If you haven't received a housing assignment yet, it is possible that you will be placed in temporary housing. The quotes are taken from actual students who have lived in temporary housing. Please read the information below and if you have any questions, contact the Contracts and Assignments Office at 319-335-3009.

"Temporary housing was one of my best experiences at Iowa."

Temporary housing is created by converting locked floor study lounges to student living areas. We DO NOT use lobbies or hallways for temporary housing. Eight or fewer students are assigned to each lounge. The basic amenities of residence hall rooms are included in temporary housing. Each student will have a bed, but because of space restrictions, students will share desks, dresser space and hanging space for clothes. There is one telephone jack and we provide a telephone. As in all residence hall rooms, local service is provided. Each space has wireless internet service available for resident use.

"I was terrified when I found out that I would be in temp housing. However, it was probably the best experience that I've yet to encounter at the University. I am still really close with everyone I lived with at the beginning of the year and it was a really sad day when I had to leave!"

Students are assigned to temporary housing when there is no longer any available permanent space. Temporary housing enables students who request to live on campus to receive housing. Students assigned to temporary housing will be reassigned to permanent space based on their original housing application date.

"We had a ton of space in the room, HUGE windows looking over campus toward the Old Capitol, and air conditioners that always worked."

During the first few weeks of fall semester, a number of permanent spaces will be identified due to "no shows." Cancels are also received from students who decide not to continue at the University. These cancellations allow students from temporary housing to be assigned to permanent space. Over half of our temporary housing students historically receive a permanent assignment by the beginning of October. In fact, some students assigned to temporary housing may receive a permanent assignment before they arrive on campus!

"Temp housing was way better than having a normal room."

Students are charged a greatly reduced rate for temp housing-$10.00 per day-plus the cost of their selected meal plan. When a student is moved into a permanent space, housing charges will be pro-rated according to the rate for the permanent room and the number of days remaining in the semester.

"I actually really enjoyed the temporary housing because I was left with three guys that I got along with extremely well. We had a great time together and we joked about how we wish we would have stayed in that lounge together for second semester."

When your application is considered for a permanent room assignment, you will be assigned to any open space that is available. Your preferences for building and room may be considered if there are multiple vacancies, but will not be used if the student is next on the list to be placed and there is only one vacancy. In that case, a student has the potential of being placed in any building on campus.

"Don't be afraid if you get placed in temporary housing. You'll be surprised how easy it is to get along with your roommates. I guarantee you'll be sad when they move out."

Students who live in temporary housing do not have a binding contract with University Housing. They may leave the housing system at any time until they accept a permanent assignment. However, most students tell us they prefer living in temporary housing than living off campus. If a resident in temporary housing chooses to cancel the housing contract in order to move off campus, they must contact the Contracts and Assignments Office at 319-335-3009 for further information.

"Temporary housing is not the end of the world, it is actually a really great way to meet people on campus and adjust to being away from home."

For more information about living on campus, go to housing.uiowa.edu and click on the "Living on Campus" link, then "Things you need to know about living on campus". Here you will find a listing of important dates, what to bring, what not to bring, etc. Because space is limited in the lounges and you will be living with seven other students temporarily, we recommend that you bring only the basics you will need for a few weeks. We can't provide storage for those students in temporary housing, so if it doesn't fit comfortably in your temporary space, it may have to go back home.

"Don't get stressed about being in temp housing, it's not bad and you get to meet a lot of people. You get enough space to live but there are other places you can go if you need your space."

No matter which hall becomes your home, you are encouraged to take advantage of the services and social aspects of the U of I residence halls. The residence halls offer many services to help new students make a successful transition to college academics, as well as adjust to the responsibility of living in a residence hall. The residence hall staff is available to provide support as you pursue your academic and personal goals. You can get involved in a variety of ways in your residence hall, including social events, educational activities, recreation, student government, and student employment.