Students who received housing contracts in this year's lottery and either plan to live on campus next year or to transfer their contracts to other students have until 5 p.m. today to return their contracts to the Shields Building.

Even down to the deadline, however, some applicants have felt confusion about the "transfer of obligation" process, one part of this year's new housing lottery system.

Kathy Krinks, assignment office manager, said that students who want to transfer their contracts should not give the contract directly to the interested party.

"There seems to be somewhat of a black market starting," Krinks said, referring to the unauthorized exchange of housing contracts between students.

She said that some students trying to find buyers for their contracts are asking for the best "bid" possible. Contracts exchanged in this manner, however, will not be accepted by the university.

"If people are interested in assuming someone's contract obligation, they should come to the assignment office with the contract and the person," Krinks said. "Also, it needs to be the same gender person."

The student currently owning the contract is required to sign a document stating that he or she is transferring the contract to the second student. The second student must also verify that he or she is assuming contract responsibility by signing the document.

The second student will then receive a contract for supplemental space, regardless of whether the first student's contract was for a permanent space.

"The important thing is to make everyone understand they're not going to get a permanent contract through a contract switch," Krinks said.

Jessica Bailor (junior-early child education) and her roommate are students who received supplemental housing contracts through the lottery. Bailor posted signs in Findlay Commons in East Halls in hopes of buying an unwanted permanent contract.

"We did have people who were willing to give us (permanent) contracts, but we found out that they can't sell them to us as a permanent contract," Bailor said. "I think it kind of stinks this way. It stinks to be a senior and to be stuck with supplemental housing."

Alex Brosky (sophomore-electrical engineering) also thinks that the transfer process is unfair. Brosky said he wishes he could sell his permanent contract directly to an interested student rather than sell it as a supplemental contract through the assignment office.

"I think it's ridiculous," Brosky said.

Still, Krinks said that the lottery process is the fairest way to distribute housing contracts. Even now, students on the waiting list have a very good chance of receiving contracts by the end of the week, she said.

"We do know there's going to be a lot of movement. We'll probably be sending offers to people on the waiting list Thursday or Friday. We want to get these people hooked up as soon as possible," she said.

Students who want to have their names placed on the waiting list and students handing in housing contracts have until 5 p.m. today. Mailed contracts must be postmarked Jan. 31. Contracts received by the office after the deadline will be considered null and void.