Frequently Asked Questions

Dorm Apartment

Q: How are students assigned to housing?

A: Students are assigned based on their housing and roommate preferences as well as the spaces available on campus. Room assignments are not determined on a first-come, first-served basis, and are made without regard to race, creed, color, or sexual orientation.

Q: How are roommates determined?

A: Students can mutually request each other as roommates on the Housing Application. In all other situations, Housing Assignment Services uses a Roommate Preferences Questionnaire to determine the best match for a roommate. Students will be matched according to living preferences such as studying and sleeping habits, tidiness, and other characteristics that will facilititate a successful roommate experience. It is important that students respond honestly to the questionnaire, as it will have the greatest impact on their housing assignment.

Q: When are housing and roommate assignments available?

A: Assignments for new students will be available January 24, 2013. All room assignments are available online through UDSIS, and Housing Assignment Services will send an email with room assignment and roommate information when assignments are ready.

Q: Is on-campus housing guaranteed for transfer students?

A: All transfer students should contact Housing Assignment Services to see if spaces are available on campus.

Q: Are there special arrangements for students with disabilities or special housing needs?

A: Yes. A student may indicate any special needs directly on the Special Needs Housing form. Please see the Special Housing Requests web page for more information. Students may also call the Office of Disabilities Support Services at (302) 831-4643, to confirm receipt of documentation and to arrange for other accommodations such as parking, scheduling, etc. The form must be submitted immediately for consideration. Students with special needs are more likely to receive their needed assignment by submitting the form. If students do not go through Disabilities Support Services, they risk being assigned to a room that may not meet their needs (once assigned, students can only be moved if there are available openings in other areas).

Q: How will I be assigned if I am transgender?

A: Housing Assignment Services and Residence Life staff members are committed to working to meet the housing needs of all students in a nurturing community that values diversity and promotes the dignity of all people. If you have special housing needs based on gender identity/expression, please contact Linda Carey or Rebecca Fogerty when you apply for on-campus housing. It is easier for Housing Assignment Services to accommodate your request if you contact our office by the following dates: March 31 for returning students, and prior to June 1 for incoming freshman and transfer students. There will be more spaces available in a wider variety of locations prior to those dates.

Other resources: List of Allies, HAVEN, Office of Equity and Inclusion

Q: When can I move in?

A: For Spring 2013, students may check in during the following dates and times.

Q: What should I pack?

A: For a sample packing list, please see our online Move-In Guide. Students should also review the list of items that are not permitted in the residence halls.

Q: What is an RA and what will my relationship be like with him or her?

A: A Resident Assistant (RA) is a Residence Life staff member. Normally, there is one RA assigned to live on each floor. They are generally upperclass undergraduate students. RAs provide advice, assist students with personal matters, refer students to toher offices when appropriate, help mediate conflicts among residents, advise Complex Community Councils, and assist with the planning of educational and social programs. RAs also enforce policies designed to protect the rights of all individuals in order to maintain an environment conducive to academic pursuits.

For more information, or to apply to be an RA, please visit the Residence Life website.

Q: What is the best way to introduce myself to my roommate?

A: When you receive your room assignment, you will also receive the home address and phone number of your roommate(s). You are encouraged to call your roommate before you arrive on campus. It is important to coordinate shared items that each roommate will bring. For example, you may only have 1 microwave per room. Please visit the Residence Life website for a full list of Residence Hall policies. If you are assigned to a single room and would like the contact information of your neighbors, please contact Housing Assignment Services.

Q: What should I do if I have problems with my roommate?

A: Many roommate conflicts can be avoided by determining basic living guidelines at the beginning of the year. For example, roommates can discuss how long they prefer guests to stay, or how often to take out the trash. It is important that all students respond honestly to the Roommate Characteristics questions on the Housing Application, however answering these questions properly will not necessarily prevent conflicts from occurring. If problems arise, students are encouraged to resolved issues on their own before contacting Residence Life.

For advice on resolving the conflict, please contact your Resident Assistant (RA) or visit the Residence Life website.

Q: What type of security is offered in the residence halls?

A: The University of Delaware is committed to partnering with students to provide a safe and secure environment in all residence halls. Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with security and fire safety procedures as well as provided equipment.

All residence halls are provided with a building-specific access cards, 24-hour locked exterior door system, 24-hour video surveillance cameras, alarm systems, smoke detectors, and sprinklers. Additionally, the University provides door viewers in all residence hall doors and the Christiana Towers apartment entrance doors. Security screens are provided on operable lower floor windows and there are over 200 outdoor emergency telephones connected to the University police. Student police aids provide nightly foot patrols and walking escorts for all students.

For more safety tips and information, please visit the Public Safety website.

Q: What furnishings are provided in the residence halls?

A: Furnishings vary by room and location. You can check the Facilities website to view the specific furnishings for your assigned room.

Q: Can you tell me the dimensions of my room?

A: Room sizes vary according to location. For specific room dimensions, visit the Facilities website.

Q: What appliances can I have in my room?

A: Students are permitted to bring fans, radios and stereos, TVs, computers, and a microwave. Students are only permitted to have one small microwave and refrigerator per room, so please discuss what you are bringing with your roommate (you will receive your roommate's contact information with your housing assignment). All students should review the Move-In Guide, which includes a specific list of what items to bring and what items to leave at home.

Q: Am I allowed to have a refrigerator or microwave in my room?

A: Yes, students may bring both. Students may bring a 4.1 cubic-foot refrigerator unit or a combination microwave/refrigerator (students may only have one refrigerator per room).

Please see Residence Hall Essentials for more information.

Q: Am I allowed to bring a DVR (e.g. TiVo)?

A: Yes. In order to connect your DVR to the Internet, you may need a network address translation (NAT) router (available from your local electronics supplier). You will also need to change the zip code location in order to access the channel lineup for the campus cable network.

Q: Are washers, dryers, and kitchens provided in the residence halls?

A: Community kitchens and laundry facilities are provided in every residence hall. Students may pay for laundry with coins or with their FLEX account.

Q: How big are the mattresses and where can I purchase sheets?

A: Residence hall mattresses 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). Visit the Residence Hall Essentials site for details.

Q: Am I allowed to bunk my bed?

A: Yes, all beds can be bunked or raised for storage underneath. You can request services from UD Fix It at (302) 831-1141 or complete a services request form.

Q: Where can I pick up my mail?

A: Each residence hall has a mailbox area. When you move in to your residence hall, check with your RA to see where your mailbox is located. For more information, please visit the Campus Mail website.

Q: Are the residence hall bathrooms coed?

A: No. All bathrooms (except guest bathrooms) are assigned specifically for males or females. Using an opposite gender bathroom is a violation of the Residence Hall Regulations.

Q: Is it possible to study in the residence halls?

A: Students can study in their rooms or in the study lounges provided in the residence halls. Take a look around your building when you move in; you may find a quiet corner for studying.

Q: Can I have a pet in my room?

A: Pets are not permitted. Fish are the only exception and may be kept in a 20 gallon or smaller tank.

Q: What is the visitation policy?

A: Guests are permitted to visit under strict guidelines. 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.

Q: Do most students go home on the weekends?

A: Some go home, but students are encouraged to take advantage of all of the activities the University has to offer. For example, students can attend a basketball or lacrosse game, catch a movie at the Trabant University Center, attend a concert or one of the many events sponsored by Residence Life. To view upcoming events, or to learn more, visit the Student Life website, or visit @UD, the University of Delaware events calendar. To learn more about residence hall resources, review the Resident Toolkit.

Q: Can I smoke in the residence halls?

A: 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 in designated areas outside of the residence halls.

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