By: Lydia Rogers ~Campus News Editor~

The Office of Residence Life has announced the housing selection process for rising third- and fourth-year students for the 2015- 16 school year.

There will be three separate sign-up sessions which will be taking place in the Musketeer Mezzanine in Fenwick Place. The sessions will be 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 19 and 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 22.

Students in their second year at Xavier who have signed a two year housing contract last year will receive priority for this process and will be permitted to sign up from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 18.

This year, there will be no randomly generated selection times. The process will be on a first come, first-serve basis. When students have an opening in their schedule, they can come to any of the selection times. Students will be personally assisted by a member of the Residence Life staff so they will have a clearer understanding of their options and room configurations.

Students also have the option to sign up as an individual, pair or in a group. If students sign up as individuals, Residence Life will assign roommates.

If students wish to sign up as a group but not all members of the group are able to attend the sign up session, Residence Life will reserve them a spot. If the group is able to sign the housing agreement within 24 hours of the sign up, the housing assignment will be finalized.

Students will not be required to leave a security deposit during their sign-up session. They will only need to present their ALL Card, and Residence Life will accept the signed agreement as their statement of commitment.

All housing options will be available except for Husman and Brockman Halls, which are reserved for first-year students. The options include the Commons, the Village, Bishop Fenwick Place, Kuhlman Hall, Buenger Hall, Manor House, 1019 Dana and University Apartments.

“This process was very successful last year,” Senior Director of Student Affairs Lori Lambert said. “Students reported that having the process completed by the end of September relieved them of dealing with the stress of finding off-campus housing.”

Students entering their third or fourth year are not required to sign up for Xavier housing. However, the Office of Residence Life encourages all students to remain on-campus.

“University research shows that students who live on-campus for four years are more likely to have higher GPAs, more likely to be involved, are more likely to remain at the university and are more likely to graduate within four years,” Lambert said.

The Office of Residence Life also offers a list of reasons for third and fourth-year students to remain on campus, which includes convenience, safety, Xavier services and the simple sign-up process.

Students who are new to the university this fall are required to live on campus for their first two years at Xavier. This housing process will occur in the spring semester.

If students miss the sign up sessions, they can select a living space any time until 5 p.m. on Sept. 30 by going to the Residence Life office during regular business hours