1.1. If I would like to make a special housing request for my personal circumstance, perhaps for a medical reason, to whom can I speak?
1.2. Are there any halls that allow smoking?
1.3. I am hoping to live in housing that is for students 21 and older. Will you be offer ing this option?
1.4. Why live on campus?
1.5. What is an RA? What is an RD?
2. MOVING INTO THE HALLS
2.1. What sort of items can I or should I bring with me for my room?
2.2. What is included in the room?
2.3. Can I bring a pet?
3. DINING
3.1. What is the food at Boise River Café like? How often do they change the menu?
3.2. What happens to my unused meals and flex dollars from my residence hall meal plan at the end of each semester?
4. LIVING IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS
4.1. Can guests spend the night in my residence hall room?
4.2. What kind of employment opportunities exist in the residence halls?
5. SAFETY & RULES
5.1. Boise State and the surrounding community safe, and can you walk alone at night?
5.2. If I live in the halls, do I have to be in at a certain time — is there a curfew?
5.3. Is alcohol permitted in the residence halls?
5.4. Are the buildings secured?
5.5. What if I lose my ID card or it doesn’t work?
5.6. What can I do to contribute to a safe community?
6. LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
6.1. What are Living-Learning Communities?
6.2. How do I request a room in a Residential College community (RC)?
6.3. How do I make a specific request to live in the First Year Focus Communities or Global Village Community?
7. Off-Campus Students (Co-op, Study Abroad, Commuters)
7.1. I will be living off campus in the fall because of my co-op or study abroad programs. How do I make arrangements for Spring Housing?
7.2. I would like to live on campus next fall, but will be studying abroad for the spring 2010 semester. How do I do this if the Housing Agreement is for a full academic year?
7.3. What if I don’t yet have official acceptance into my spring study abroad program?
8. THE HOUSING AGREEMENT
8.1. What is the process I follow if I decide to move off campus after I have agreed to the Housing Agreement (this is done when you indicate you have reviewed the terms at the end of the online application process)?
8.2. Do I have to select a Meal Plan?
GENERAL QUESTIONS
If I would like to make a special housing request for my personal circumstance, perhaps for a medical reason, to whom can I speak?
By law, students with disabilities do not have to self-disclose or register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) or University Housing. If, on the other hand, a student is seeking reasonable housing accommodations or adjustments, he/she must contact the Disability Resource Center. All housing accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. The procedure for requesting reasonable housing accommodations can be found here. [back]
Are there any halls that allow smoking?
No. In fact, on August 14, 2009, Boise State University will be completely “Smoke Free”. This means smoking will not be allowed in or on any campus owned property. This includes buildings, lawn, sidewalks, parking lots, parking garages and even the Greenbelt that runs along BSU property. [back]
I am hoping to live in housing that is for students 21 and older. Will you be offering this option?
Yes. 2 floors of 21 plus housing has been reserved in University Suites B Building. Students must be 21 by 8-21-09 to be eligible to live on these designated floors. [back]
Why live on campus?
University Housing places you in the center of campus life, helping you make the most of your college experience. More than a set of beds or a place to sleep, we design our halls and select professional and student staff to support student needs.
Residence Life staff creates inclusive, safe, and caring communities where residents make deep connections with each other and the university. With numerous leadership and employment opportunities, you can find your home in University Housing.
Living in a vibrant and diverse community, you will make a variety of friendships while you learn more about different cultures and ideas. Live-in faculty and student staff will challenge you to learn about yourself and others. [back]
What is an RA? What is an RD?
The Resident Assistant (RA) is a student live-in staff member. Your RA can be one of the most helpful and resourceful people you will interact with at BSU, and is probably the first person you will meet on the University Housing team. Each RA has been carefully selected because of their leadership potential, interpersonal skills, positive attitude and sense of commitment. As a peer, the RA is a source of information and referral help, and assists residents in adjusting to campus life, including academic concerns, roommate relationships, homesickness and other matters. Your RA's overall responsibility is to provide leadership and support for you and other members of your floor, wing, or suite.
The Resident Director (RD) is a full-time professional staff member who lives in your hall or nearby. Resident Directors possess a bachelor's or master's degree and provide supervision to the student staff. Your RD is a great resource to you as well! Each RD sets office hours to meet with students and will assist you and the staff in creating a solid academic environment. [back]
MOVING INTO THE HALLS
What sort of items can I or should I bring with me for my room?
You will need to bring the following items:
- Bed linens, pillows, and towels; all beds are twin size.
