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FAQs

Categories
Important Dates
Annual Housing Contract/Housing Contract
Housing Assignments
What to Bring and What Not to Bring
What are the Differences Between the Various Halls
What Amenities are Included in the Halls
Winter and Summer Break Housing
Facilities
Damage Billing
Getting Involved in the Halls
Meal Plans

Important Dates

Upcoming important dates can be found on the housing website

Annual Housing Contract/Housing Contract

Where can I find information about the annual contract?
Information about the annual contract
Housing Contract

Is it possible to get out of the annual contract?
Students who withdraw from the University are automatically removed from housing, thus cancelling the annual contract. Other instances of an automatic release from the contract. Students who do not meet the qualifications for an automatic release who are requesting a release after the June 30th deadline can submit a "housing contract cancellation request form", which will go to a committee for review and a decision on whether the student will be released or not. All students, even those being released for automatic reasons must submit the "housing contract cancellation request form."

What happens if a student is not released from the contract?
Students who are not released from the housing contract remain assigned to housing for the year and are responsible for all housing fees for the year per Board of Regent policy.

Why is a hold placed on a student's account if released due to part-time status?
The Housing Office places a "housing hold" on a student's account when they are released due to officially changing their status to part-time in order to prevent the student from becoming a full-time student. The hold prevents students from dropping/registering for any additional classes. If a student needs to add classes, they must email housing@easternct.edu to get a temporary release of the hold, which will allow them to register for up to 11.5 credits.

Who can live on campus?
Any full-time (registered for 12 or more credits) undergraduate student can live on campus. Part-time and graduate students may live on campus on a space available basis. Graduate students may be assigned with undergraduate students. Non-matriculated students are not permitted to live on campus. We do not offer family housing.

Is there an age limit?
No, there is no age limit for students who live on campus. As long as the student is a matriculated and registered Eastern student, they can apply for and live in campus housing.

Housing Assignments

Does Eastern guarantee housing?
No, housing is not guaranteed. However, historically, we have had 100% success in assigning all students who apply for housing. While it may not be the hall/roommates of choice, all students have been assigned.

When should a current resident student apply for housing?
Current resident students planning to return to housing should pay the non-refundable $250 housing deposit and apply for housing by the deadlines given during the housing selection process. Information is provided to residents via email several times during the housing selection process. The housing selection process takes place in April for all current residential students.
For more information: http://www.easternct.edu/housing/apply-for-housing/

How are transfer students assigned to housing?
Incoming new transfer students for the fall semester are assigned to Occum Hall, as that is the only hall with spaces reserved for transfer students. Once those beds are filled, transfer students are assigned to any hall with an available space. Transfers coming in for the spring semester can select any upper level students hall as their preferred hall, although preferred hall placement is not guaranteed. Incoming transfer students for the fall will not initially have an opportunity to try to live with current residential students, as the only spots held for transfers are in Occum Hall and all other spaces are assigned to our current residents through the housing selection process in April.

When should a new incoming student apply for housing?
Incoming new students to housing should pay the non-refundable $250 housing deposit and apply for housing as soon as they are sure that they are attending Eastern. The earlier a student pays the deposit and completes the application, the better their chance to be assigned to one of their top three halls.
For more information: http://www.easternct.edu/housing/apply-for-housing/

When should a current commuter student apply for housing?
Students who are currently commuting and wish to move into campus housing should pay the non-refundable $250 housing deposit and complete the housing application as soon as they are sure they wish to live on campus. Commuter students are not eligible to participate in the housing selection process that occurs in April, as that process is for current residents only. Commuters will be assigned to housing once all current residential students have been assigned. They are assigned based on the date the housing deposit is active in Banner and students are assigned as spaces become available. For the fall, commuter students are not usually assigned to housing until mid-July at the earliest.
For more information: http://www.easternct.edu/housing/apply-for-housing/

Can I add/change a hall preference or roommate preference on my housing application?
A student can log into myHousing and make edits to their hall preferences and/or roommate preferences until April 1st. Once we begin housing selection for current students and/or assigning new incoming first-year students/transfers for the next academic year and students no longer have the ability to edit their application once that process begins.

