When University Residence Halls & Apartments began accepting apartment applications online for the first time last spring, it was a change that officials promised would end long lines and mass paperwork.
Now, a year later, it would appear the online system has proven to be both efficient and successful.
"It was so successful last year," said Michael J. Koziej, assistant director of URH&A. "The student feedback was very positive. Students were very happy they didn't have to wait in line, and they felt the process was fair."
In the past, students had to wait in line to register in the Student Union, and apartments were given on a first-come, first-served basis. With the online registration, priority is given to the students who have spent the most semesters living on campus.
For Laura Ugowski, a senior communication major who lives in Hadley Village, the online registration process is much easier than the previous mad dash to register in person.
"It's much faster and less hectic and it still takes into account the number of years you have lived in the dorms, so you get a reasonable lottery number," she said. "It is a lot better than waking up at 5 a.m. to stand in a long line. I even knew someone who was first in line and still didn't get an apartment."
According to Koziej, the most desirable apartments, like those at South Lake Village, usually go to the students who have lived on campus the longest.
"Those who have seniority are able to get their choice first," he said.
For next year there are 2,172 available spaces within the on-campus apartment complexes. Last year, every single space was filled, indicating that the new online registration system was a more efficient alternative.
"Every single person who applied last year was offered an apartment," Koziej said.
Although last year's initial run was successful, one small change was made to make the online registration system more accessible.
"Last year students couldn't access the online registration unless they used Internet Explorer," he said. "This year the online registration can be used by anything."
For Evelyn Christian, a transfer student, online registration proved to be very helpful.
"I was coming from Syracuse and I wouldn't be able to wait in line for housing," said Christian, a senior communication major who lives in South Lake Village. "The online registration is convenient and practical for those students who have other things going on at that time."
With the addition of the University Village at Sweethome, students also have more options in terms of housing. However, Koziej said he doesn't think this new competition will have much of an impact on registration for on-campus apartments.
"I haven't heard of any problems," he said. "The eligibility requirement is much different for a student to get into the Sweethome apartments than the on-campus apartments. The Sweethome apartments are open to a larger audience and are not associated with UB."
Eligible undergraduate students interested in UB housing must have spent at least four semesters in on-campus housing, including university residence halls and university apartments. Students who don't meet the residency requirements must have earned at least 60 credits hours prior to Spring 2006.
This semester, students have from Jan. 19 to 27 to apply for an on-campus apartment.
Those students who submit an application after Jan. 27 but meet the minimum standards are considered for an apartment based on the date and time the application is received, according to the URH&A Web site.
Payment for the online application will only be accepted via credit card, but in-person applications will also be accepted with cash or check payments at 106 Spaulding Quad during business hours.
According to Koziej, URH&A plans to maintain the online registration program from now on.
"Last year was a really good year and we expect the same this year," Koziej said.
