Create and Manage Rulesets

Rulesets automate housing assignments by matching residents to roommates or rooms based on predefined tags. By configuring rulesets, administrators can streamline assignments, ensuring placements align with institutional policies and student preferences. Rules can be set as hard rules (strict criteria that must be met) or soft rules (preferred criteria that guide, but do not enforce, matches).

Click Setup in the admin portal navigation panel and select Rulesets.

Ruleset Editor

The ruleset editor allows you to create, manage, and apply rulesets. Rulesets associated with a housing cycle are clearly labeled on the ruleset card.

Rulesets are built using hard and soft rules, each defined by tags. Tags can be pulled from:

• Inventory Tags (e.g., ADA-compliant rooms)
• Profile Tags (e.g., class standing, special programs)
• Application Tags (e.g., preferences, campus involvement)

These tags allow for flexible matching while maintaining institutional guidelines.

• Hard Rules: Enforced without exception. A student will not be assigned to a room or roommate if the rule is not met.
• Soft Rules: Guidelines that influence assignments but will not prevent a match if no other options exist.

Create a Ruleset

Click Create Ruleset to establish a new ruleset.

Enter a name for the ruleset and click Create.

Create Rules

Rules define how students are matched based on assigned tags from profiles, applications, or inventory.

Create a Hard Rule

Hard rules strictly enforce assignment criteria, meaning a student cannot be placed in a room or with a roommate if the rule is not met. These rules ensure assignments align with institutional policies and cannot be bypassed during the placement process. Hard rules should not be adjusted during an active selection process.

Click New Rule.

Choose the relevant tags, define the rule type (Must for a hard rule), and specify whether it applies to Roommates (who a student is placed with) or Rooms (where they are placed). Click Create Rule to save.

Ex: Students tagged with First-Years must be matched with a roommate who is also tagged First-Years.

The hard rule will now appear in the ruleset and be strictly enforced in the assignment process.

Create a Soft Rule

Soft rules influence assignments without enforcing strict requirements. Soft rules can be reordered to define their level of importance, with the most important at the top of the list.

Click Create Rule.

Choose the relevant tags, define the rule type (Should for a soft rule), and specify whether it applies to Roommates or Rooms. Click Create Rule to save.

The soft rule will now be included in the ruleset.

Reorder Rules

Soft rules can be reordered to prioritize how they are considered during assignments. Hard rules cannot be reordered since they are always enforced first.

Click and drag the reorder icon next to a soft rule. Place a rule higher in the list to give it more priority in assignments.

Rules at the top are evaluated first, ensuring higher-priority preferences take precedence.

Edit a Rule

Rules can be adjusted at any point, allowing flexibility as housing needs evolve. Adjusting a ruleset during an active selection process may have unpredictable results.

Click the edit icon next to the rule.

Modify the assigned tag, rule type (Must/Should), or scope (Roommates/Rooms). Click Update Rule to apply changes.

Delete a Rule

Click the delete icon next to the rule.

Click Delete Rule to permanently remove a rule from the ruleset.

Manage Rulesets

After creating a ruleset, you can edit or duplicate it from the ruleset editor. Duplicating a ruleset creates an exact copy, allowing you to maintain standard processes while making adjustments for specific housing cycles.