When will roommate assignments come out?
For incoming freshmen, room assignments for the 2008-2009 academic year will be available on Housing Assignment Services Web site www.udel.edu/has
What is the best way to introduce myself to my roommate?
When a student receives his/her room assignment, they also receive the home address and home telephone number of their roommate(s). Students are encouraged to call their roommate prior to arriving on campus. If you are assigned a single room and would like the contact information of your next door neighbors, please contact the Housing office to request this information.
Students will be notified in their copy of Being Here, whether they are a new student or returning student. New students from Delaware and Maryland within a two-hour distance from campus are asked to move in between 8 a.m. and 12 noon. New students from all other states are asked to move in between 12 noon and 4 p.m.
What room furnishings are provided by the University?
Student rooms include beds, desks, chairs, dressers, wardrobe closets, and lighting.
No. All bathrooms (except guest bathrooms) are assigned as specifically male or female. Using an opposite-gender bathroom is a Residence Hall Regulation violation.
What is an RA, and what will my relationship be like with them?
An RA, or Resident Assistant, is part of the 200-member Residence Life staff at the University. Normally, there is one RA assigned to live on each floor. They are usually upperclass undergraduate students. RAs provide advice, assist students with personal matters, refer students to other offices when appropriate, help mediate any conflicts among residents advise the community councils, and assist in planning educational and social programs They also enforce policies designed to protect the rights of all individuals, so that an environment conducive to academic pursuits can be maintained.
What appliances can I have in my room?
Students are permitted to bring telephones, a fan, radios and stereos, a TV, a desk or study lamp, a computer, a few plates, mugs, and glasses for snacks. New students should check their issue of Being Here, which includes a list of what items to bring and what to leave home.
Can I have a refrigerator? Can I have a microwave?
Yes, students may have both. In July, all students who will be living on campus will receive microwave and refrigerator information and an order form from QPS Marketing, a supplier of refrigerator and microwave units to colleges and universities. Students may rent either a 3.6 cubic-foot refrigerator unit or a combination microwave/refrigerator. Please see www.udel.edu/has/essentials.html for more information on renting. Residents can only have one refrigerator per room.
Yes, new roommates are encouraged to call each other before arriving on campus, to see who will bring the telephone. Residence hall rooms are not supplied with telephones. Students residing in a UD residence hall or apartment must provide a landline handset in order to access local telephone service provided. See the Telephone Policy for important detailed information.
How much does it cost to have a telephone in my room?
There is no extra cost for telephone installation. All local calls are free. Students may access long distance from their rooms or apartments using a personal calling card, prepaid cards, or by dialing collect. For your convenience, prepaid cards are available at the University Bookstore.
Is it possible to study in the residence halls?
Students can study in their rooms, as well as in study lounges that are provided in many residence halls. Take a look around your residence hall when you move in; you may find a quiet corner in which to study.
Each residence hall is furnished with mailboxes. When
you move in to your residence hall, check with your RA to see where your mailbox
is.
Please refer to your copy of Being Here for detailed information on the new package delivery requiring a signature procedure in the Campus Delivery and Mail section..
What are the sizes of the mattresses
and where do I buy sheets?
Mattresses in residence halls are 80" long and require extra-long fitted sheets. Students are encouraged to call local bedding or department stores for availability of extra-long sheets. You may also buy sheets from the Resident Student Association (RSA). Please see www.udel.edu/has/essentials.html for details.
Yes, all beds are bunkable or can be raised for storage underneath. You can call Fixit at ext. 5-1141 or email fixit@udel.edu for assistance when you move in. Residents are not permitted to build their own bunk beds or lofts. Additional information about bed lofts can be found in the Commonly Asked Questions of your Being Here.
What is First Year Experience (FYE)?
FYE enhances the transition for new students into University life. This coordinated learning experience develops the educational and social skills needed for academic success. The FYE requires all first-year students to participate in at least one First Year Experience. These include a LIFE cluster, University Honors Program Colloquium, First Year Seminar, or Pathways course. Freshmen live on three areas of campus and are housed in residence halls according to their academic interest. A mix of academic interests is housed in each residence hall. Freshmen are housed on West and East Campus in traditional halls or on Laird Campus in the Ray Street suites, or Independence Complex suites. All freshman areas will house LIFE Clusters, Pathways, and Seminars within their designated areas. For additional information on the various FYE options visit www.udel.edu/FYE
Are transfer students guaranteed on-campus housing?
On campus housing is limited for transfer students and is not guaranteed. When space is available, housing assignments are made in the order in which housing applications are received with consideration given to the commuting distance to the University. Consideration is also given to the student's housing preferences; however, there is no guarantee of specific space, location, or roommate, etc.
How does the University determine my roommate?
Housing Assignment Services has a sophisticated roommate matching program, where the students' Housing information is matched with others in terms of study habits, music preferences, guests, etc., in order to find the best roommate possible. Students indicate their living preferences on their Transfer or Upperclass Housing Preference forms. Freshmen housing assignments will be made according to their First Year Experience (FYE) and the Housing Information that they submit. Roommate characteristics are likely to be the strongest consideration in Freshmen assignment outside o the FYE, so it is important that you respond honestly. Housing assignments are made without regard to race, creed, color, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin.
No pets of any kind. The only exception is fish that may be kept in a 20-gallon or smaller tank.
Are there special arrangements for handicapped students?
