Housing Selection Information

Housing Application Dates & Information

Housing offerings and requirements at South Dakota Mines are based on high school graduation year and years of attendance at South Dakota Mines, not academic standing based on completed credits. This practice supports the South Dakota Board of Regents 2-year housing requirement post high school graduation.

Please review the below information for important dates, procedures for each group's housing process/offerings, and subsequent sections outlining requirements and offerings.

Spring 2026 Housing Selection

  • November 1 (7:00AM):Spring 2026online Housing Applicationopens
  • November 30 (11:59 PM):All accessibility accommodation requests for Spring '26 due viaonline form
  • December 1: Housing placement begins as vacancies for the spring term are reported
  • December 3: Renting & Home Ownership Information Session (PDP) - 4:00pm in CBEC 2228

Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Housing Selection

  • February 24:Renting & Home Ownership Information Session (PDP) - 5:00pm in CB204 East
  • February 17:Housing Selection Information Session - 5:00PM in PC Commons
  • February 18:Housing Selection Information Session - 5:00PM in CB 205
  • March 2:Lottery numbers sent toreturningSDM students required to live-on (HS Grad '25 or '26)
  • March 23 (7:00AM) - March 26 : Housing Application/ Exemption window for Lottery Students
  • March 27 (11:59PM):All returning student accessibility accommodation requests for '25-'26 housing due viaonline form
  • March 30 (7:00AM): Housing Application/ Exemption opens to all other students
    • New students (First Time Freshmen & New to Mines Transfer Students) &
    • Upperclass Students (Returners & Grad Students)
  • April 1:Lottery and Rocker Square Housing placement begins and continues on a rolling basis
  • June 1:New Student placement process begins for those with completed applications prior to June 1
  • June 10:Assignment emails sent for new students placed on June 1; Post June 1 sent on a rolling basis

Summer 2026 Housing Selection

  • March:Summer 2026 Summer Housing Application [Pending Revisions for next summer]
  • April 14 @ Noon: Requests for summer housing are due. Late fee after this time with the exception of July 1 or later arrivals. Any requests to move in on or after July 1 should be submitted 2 weeks prior to start date or they are subject to a late fee.
  • Details Below: expand the "Summer Housing | All Students" section

New to South Dakota Mines
Application, Exemptions, & Placements

The Spring App is live October 31, 2025 @ 7:00am (MT) see details below
The Fall App is live March 30, 2026 @ 7:00am (MT) see details below

In accordance withSouth Dakota Board of Regents policy, all students are required to live on campus if they graduated high school in the last two years. The housing application link for the spring 2026 or full 2026-2027 academic year will be available from your New Student Checklist.

Please be aware that completion of this application binds you to the Housing Agreement for the entire academic year (fall and spring semesters) or remainder of the academic year. Read the terms and conditions of the application and agreement (contract) carefully before submission.

Spring Move-In for all students new to South Dakota Mines will be Friday, January 9, 2026 from 8:00AM-Noon. More information will be available online and via email throughout the year.

Fall Move-In for all students new to South Dakota Mines will be Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 8:00AM-4:00PM. More information will be available online and via email throughout the Summer.

Fall Specific:

  • Did you graduate high school in 2025 or 2026?
    You will apply for and be placed into a new student housing community.
    See content below in this section for details.

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a preferred deadline of June 1, 2026. For students who have submitted an application and paid the application fee on or before June 1, housing assignments and roommate information will be sent to student emails beginning on June 10. Placements are not based on timestamp of submission as long as they are submitted before June 1. Applications submitted/fees paid after June 1 will be processed on a rolling basis.

  • Did you graduate high school before 2025?
    If so, you will need to review the Upperclass Housing Section below.
    Please note timelines as upper class housing is competitive.

Housing Exemptions

Students who are required to live on campus may apply for an exemption. The housing application & exemption request page the 2026-2027 academic year will be available from your New Student Checklist. The housing application and exemption forms go live for completion starting October 31, 2025 for Spring 2026 students or March 30, 2025 at 7:00am MT for Fall 2026 students.

