Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of Residence Life and Housing is always available to answer your questions regarding campus life and housing. Below are questions frequently asked of our staff by incoming first-year residents and their families. 

Apply for Housing  

When can I apply for on-campus housing?
Students may apply for housing at any time.  Students must complete a housing application and send a $60.00 deposit in order to reserve a room. 

Housing Application

Can I request a specific building?
YES! On the housing application, the student has space to list their choice of residence halls. We will do our best to assign the student to their choice.

Can I request a roommate?
YES! Roommate requests should be noted on the housing application.

Can I request a Private/Single room?

YES.  Royer Hall, Horsfall Hall and Bankston Halls have private room options.  All private rooms are subject to availability.  Write "Private" on the roommate preference line on the application.    

Are students required to buy a meal plan?

Yes. All resident students must purchase a meal plan.

Meal Plan

How much does it cost to live on campus?
For a list of housing costs, please review the web site below:

Room & Meal Rates

What if I decide that I do not want to live on campus?
If a student decides that he/she does not want to live on campus, they should notify our office. Please review the cancellation policy on the bottom of the application.  Residents must cancel their housing by August 15 for Fall or December 22 for Spring.

Housing/Food Services Application

What if I need special accommodations?

Residential students who present medical or psychological conditions can request special accommodations. Such a request must be made through the Office of Special Student Services.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to meet the documented need; specific-housing requests cannot be guaranteed.

Special Accommodations

Description of Housing

What types of rooms are there? What do the residence halls look like?
Double rooms, single rooms, suites and apartments.

Residence Life

What furniture is supplied in the room?
Rooms vary in size, but the furnishings are basically the same in each residence hall. Each student is supplied with a twin bed, a desk and chair, drawer space, and space for hanging clothes. There is a telephone and internet jack in the room.

What are the bathroom facilities like?
Royer Hall, Bankston Hall, and Horsfall Hall has a common bathroom on each floor.  Each bathroom has sinks, toilets and showers. Shower shoes, a robe and a carrying case for your toiletries are recommended. Maxwell Suites have two rooms that share a bathroom. The University Apartments are two bedroom apartments.  They share one bathroom.

What about computers?
UAM provides Internet service in every residence hall room on campus. You must register and scan your computer with Information Technology before your computer can be hooked up.  Call 460-1036 for more information on internet services.  Information Technology

Is there telephone service in each room? What are the restrictions involved?

Each room is equipped with a telephone jack. Residents are expected to provide their own telephone. Local phone service is included in the room fee. Collect calls are not permitted. Calling cards must be used for long distance calls.  When you move in your room, the phone number will be located on the telephone jack.

What are the sizes of the mattresses?

The mattresses are twin size.

Where can I eat?
Students living on-campus are required to purchase a meal plan. Various meal plan options are available. Please review the meal plan options in addition to the Aramark Web Page.

Food Services

Meal Plans

What is provided in a room?
Each room is furnished with twin beds, dressers, desks with chairs, and closets.

Where do I do laundry?

Coin-operated laundry facilities are centrally located in each residence hall.

Is cable available in the residence halls?

Basic cable is free to all residential students in each room. 

How are the rooms cleaned?

It is the responsibility of the residents to clean their own rooms. The Residents Assistants and custodians have brooms, dust pans, mops and buckets for residents' use. Housekeeping will attend to the public areas and community bathrooms.

Are students required to have an ID?

The ID gives a student the right use the cafeteria and to check out books from the library. Any student who loses an ID card must go to the Residence Life Office to obtain a new card. There is a $5 charge for a new ID card.

Room/Roommate Assignments

How are the housing assignments made?
Returning students are given first priority to make room/hall preferences.  Usually this is done in February for spring and October for fall/summer.  Housing assignments for new students are made on a first come first serve basis. 

How will you match me with a roommate?

The Office of Residence Life will match you as closely as possible with a roommate. Please include all roommate preferences on your housing application.

After I receive my assignment, can I come and see my room?
Unfortunately, there are summer programs that use the residence halls during the summer months.  Although you will not be able to see your exact room, tours of a display room are available by appointment.  Please e-mail us for more tour information.    

