Housing Information

What is the University's policy on housing?

First- and second-year students are required to live on campus in University housing. Students should not sign a lease or commit to living in a fraternity or sorority house unless they are sure they will be in their third year at the beginning of the term of the lease. Students should exercise caution with respect to the security and condition of off-campus properties and should contact Office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs (OOCP) (315-443-1012), to obtain important information about living in the University-area neighborhood, and Student Legal Services (315-443-4532) for lease reviews. For questions related to commuter students, call OOCP.

When will I receive my housing assignment?

In late July, an e-mail will be sent to you with your assignment and your roommate's information. We strongly encourage your to contact your roommate to become acquainted and begin a discussion on sharing a room. The Office of Residence Life is a great resource for information on relating to your roommate. For more information on this topic, please visit their web site at orl.syr.edu.

Can I choose who my roommate will be?

We strongly recommend letting the Housing Office assign roommates. Once students arrive on campus they can connect with friends from home and meet new friends. The University does not support meeting roommates through Facebook, internet or other search.

Can I change my housing assignment once I receive it?

While we understand the popularity of Facebook and other online social networking tools, we ask that your keep an open mind about what you may see on these sites. As you know, a first impression of you onscreen is very different from who you are in person. Please keep this in mind as you view the profiles and postings of your classmates and roommates. Moreover, the Housing Office does not, and will not, change a housing assignment for any reason before you arrive on campus.

What will my room look like?

To get a sense of the general size of our rooms, we recommend you take a "virtual tour" on our web site, http://housingmealplans.syr.edu/virt_room_tour/virt_room_tour.shtml. This will also allow you to see the set-up of typical student rooms and apartments.

All North Campus rooms are furnished with beds. Mattresses are standard twin size (36" x 75"), except for Brewster, Boland, Kimmel, Marion, Skyhalls, (36"x 80") and Washington Arms (38" x 75"). Jersey-knit sheets are recommended as they fit both regular and extra-long beds. Due to the room configuration in Flint Hall, each room has one standard twin (36" x 75"), and one extra-long twin (36" x 80"). All rooms are furnished with a dresser, a mirror, a desk, a chair, closet space, drapes, and a mattress pad. All suites are furnished with a sofa. Washington Arms suites are also furnished with a microfridge (a combination refrigerator, freezer, and microwave oven).

Are all residence halls coeducational?

Butterfield House is the only all-female residence. Most halls are coed within a floor, meaning that men and women both live on the same floor, with separate bathrooms for men and women. Only a few halls remain single gender by floor; these halls are being phased out as the University renovates facilities.

Is there security in the residence halls?

From 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, students who have a valid SU I.D. card are permitted access to each of the residence halls by swiping their I.D. card through a reading device. From 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day, the residence halls are staffed with Residential Security Aides positioned at the main entrance to each residence hall. Residents of each respective residence hall must produce a valid Syracuse University I.D. card to the Residential Security Aides to gain access. Non-residents of the residence hall, including other Syracuse University students as well as guests, must sign in and be escorted by a resident once they are allowed entrance. One exception to these security measures is the Brewster/Boland/Brockway residence hall. Security staff are provided for this building 24 hours a day, each day of the year.

How do I ship packages to myself if I want to receive them during Syracuse Welcome 2008?

United Parcel Service (UPS) offers a special package program for SU students. UPS will deliver your items to a location at or near residence halls and apartments during the opening of the University. Deliveries will be available for pickup between Wednesday afternoon, August 20, 2008, and Friday, August 22, 2008. Do not ship anything you will need immediately. If you use a package shipping company other than UPS, be advised that they cannot access campus residence halls for delivery until Monday, August 25, 2008, due to traffic and congestion of the move-in process.

Address each package to yourself (see the sample below) and include the day (Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday) you wish to pick up your packages.

Your Name
Residence hall and room number
Street address
Syracuse, NY 13210
Delivery requested Thursday, August 21, 2008

Allow 10 days for delivery. If you do not pick up your packages on your designated day, they will be available through Friday, August 22, 2008. UPS will deliver items not picked up or received late directly to the residence hall beginning Monday, August 25, 2008

For general questions, call UPS at 800-742-5877. For questions specifically related to Syracuse University, call the Housing Office at 315-443-2721 or 315-443-2723.