Any exemption requests will be reviewed if submitted prior to census day for the student's first semester at South Dakota Mines. If an exemption request is submitted after census day, the student must provide adequate documentation of a major life event (marriage, a new dependent, etc.) occurring after the start of the academic year to be eligible for the exemption request review process. See the Housing Agreement for details and most up-to-date deadlines annually. Approved exemption requests after the deadline will be subject to forfeiture of the housing application fee as well as assessed buy-out costs where applicable.

Typically, housing exemptions are granted only for the following reasons: living in approved Greek Life housing, living at the primary address of a parent or guardians in the area, living with a spouse, or living with dependent children. More information about the exemption policy can be found online. Questions may be directed to the Residence Life Office.

Types of New Student Housing (2 Options)

On the housing application, students will see an opportunity to select their preference for either Community Living or Peterson Interest Communities. From there, they will be asked to rank their preferences in Interest Community (if applicable) and room type, roommate preferences, questions about their habits/preferences, and more.

Community Living

Located in double-occupancy rooms in Connolly and Palmerton Halls, Community Living provides strong community development through a variety of programs, events, and meetings with the Resident Advisor. Community Living in Connolly and Palmerton provides a wide range of activities and learning opportunities for all students to enjoy.

Peterson Interest Communities (PIC)

South Dakota Mines offers two PICs: Outdoor Pursuits & Exploring Rapid City (and beyond). These communities are housed in Peterson doubles, triples, quads, and study quads. PICs provide programs, events, and activities around their specific themes, allowing students with a common interest to explore together. Interested students must complete an essay on the housing application and space in the program is limited. More information about specific communities is below.

Outdoor Pursuits Community

The Outdoor Pursuits community will focus on the many outdoor activities that are available in the Black Hills area. Students who enjoy the outdoors are encouraged to apply for this community. Possible events/activities include:

Hiking
Camping
Fishing
Rock climbing
Snow-shoeing
Social activities to meet others on the floor and in the community

Exploring Rapid City (and Beyond) Community

Exploring Rapid City (and beyond) will focus on the many events and activities that take place in the Rapid City area as well as service activities available in the Rapid City area. Students who are interested in exploring what Rapid City has to offer are encouraged to apply for this community. Possible events/activities include:

Exploring local restaurants, museums, and performance venues
Touring popular locations (Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore, Bear Country, and local caves)
Performing Arts activities & events
Hockey games and other sporting events
Social activities to meet others
Participating in on- and off-campus service activities, events, and fundraisers
Organizing service events as a community

Returners with HS Graduation in 2024 or 2025
Lottery Applications, Exemptions, & Placements

Your Spring App/Exemption Opens Oct. 31, 2025 no lottery process required

Your Fall App/Exemption Window is Mar. 23 - 26, 2026 details below

PerSouth Dakota Board of Regents policy, all students are required to live on campus during the first two years following their high school graduation (unless a housing exemption has been applied for and approved). Returning students required to live on campus who graduated from high school in 2024 or 2025 will go through the Lottery Student placement process. Click the link above for a detailed list of exemption reasons.

Lottery Housing Selection Details

  • On March 2, Lottery numbers are issued to all returning students required to live on campus for the 2026-2027 academic year. These lottery numbers are randomly assigned and will be sent to student email accounts.
  • Between March 23 (7:00am) and March 26 (11:59pm), allcurrent students required to live on campusfor Fall 2026 must submit a housing application or exemption request (details below).
  • Students may request to live together on the housing application (as a group).Most housing is in groups of 2 to 4 - we recommend creating a group of 4 for your housing application.
  • To be assigned as a group, all students must be listed on all applications and ALL parties must have paid the fee. Any members of the group with unpaid fees will not have a space held within their preferred roommate group during placement as their application is "incomplete" at the time.
  • Housing assignments will be assigned using the random lottery numbers assigned.Assignments are made starting with the lowest lottery numbers (1, 2, 3, ...426). For a group, assignments will be based on the lowest lottery number within the group.