What is required for a student to live on campus?
Any student who wishes to live on campus must pay the non-refundable $250 housing deposit and submit a housing application. Students are not assigned until both the deposit and application have been submitted. Returning students with holds due to past-due balance and/or not registered for a minimum of 12 credits are not eligible for housing selection and are not assigned until they pay the balance/and or register for a minimum of 12 credits.

How much is the housing deposit and how often do students pay a deposit?
The housing deposit is non-refundable per CSCU Board of Regents policy. The non-refundable housing deposit is $250 and is paid in the fall semester for new spring residents, and in the spring for current residents and commuter students who wish to live on campus for the following fall semester. Incoming new first-year students and transfers for the fall semester must pay a housing deposit in order to be assigned to housing. While there is no deadline for incoming new students, paying it prior to April usually allows students to get into the 1st/2nd choice hall. Housing is not guaranteed.

How does a student get assigned to housing as a new incoming first-year student/transfer?
Students are assigned based on the date the deposit is active in Banner and a housing application is submitted.
For more information: http://www.easternct.edu/housing/apply-for-housing/

How does a current on-campus student get assigned to housing for the next year?
Current residential students participate in the housing selection process, which takes place in the spring.
For more information: http://www.easternct.edu/housing/apply-for-housing/

How does a student who currently commutes get assigned to housing?
Students who are currently commuting and wish to move into campus housing should pay the non-refundable $250 housing deposit and complete the housing application as soon as they are sure they wish to live on campus. Commuter students are not eligible to participate in the housing selection process, as that process is for current residents only. Commuters will be assigned to housing based on the date the housing deposit is active in Banner and students are assigned as spaces become available. For the fall, commuter students are not usually assigned to housing until all spring resident students have been assigned, which is typically not until mid-July at the earliest.
For more information: http://www.easternct.edu/housing/apply-for-housing/

What if a student needs an accommodation that is covered under the ADA?
Students should make contact with the Office of AccessAbility Services (OAS) in order to schedule an intake appointment and to find out what medical documentation is required. If OAS determines a housing accommodation is necessary, they inform the housing office once it has been approved. Accommodations are not guaranteed, although we work to accommodate the student as much as possible given the available spots at the time an accommodation is approved. Students pay the rate associated for the hall/room type they are assigned to regardless of reason assigned.
For more information visit the AccessAbility Services website

Can a student request a roommate?
Yes, incoming new students can request a roommate when completing their housing application. Every attempt is made to pair preferred roommates, but the request must be mutual to be considered, and the students must both be assigned to the same hall. Students whose hall choices do not match on the application, or who are assigned to different halls due to a hall of choice being filled have no chance of being assigned as roommates. While hall assignments are made starting mid-April, roommate matching is not done until the end of May. Incoming new transfers for the fall cannot request to live with current residents or incoming first-year students, as residents participate in housing selection and all spaces are assigned to our current students and initially, all new fall transfers are assigned to the spots reserved for them in  Occum Hall.

How does a student find out their roommates are?
In mid-June, the housing office emails all assigned students to inform them how they can log into myHousing to view their hall, room and roommate information.

What happens if a student is not happy with their housing assignment?
Students can request a change via their Eastern email, but changes are not guaranteed, as it depends on available spaces at that time. There are no wait lists for hall changes. If a student moves to another room type/hall, the bill may change depending on the rate of the new spot. Any student moving to or assigned to an open spot will be billed the rate for the new room (rate will be pro-rated if moving during the semester).

How does a student change their housing assignment?
Incoming new students and returning students can request a change prior to the start of the semester, and if spaces are available, requests will be honored on a space available basis. Once the semester begins, students are notified via email with the room change process. Once an official request is made using the survey request form, it will be sent to the Hall Director of the hall the student is requesting, who will then reach out to the student within 3 business days to determine what is available and if a room change will take place. Room changes can only be accommodated from the HD's waiting list on a space available basis. Hall Director waiting lists are only good for one semester and do not roll to the next semester. Any student moving to or assigned to an open spot will be billed the rate for the new room (rate will be pro-rated if moving during the semester).

