Housing Application Process & FAQ

1. Once you start your online housing application, you cannot save it, and return to it later.
2. If you have questions, or experience difficulties with the online application, please contact The Office of Student Housing at [email protected]. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for a response.
3. Union will not process Housing Applications for entering students until your tuition deposit has been received by the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid. Once Union has processed an application, the student will be notified of their eligibility for student housing and given an opportunity to make specific housing requests.  Specific requests are subject to availability.
4. Applications from students who are delinquent in their financial obligations to the Seminary will not be processed until clearance has been authorized by the Accounting Office, and will be considered as late applications if clearance is delayed.
5. Please Note: Upon completing your online application you will see a confirmation screen. Please print it and keep it for your records.

To access the Union Housing Application, you will need to log into your SONIS account and use your Union provided UNI. Once you log into SONIS, On the left vertical menu, under General, select Home. You will find Housing Applications on the far right of the screen. Housing on campus is only available to current students and incoming students who have paid their deposit. Assignments are made by Union Housing on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Returning Students

March 15 – March 31

Incoming Students

Priority Deadline: June 15
Final Deadline: July 15

Applications for student housing are processed in accordance with the priority categories as listed in this Housing Handbook. Note: Applications from students who are delinquent in their financial obligations to the Seminary will not be processed until clearance has been authorized by the Accounting Office, and will be considered as late applications if clearance is delayed. A continuing student who files an application after April 1st will not retain the right to occupy her/his current housing space. Application for housing is for the entire academic year (August to May).

Students who graduate in May or who will not be continuing at the Seminary the following September will be eligible for summer housing from May – June 30 and must also file a Summer Housing Application.

We have room plans for many rooms, though, like snowflakes, no two rooms are exactly alike. We have general room plans with dimensions and square footage on the Residence Halls Page; however, this is just to give you a general idea of the average size of the rooms/apartments.

Housing is not guaranteed, but the Seminary makes every effort to accommodate students. It is important to submit a housing application and appropriate materials as soon as possible.

Pets are not permitted in certain rooms of Hastings and McGiffert Halls. Pets are also not permitted in public areas or in the Seminary quadrangle.

Pets are permitted in certain apartments provided they do not create problems for other residents and the owners assume responsibility for cleaning up any accidents that may occur in the public areas of a Seminary building or grounds and for the safety of other residents.

Please see the Housing Handbook for more information about keeping pets on campus.

Yes, all residence halls are equipped with elevators. Large bins and dollies will be provided for move-in.

Union is located near a number of banking facilities. Citibank is the official banking provider of Columbia, and there are ATMs near Union on the Columbia and Barnard campuses. There are also branches of Citibank, Chase, Banco Popular, and others nearby. The ATM at Barnard & Columbia does not charge a fee for cash withdrawals from non-Citibank accounts (though your own bank may charge for using an ATM outside their system). A Chase ATM is located at The Interchurch Center (also known as The God Box) on Claremont Avenue, which is around the corner from Union. The Center’s exact address is 475 Riverside Drive. Chase ATMs are also located in Duane Reade stores throughout the city. Many of these banks also offer special deals for students. Visit them to find out what they offer.

There is a 24-hour computer lab with a printer on campus available for student use. Union also has free wireless Internet access available in Hastings Halls, in the Pit, classrooms, and other parts of campus. Some students opt to arrange for DSL connections for their rooms.

All Union students can sign up for a gym membership at Dodge Fitness Center at Columbia University. More information can be found on their website http://www.dodgefitnesscenter.com/.

Any student (and enrolled spouses) can get some or all of their Dodge Gym fees reimbursed up to $200 every six months for the student and up to an additional $100 every six months for the spouse if you work out fifty times in a six month period. For more information see the Aetna Insurance Certificate of Coverage under the section, Gym Benefits or email student health: [email protected]. Also, other gyms are found in the neighborhood, such as blink, New York Sports Club.

Union students are eligible to participate in the health insurance program offered through Columbia University. All full-time students and those living in Union housing must pay the health services fee, which provides access to primary care, laboratory, and psychological counseling at Columbia Health Services, located on the Columbia campus. Full-time students are also required to choose one of two health insurance plans offered through Columbia, Basic or Comprehensive, or provide evidence of equivalent coverage. To read more about health insurance coverage, please visit “Student Health” section.

Street parking in New York is limited. For those living in Union housing full time, having a car is not recommended. Some students arrange to leave their cars with family or friends who live outside New York. If you do decide to park your car in the vicinity of the campus, you may find it useful to check the NYC Alternate Side Parking Rules. Also, to avoid unnecessary parking tickets, you may subscribe to receive morning email updates on whether New York City’s daily alternate side street parking is in effect. There is metered parking on Broadway or one of the side streets nearby, but those spots tend to fill up as soon as the street sweeper goes by in the morning. To learn more about parking, please visit “Map & Directions” section.

Nearby parks include Riverside Park, Morningside Park, and Central Park. All information pertaining to pets and parks can be found on the New York City Parks website.

Here are some of the things we enjoy in New York or may help make your move easier…

Target – It is right off of the 225th St. Stop on the Bronx Bound 1 train.

Bed, Bath, and Beyond – Locations throughout the city, including Broadway and 65th St. and on Sixth Ave. between 18th and 19th Streets. Both of these are close to the 1 train.

Ikea – While this Ikea is in New Jersey, there is a weekend shuttle that will take you round trip from the Port Authority (take the 1 train to 42nd Street/Times Square). Lines to board the bus might be long, but they go quick!

Jack’s World – A store for the thrifty shopper, you will find groceries, housewares, cosmetics, electronics, appliances and most things in between. Take the 1 train to 34th Street/Penn Station; entrances are located on both 31st and 32nd street.

Union Theological Seminary has negotiated with Columbia University to provide photo ID cards for the spouses, partners, and children 12 years of age and older, of Union faculty, students and staff who live in Union Seminary housing.  This Columbia photo ID will not permit access to any services provided by Columbia University.  This photo ID will give residents  “swipe” access to Union Seminary and negate the use of the paper, “temporary/visitor” ID card. Visitors will still need to use the paper ID card. The cost of each Columbia photo ID card is $25. Residents who lose their Columbia ID will also incur this charge.

Please apply for the Residential ID card online.