| Q: How do departments select residents? |
| A: The selection procedure varies and each language group has its own criteria about selection. Though the method of selection might be different, all language groups have agreed to give higher priority to applicants who 1. enrolled (and will be enrolled) in language courses and 2. who are seriously interested in learning the target language as well as getting involved in the Shea House community. Some native speakers will possibly be added to the roster so that they can also help other residents learn the respective language (but they are usually not the first choice). |
| Q: How do I find out the result of my application? |
| A: The ranked list compiled by each language program will be delivered to the Accommodation office within 2 weeks after the application deadline. Then the Accommodation office sends an offer to the first group of accepted applicants via email, about a week later. All applicants should find out the result (i.e. either accepted or wait-listed/alternates) from the respective language group via email after the ranked list is finalized. When the Accommodation office sends out offers, you’ll have only few days to make your decision (‘I accept’ or ‘I decline’). If no response is made, the offer will be considered void. Please make sure to check your UVA email account regularly, and/or communicate with the Accommodation office to ensure that your contract is properly handled. |
| Q: When will the students as "alternates" get an offer? |
| A: It's difficult to predict and it depends on the length of the wait list and on availability. The Accommodation office continues to send offers based on the ranked list from the Dept. until all beds are filled. Typically, most language pod begin to check the wait list around March, but this process of filling vacancies will take as long as at the end of the Summer since some cancellations usually occur during the summer months. You can check your status by contacting the Accommodation office anytime. It’s understood that the deposit that you pay to the Accommodation office for a university housing will be transferable from one housing to another. Please consult with the Accommodation office for further inquiry or questions related to your contract. |
| Q: I'm on the waiting list now. Should I sign up for other dorms? |
| A: It is advised to have a back up housing. The deposit that you pay to the Accommodation office for university housing will be transferable from one UVA housing to another. Please consult with the Accommodation office for further inquiry or questions related to your contract. |
| Q: What is my chance of getting a single room in the Shea House? |
| A: It is not very likely. A very limited number of single rooms are available in the Shea House. The departments and the Shea House staff certainly hope that all the applicants are aware of the quality of the language experience you will be able to have by living in the house (and, also, by sharing a room with a similarly minded student). |
| Q: Can I choose my room in Shea House? |
| A: No, you may not choose a particular room in Shea House. If you wish to live in a single room, please make a request to the Accommodation office so that they can add your name on the single room wait list. Consult with them on how the procedure works. |
| Q: Can I choose my roommate? |
| A: No, you cannot but you may request your roommate of choice if the student also applied for the same language pod. There is no guarantee that you’ll have the roommate of your choice, but the department will try to accommodate the possibility when the initial rooms are assigned. |
| Q: Can I swap rooms or roommates in Shea House? |
| A: Switching rooms within the respective language floor is no problem as long as both parties (with signed contracts) agree to change and this is done during the room changing period decided by Housing. |
| Q: I’ll be returning to the Shea House next year. Do I have a higher priority to get a room or roommate of my choice? |
| A: There is absolutely no guarantee as to which room you’ll get in a following year. Since single rooms are very limited and the number of beds (as well as floors) assigned to each language possibly changes from year to year, seniority rule will not always be valid in the Shea House. However, the Director of the Shea House oversees the process of initial bed assignments. Please contact the Director for assistance and/or with your concern. |
| Q: What are the residents expected to do after moving in? |
| A: All residents are expected to participate regularly, throughout the year, in the language and cultural activities organized and offered by the language assistant and/or the program coordinator of the Shea House. All residents also should understand that the Shea House will constitute its own government. The S.H. community works together to facilitate a quality language experience both in and outside of the Shea house. Faculty members from the various departments will also get involved not only in the selection of the residents (in order to assure the quality of the program) but also as mentors to the Language assistants. |
| Q: How does the 301H/302H course work? |
| A: All residents (not the language assistants) can receive up to 2 credits by signing up for 301H/302H course. This works as a reward system for residents who have been seriously involved in the Shea house (floor activities, communal events etc.). However, all selected residents are expected to participate in the floor and house activities throughout the year regardless of this reward. |
| Q: What do I do if I have problems with my roommate or any other personal issues? |
| A: Please, see the Director and/or the L.H.A. (who acts as a R.A. in Shea House). The L.H.A. is a specially trained student who is (also) in charge of the residents’ welfare and directly serves in conjunction with the division of UVA Student Life. |
| Q: Can I apply just for the Spring semester? |
| A: Yes. Since some residents leave the Shea House to study abroad in the second semester, you can actually apply just for the second semester. However, this possibility is based on the availability of space in the house. When you submit the application form to the designated department, please make sure to indicate that you are only interested in the Spring semester. Unless there is a special circumstance, we will not be able to accept applications for the Fall semester only, since the contract is usually made for one whole academic year and not for half a year. |
| Q: I want to be released from my housing contract. What do I need to do? |
| A: According to the Accommodation office, you need to find a student who does not already live in University Housing and who does not already have a contract, who is willing to take over their space. In that case, it would be best if you could find someone who wanted and was eligible to live in Shea House, but it could also be a student who wanted to live anywhere else in on Grounds housing. Since the departments are not involved in contract related questions or concerns, the Accommodation office will assist you with any question you may have about your contract. |
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