How does a student cancel housing?
New spring residents have until December 1st to cancel their housing contract and be automatically released. Students assigned to fall housing have until June 30th to cancel their housing contract and be automatically released. After those deadlines, students who are newly assigned to housing have one week after the assignment to request to be released. After that, any student wishing to be released must complete a "housing contract cancellation request," which will go to a committee for a decision.
More information about the Annual Contract

How much does housing cost?
Current housing rates

What to Bring and What Not to Bring

What is and is not permitted in the halls

Campus Safety Tips

What is not permitted in the halls?
Complete list of prohibited items

What can I use to hang things on my walls?
Blue painter's tape is the only tape/adhesive permitted to be used on University walls, doors, etc. Students who live in halls with sheet rock walls may use thumbtacks on the walls. Halls with sheet rock walls are: Burr, High Rise, Laurel, Low Rise, Noble, Nutmeg and Shafer Halls.

I'm 21, can I bring marijuana to campus?
No. Effective July 1, 2021, less than 1.5 ounces of cannabis (marijuana) was legalized in CT for persons over 21 to use/possess. However, possession and/or use of marijuana is still prohibited per the CSCU Student Code of Conduct and the housing contract. Students found in possession of marijuana on campus will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and potentially face criminal charges and/or fines. Additionally, marijuana found on campus is subject to being seized and/or destroyed.

Can students have a pet/animal in the hall?
The only pets allowed on campus are fish in 10 gallon tanks or less. All fish must be brought home during official university closings. Pets are not permitted to visit/enter any residence hall, even for a minute. Support animals are permitted once a student is registered with the Office of AccessAbility Services (OAS) and has provided the proper medical documentation to OAS. Service animals are not required to be registered with OAS, but it is appreciated when students do that, as it allows our office to notify roommates about an animal living with them. The OAS staff communicates these accommodations with the housing office, who then notifies roommates and hall staff. The addition of a support animal in your living space is a possibility and if you foresee this as a disability-related barrier, you should register with OAS.
More information about service and emotional support animals

What happens if a student has an allergy to someone's service or support animal?
Students who have concerns about a service or support animal should contact the Office of AccessAbility Services, as the student with the accommodation will not be relocated. In the case of two competing disabilities, the student registered and approved first (for a housing accommodation) will receive priority.

Can furniture be moved in my room/suite/apartment?
You are permitted to rearrange furniture within your assigned space as long as it is all kept within your room/suite/apartment, etc. You may not move furniture out of your room/suite/apartment and all furniture must remain assembled. If moving items out of your bedroom and into common space within your suite/apartment, you must have the approval of all residents of your suite/apartment.

Can students bring their own furniture?
Students are welcome to bring items to decorate their room as long as it does not restrict space within your room/suite/apartment. Items listed as prohibited in the housing contract are not permitted. You can find the prohibited items in the housing contract under "Conditions of Occupancy," item #16.

What are the Differences Between the Various Halls

How long are the beds?
All beds on campus are twin, extra-long beds (80").

What halls do first-time first-year students live in?
First-time first-year students live in Burnap, Burr, Constitution, Crandall, Mead and Winthrop Halls. Students pay the rate associated for the hall/room type they are assigned to regardless of reason assigned.

What halls do transfers live in?
Incoming transfer for the fall semester are assigned to spots reserved for transfer students on the 1st and 2nd floors of Occum Hall. Once the beds reserved for transfers have been filled, transfer students are assigned to any hall with openings. Incoming spring transfer students can select any hall when giving their top three preferences, as spring transfers are assigned to halls with available beds and are not restricted to Occum Hall. Students pay the rate associated for the hall/room type they are assigned to regardless of reason assigned (and any required meal plans).

What halls do upper level students live in?
All upper level students live in Laurel, Niejadlik, Noble, Nutmeg, Occum and Shafer Halls as well as High Rise and Low Rise Apartments. Upon completion of the first year, all upper level students live together. Upper level student halls are not designated by class. Students pay the rate associated for the hall/room type they are assigned to regardless of reason assigned (and any required meal plans).