When will I know my housing/roommate assignment?
The Office of Residence Life mails room assignment letters in July for the fall semester and in January for the spring semester. If you do not receive your letter by one week before the semester begins, please call our office at 870-460-1045.

Is it possible to change my housing assignment once I have received it?
Sorry! Once the assignments are made, we do not make changes prior to the beginning of school. Students will need to move into their assigned location, and after a one-week "room freeze" period, he/she may request to move or change roommates.

How well does the room and roommate assignment process work?
Each year the Office of Residence Life has the task of assigning hundreds of new students to rooms and roommates. The vast majority of students remain together through their first year on campus. This task is done by hand, matching roommates one student at a time. It is not possible to meet every request of every student. A crucial part of living in a residence hall and getting along with your new classmates is how much of an effort you make to get to know your roommate and to adjust to each other's habits and lifestyles.

What can be done if a resident is unhappy with his/her room assignment and/or roommate?

If the resident is unhappy with his/her room assignment and/or roommate, he/she may request a room change. The resident should contact his/her Resident Director for assistance.

After the first week of each semester, students can submit a room change request to your Hall Director. Your Hall Director will try to accommodate your request. You will then be notified if the room change request is approved. 

How are problems with roommates handled?

We asked that communication between the roommates occurs first, then if there is no resolution, a Resident Assistant gets involved for mediation. If those steps do not work, then the Director of Residence Life works on either mediation or a room transfer.

What happens if my roommate doesn't show up and I end up in a room by myself?
If you end up in room by yourself, the Housing Office may assign you another roommate, or you may be required to consolidate with another student. If space permits, you may be able to obtain a private room. There is an additional fee associated with having a private room.

Can you give me my roommate's home telephone number?

Yes, your roommate's home telephone number will be in your summer mailing packet.

How can I apply for a single room?

Single rooms are available through the Office of Residence Life on a first come first serve basis and according to availability.  Returning residents have priority for single rooms. Also, special accommodations (if approved by Health Services) may be able to get a single room-only if space is permitted.  Talk to your Hall Director about getting on the waiting list.

I requested a non-smoking roommate, is this guaranteed?

Are there designated non-smoking rooms/ floors? The Office of Residence Life and Housing tries to match all non-smoking roommates together according to the lifestyle preference response form. If answers change after submitting the form, then you may be required to move to another room. For non-smoking floors, if there is enough interest, designated non-smoking floors may be available.

Decorating Your Room

Are residents allowed to paint or make repairs to his/her room?

No. Students are not permitted to paint or make repairs and/or improvements to their rooms.

I would like a loft in my room, is there anything special I need to do?
Lofts are not allowed in the residence halls.

Can I bring a carpet for my room?
You are welcome to bring a throw rug. Please do not try to cut carpet to fit your room.  Most students do not have the same room every year. 

Can I decorate my room?
Yes, decorations on the walls make your room look more like home, but we ask your cooperation in following the procedures below when decorating your room. Failure to follow these regulations may result in damage charges at the end of the year. All pictures, bulletin boards, posters, shelves, and other decorations must be hung with Removable Command Adhesive Hooks. Do not place decals or adhesive plaques on doors, walls, woodwork or windows. Do not use any type of tape, nails, screws etc., on walls, doors or windows.

What about window coverings?
Each residence hall room is equipped with white mini blinds. All window coverings must be installed on the inside of the blinds.  Nails and screws are not allowed.  We suggest that students use spring loaded rods to hold curtains. 
 

Moving In

When can I move in?

Watch for more information on the calendar of events page.

Calendar of Events

Will there be people around who will help me if I have questions?
Yes, full-time professional staff and typically one or two student Resident Assistants per floor staff all of our halls, so adjusting to campus life is easy.  

What is a Room Condition Report and why do I need to complete it?
The Room Condition Report indicates the status of your room at check in. The Residence Life Staff will complete these forms prior to your arrival and review with you when you check into your room. This form is used to note any damages or maintenance concerns. At check out, this form is used again and you may be charged for any changes or damages to the room.

