Florida State University Housing - Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions

Housing agreements are available to students after they have been formally admitted to FSU. Admitted students who wish to apply for housing will receive an informational brochure. Admitted students can apply electronically by accessing our online application available on our website. Students may also visit the Housing Office, located in the Student Life Center, and fill out a hard copy of the Housing Agreement.
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How can I be assigned to a Living-Learning Community?

To receive additional information and an application for a learning community, you must indicate your interest in each program on the Special Housing Options portion on the Housing Agreement. You must be a first year student and have all application materials postmarked by April 14, 2008. Application materials will be reviewed and applicants will be notified of their invitation status in late April. If you noted a Learning Community hall (other than Reynolds, DeGraff, or Wildwood) as one of the preferred halls but were not accepted, you may update your preferences online by early May.
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Can I be part of the University Honors Program as well as a Living-Learning Community?

Yes, you may be part of the University Honors Program as well as a Living-Learning Community; however, if you accept an invitation to a Living-Learning Community you will not be able to live in the designated Honors Hall.
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Can I live in the Honors Community if I am not an honors student?

Only those students who have been accepted into the FSU Honors Program are eligible to reside in the honors hall. Non-honors students will only be eligible to reside in Landis Hall after all honors student requests for the honors community have been exhausted.
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When will I find out about my room assignment status?

Summer & Fall housing applicants will be notified beginning in early June 2008 about their assignment status. The assignment invoices also serve as the billing invoice for the term.
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What if I get placed on a wait list?

In some instances, students who are very late housing applicants may be placed on a wait list for campus housing. While this can be concerning for them, the wait list is not necessarily an indication that they will not receive housing on campus. Historically, a number of students who have signed Housing Agreements will make decisions throughout the summer to cancel their admission or attend another institution, thus opening up spaces for students on the housing wait list. University Housing will carefully consider trends from previous years and will communicate with wait-listed students throughout the summer with status updates. In the event that cancellations are not occurring as expected and we are NOT able to offer housing to certain students, we will communicate that information in writing by mid-July. NOTE: Placement on the wait list does not remove obligation to the Housing Agreement.
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I did not get assigned to one of my four preferred hall choices. Why?

Usually only early applicants get one of their four preferences. Even then, if the preferences are halls that are highly requested, students may not get into a preferred hall. Requests to move to another hall can be emailed to housinginfo@admin.fsu.edu. Please keep in mind that reassignment requests are made possible as space becomes available and are processed in priority number order.
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How did I get matched with my roommate?

All room assignments and roommate placements are generated by the student’s priority number. If an applicant selects a roommate as a preference, the application will assume the later application date and priority number of the roommate pair for assignment purposes. In some instances, we are unable to honor roommate requests due to space availability. Therefore, you will be assigned to the next available bed space. During the reassignment period, you may again request to be assigned with your preferred roommate.
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What should I do to get to know my roommate?

Your roommate's address is listed on your housing assignment and invoice. It's a good idea to try to get to know your roommate by writing and perhaps later calling or emailing. Tell your roommate about yourself, your expectations, and your commitment to the roommate relationship. Be sure to agree upon who is bringing what for the room or at least a time to discuss it later. You and your roommate may wish until move-in to make purchases for the room. There are several shops and discount stores in town that can help you find just what is needed fir the room.
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What happens when roommates do not get along?

Each resident brings with him or her a different set of expectations. To encourage open communication, all residents discuss and sign a roommate contract at the beginning of the fall term and any time there is a change in residence status in the room. When roommates are unable to resolve a situation on their own, a mediator is called upon to help. In mediation, an objective person, usually a University Housing staff member, acts as a referee to ensure that strong feelings do not hinder the process and that roommates follow the rules. In the extreme cases in which mediation fails, arbitration will be used. In this process roommates agree beforehand to honor the arbitrator’s decision. This binding decision may entail one or more roommates moving to another room. Students requesting to move to another room are obligated to their current room assignment until University Housing is able to find space available to accommodate the move.
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What is the best way to receive packages and mail on campus?

The residence halls are closed until opening day, we are unable to accept packages until the official opening day. Food deliveries are made only to the main door of the residence hall where vendors have access to the outside phone. United States mail is delivered to the FSU Post Office in the Oglesby Union. Address U.S. mail to:

Student’s Name
U-Box - # _____ (Five digit box number)
Tallahassee, FL 32313
Deliveries from florists, UPS, FedEx and DHL are made to the hall office. The address for deliveries
of this nature is:
Student’s Name
Room Number and Hall
Street Name (see list below)
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306

*The hall receptionist will call residents when deliveries arrive.

Street Names for Halls

Broward Hall - 668 University Way
Bryan Hall - 182 Convocation Way
Cawthon Hall - 119 Honors Way
DeGraff Hall (1) - 808 W. Tennessee St.
DeGraff Hall (2) - 810 W. Tennessee St.
Deviney Hall - 806 University Way
Dorman Hall - 812 W. Jefferson St.
Gilchrist Hall - 702 University Way
Jennie Murphree Hall - 126 Convocation Way
Kellum Hall - 74 Chieftain Way
Landis Hall - 714 University Way
McCollum Hall - 1165 Academic Way
Ragans Hall - 919 Learning Way
Reynolds Hall - 134 Convocation Way
Rogers Hall - 1147 Academic Way
Salley Hall - 1106 W. Call Street
Smith Hall - 78 Chieftain Way
Wildwood Hall (1) - 938 W. Jefferson St.
Wildwood Hall (2) - 202 Varsity Drive

Food deliveries are made only to the main door of the residence hall where vendors have access to the outside phone.
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May we ship packages prior to move-in day?

No. Unfortunately, because the residence halls are closed we are only able to accept packages after official opening day.
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How many people share a bathroom?