Is toilet paper/shower curtains, etc. provided?
The University provides toilet paper in all common area bathrooms in all halls and in the traditional-style residence halls where students share the bathroom on the floor (Burnap, Burr, Crandall, and Winthrop Halls.) Students living in any other hall will need to provide their own toilet paper. New shower curtains are provided at the start of each academic year. If a student(s) want to replace the shower curtain, they are welcome to do so. Facilities will not replace shower curtains after the start of the year.

What Amenities are Included in the Halls

Cleaning Supplies - Residence halls may have a vacuum for student use and can be checked out with a valid student ID. As hall vacuums break and/or are not able to be repaired, they are not being replaced, so we recommend bringing your own.

Computer Labs - Each residence hall has computers available for student use. Each hall has one printer/copier in the main lobby/office area for student use. If you experience any problems with the computers and/or printer/copier, please be sure to inform your hall staff.

Entertainment - Each residence hall has various games and gaming equipment that can be borrowed by students and can be checked out with a valid student ID. Halls also have board games, DVD's and BluRay discs that can be borrowed. If there are movies/games that you would like your hall to purchase for student use, be sure to attend hall Residence Hall Association (RHA) meetings and suggest additional items that can be purchased with your RHA budget.

Moving carts - Moving carts are available in most halls to be used as students are moving in/out of the halls. These can be checked out at the hall office with a valid student ID.

Vending - There are snack and beverage vending machines available in each residence hall. Cost of items vary. Students can use cash and credit cards in machines. If you experience problems with the vending machines, please be sure to contact the vending company. Their contact information can be found on the vending machines. Please also let your hall staff know if there is a problem.

Washer/dryer - Each residence hall has washers and dryers available for student use. Washers cost $1.50 and dryers $1.00. Students can use credit/debit cards in machines, which also take quarters. We do not have change machines in the residence halls. If you experience problems with the washers/dryers, please be sure to place a work order to CSC ServiceWorks. Their contact information can be found on the machines. Please also let your hall staff know if there is a problem. Please download the CSCPay Mobile app to add funds to use in the laundry machines.

Mail - United States Postal Service (USPS) mail is delivered to the residence halls Monday-Friday. The University is not open on weekends or holidays and does not get mail on these days. There is also no mail on days when the University closes due to inclement weather. USPS mail and packages are delivered to the halls and the hall staff put mail and package slips in student mailboxes. These packages can be picked up in the hall office with an Eastern ID once you have been notified by housing staff that the package has arrived at your hall. UPS and FedEx deliver directly to Mail Services and will be distributed once Mail Services process the package and delivers to the halls with the next day's mail. Please note that UPS and FedEx do not make deliveries to the halls and will not pick up from the halls. If you are tracking a package that you have not received, please check first with your hall office. When tracking packages through USPS, please note that the USPS is delivered to the Willimantic Post Office and may not arrive to campus on the same day that the Willimantic Post Office marks it as delivered. USPS mail does not go through the Central Housing Office in Wood Hall. Contact shippingreceiving@easternct.edu and mail@easternct.edu with any questions regarding mail and/or packages.

Winter and Summer Break Housing

Is housing available during breaks?
Housing is available in limited quantities during winter and summer breaks and is assigned on a first-come basis. Applications for winter housing are available on line after Thanksgiving Break and applications for summer housing are available on line after Spring Break. Applications can be found in the MyHousing portal.

What is the cost?
Winter and summer housing costs vary each year. Prices are not determined at this time. Students working on campus during winter and summer breaks are entitled to a 50% reduction during the dates working, provided the supervisor emails housing confirming a student's start and end dates. Students taking classes and staying on campus in the summer are entitled to a 50% reduction during the dates of the class. There is no reduction in rate for students taking winter classes.

Where do students live during breaks when residing on campus?
Currently, students needing to live on campus during breaks will remain in their current assignment. There is no food service provided during break periods. Students who live in halls without kitchens are responsible for their own food during these periods. Chartwells may offer limited hours in the Student Center Cafe during some break periods.