- personal items, toiletries, clothes, cell phone, alarm clock
You may bring the following if you wish:
- A computer (every room has desk space for each student and free Internet access)
- Microwave ovens of no more than 700-800 watts
- A small fridge - 4.2 cubic feet or less
- small sound systems, TVs, and other personal items
For a complete guide to moving into the residence halls click here. [back]
What is included in the room?
Each student gets their own bed, desk, desk chair, and armoire or built-in storage areas. There is also a heating and air conditioning unit in each room/suite with temperature controls. The temperature is adjustable 3 degrees up or down from the main residence hall setting. [back]
Can I bring a pet?
No pets are allowed in University Housing, either on a permanent or visitation basis, except for fish; fish aquariums are allowed up to a 5 gallon tank. Assistance animals registered through the Disability Resource Center (426-1583) are permitted. [back]
Animal control will be called to confiscate any unsanctioned pet if it is not removed within twelve hours (or as directed by a University Official or Staff member).
DINING
What is the food at Boise River Café like? How often do they change the menu?
The quality and variety of food at the Boise River Café, the residential dining cafeteria, has been rated as good or better by the majority of residents in food service surveys for the last two years. Boise River Café offers a variety of nutritious meal options every day, ranging from salad, sandwiches, and stir-fry, to burgers and traditional hot entrees. You can be guaranteed that a menu item won't be repeated for at least six weeks, so it will be hard to get bored with the selection! [back]
What happens to my unused meals and flex dollars from my residence hall meal plan at the end of each semester?
Unused meals and flex dollars expire at the end of each semester. Your meal plan amounts will be reloaded on your card for the spring semester. Residence hall students may change meal plan selections up to the 10th day of classes. Each residence hall meal plan provides choices for students depending on how much they want to eat and where. Make the choice the best fits your lifestyle. [back]
LIVING IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS
Can guests spend the night in my residence hall room?
Roommates are encouraged to discuss visitation in their room and come to decisions based upon compromise. Students may host a short term visitor for a night or two with the consent of the roommate. The resident must sign their guest in at the front desk. The resident takes responsibility for his/her guest and for informing their guest of university and hall policies. Long term visitors, which we term cohabitation, are not allowed. [back]
What kind of employment opportunities exist in the residence halls?
University Housing is one of the largest employers of students on campus. We offer students the opportunity to take leadership in the halls and earn valuable employment experience for their future. Each year, the department conducts a selection process to hire Resident Assistants (RA), Program Assistants (PA), Community Assistants (CA), Desk Assistants, Student Customer Service Representatives, and Housekeeping. You can apply online for the RA, PA, CA, and Desk Attendant positions. The Housekeeping and Customer Service applications are available in the University Housing Office in Chaffee Hall. [back]
SAFETY & RULES
Boise State and the surrounding community safe, and can you walk alone at night?
Boise State is a vital part of the Treasure Valley community of approximately 450,000 people. The Boise area has most of the attractions of a larger metropolis, while enjoying a higher level of public safety than comparable cities. Boise's percentage is below the National Average: All Crimes - 8% Violent Crimes - 49%. Source: Boise area FBI Uniform Crime Statistics (1999)
The University employs the City of Boise Police to patrol the campus. University Housing employs full-time Security Officers that work in the residence halls to ensure the security of our facilities and the surrounding areas, including parking lots. Residents are encouraged to always carry their keys with them and to always lock their room doors when they leave. Guests that visit residents are required to be escorted by the resident they are visiting. The escort policy exists so that "strangers" do not have free access to your home. [back]
If I live in the halls, do I have to be in at a certain time — is there a curfew?
There is no curfew. The residence hall doors are locked 24 hours each day for security reasons. Residents are able to access their building via their student ID cards. Residents are required to register guests at the front desk and escort them inside the building; it is important that we all work together to maintain security in the hall. [back]
Is alcohol permitted in the residence halls?
Alcohol is not permitted in any residence hall on campus, except in designated areas of University Suites and only if you are 21 years of age. Boise State strives to create a solid academic environment where students can study and feel safe. Residents who are found violating the alcohol policy (or any policy) will go through the student conduct system and may be assigned sanctions which may range from fines, alcohol assessments, probation, or suspension depending on severity of the violation. [back]
Are the buildings secured?
All Residence Halls are locked 24 hours a day. Students must use their student ID card to enter the building. If a student does not have their ID card and is locked out of the building, they can call the front desk of their hall to be let in. [back]
What if I lose my ID card or it doesn’t work?
If you lose your ID card, contact the Resident Director for your hall immediately. You will need to contact the Campus ID office in the Student Union Building to get a replacement card. If your card doesn’t allow you to access the building, please go to your front desk to speak to the person on duty about getting your access reinstated. [back]
What can I do to contribute to a safe community?
