Each year enrollment shifts and evolves. This sometimes creates a temporary need for overassigned rooms (what we call transitional housing) while we await predicted cancellations to continue through July and August.
Transitional housing is an arrangement in which rooms are converted to house one additional student, typically on a temporary basis. As cancellations come in, transitional rooms are broken down and students are placed in permanent housing assignments as soon as possible.
Over the summer and at the start of the academic year, we experience what we refer to as a melt. This is when students decide not to come to MSU or discover that it is not the place for them after they have gotten to campus and make the decision to leave. When this melt occurs, which is typical at universities across the country, we are able to make permanent assignments for students who may have been temporarily housed in transitional housing. Each year we work with our partners across campus to plan for the incoming class and the space necessary to ensure both first year and second-year students have a positive on-campus living experience.
Assisting students in transitional housing assignments is one of our highest priorities. REHS will communicate directly with any students placed in transitional housing to provide necessary support and to address any questions or concerns.
Suite Style Transitional Housing Set-Up
Common Questions
Which halls are impacted by transitional housing?
In 2025-26, transitional housing will be in a portion of rooms across campus, primarily suite-style rooms.
Do students pay less money if they are in transitional housing?
Yes, each student in a transitional housing assignment will pay a reduced room rate during that transitional period. They will pay the standard room rate once they are out of transitional housing. Students should expect to see their bill adjusted once they move.
How long will a student be transitionally assigned?
We will continue to process cancellations throughout the summer and into early fall. We expect that many students will be reassigned to a standard room before move-in; other students will be moved throughout fall semester as space becomes available.
Transitionally housed students will receive a notification if they are placed into a standard space prior to move-in.
How does MSU decide who moves rooms?
Before move-in, the Housing Assignments Office will select a student to move into a new, standard space and will notify that student via email. We will keep mutually selected roommates together.
After move-in, roommates typically decide who will move into a different room once space becomes available.
Does the student moving get to choose where?
Before move-in, the Housing Assignments Office will assign students to a standard space as available, ideally in their current neighborhood.
After move-in, students typically remain in their neighborhood. Students will be given an option to move to an available space. If they decline the standard assignment offer, they will remain in transitional housing and should not expect to receive a new offer.
Can students stay in transitional housing if they so choose?
Yes, some students may choose to remain in transitional housing assignments voluntarily if they do not accept their standard assignment offer.
Why is there transitional housing this year?
With strong demand from both incoming and returning students, large incoming class sizes, and enrollment varying each year, we have found a need for a small amount transitional housing this year.
Each year we work together with our partners across campus to plan for the anticipated incoming class and the space necessary to ensure both first-year and second-year students have a positive on-campus living experience. MSU has utilized transitional/overassigned housing in past years as needs arose, along with many of our peer institutions.
How will rooms be set up?
These are regular residence halls rooms with the same services and amenities. The double room configuration will be one bunk bed set, one lofted bed, three desks and chairs, and the one standard dresser.
Transitional housing rooms meet all safety codes and assignments are within the designed capacity of the room.
View a couple sample transitional room floorplans at the following links:
