This year, students will have a longer opportunity to ponder their feelings on residence hall life and whether they want to relive it for another year.

Early Bird Housing Contracts are now available a month earlier than previous years.

The contracts will be available this year starting Oct. 1, and the deadline to sign the contract is Dec. 17.

Mark Hudson, director of University Housing and Dining, said the change is because the process for students deciding where to live has started earlier.

According to a flier, another reason for changing the deadline is because of the aggressive off-campus housing market and early leasing movement in the Charleston community.

University Housing hopes that if students commit early, the retention rate will be higher.

By signing the Early Bird Contract, students are making the commitment to live on campus, either in the residence halls, University Court or in Greek Court.

Students who sign the Early Bird Contract are more likely to be placed in their preferred residence hall than those who sign the regular housing contract in mid-February, Hudson said.

When students who wish to participate decide to commit to living on campus, they will sign the Early Bird contract, fill out the rooming survey and pay the initial housing payment of $250.

All the benefits are the same as last year; there is just an earlier opportunity, Hudson said.

Early Bird students will have $100 in dining dollars added to their Panther Cards at the beginning of Fall 2011 and will also be the priority in assigning housing.

Students will also be entered into a drawing. The first prize is free room and board for the year, second prize is free room for one male and one female and third prize is a double as a single room upgrade.

Miles Russell, a senior special education major, said it is good they are extending the time, because there is less pressure to make a decision.

“If I had more time last year, I would’ve thought more and wouldn’t have felt rushed to get out of it,” Russell said.

If students wish to cancel their contract, they have until the end of the fall semester to do so and receive a refund.

Megan Tredway, a junior speech pathology major, said the Early Bird Housing Contract is a good idea.

“It benefits you and helps the school to get everything in early,” Tredway said.

Hudson said around 700 to 900 students have usually signed the Early Bird Housing Contracts for the past four years.

Ashley Holstrom can be reached at 581-7942 or alholstrom@eiu.edu.