Should I bring all of my belongings at once?
The Residence Life staff encourages you to contact your roommate and discuss who is bringing the stereo, microwave, etc. so you do not have two of everything. Making contact with your roommate before arriving helps make for a smooth transition to college life. 

Are moving carts available on check in day?

Sorry! Moving carts are not available.  

What do I do with unwanted school furniture?

Furniture is not to be removed from residence hall rooms or apartments.

Can I bring a car?

Any student may have a car on campus. Cars must be registered with the Department of Public Safety.

Public Safety

Where can I get a parking permit?

The Department of Public Safety issues all parking permits.  Parking Permit

What to Bring

May I bring my pet to campus?

No. Pets are not allowed.

What to Bring

May I bring my Hunting Rifle?

Students are not allowed to house weapons of any kind on campus. For more information regarding weapons, please contact Public Safety.

Public Safety

May I bring my bicycle?
Yes, bike racks are located near all residence halls. Bicycles should be locked at all times. For safety reasons, stairwells, hallways, corridors, or other public areas may not be used for bicycle storage.

What size sheets do I need for my bed?
Twin sheets.

What electrical appliances am I allowed to put in my room?

Please review the web site listed below.

What to Bring

Hall Policies

May we smoke in our rooms?

Residence Hall rooms are smoke free with the exception of one wing in each building.  Students must apply for one of the smoking rooms.  Residents who smoke in a non-smoking room are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Are there curfews?

No. There is no curfew for students in the residence halls.

What is the visitation policy, can I have an overnight guest?
Same-sex overnight guests are welcome to stay in your room, but arrangements must be made in advance with the Residence Life Staff. Guest must abide by the College standard and regulations, and sign in.  No overnight guest may stay more than 72 hours unless approved in advance by the Director of Residence Life. Our policy should not be construed as permission for members of the opposite sex to sleep overnight or to conduct themselves in such a way as to invade another individual's privacy. Roommates should also approve of all overnight guests.

What is visitation?
Visitation is the practice of allowing a resident to have a visitor within his/her immediate living area during specific times of the day or night, any day of the week. Non-residents (guests) must register at the main desk of the residence hall between the hours of 3:00 pm through 11:00 pm Monday to Thursday and noon through midnight Friday through Saturday. The host resident is responsible for the conduct of the visitor at all times.

Is a resident permitted to have guests?

Yes. (Refer to the Residence Life Handbook for detailed "guest policy.")

What is a guest/visitor?

A guest is defined as anyone who does not live in the residence halls.

May residents cook in their rooms?

No, cooking is not permitted in the residence halls. Cooking appliances of any type are not permitted with the exception of a microwave.

Are there times when residents have to be quiet?
Review the Policy manual for specific quiet hours. Maxwell Policy

Courtesy hours are 24 hours per day. This does not mean that you can be loud during these hours; priority must be given to a resident’s request for studying.

Can I have a pet?
Under no circumstances are residents allowed to have pets in their rooms.

What do I do if I lose my room key?
If you lose your room key, you need to report its loss immediately to the Residence Life Staff. Residence Life will request the locks to be changed.

$40.00/Residence Halls, $80.00/Maxwell Hall, and $120.00 for the University Apartments. 

May we smoke in our rooms?

Smoking is permitted in specific (smoking only) residence hall rooms as long as the door is closed and the window is open. Smoking is prohibited in all public areas of the residence halls or designated smoke free areas.

Hall Closing

May I live on campus during the summer?

Yes, students can apply for summer housing at the Office of Residence Life.  Summer housing rates and meal plans are listed here: Summer Housing

Are the halls closed for breaks, if so what are the alternatives?

The residence halls close for all vacation periods. No provisions can be made for late departures or early arrivals. Residents are advised to make travel arrangements accordingly. Please review the schedule of closing dates: Calendar of Events

Can University Apartment residents stay on campus all year?

Yes!  The University Apartments are open all year.  Residents are allowed to stay in the University Apartments during all breaks.