Are international students able to arrive to campus early and/or leave late after the halls close?
International students are permitted to arrive to campus 2-3 days prior to the start of the semester and leave 2-3 days after the residence halls close without having to apply/pay for winter/summer housing. Students arriving prior to the start of the semester and/or leaving after the end of the semester, should communicate their early arrival/late leaving with Angela Bazin and the Hall Director of their hall.

Facilities

Who cleans my room?
You do! All spaces within a student's room/suite/apartment are their responsibility to clean.

Who cleans my hall?
Each hall has a housekeeper and zone maintainer who assist the students in keeping the hall clean and fixing broken items. Bathrooms are cleaned in the traditional first-year halls daily Monday-Friday. It is the responsibility of the students to keep all hall common areas clean. Housekeeping staff are not maids and are not responsible for removing personal trash and cleaning up after residents. Excessive trash in bathrooms/lounges will be billed to students as common area damages if excessive cleaning/trash removal is needed. Students may not leave personal trash/pizza boxes in the garbage cans within the halls and must use the dumpsters located outside of their hall.

What if something is broken in a student's room?
Upon move in, students should review their Room Condition Report (RCR) on the MyHousing portal and note any damages that may not already be listed. Students have limited time to do this after moving into a space. Anything not listed as damaged at move in, but listed at move out, will result in damage billing. Students should report all damage, as soon as it is noticed, by submitting a work order through the MyHousing portal. Monthly health and safety inspections are completed to assist in finding broken or damaged items, but students may report damage at any time.

Will staff enter my room to follow up on a work order?
Yes, facilities staff will enter a student's room to complete work requested as the result of a work order being submitted. Facilities staff will enter a room regardless of a student being present and will make every effort to knock and announce themselves prior to entering. A work order slip should be left behind by Facilities staff so you know they were in your space to address the concern.

Do all work orders get submitted through MyHousing?
No, only facilities work orders (burned out light, broken desk, leaking pipes, etc.) are submitted through the MyHousing. Work orders related to IT issues (internet) must be reported by the student by sending an email to helpdesk@easternct.edu. Work orders for washers/dryers and vending machines need to be reported directly to those companies using the phone numbers on the machines. Students should also report any damage/inoperable machines to the hall staff so that an "out of order" sign can be hung on the machines.

Damage Billing

When do students receive a bill for housing damages?
In most cases, all damage billing is completed after spring move out. Damage billing is based on the condition of a student' room at move in and move out. Each student reviews their Room Condition Report (RCR) upon check in in the fall/spring through MyHousing. Students should review the information on the RCR and add anything the staff may have missed. Students who leave campus housing at the end of the fall semester will be billed for fall damage billing at the close of the spring semester as well, but are not responsible for any damage that occurred during the time they did not reside in the hall.

Can a student appeal damage billing?
In some cases, yes. Common area damage charges (charges that are billed to all students) cannot be appealed, as all students in the room/suite/apartment/floor/hall receive those charges. Students that are charged for individual items can appeal their damage bill using the process noted in the damage billing emails that are sent to students in late May. Students cannot appeal charges once the appeal deadline has passed.

What is common area damage?
Common area damage charges are charges that are billed to the room/suite/apartment/floor/hall for damages that occur in common areas when no one takes responsibility for the damage. All common area damage charges are discussed at RHA meetings and the residents determine who is billed for the damage.

Are there set costs for damages?
Yes, many of the costs for damaged items are set by the Facilities Department. If damage occurs and there is no set cost, the facilities staff will notify the Hall Director of the final amount to repair/replace damage, including parts and labor.

Getting Involved in the Halls

Friday After Dark (FAD)
Friday After Dark (F.A.D.) is a series of programs coordinated by the Office of Housing and Residence Life providing quality weekend programming to the campus community. In conjunction with the Campus Activity Board (CAB), FAD and CAB cover most weekend of the semester in order to entice students to stay on campus.
Current semester's FAD schedule

IDEAL Residential Portfolio
The IDEAL Residential Portfolio is a reflective project that memorializes a student's Eastern experience. The IDEAL Portfolio is part of our Priority Points System and gives resident students additional opportunities for involvement both in and out of the residence hall.
More information about IDEAL

