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Frequently-Asked Questions

Q. What is the Residential Living Requirement?

A. For the 2013-14 academic year, students are required to live on campus unless they are 20 years or older prior to the first day of class for the quarter they are applying; they live at home with parent(s), legal guardian(s), spouse or dependent children; they are a graduate student; or they are enrolled for eight or fewer credits.

Students who are not eligible to live off campus, but believe they have extenuating circumstances that warrant special consideration, may petition Residence Life for an exemption. Approval is granted only for exceptional need or hardship. Students living off campus without approval will not be permitted to register until they are in compliance.

Q. How are assignments made?
A. Room and roommate assignments are made based on your student type (first-time freshman or transfer student), your priority (the date your admissions application was received), and your preferences (listed on your Campus Housing Application). Your chances of getting into your preferred building are dependent on the number of available spaces in that building, and how many students with an earlier admission application date have requested it. See Room Assignments and Roommate Matching for more information.


Q. What are suite-style rooms?
A. Suites are two rooms that share one bathroom. Emerson is the only residence hall with suite-style rooms. The most common configuration is a double room on either side of a connecting bathroom; however in some suites, two rooms off of a community lounge may share a bathroom. Emerson also has a limited number of rooms with private bathrooms (i.e., shared with only the residents of that room).


Q. What are triple rooms? How are students assigned to them?
A. There are more than 150 triple rooms in the residence halls offered at a discounted rate. The majority of triples are standard doubles with lofted beds and a change in floor plan to accommodate three residents. Over half of first-time freshman will likely be assigned to a triple room.

Q. May I see my room before I move in?

A. Residence halls are used for conferences during the summer and are closed during Christmas and Spring breaks; therefore, rooms are not available for viewing. Layouts of typical rooms in each hall are available here.

Q. When will my housing contract and assignment be mailed?
A. Your housing contract, room assignment and roommate information is emailed in early August, provided we receive your Campus Housing Application and $300 room deposit by May 31. If your application and deposit are received between June 1 and August 15, you will receive your assignment mid-September. Applications and deposits received after August 15 will be processed as space permits (see Deadlines).

Q. Is my room deposit refundable?

A. A refund of your $300 room deposit is available if you cancel your housing application by June 28 for Autumn Quarter, December 11 for Winter Quarter or March 19 for Spring Quarter. Once you move into your room, your deposit will remain on your student account until you withdraw from housing. At that time, the deposit will be refunded if you have completed your contract obligation, met withdrawal deadlines, and not damaged your room.

Q. When do the residence halls open and close?

A. Click here to view the 2013-14 Residential Calendar.

Q. What about housing and food service during holiday breaks?

A. Residence halls close during Christmas and Spring breaks. Residents will need to vacate the hall, but may leave personal property in their rooms. Students occupying the campus apartments may remain on campus during breaks. Food service is not available in Gwinn Commons during Thanksgiving, Christmas or Spring breaks.

Q. What can I bring with me?

A. We want you to be comfortable in your new home away from home, but you may want to consider prioritizing what you'll really need. Space will be limited. You may want to call your roommate(s) to decide who will bring which items; you probably won't need or have room for two of everything. A checklist of suggested items to bring is available here.

Q. May I have a car on campus?

A. Parking spaces on campus are limited, and there is a quarterly fee. You may park your car on the street, but SPU is located in a residential area and those spaces are very limited. Safety and Security manages campus parking and encourages you to consider leaving your car at home and using Seattle buses that stop near campus.

Q. How does living on campus compare to off campus?

A. Click here for an itemized comparison of on verses off campus living.

Q. What is my mailing address?

A. Residence hall students are assigned a mailstop (the term used for your mailbox). Mailboxes are located outside the Student Union Building. Campus apartment residents either receive a mailstop or, for specific buildings, have mail delivered directly to a mailbox at their residence. Mailing Services will provide mailing information to you by September 15, 2013.

 

Send questions or comments to: housing@spu.edu | Housing Information: (206) 281-2188
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