Here are the policies in place for all students in residence at Manhattan School of Music. Be sure to read these carefully!
All first-year and second-year undergraduate students, as well as first-year transfer students, are required to live in Manhattan School of Music housing, as space allows.
The Office of Residence Life makes every effort to honor housing preferences; however, assignments are made based on availability and cannot be guaranteed.
Roommate requests or preferences that exclude individuals based on race, ethnicity, religion, religious practices, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical characteristics, national origin, or other protected identities are not permitted.
Students may request a specific roommate as part of the housing application process. Continuing students select their own roommates, and incoming students also have the option to request a roommate they already know.
Incoming students who do not request a roommate will be paired through the Residence Life roommate matching process. As part of the application, students may complete an optional questionnaire designed to help staff make thoughtful and compatible matches. This process focuses on lifestyle preferences and community living expectations to support a positive roommate experience.
Harassment, intimidation, or behavior intended to force a roommate to move or create an uncomfortable living environment will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.
The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to:
Assign or reassign vacant spaces at any time
Consolidate vacancies when necessary
Residents with a vacant space in their room must keep that space clean, accessible, and ready for a new roommate. Personal belongings may not occupy vacant furniture or areas designated for another resident.
If belongings are found in a vacant space, the Office of Residence Life may move the items. Residents may be charged for any associated costs and may be subject to student conduct action.
Continuing students may participate in the spring room selection process. Detailed information and timelines will be shared prior to the process each year.
To be eligible for housing, students must:
Complete the housing process and meet all deadlines
Understand that housing is based on availability
To ensure space for incoming students, a portion of beds is reserved each year. Students who apply after available spaces are filled will be placed on a waiting list and assigned housing if space becomes available.
Students must maintain their account in good financial standing with Manhattan School of Music in order to receive and maintain housing. Failure to meet registration or financial obligations may impact housing eligibility
Students who plan to take a Leave of Absence or withdraw from Manhattan School of Music must begin the process by contacting the Dean of Students.
Once a leave or withdrawal is finalized, the Dean of Students will notify the Office of Residence Life. Residence Life will then provide students with move-out instructions and next steps for checking out of campus housing.
Students are expected to:
Properly check out of their room
Remove all personal belongings
Return room keys and access items
If a leave of absence or withdrawal is approved after the first day of classes, housing charges will follow the same refund schedule as tuition, based on the student’s official withdrawal date.
For non-academic housing cancellations, students must follow the processes and terms outlined in the Residence Hall Agreement.
Official opening and closing dates for Andersen Hall are published each year on the Academic Calendar.
Opening: In July, Residence Life emails residents with their specific move in date and time.
Closing: Residents are required to vacate their rooms by the designated closing date each semester. Specific move-out instructions, including checkout procedures and deadlines, will be communicated by the Office of Residence Life prior to closing.
Students who do not properly check out by the posted deadline may be subject to late checkout fees.
Graduating students and students participating in Commencement should refer to the Academic Calendar and Residence Life communications for approved move-out timelines.
Andersen Hall closes during winter and summer breaks.
Students are required to leave the residence hall during these periods unless they apply for and are approved for break housing.
Information about applying for winter break housing is shared during the fall semester. Students must complete the break housing application process and receive approval to remain in the building during the winter recess.
Information about summer housing is shared during the spring semester. Students approved for summer housing may:
Remain in their spring assignment until summer room placements are finalized
Be reassigned to a summer housing space, if applicable
Students who are not approved for summer housing must vacate the building by the official closing date.
During break periods:
Staffing levels may be reduced
Dining services may be limited or unavailable
Only approved residents may access the building
Manhattan School of Music requires all first-year and second-year undergraduates (freshmen and sophomores) and first year transfer students to live in residence as space allows. Students must submit a housing application each year by the deadline to officially request a room. Students must submit complete the housing exemption form for to be considered for an exemption of this policy. The Office of Residence Life does not guarantee an assignment to any student who does not submit deposit and forms by the deadline.
Each semester, the Office of Residence Life opens an official Room Change Period. Information about timelines and how to submit a request will be shared with residents in advance.
Students must remain in their assigned room unless they receive written approval from the Office of Residence Life. Under no circumstances may a student move to another room without prior approval. Unauthorized room changes are not permitted and may result in conduct action.
First-year students are required to remain within designated First-Year communities.
During the room change period, residents may request one of the following:
Room TradeTwo residents mutually agree to switch rooms. Both students must submit a request and list one another for the change to be considered.
Room With a FriendA resident may request to move into an available bed within a friend’s room, if space permits.
Room RouletteA resident may request assignment to any available bed. A vacancy refers to an available bed space, not necessarily an empty room. This may result in being assigned to a room with another resident.
We will not assign a resident to a room with someone of a different gender without the consent of all parties.
Single Room RequestsLimited single and premium single rooms may become available each semester. These spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, based on availability.
Submit a room change request during the official room change period.
Residence Life will review requests based on availability and submission order.
If a room becomes available that meets your request, you will receive a room offer via email.
Room offers must be accepted or declined within 24 hours.
Once accepted, you will receive detailed move instructions, including your transition timeline.
Students and roommates must remain in their original assignments until they:
Receive a room offer
Accept the offer
Receive official move instructions
Moving belongings or switching keys before receiving approval may jeopardize eligibility to complete the room change.
Room changes involving different room types (for example, moving from a triple to a double or to a single) may result in an adjustment to housing charges. Any increase or decrease in cost will be applied directly to the student account.
Residents are encouraged to communicate directly with one another to address concerns before requesting a room change. Residence Life staff are available to assist with roommate mediation and support when needed.
The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to change a student’s room assignment if deemed necessary for community, safety, or operational reasons.
Each student who lives in the residence hall must sign a residence hall agreement. This agreement is in effect for the entire academic year and may not be terminated unless one of the conditions below is met: December graduation, official School study abroad program, serious illness, and /or lawfully registered domestic partnership, civil union, or marriage. Click here to review the Residence Hall Agreement in full.
Each resident room is furnished with the following items provided by Manhattan School of Music:
Bed frame and mattress
Wardrobe/closet space
Dresser
Micro-fridge unit
Residents in single and double rooms also receive:
Desk
Desk chair
Students in triple rooms are provided with all furnishings listed above except desks and desk chairs.
All furniture provided by MSM must remain in the assigned room and may not be removed or relocated to other areas of the building.
Additional furniture is not permitted unless:
It is approved by the Office of Residence Life for medical reasons, and
It meets fire safety standards.
Furniture necessary for academic or artistic work — such as music stands, instrument stands, mirrors, or chairs — is permitted.
Room furnishings must be arranged so that the door can open at least 36 inches, in accordance with fire safety regulations. Any arrangement that blocks entry or exit must be corrected.
Residents are responsible for any damage to or loss of provided furniture.
The Mitzi Newhouse Pavilion serves meals for students, faculty, staff, and guests and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.
All students are required to enroll in a meal plan appropriate to their residential or commuter status. Each semester, students have the opportunity to review and make changes to their meal plan selection.
Students with dietary needs or concerns are encouraged to speak with the Cafeteria Manager, who can help discuss options.
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