There are two types of bathroom arrangements in the residence halls. In community style halls, the bathrooms are typically located at the end or middle of the corridor. In these facilities, 35 to 40 students share the bathrooms. In each residence hall with community bathrooms, the custodial staff is responsible for cleaning. In Bryan, Broward, Cawthon, DeGraff, Gilchrist, Jennie Murphree, Reynolds, Salley, and Wildwood residents have semi-private bathrooms in which four to five students share a bathroom. Suite
bathrooms will not be regularly cleaned by custodial staff but will be deep cleaned during breaks and at the end of spring term.
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What should I bring with me?

Linens are not provided so you'll want to bring your own sheets, pillowcases, towels, blankets and pillows. We recommend extra long twin sheets. You and your roommate may wish to coordinate bedspreads, drapes, and rugs. Your roommate is identified on your room assignment invoice. Often these are selected once you're here so you can share ideas for colors. Alarm clock/radio, umbrella, surge protectors with warranty, clothes hangers, extension cords with warranty, cooking items (pots, pans, etc.), food storage bins, dinnerware, glassware, toiletry tote bag, robe, and shower slippers are other items to consider. If you plan to bring a stereo or television, you should check with your roommate to avoid duplication of such items. For a list of additional items, please click here .
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Do I have to have a meal plan or can I cook in the residence hall?

All students who reside in renovated residence halls on the East side of campus are required to purchase a meal plan membership. The affected halls and living-learning communities are as follows: Broward, Bryan, Cawthon, Gilchrist, Jennie Murphree, Landis and Reynolds. Students residing in DeGraff, Deviney, Dorman, Kellum, McCollum, Ragans, Salley, Smith and Wildwood Halls are not required to purchase a meal membership, but many choose to do so. All residence hall contains kitchens for use by residents of the hall. Cooking is permitted in the residence hall kitchens. Students are allowed to bring microwaves of 700 watts or less and coffee makers. Open burner or open flame elements (such as toaster ovens, immersion heaters, chaffing dishes and fondue pots) are not permitted in the residence halls. Refrigerators are provided in each student room. No other refrigerator or freezer is allowed. Residents are responsible for cleaning their refrigerator on a regular basis and before rooms are vacated.
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Are phone service and cable television provided by the University?

Each residence hall room is equipped with wiring for a telephone line and cable television. For telephone service, students can contact Embarq directly at (850) 599-1006. For cable television, student should contact the Office of Telecommunications at help@otc.fsu.edu or 644-HELP (4357). Students are responsible for all fees associated with cable TV and phone services.
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Can I bring a computer and are rooms wired for computer connections?

All residence hall rooms are wired for connection to the campus network, the Internet, etc. Many residents bring personal computers to campus. Computer users will need an Ethernet card and cable to connect computers to the available wall jacks. For information on obtaining an FSU account and getting connected in the FSU residence halls, go the Guide for Computing Resources at http://gtcr.fsu.edu.
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Who is responsible for the safety of my computer files on the network?

Students are ultimately responsible for ensuring that others cannot access their information on the network. Tampering with and unlawfully accessing someone else’s computer files is a felony.
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Are there facilities for washing and drying my clothes?

Every hall has laundry facilities for resident student use. Laundry rooms are for the use of resident students only and all machines are FSUCard operated.
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Are pets allowed in the residence halls?

Pets (except goldfish) cannot live in a University residence hall.
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What is the alcohol policy?

According to University policy, alcohol may not be consumed in public and common areas of residence halls. Alcoholic beverage consumption is allowed only in the room where residents are 21 or older.
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Can I bring a car to campus?

Yes. Parking, however, is very limited. If you plan to bring a car, be prepared to park some distance from your residence hall. You must have a parking decal to park on campus. For more information, contact Parking Services at 850/644-5278, or visit their website at http://parking.fsu.edu.
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Can I bring a bicycle to campus?

Yes. If you plan to bring a bicycle to campus, bring a strong lock or chain to secure your bicycle to the bicycle pads outside the residence hall. Bicycles may be stored in student rooms after roommates provide consent. You are advised to register your bicycle with the FSUPD.
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Is there a bus service on campus?

Yes, the University provides a bus shuttle for the campus and surrounding areas. Further information may be obtained by contacting Parking Services at 850/644-5278, or at http://parking.fsu.edu.
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What if I need special accommodations?

University Housing will assist students with disabilities and special medical needs in determining a facility that is most suitable for them. Please indicate the nature of the condition on the application. Attach any information to the application that will be helpful to us in planning for your arrival. The Student Disability Resource Center (850/644-9566) is also available to help you adapt to campus life.
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May I have guests in my residence hall room?

Guests are permitted in the halls only at the request of residents, who then become responsible for their visitors' conduct. All guests must abide by University and hall regulations applicable to the resident host. Guests of the same gender as the resident host may stay overnight in student rooms provided that each resident of the room to be used gives his or her permission. Guests may not stay in University housing for more than three days in any thirty-day period, except by permission of the residence coordinator or hall director.
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How can my friends and family visit me in the residence hall?

Each hall has a call box at the front door. From this box, guests can dial the student's phone number to ask the student to come down to open the door. If the guest does not have the resident's number, he or she can call the front desk receptionist number, which is posted at the call box. Because of our commitment to campus safety, guests will not be allowed to wait for the student in the resident's room if the resident is not present. However, guests can wait in the hall lobby.
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Do the residence halls stay open during official University breaks?

No. The halls are closed during the breaks at the end of each semester. Although students are not allowed in the buildings during the breaks, they are not required to remove their belongings from their rooms. The halls remain open during Thanksgiving and special
accommodations can be made through the housing office for students who need temporary housing during Spring Break.
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