Create a Housing Cycle and Configure General Settings

Creating a housing cycle requires you to define general parameters for how the cycle will function when made available to students. This includes essential details such as naming the cycle, setting start and end periods, and linking to the Student Information System (SIS). These settings ensure that the housing cycle aligns with institutional policies and student needs while providing a smooth experience for both students and administrators.

The General page provides admins opportunities to provide names, cycle time periods, term codes, and additional access requirements. 

Name: This is the internal name of the housing cycle. It’s used by admins to describe the housing cycle within the system and is not visible to students.

Display Name on Resident Portal: This is the name that will appear to students on the resident portal. It is what they see when selecting or interacting with the housing cycle.

Cycle Start Period: This defines the starting date and time when the housing cycle begins. It should align with the contractual start date of your housing agreement for the related academic term. For example, if you have created a Fall cycle, it should utilize the Start Date of when billing starts for the Fall term.

Cycle End Period: This defines the last date and time when the housing cycle concludes. It corresponds with the contractual end date of your housing agreement for the related academic term. For example, if you have created a Fall cycle, it should utilize the End Date of when billing ends for the Fall term.

Require Link to Apply: If enabled, this option requires students to have a direct link to apply for the housing cycle. It can be used to limit application access to specific student groups or through specific channels.

Allow Student Staff to Early Check In Students: If this option is enabled, it allows student staff to assist with early move-ins, which can help manage situations where students need to arrive before the standard move-in period.

Applicability Tags (And): These tags determine which students are eligible for the housing cycle by requiring them to meet all conditions listed here. This setting uses AND logic, meaning only students who have all the tags listed will be able to access the cycle.

Applicability Tags (Or): These tags determine which students are eligible for the housing cycle based on specific criteria. Students who have one or more of the tags listed here can access the cycle. This setting uses OR logic, meaning if a student meets at least one of the tag conditions, they are granted access to the housing cycle.

Excluded Tags: This option allows you to exclude certain students from the housing cycle based on specific tags. Students with these excluded tags will not be able to apply or be included in the housing cycle.

After adding your required information, click Next.

Internal Name: “2025-26 First-Year Housing Cycle” – This name is used internally to identify the cycle for administrative purposes.

Display Name on Resident Portal: “First-Year Housing Application 2025-26” – This display name is more student-friendly and accurately reflects what first-year students will see when they access the application.

Cycle Start Period: The cycle start date is set to “04/30/2025” – The start date marks the beginning of the housing cycle, aligning with the first opportunity for students to begin the application process.

Cycle End Period: The cycle end date is set to “10/31/2025" – The cycle ends on 10/31/2025, which aligns with the last day of the contractual housing agreement, ensuring all housing activities are completed before this date.

Require Link to Apply: Set to “Yes” – This ensures that the application link is manually sent by an admin, giving the institution control over when students can access the application.

Allow Student Staff To Early Check In Students: Set to “No” – By setting this to “No,” you prevent student staff from allowing early check-ins, ensuring that only admins may check-in students prior to any assigned move-in dates.

Applicability Tags (And): “First-Years” – This tag is used to restrict the housing cycle to only those students who are tagged as first-year students, ensuring that only eligible students can access this cycle.

Excluded Tags: “Second-Years,” “Third-Years,” and “Fourth-Years+” – These exclusions ensure that upper-class students are not able to access this housing cycle, keeping the focus on first-year students.

Next Steps: Configure the Application Phase

To apply your configurations, click Save if editing an existing cycle or Next to continue setting up a new cycle.

After setting up the general page of your housing cycle, the next step is configuring the Application Phase. This required phase establishes when students can submit their housing applications. Without an application phase, a housing cycle cannot be established.

Learn more about setting up the application phase here.