Do I have to bring my belongings home during break?

Items may be left in student's rooms at their own risk during the academic year. At the end of the year, all items must be removed from the student's room or a fine will incur.

May I live on campus during the summer?

Yes, if you are affiliated with the College for the summer: ex. research, campus job, summer classes.

Contacts

What my mailing address will be?
Post office boxes are available at the campus post office.  Mail cannot be sent directly to your residence hall.

Who do I call if I have a question after the Residence Life Office is closed for the day?
Each Residence Hall has an office that is staffed in the evening between 7:00pm - 11:00p.m. 

Residence Hall Staff

If I am having a problem once I arrive to campus, who should I contact?
The Resident Assistant (RA) is the first person a student should contact if they are having problems on campus. Resident Assistants are student leaders who live with the resident students and are selected and trained to help establish a healthy residence community. They either assist directly or provide referrals for questions or concerns with academics, safety and security, physical or mental health, and other topics which are a part of living on-campus. The next level of support is the Resident Director (RD). Resident Directors are full-time, professional staff that live in the building. They supervise student staff and are responsible for the overall management or the residence hall(s) to which they are assigned.
 

What do I do if something is wrong with my room? (WORK ORDERS)

If you have a request for maintenance or repair work, students should report all problems to your Hall Director or Resident Assistant as soon as possible.

Whom do I call in case of emergency?

Call Campus Safety (1000 or dial 911) immediately.  The will contact the appropriate parties according to the situation.

What if something is broken in my room, what do I do?
If you break something in your room or notice any damages you need to contact your RA as soon as possible.  This information will be given to Physical Plant so that they can make the repairs. Depending upon the nature of the damages, there may be charges. If someone breaks something in or around your room, it needs to be reported immediately and an incident report needs to be completed.

Where do I go if I need medical attention?
In case of illness, contact your Hall Director or Resident Assistant. There is a nurse available on campus Monday - Friday. Health Services

The Office of Campus Public Safety is open 24 hours, 7 days per week and can be reached by calling 1000.

What do I do if I lose my ID card?
If you cannot remember the last time you had it, then go to Harris Hall room  208. The replacement card will cost you $5.00 to replace.  You must have the card to get into the cafeteria.

Security & Personal Property

Are the belongings of residents insured by the University?

The University does not insure personal belongings and does not assume liability for fire, theft, flood or damage. Parents' homeowner's insurance policy may be able to provide residents with insurance coverage.

What should I do to ensure the security of my property?
You should keep your room locked at all times. Do not leave cash, jewelry or other valuable items in the open. To guard against theft, record serial numbers of your personal property and mark all items such as stereos, cameras, etc. with your name. Also, if you notice anything or anyone unusual in your residence hall, please report this immediately to a staff member or Campus Police. In the event that you are the victim of a theft, please notify the Residence Life staff and Campus Police.

Does the school have insurance for the property I bring to school?
No. Please be sure your parents check their homeowner's insurance to have your property adequately covered. The university is not responsible for loss of personal property.

What types of safety and security measures are provided for campus residents?

Security maintains a continuous service on campus and can be reached 24-hours a day. Residence hall staff members are trained to deal with emergency situations. Fire alarm systems and smoke detectors exist in all rooms to ensure the safety of residents. Resident assistants are on duty nightly in each residence hall.

How are the residence halls staffed?
All residential units are staffed with Resident Assistants and Desk Assistants, who are student staff members of the Residence Life staff, and a Hall Director, a full-time staff person. Other employees working in the residences include the maintenance and custodial staff.

Job Openings in Housing

Whom do I talk to about becoming an RA?

Resident Assistants are hired through the Office of Residence Life and Housing each semester. Talk to any current Resident Assistant, Hall Director or the Director of Residence Life for further information.

Get Involved!

How can I get involved on campus and meet people?
New student orientation, which is held the first week of your arrival, is packed full of things to do and people to meet. Shortly thereafter, the student organization fair is held, which has students from most campus organizations offering information about his or her respective organization. Visit with the Activities Director for more opportunities available on campus. 
Student Programs