Yes. A student can indicate any special needs directly on their housing form when completing their housing information form. Please see www.udel.edu/has/Needs.htm for specific information and the necessary form. Handicapped students may also call the ADA Coordinator, at (302) 831-4643, to confirm receipt of documentation, and to arrange for other accommodations, such as parking, scheduling, etc.
Are there washers, dryers, kitchens, and other facilities in the residence halls?
Yes. Low-cost laundry facilities are provided in every residence hall. Students may pay with coins or with UD1 FLEX. Limited kitchen facilities are also provided in each hall.
What are the sizes of the rooms?
Room sizes vary, according to location. For specific room dimensions, visit: www.facilities.udel.edu/rhalls/display.asp
How much stuff should I bring?
Room assignments are available online during the fist week in August. New students will receive the name, home address and home telephone number of their roommate(s). New students are encouraged to call their roommate(s) before arriving on campus, in order to: a) get acquainted and, b) see who will bring the TV, the stereo, etc. Students should also check their copy of the Being Here to see what items are allowed and what items are not permitted.
Do most students go home on the weekends?
Some do. However, rather than going home on the weekend, students are encouraged to take part in the many activities available on weekends: attend a football game, catch a movie at the Trabant University Center, attend a concert or one of the many social gatherings sponsored by Residence Life.
What do I do if I have roommate problems?
Many roommate conflicts can be avoided by determining early on, some basic living guidelines: preferences, likes and dislikes. The Housing Assignment Services Information Form tries to pair up students who share the same living preferences - night people, morning people, etc. - but that is not a guarantee that conflicts will not occur. If problems arise, students are encouraged to resolve any roommate conflicts on their own, or with the assistance of the Residence Life staff member. Parents are encouraged to allow their students to attempt to resolve issues on their own.
Can I live on campus during University break periods?
Upperclass students who wish to live on campus during academic-year break periods, request the Independence Complex, or the Christiana Towers as your building choices. If you are a resident of the Christiana Towers, there is no additional fee for vacation housing. If you are assigned to Independence Complex, you may request to remain in your room during academic-year break periods for a nominal fee. If you live in the Independence Complex, you may remain in your room during Winter Session only if you are registered for a class. Freshmen who need to remain in the residence halls during this time should email ud-housing@udel.edu to request vacation and or break housing and to explain their reasons. A decision will be made on a case-by-case basis. If a freshman student's First Year Experience is not assigned to vacation/break housing, the student will receive a waiver to stay during that time.
What is the visitation policy?
Guests are allowed, but under strict guidelines. If a guest is visiting a specific resident, he or she must be accompanied by that resident while in the residence hall. Guests may stay overnight in your room for no longer than three consecutive days. Hosts are responsible for the conduct of their guests and for familiarizing their guests with pertinent University rules and regulations.
What is Special Interest housing?
Special Interest Housing, on the Ray Street campus, provides a great atmosphere for students to live on the same floor or area with other students who share a common academic, social or service interest. Transfer students can apply for this type of housing by completing a Supplemental application.
Can freshmen live in Special Interest housing?
Yes, during the spring semester only, however. Students must complete a supplemental application to be considered for Special Interest Housing. Students can click the related button on the Information form on the Web, in order to receive information on Special Interest Communities.
What are the advantages of Special Interest housing?
Students who live in Special Interest Housing are provided with an opportunity to live in the same area with other students who share a common social, academic or service interest. In addition, it gives a student the opportunity to expand the community's activities and its' population while living in a modern facility that is just a few minutes' walk to the Trabant University Center or from their classes.
What is temporary extended housing and who is placed in it?
Occasionally, when demand for housing exceeds the supply of avaialble rooms and apartments, new students will be assigned to a expanded -capacity room for the fall semester, which are usually double rooms furnished for three students. Students in these situations are assigned to permanent spaces as cancellations occur and receive priority for spaces that open in their buildings.
What type of security is offered in the residence halls?
The University of Delaware is committed to partnering with students to provide a safe and secure environment in all residence halls. Beginning with orientation programs and throughout the academic year, residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the security and fire safety procedures and equipment provided for them. The security system includes a 24-hour locked exterior door system in all residence halls. Building specific Access Cards/Fobs to allow entrance to your building and other designated areas. There are outside telephone panels where guests can call student rooms to request entrance; and door viewers are provided in all residence hall doors and Christiana Towers apartment entrance doors. Security screens are on operable lower floor windows in residence halls and there are over 200 outside emergency telephones connected to University police. In addition, Student police aides provide nightly foot patrols and escorts for students and secure the residence halls. More information can be found at http://www.udel.edu/reslife/students/sec_fire.html
Is smoking allowed in the residence halls?
To further ensure the health and safety of the University community, all University-owned housing on the Newark campus is smoke-free. Although all residence hall rooms and public areas are smoke-free, smoking will be permitted at designated areas outside of the residence halls.
May I bring a DVR (such as TiVo®) to campus?
Yes, you may bring a DVR, such as TiVo®, to campus. In order to connect your DVR to the Internet, you may need a network address translation (NAT) router (available from your local electronics or computer supplier). To set up your DVR, you will also need to change the zip code location in order to access the channel lineup for the campus cable network.
University Billing for Housing Costs
Your Fall University Semester bill is due August 1. New student assignments are not usually confirmed by that time. Therefore, housing costs are estimated at the rate for a multiple room in a traditional hall for freshmen, or for a Christiana Towers two-bedroom apartment for transfer students. If you are assigned to a space with a higher room rate, after having paid the estimated rate, you will receive a statement indicating the cost difference. Submit the cost difference to the Cashiers Office by September 1 to avoid a penalty fee.
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