There are procedures in place that all students are expected to adhere to that promote safety in the Residence Halls. Propping, unlocking, barring, or leaving open an exterior door is prohibited and jeopardizes the safety of the members of the community. Be aware of who is around you and do not let students into the building who do not have access—it’s perfectly acceptable to say “I’m sorry but you’ll have to call the front desk to get into the building” if a student is outside waiting for someone to let them in. You also should lock your doors and windows behind you. [back]
LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES
What are Living-Learning Communities?
There are small communities in the residence halls that relate to specific themes or academic disciplines/majors. There are three Living-Learning Programs in Housing:
The Residential College,
Global Village,
and
First Year Focus.
Each of these programs strives to create intentional ways to draw ties between what students learn in the classroom and how that learning relates to everyday life. [back]
How do I request a room in a Residential College community (RC)?
There are 5 Residential College communities offered throughout the residence hall system, plus the Honors College housed in Driscoll Hall. In order to apply to these programs, in addition to the 2008-2009 Academic Year Residence Hall/Dining Agreement, students will complete an application for admissions for the specific RC community requested. Admission information for the program is located here. Admission is approved by each faculty-in-residence. On the on-line Residence Hall Agreement be sure to indicate the specific community for which you are applying:
Arts & Humanities: University Suites
Business (COBE): Taylor Hall
Civic Leadership: Keiser Hall
Engineering: Morrison Hall
Health Professions: Morrison Hall [back]
How do I make a specific request to live in the First Year Focus Communities or Global Village Community?
First Year Focus is a special living-learning community where students will live together on a floor or in the same hall and take valuable CORE classes together. There are three programs to choose from in three different halls: Towers Hall, Chaffee Hall, or Morrison Hall. Residency in these communities is dependent upon enrollment in these classes. You will be placed in a community based on the English class that you can enroll in.
The Global Village Community (University Suites) is a vibrant and dynamic community where both US and international students live and learn together for a rich intercultural experience. Request a space for either of these communities by completing the relevant application in the "Program Interest" section of the Residence Halls/Suites online Housing Agreement. [back]
OFF CAMPUS STUDENTS (CO-OP, STUDY ABROAD, COMMUTERS)
I will be living off campus in the fall because of my co-op or study abroad programs. How do I make arrangements for Spring Housing?
Please apply for the spring 2010 semester via our online application after November 1, 2009. Spring assignments will be made and emailed to you after December 11, 2009. [back]
I would like to live on campus next fall, but will be studying abroad for the spring 2010 semester. How do I do this if the Housing Agreement is for a full academic year?
University Housing is happy to support our students who plan to travel abroad. If you already have your acceptance to your study abroad program, please drop by the Housing Office at Chaffee Hall and we can make a photocopy of your letter to place in your file. If you give us advance notification of your acceptance, no buy out fee will be assessed when you leave housing in the fall. You will simply need to set up a meeting with your Resident Director in November to file the proper paperwork that will allow you to check-out of Housing in December when the semester has ended. [back]
What if I don’t yet have official acceptance into my spring study abroad program?
Not a problem. As soon as you do receive your notice of acceptance into your study abroad, please drop by the Housing Office at Chaffee Hall and we can make a photocopy of your letter to place in your file. If you give us advance notification of your acceptance (as soon as possible after you get it), no buy out fee will be assessed when you leave housing in the fall. You will simply need to set up a meeting with your Resident Director in November to file the proper paperwork that will allow you to check-out of Housing in December when the semester has ended. [back]
THE HOUSING AGREEMENT
What is the process I follow if I decide to move off campus after I have agreed to the Housing Agreement (this is done when you indicate you have reviewed the terms at the end of the online application process)?
Please be advised that the University Housing Agreement is a yearlong legally binding contract with the University. Once it is signed, you will be billed for on campus housing whether you elect to live on-campus or off-campus as a BSU student during the 2009-2010 academic year. Only students who; withdraw from the University, are called into service, incur unexpected medical expenses or other extenuating and unforeseen circumstances may released from their housing contract through the Petition Process. [back]
Do I have to select a Meal Plan?
If you will be living in Chaffee Hall, Morrison Hall, Taylor Hall, Keiser Hall, Driscoll Hall, Towers Hall or the University Inn you will be required to select a Residential Student Meal Plan on your Housing Application.
If you will be living in University Suites, you will not be required to select a meal plan. You may choose to select a Voluntary Meal Plan or even a Residential Meal plan when you apply online or at anytime throughout the year, but you will need to specially request this, as the default for University Suites is no meal plan. [back]
*Please continue check the Housing website and these FAQs as they will be updated when new information becomes available.