Lottery Exemption Process

Returning students who are required to live on campus for 2026-2027 must submit their exemption request by March 26, 2026 at 11:59PM.

All returning student exemption requests will be reviewed if submitted prior to the March 26 deadline. If an exemption request is submitted after the March 26 deadline, the student must provide adequate documentation of a major life event (marriage, a new dependent, etc.) occurring after the deadline to be eligible for the exemption request review process. See the Housing Agreement for details and deadlines. Approved exemption requests after the deadline will be subject to forfeiture of the housing application fee as well as assessed buy-out costs where applicable.

In general, housing exemptions are granted only for the following reasons: living in approved Greek Life housing, living at the primary address of a parent or legal guardian in the area, living with a spouse, or living with dependent children. More information about the exemption policy can be foundonline. Questions may be directed to the Residence Life Office.

Lottery Room Type Options

The spaces below may be available as part of the 2026-2027 lottery number housing selection process.

Please note, the application will show Rocker Square II housing as an option for Lottery number students to rank in their preferences. Placement in the Rocker Square II building for second year students is not likely and will only be used if essential, and at the discretion of Residence Life. In the event spaces in Rocker Square II need to be used to house second year students, lottery groups (starting with the lowest number 1, 2, 3... and having ranked Rocker II as their top selection) will be contacted and offered an opportunity to be assigned there.

  • Placer HallDouble Suites (2 double bedrooms w/ living room & bath)
  • Placer HallSingle Suites (4 single bedrooms w/ living room & bath)
  • Placer HallMixed Suites (1 double bedroom and 2 single bedrooms w/ living room & bath)
  • PetersonHallStudy Quads
  • Peterson HallQuads
  • Connolly Hall Male Doubles (unless first year and 2nd year populations are extraordinarily small - not anticipated)
  • Connolly Hall Singles if not needed for accommodations (standard single room designed for 1 resident)

Returners & New Students with 2+ Years Since HS Graduation
Opt-In Housing at Rocker Square I & II

  • Spring 2026: available to students who graduated from high school before January 2024
  • Fall 2026: available to students who graduated from high school before August 2024

The Spring App is live October 31, 2025 @ 7:00am (MT) details below
The Fall App is live March 30, 2026 @ 7:00am (MT) details below

Upper class housingis available in Rocker Square I and Rocker Square II apartments, with additional spaces in traditional halls if available Rocker Square Apartments are full and all students required to live on campus in traditional halls have been placed.

The online housing application for these spaces will open on a rolling basis. As we are required to accommodate all first- and second-year students, housing spaces are very limited for Fall 2026 and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Any student who applies but does not receive an assignment will automatically be added to the upper class housing waitlist.

Groups of students must submit applications and fee payments within 48 hours of each other to ensure they are assigned together. Learn more about Rocker Square I andRocker Square II by visiting theResidence Hallsweb page. Housing rates areavailable online here. All applications require a $100 housing application fee. The fee must be paid before housing is assigned (online or at the Student Accounts Office). Total spaces in the apartments typically include:

  • Rocker Square II 4-Bedroom Apartments (4 single bedrooms)
  • Rocker Square II 2-Bedroom Apartment (2 single bedrooms)
  • Rocker Square I 4-Bedroom Apartments (4 single bedrooms)
  • Rocker Square I 2-Bedroom Apartments (2 single bedrooms)

For those interested in off campus housing, Renting & Home Ownership Information Sessions (can count toward PDP!)will occur December 3rd and February 24th.

Limited summer housing is available to South DakotaMines & BOR students over the summer sessions in Rocker Square I apartments at an estimated rate of $245 per week (set by the BOR in March/April). Individuals who are not SDM students or SDBOR students taking summer courses may review summer offerings on the Summer Conferencing page, intended for internship students and external parties. All Field Camps are coordinated through Field Camp Faculty/Staff and will not need to complete this application unless staying for additional time before/after camp housing dates.

