Frequently Asked Questions

When will I be notified of my housing assignment?

Upper class students are housed through a lottery process held in March of the preceding year. First year students are hand paired and then housed. First year student preference forms are due June 1. Many students will request amendments to their preference forms as they learn more about the university during June orientation; therefore, we wait until July 1 to begin the matching process. Letters are sent to students notifying them of their roommate's name, phone number, and mailing address by the first week in August.

 

Can I have candles in my room?

Candles, incense, and open-flame devices are prohibited in all residence halls.

 

Are the rooms carpeted?

With the exception of Stone and Ash Hall, which typically houses seniors, all of our residence hall rooms are carpeted. It is not necessary to furnish a carpet although some will bring throw rugs for decorative purposes.

 

Can I stay in the halls during break periods throughout the academic year?

The University does offer limited housing during official break periods (Thanksgiving break, semester break and spring break). This privilege is available to international students, to athletes who are required to remain on campus due to their sport's schedule, and to those students who are needed on campus by a faculty member, department or other office for academic or campus employment purposes.

A limited number of halls are kept open during the break periods and students housed in these buildings can stay in their rooms. Students who do not live in these halls will need to find a friend who will allow them to stay in their room. (Locked lounge areas can accommodate those who are unable to secure a room independently.) There is no charge assessed to students who require housing during break periods. Students must complete a break housing request form by the deadline to be considered for housing.

 

Are there computer labs on campus?

Yes!

While a number of students bring their own computer, many students take advantage of the computer labs located on campus. There are computer labs located in several academic buildings. In addition, students often use the computer stations located in or near each Service Center on the residential quads.

 

What if I am having difficulty getting along with my roommate?

Adjusting to a new roommate is a process that involves time and effort. First, we encourage you to try to talk with your roommate about any issues or concerns. If this is unsuccessful, then feel free to contact your RA, HR, or Assistant Director for assistance. Room changes are permitted only after all other options have been considered.

 

Is it possible to come to campus prior to the scheduled arrival time?

Only students required to be on campus by the university may return before the scheduled arrival date. We must adhere to this guideline in order to facilitate the completion of scheduled renovation projects, summer housing transition, and final preparation for students' arrival.

 

When will I receive my housing assignment?

Housing assignments will be mailed from the University during the first week in August. The name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of your roommate(s) will be included.

 

What should I bring with me?

Depending upon your needs, the answer to this question may vary. However, below is an itemized list of items that current students suggest you bring:

• Alarm clock
• Answering machine (you must provide your own telephone to use an answering machine)
• Backpack
• Batteries
• Bedding (extra long sheets, blankets, comforters, mattress pad/cover, and pillow)
• Camera
• Can opener
• Comfortable shoes and boots
• Clothing (seasonal items including winter coat and gloves)
• Desk lamp/study light
• Dishes (coffee mugs, drinking glasses, eating utensils, etc.)
• Drying rack
• Electric fan
• Entertainment needs (Books, TV, DVD player, CDs, games, stereo/radio, sports equipment, bicycle, etc.)
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Formal and semi-formal attire (for special events)
• Hangers
• Iron
• Laundry supplies and basket
• Lap Desk
• Memo or dry erase board
• Plants
• Posters
• Refrigerators (no more than 4.0 cubic feet)
• Scissors
• Sewing kit
• Stacking crates, storage boxes
• Stamps/stationery
• Study aids/classroom supplies (dictionary, thesaurus, calculator, etc.)
• Surge protector
• Telephone for your room
• Toiletries, (including something to carry items to the showers)
• Tool kit
• Towels and washcloths
• Umbrella and/or rain coat
• Trashcan

 

Are there laundry facilities in the residence halls?

What about ironing boards and irons? Each residence hall has a laundry room for the residents of that specific hall. Washers and dryers are coin operated. In addition, the following laundry rooms also have the ability to operate via swipe card: Beaver, Crawford, Curtis West, Curtis East, Sawyer, Shaw, and Shepardson. Students need to supply their own ironing board and iron if needed.

 

Can I build a loft in my room?

Are there any dorms with unloftable furniture? We have two types of residence hall beds. One kind can be bunked in a traditional fashion or left unbunked by the roommates. The second type, termed "loftable," can be bunked, left as twin beds or can be elevated as high as five feet from the floor. This "lofting" feature allows students the freedom to move a desk and or dresser under the bed. As we replace hall furniture, we are purchasing loftable beds. At this time however, not all beds are loftable. A list of those buildings with loftable furniture is on the Campus and Residential Life web site. Students can build their own lofts if they so choose.

 

How are the residence halls cleaned and maintained?

Housekeeping services are not provided for student rooms, suites, private baths, or suite baths. Students are responsible for cleaning and maintaining these areas. All public areas and public bathrooms are serviced Monday-Friday, with limited cleaning services provided on weekends. Students are responsible for emptying their room trash in the dumpsters adjacent to their residence hall.

 

What is the size of the mattresses in the Residence halls? Is bedding supplied?

Mattresses in the residence halls are 36 x 79.5. These are longer than standard sized mattresses. Extra long single bed sheets can be obtained in most department stores. Students are responsible for supplying their own bedding, including pillows.

 

Am I automatically assigned a meal plan?