Priority Points System (PPS)
Priority Points is the system in which residential students earn points by being involved within the halls and on campus. The PPS system is only for students currently living on campus. Student who are not on campus do not earn priority points. The number of priority points a student earns is 100% in their control. The more priority points a student has, the better their housing selection pick time.
More information about Priority Points

Residence Hall Associations (RHA)
Residence Hall Associations are the student-run governance organizations in each building and for all buildings, whose purpose is to enhance the community at Eastern. Any resident at Eastern can join the RHA for their assigned hall. Each hall will conduct elections for e-board positions and will determine the day/time of meetings. Each hall has a bulletin board for posting relevant RHA information, meeting minutes, etc. Each RHA plans social and educational programs for residents funded by $30 per resident of the social fee paid by all resident students. At RHA meetings, each hall needs to have a minimum of two residents per RA in order to conduct business. All damage billing for halls is also discussed at RHA meetings to determine who will be billed for damages.
Dates and times of RHA meetings

Six Week Challenge
The Six Week Challenge was created to assist first-year students in acclimating and engaging with their peers and the University as a whole. The Six Week Challenge is intended to increase retention, promote academic and personal success, and to enhance the quality of life within the residence halls and aligns with the core values of Eastern. Students will participate in various events throughout the first six weeks; such as hall and floor socials, roommate expectation forms, meals with staff, community service events, the Roommate Game, RA programs, etc. More information about Six Week Challenge

Theme Housing
Theme housing at Eastern brings together students with similar interests to live together within the same area of a residence hall. Theme housing serves as an additional opportunity for students to gain leadership, academic and social skills. Students living in theme housing will participate in meetings, assist in planning programs, work toward common goals, and engage with the larger residential community.
More information about Theme Housing

University Residential Outreach Council (UROC)
The University Residential Outreach Council (UROC) is the student-run governing body for the Residence Hall Associations (RHA) from each residence hall. The e-board is elected each spring for the following year. The UROC is made up of any resident student who lives on campus and plans social programming for residents of all halls and is funded by $10 of each student's social fee.
More information about UROC

Warrior Cup
The Warrior Cup is an annual competition between all 14 Residence Halls, giving each hall the opportunity to display their commitment to personal and academic success along with hall and school spirit.
More information about the Warrior Cup

Meal Plans

Are meal plans required in first-year halls?
Yes, there are some halls that require a meal plan. All first-year halls and any upper level student areas without kitchens are required to be on the Silver Plus $125 meal plan. All first-year students, regardless of their assigned hall are required to be on the Silver Plus $125 meal plan. The following halls require this meal plan: Burnap, Burr, Constitution, Crandall, Mead, and Winthrop Halls. The first two floors of Occum Hall (reserved for Transfer students) are also required to be on the Silver Plus $125 meal plan, as there are no kitchens on the first two floors. upper level student halls with kitchen facilities are not required to be on a meal plan (with the exception of Occum 1st and 2nd floors).

Are meal plans required in upper level student halls?
Yes, Niejadlik Hall and the 1st and 2nd floors of Occum Hall are required to be on the Silver Plus $125 meal plan, as there are no kitchens on the first two floors of Occum Hall. upper level student halls with kitchen facilities are not required to be on a meal plan (with the exception of Occum 1st and 2nd floors). Students in non-meal plan required halls may elect to be on any meal plan.

How does a student get a meal plan?
Students who are assigned to a hall with a required meal plan are automatically assigned to the Silver Plus 125 meal plan by the Housing Office. Students not on a required meal plan can add any meal plan and students on the required Silver Plus 125 meal plan can upgrade their meal plan by visiting the Card Services website.

Can a meal plan be dropped?
A voluntary meal plan (a meal plan that is not required based on your hall assignment) cannot be dropped once you request it and the semester has started. However, voluntary meal plans must be renewed each semester. If you have a voluntary meal plan in the fall, it is not automatically given to you in the spring. You must contact Card Services to request a spring meal plan. Students who move from a meal plan required hall to a non-meal plan required hall are able to drop the meal plan effective the date the student moves into the non-meal plan required hall. Students must contact Card Services to drop the meal plan, as it is not dropped unless the student requests for it to be dropped after a move.