Registration

To apply for our summer housing program, please complete our online application (under revision).
Once received, our office will be in touch about availability and placement. Priority placement goes to students taking classes at South Dakota Mines over the summer and student employees working for a campus department over the summer. Students currently living on campus looking to stay late after the spring semester can only stay until May 12, 2026 and can apply on the Late Stay Application. Any submissions submitted after the appropriate due date are subject to a late fee. Immediate access for late applications is NOT guaranteed.

  • For students seeking summer housing that starts beforeJuly 1, 2026,
    requests are due bynoon on April 16, 2026.
  • For students seeking summer housing that starts afterJuly 1, 2026,
    requests are due a full two weeks(14 days) prior to requested arrival date.

Information

Assignments
All summer residents will receive roommates assigned to their apartment and roommates may be requested on the application. Students are not guaranteed that they will be able to reside in their current/spring or future/fall housing assignments. Facilities and custodial staff may need to enter the apartment multiple times during the summer to turn over bedrooms for multiple guests if residents are not staying the entire summer. All students staying over summer will be issued a campus mailbox in the Surbeck Center.

Billing
Students will be billed for the duration of their reservation at the beginning of the summer session (May). If a reservation is terminated early or extended, students will have their accounts adjusted accordingly. Summer rates apply for on-campus residency between spring semester May Closing and Move-In for the fall semester. Housing will be billed to the students Banner account for any SDBOR enrolled student.

Moving In and Out
Summer housing for students not already living on campus does not begin until 8am Friday, May 15, 2026. Summer housing for students staying in summer housing but not living on campus for Fall 2026 must move out by 11:59pm on August 2, 2026.

Students may check in for summer housing assignments M-F between 8am and 4pm. Arrival dates should be coordinated for one of those days whenever possible. Please contact us for unique circumstances.

  • Students staying straight through from spring semester May Closing into Summer Housing:
    • Will need to stay in their spring assignment until the summer room can be cleaned and repairs completed (as needed).
    • Residence life will notify the resident when the summer assignment apartment is ready and keys can be picked up.
    • The student will need to relocate within 3 days to ensure we can turn over the spring room.
  • Students Staying straight through from Summer Housing into fall semester Move-In:
    • To have summer rooms ready for fall occupants, students will be required to move into their Fall assignment well in advance of fall Move-In (estimated 2-3 weeks).
    • Residence life will notify the resident when the fall assignment is ready and keys/access are ready.
    • The student will need to relocate within 3 days to ensure we can turn over the fall housing assignment.

Bicycles on Campus
All bikes must be relocated for the summer. Bikes left on campus will be removed and donated. Students staying on campus for summer school must move bikes to the Rocker Square bike racks and have their bikesregistered with a sticker before May 12. Any bikes not in compliance will be removed on or after May 12th. Contact Public Safety for questions on a removed bike that was not relocated prior to the removal date.

Application Fees

  • All applications require a $100 housing application fee that must be paid to be assigned a housing placement and can be paid online with credit/debit card or with cash/check in Student Accounts Office.
  • Deadlines: The application fee must be submitted for payment before the below date and time to have a complete (non-draft) application and be eligible for placement within intended communities and roommate groups.
    • New Students: Pay before June 1, 2026 at 11:59pm MT for first round placement
    • Lottery Students: Pay before March 26, 2026 at 11:59pm MT
    • Returning Students not required to live on campus: Pay within 48 hours of applying for housing
  • If you miss the deadline, your application will remain open but "incomplete" for 30 days, with multiple reminder emails, before being deactivated completely at the 30-day mark.Housing will not be assigned or spaces held without payment or if an application has been deactivated.
  • Any student who does not pay the housing application fee prior to the March 26 deadline and still has an "incomplete" application during placements will temporarily forfeit their ability to be placed (and lottery ranking if assigned a number) and will not be placed when completing housing assignments. As soon as the application fee is paid and processed by the Student Accounts Office, the applicant will be eligible for housing placement within the remaining openings in campus housing at that time.

