces (2020-2021, 2021-2022). However, these buildings are all owned and maintained by the college and have similar aesthetics to other campus buildings. 

These spaces have kitchens. So can I go off the meal plan if I am placed in an overflow space?
No, we can’t take you off the meal plan. Overflow housing is still considered on campus and requires students to be on the meal plan. Part of the application involves students signing off that “we understand we will continue to be on the meal plan and can not opt-out of the meal plan.”

Is there parking at these overflow buildings?
It depends. Some have a driveway where one or two student cars can park in very specific configurations. Students will be notified of parking specifics if placed in an overflow space. All overflow spaces are within a one-minute walk of other campus buildings and typically a five-minute walk to the center of campus. 

If we are placed in overflow, can we be “kicked out?”
Overflow apartments carry additional expectations regarding noise, parties, parking, appliances, health and safety violations, etc. Should these expectations be violated, our office would connect with the residents about these expectations and rules. If the issues were to continue or the first violations were a major safety or community issue, students would be moved to regular campus residences without preference to location.

Overflow Application: Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for overflow apartments? Are we guaranteed a space?
Any students that are in the class of 2024, 2025, and 2026 that will be living on-campus for fall 2023 are eligible to apply. Transfer students and those that have already submitted off-campus contracts are not eligible to apply. Submitting this application does not guarantee placement in overflow housing. Placements will be made based on current housing assignments, seniority, and original selection time. No student is guaranteed an overflow assignment.

What if I am only interested in certain buildings or room arrangements?
If you would not be happy with any overflow assignment, you should not apply. By completing this application, you are agreeing to move into any overflow space if assigned. Staff will work carefully to make assignments that reflect the preferences of interested groups, but we can’t guarantee a specific building or room arrangement (such as 3 singles compared to 1 single and 1 double).

If we are assigned to overflow, when would we be notified?
Students placed in overflow housing will be notified of their assignment by August 4th. Assignments will include address information as well as accompanying room arrangement information.

Does each individual need to apply?
No, one student should act as a group leader and send in the application for the group. Again, overflow is only for groups of three (3) students.

If we apply and do not like the space we are assigned, can we just have our previous selected rooms?
No, applying for overflow is a binding process. If you fill out the application and are assigned a space, you will be living in that space. Groups can not retract an overflow application. 

If I forfeit my current housing for overflow and I am not placed in an overflow space where will I live?
You would only forfeit your current space if you are placed in an overflow space. If you apply and are not selected to live in one of these spaces, then you will remain in the space you selected in the spring. There is no penalty for applying. If you were on summer placement from the spring, then you will remain on summer placement.

My friends lived at (123 Bates St) last year. Can I request that space and can my neighbors be another group of my friends?
You cannot only apply for certain overflow buildings, certain neighbors, etc.

Why were these spaces not on the regular room selection in the spring?
The overflow apartments are not part of the room selection. As the name suggests, overflow spaces are used only when we need a higher capacity for students than our traditional campus footprint allows. When returning students select housing, we don’t yet have a full picture of what the student numbers on-campus will look like come fall, and thus whether or not overflow spaces will need to be activated. As we have done in the past, we alert eligible students to apply if we do need to open those spaces based on on-campus capacity in the summer. 

My roommate/suitemate is interested in applying and I am not. What happens to the open space in my on-campus living space if they move to overflow?
As the current occupant of the space, you are able to pull another student into the space if you choose. Otherwise, we will assign you a roommate as the need occurs throughout the summer placement and the fall and winter semesters. If you do not take the opportunity to fill this space yourself quickly, we will assign you a roommate as the need occurs throughout the academic year. 

I don’t know anyone to apply for overflow with? Are there people you can connect me with?
No, our office does not provide any matching for overflow spaces. We suggest usually social media, class pages, or listservs to network with other students.

I am a rising senior, why would a junior receive an overflow placement ahead of me? Isn’t seniority a factor in housing?
Placements will be made based on current housing assignments, seniority, and original selection time. The spaces that are being left for other students to fill are the number one factor. No student is guaranteed an overflow assignment.

I am currently supposed to be on the JARC staff for the fall, can I apply to be an RC of overflow spaces?
No, you can be on the ResLife staff and live in overflow. Please contact the Assistant Director of Residence Life with JARC staff questions. 

Overflow Housing Process &  Dates