To further cultivate an inclusive and welcoming living and learning environment, University Housing and Dining (UHD) is now offering a new roommate option for students living in certain on-campus residence halls next fall. The Family and Friend roommate option allows enrolled students to select any UT Austin student who is also currently enrolled at the university as a roommate.
This option helps enhance our residents’ sense of belonging and facilitates a smoother transition to college life by increasing the options for selecting a roommate. By promoting student values around choice and decision-making, this option reinforces the opportunity for residents to achieve the goals of self-management, community engagement and cultural competency. UHD is offering this option during a two-year pilot and will review future implementation thereafter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Family and Friend Expanded Roommate Option?
To further cultivate an inclusive and welcoming living and learning environment, University Housing and Dining is now offering a new expanded roommate option for students living in certain on-campus residence halls next fall. The Family and Friend roommate option allows enrolled students to select any UT Austin student who is also currently enrolled at the university as a roommate.
Why was this expanded option created?
This helps enhance our residents’ sense of belonging and improves our competitiveness with the Austin market and other institutions. It also allows us to be more responsive to student needs. By promoting student values around choice and decision-making, this option reinforces the opportunity for residents to achieve the goals of self-management, community engagement and cultural competency.
The university also wants to encourage more on-campus living, since many off-campus residence halls offer a similar option.
Who can select this option?
Any UT Austin student who is currently enrolled at the university.
What if I want to room with a friend or family member who has the same gender as me?
Room assignments outside of the Family and Friend Expanded Roommate Option are done based on the gender noted in the student’s UT record. If you have the same gender as your friend or family member, you probably do not have to select the Family and Friend Expanded Roommate Option. Family and Friend housing is for students who want to live together who have different gender, sexual or gender identity. If you have questions about whether Family and Friend housing is the right option for you, please contact housing@austin.utexas.edu.
Who can I select as a roommate?
The Family and Friend roommate option allows enrolled students to select any student who is also currently enrolled at the university as a roommate, regardless of their gender, sexual or gender identity. If you are a couple or have children, we provide this option at Brackenridge apartments. Learn more about University Apartments.
Can I select my own roommate(s)?
Yes. You will apply for housing by starting a housing application. For the Family and Friend option, you will enter the name and other information of the roommate with whom you would like to live. You can live with any student who is currently enrolled at the university. Each student must agree to live with one another.
How do I find a roommate(s) if I don’t have one?
You can complete an optional roommate profile to help you find other students based on responses to roommate profile questions. If you have selected the Family and Friend option, you will be able to search for roommates or roommate groups. You will only see other students that have also selected this housing option. You can create or join roommate groups of 2-4 students (Triple and Quad rooms are limited). You can also be invited into or request to join groups. You can then select a room in the Family and Friend option for the entire group during room selection. UHD will contact the selected roommates to confirm that they want to live together. Each student must agree to live with one another.
How do I change roommates?
While UHD does not release students from their contracts based on roommate conflicts, there is a room change process in place. Students can request to move and either remain in the Family and Friend roommate option or opt out of the program. If you opt out of the Family and Friend program, you will only be able to live with another UT Austin student with the same university gender marker. Room changes are based on available space. More information can be found here.
Which residence halls offer the Family and Friend option?
The Family and Friend option will be available in the following residence halls which have shared suites or rooms with private bathrooms:
• Blanton: double rooms with an external private bathroom*
• Duren: double, triple and quad suites with private bathroom; double suites with private bathroom
• Jester East and Jester West: double and triple suites with private bath; double suites with private bathroom
• San Jacinto: double suites with private bathroom
• Moore-Hill: double rooms with an external private bathroom
*The term “private bathroom” can mean an external connecting bathroom, shared among roommates and suitemates, or a bathroom outside of the room but limited to roommates.
If I have questions, who can I contact?
Please contact housing@austin.utexas.edu or 512-471-3136.