Roommate Matching

  • Students may request to live together on the housing application (as a group).Most housing is in groups of 2 to 4 - we recommend creating a group of 4 for your housing application.
  • Students with no matched roommates will be placed into any openings or together.
  • To be assigned together as a group, all students must be listed on all applications andALL parties must have paid the feeat the time the group's placementis made.

Spaces in roommate groups will not be held for any unpaid applicants as their application is "incomplete" at the time and they are to be placed (timestamp, date, or lottery number). If a space in a roommate group's assigned location happens to still be available when unpaid applications change to paid, the matched roommateMAYbe placed into that opening.

Room Types, Roommates, & More

Students may indicate preference for various housing areas, types, personal preferences, and/or request to match with other students on their housing applications. Our team works to make assignments that align with building, room type, and roommate matching wherever reasonably possible in accordance with placement procedures. These preferences are not guaranteed.

For roommate matches, the students intending to reside together must all be eligible to live in the preferred community and all placement process/procedures and deadlines have been met (mutual matches, deadlines met, application fee paid, etc.). Student housing areas have various combinations of restroom proximity, number of bedrooms, and other factors.

First-Year students 18 or older may match with a specific student with a different sex if they feel strongly about the match and opt-in. We will work to determine if a compatible space is available. Returning students may opt into varied-sex room assignments by matching with specific individuals or without matching as long as they opt in on the application (matched & unmatched). Returning student housing has more variety, allowing for multiple sexes within a shared space, depending on room type as well as bathroom availability and access.

If students of differing sex/gender wish to match and opt-in to living together, all occupants must willfully agree to the below terms. If in agreement, the corresponding preference box on the housing application should be checked. Students who do not check the box will not be eligible to live with those of differing sex/gender.

  • Students must be 18 years old or older to opt-in to receive a roommate with a differing sex/gender on their application.
  • Students understand and agree that they are entering into this decision on their own accord. Students are responsible for communicating their choices to any invested partners, friends, or family.
  • If a bed space becomes available in a gender inclusive room, the following may occur:
    • Roommates may have the opportunity to bring in a new roommate, who must also agree to live in the space with existing assigned residents.
    • Residence Life may assign a roommate who has opted in.
    • Residence Life may reassign roommates to new housing to redesignate the room.
  • The University does not recommend and discourages students in a relationship from living together. Remember, relationship challenges or break-ups may pose significant housing issues and new or different accommodations are not guaranteed.

The Office of Accessibility Services and Residence Life work together to ensure students with disabilities have an accessible on-campus experience. Students with disabilities can request residential accommodations by contacting the Office of Accessibility Services at amanda.lopez@sdsmt.edu or call 605-394-2533. Students typically completetheonline form as part of the request process.

Returning Student Timeline: All Fall 2026 Housing ADA Accommodation requests for returning students must be initiated by March 27, 2026 at 11:59PM. Requests may be initiated by submitting the online form or contacting the Office of Accessibility Services. Requests as a result of new disabilities or changing needs may be initiated after the deadline but should be done as soon as reasonably possible to provide time for requests to be reviewed.

Please note, the housing application will ask questions about building, room type, roommate preference, and open-ended comments box. If you are not in need of an accessibility accommodation, the housing application is where preference information is shared.

Each residential student is assigned a mailbox by Residence Life. A mailbox assignment email is sent to new students before move-in including how to address mail and packages. Items can be sent to campus before move-in but cannot be held if received prior to August 1. The mailroom is located in Surbeck Center; it is accessible 24 hours a day and is staffed for package pick-up by the Surbeck Center Front Desk during specific hours (adjusted each semester). Students will receive their mailbox combination during check-in.

Contact Residence Life

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(605) 394-2348
reslife@sdsmt.edu