All halls are usually equal when it comes to finding on-campus housing, but this year, Shaw Hall residents will find themselves first in line.

Students planning to live in residence halls next fall need to begin choosing their new room, while Shaw Hall residents will have to a pick a new hall as well.

University Housing has been informing students about the room assignment process with its Hall for Fall 2001 program. This year, the staff is busy making adjustments to handle the loss of Shaw Hall, which will be closed for renovations during the 2001-2002 academic year.

“We’ll adjust the number of singles that will be available,” said Sharri Margraves, associate director of University Housing. “Typically, that’s the best way to do it.”

Margraves said there will be about 800 fewer single rooms available after Shaw Hall closes. But rent for singles is not expected to increase.

“It will be in the same ballpark as we have in the past. We are not looking to use this as an opportunity to increase the price,” Margraves said.

Several residence halls have hosted Hall for Fall dinners to educate students about the sign-up schedule. The last dinners will be held Thursday at South Complex and Brody Complex.

Students can reserve rooms in January, according to a schedule which depends on whether they change their current locations.

Margraves said University Housing doesn’t expect a significant decrease in the number of students they serve.

“We guarantee housing for all first-time freshmen. There’s no ifs, ands or buts about that,” Margraves said. “We work closely with admissions to see how many they are targeting for next year.”

Jan. 24 has been set aside as a special day for Shaw Hall residents to reserve a place in the other dorms a day before general double-room registration starts.

“The point is just to try to help them make informed decisions and to realize that other halls are ready and have plans to accommodate them,” said Shaw Hall Manager Carol Betcher Noud.

Noud said the housing staff has done much to acquaint students with the upcoming hall changes, which include new bathrooms and updated electrical systems.

“The main goal is to update a facility that is 50 years old,” Noud said. “I’ve talked to many students who are excited about the prospect of coming back.”

But until the renovations are complete, the nearly 780 Shaw Hall residents will have to find a new home.

“I do know a lot of guys here are running around trying to find places to live and they don’t know what they are doing,” said Brian Abbott, a communication senior.

Abbott said although residents appreciate the changes, many will miss Shaw Hall for its coveted central location.

“By far, this is the best place to live for me to be close to all my classes,” he said. “Students do want to move back in, but mostly because of the location. No one has complained about how it is now.”

Students who have questions are encouraged to contact the manager’s office or other staff in their halls.