All students are required to participate in a meal plan except those students who reside in certain residence halls that have apartments with kitchens. You may choose one of three different meal plan options. A student may change her/his meal plan option during the first two weeks of each semester. Check out Dining Services for more information on meal plans!

 

What types of measures are taken to protect my safety?

How safe are the residence halls? All of the residence halls are locked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students are able to access their own residence hall at all times. They are able to access other residence halls from 8 a.m. through 1 a.m. daily. After 1 a.m., the access doors will not permit entry to non-residents of the buildings. It is very important that students not allow persons whom they do not know to enter the residence halls. There is an entry phone located outside each residence hall. Guests can call residents to let them into the buildings.

• Students are responsible for ensuring that their room doors are kept locked at all times. It is important for roommates to discuss the importance of keeping their possessions safe by keeping the doors locked.
• The Office of Campus Safety and Security has "safe walkers". These are student employees of the University who are willing to provide a walking escort to any student at night. Simply call the operator to request a safe walk escort.

 

Can I have a pet?

To preserve student health and safety, animals are prohibited in all college residences with the sole exception of fish in bowls or tanks that do not exceed 10 gallons.

 

Does the college provide personal property insurance?

The University does not cover personal belongings. Students can obtain renter's insurance from many different insurance agents or some homeowner's insurance may cover items in the student's room.

 

Are there refrigerators in the rooms?

Refrigerators are not provided in the rooms. Many students choose to buy their own refrigerators (the University does not sponsor any sort of rental service). If you choose to buy a refrigerator, please be sure it's no larger than 4.0 cubic feet. Often, this is an area where roommates might decide that one will bring a refrigerator while the other brings something else that could be used by both.

 

How can I report maintenance concerns?

The best way to report a maintenance concern is to e-mail physplant@denison.edu. Another option is to call the Physical Plant office by dialing extension 6265. It is important that students are as detailed as possible when reporting maintenance issues. Critical items to include are: the location, specific problem, and a contact number and name.

 

Can I get a room change?

Room changes can be accommodated following specific housing guidelines after the first two weeks of each semester. Room changes are based upon availability.

 

As a first year student, can I choose my own roommate?

Students can make special requests, including residence hall, roommate, and specific room. We make every attempt to honor requests. It is important that students talk with one another prior to indicating a preference to be together. We are not able to honor requests when there are discrepancies in the housing preference form (e.g.: one student requests alcohol free, the other doesn't). Roommate requests cannot be honored unless both roommates make the request. Space is limited in some buildings. We cannot honor all building requests.

 

Are there single-gender residence halls on campus?

There are two single gender residence halls on campus. Beaver Hall houses women and Sawyer Hall houses men.

 

Can I get a single room?

There are roughly one hundred single occupancy bed spaces on the Denison campus. There are very few singles in areas in which first year students are housed. Students hoping to obtain single rooms should indicate this desire on their housing preference form.

 

Can I smoke in my room?

All residence halls are smoke free.

 

What is an RA?

Resident Assistants (RAs) are students who have been employed by the Office of Campus and Residential Life to work with students on the residence hall floors. RAs fulfill a variety of roles. They are charged with: 1) helping students to form strong communities on the floors; 2) acting as a resource to students with personal and/or academically related problems; 3) educating students through appropriate challenges as well as support of current values and beliefs; and 4) positively shaping community behavior.

 

Is summer housing available?

Summer housing is available for a nominal fee to students who are researching with faculty members or working for the University during the summer. The process for summer housing is completed during the spring semester (March). Space is limited and not guaranteed to those requesting housing after the summer application deadline.

 

What about telephones and long distance access? 

The University provides dial tone, at no charge, to one phone jack per residence hall room. Using their own analog phone, residents can place outgoing on-campus, local, 911 and toll-free calls. Students desiring to use the provided dial tone must furnish their own analog phone and line cord to connect to the University-provided telephone jack. Neither caller ID nor voice mail is available.

Long distance calling is available through the use of a prepaid calling card or credit card. Only those cards providing a toll-free access number will connect through the University’s telephone system. While students may bring their own prepaid calling cards, these cards are also available from local retailers.  During August Orientation, students will have the opportunity to sign up for a calling card.  There is no charge for incoming long distance calls, as long as the student does not accept a collect call. Most collect calls are blocked from passing through our switch; however, if one is received and the student elects to accept the collect call, the student is responsible for any and all charges for the call.

Entrance and/or hall phones are available for emergency help, if needed. Any additional questions regarding telephone service can be directed to Telephone Services at 740-587-6454.  

 

Is there access to an airport or bus station?

There is a Greyhound bus station in downtown Columbus (approximately 30 miles). Port Columbus International Airport is located on the east side of Columbus (approximately 25-30 minutes travel time). While there is no official University shuttle service available, students most frequently carpool, share a taxicab, or use Columbus Transportation (1-800-476-3004). 

The Student Activities Office will offer limited Denison van shuttle service to and from the airport (CMH) during the Thanksgiving, Winter Holiday and Spring Break.  Advance registration for these shuttles is required, a list of shuttle times is available in the Student Activities Office.

 

Can I come during the summer to see and/or measure my room?

Since our residence halls are renovated or are utilized during the summer to house student employees, athletes, and summer conferences, it is not possible for students to see and/or measure the rooms. The University does not keep specific room dimensions.