Section 4: Preparation                                                                                                                                          MO-AHEAD > Table of Contents > Section 4.5

Residential Housing Considerations

For many students, deciding where to live on campus is almost as challenging as deciding what college to go to in the first place. If you think you might need accommodations in your residential setting, here are some things to consider:

• Do your homework on the different options. Many schools have created "first year experiences" where all first year students live in certain buildings while upper-class students live elsewhere. Know exactly what living options exist. Also, know what will exist for future years.
   

• Talk to people about the general pros and cons of each option while getting information on aspects such as:
       * General noise level and activity of the building (quieter or louder; do quiet hours exist; visitation rules,
         etc.
       * Community bathrooms/showers, suite style (2-4 rooms per bathroom/shower), or bathroom/shower
         within each room?
       * Location to academic building where you will take classes (near, far, or in the middle)
       * How many students per floor? The more students who live on one floor, the greater the likelihood
         of increased activity. Is this a good thing?
       * How many housing staff per floor?
       * Where is the nearest location for meals in each building? Do meal location options change on the
         weekend?
       * What supports are available if there are roommate problems?
       * Any themed floors or themed buildings (business students, pledge to not smoke/drink, honor
         students, etc.) that might be of interest to you?
       * Do you have to live on campus as a first year student? If so, where is the first year when you can live
         off campus?
   

• Know the housing registration process! Many schools should have something in place to consider specific accommodation requests. However, the initial registration process is usually the same for all students. Just because you need an accommodation, it does not mean that you will be "bumped" to the head of the line. When at all possible, always know what housing options you want and apply as early as possible. Doing so will give you the most options and will increase the likeliness that you primary preferences are met.
   

• Know the housing accommodation process. Are accommodation requests made on the initial housing application? Or, do you need to speak with someone separately? How are requests considered and approved?
   

• Realize that, in choosing to live on campus, you will be living in an environment full of activity. While some buildings are busier and noisier than others, the college residential experience is about social interaction (Thursday night TV parties, late night hallway talks, video game tournaments, etc.). There are times when it will be noisy and when quality studying will only be possible away from your room. Distractions are inevitable. In choosing to live on campus, you are often choosing to partake in this environment. It is your responsibility to know when you have time to relax and when you need to focus on homework. Most universities do not guarantee a residential environment to be fitting for studying during some or all of the day. Quiet study areas are located throughout most campuses for this purpose. If a highly active residential environment might be problematic for you, give serious consideration as to whether or not you do indeed what to live on campus.
   

• If you have learning accommodation needs, here are some things to consider:
       * Some students with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, psychiatric disabilities, etc.,
         want a single room to minimize distraction when studying. However, many universities do not approve
         single room accommodations for students with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorder. If a
         student has difficulty with successfully living in a residential building, it is often because of the overall
         building activity and not the specific room arrangement. You will have to manage this environment
         yourself.
       * If a university does offer a single room as an accommodation, you will often have to pay the single room
         rate (which is usually higher than double room rate) even if the single room is approved as an
         accommodation. Make sure you know what expenses you will incur with or without an accommodation.
   

• If you have physical accommodation needs, things to consider include:
       * How accessible is the building? Are there accessible rooms already in place?
       * If you will need to request a physical modification to a room (strobe fire alarm, raised desk to
         accommodate a wheelchair, roll-in shower, etc.), who on campus do you make this request to? How
         early do you need to notify. The more physically involved an accommodation to a room might be,
         the longer it will take to complete the work. Requesting the accommodation with ample advanced
         notice in such instances is important to assure that your request can be completed on time.
       * Are you considering a personal attendant who will either visit daily or perhaps live in the room with
         you? If so, how does the university handle this request? Be sure to talk about costs. Personal attendant
         costs are almost never the responsibility of the university. The student pays for these services. A
         live-in personal care attendant will likely be charged the same room rate that a student occupying that
         space would be charged. It is extremely important to develop a concrete plan with the appropriate
         university contact if a personal attendant is involved.
       * If you will need a single room to accommodate your needs, can you request this? What rate will you
         be charged? Even though you might be approved for a single room as an accommodation, you will
         likely pay a higher single room rate. Make sure  you get the specifics.
       * Most universities do not have personal transportation services (from residential hall door to academic
         building door). Transportation is viewed as your responsibility. Some universities have campus shuttles,
         but you will likely still have to travel some distance to get to these points. Keep this in mind when you
         decide where to live.
       * Any major crossroads or intersections that might be problematic?
       *Anything you need to consider about the climate where you will be going to school?
   

• Understand the contract! Many residential housing contracts are 100% binding. When you sign up for housing, you are committed to paying the terms of the contract for the duration of the academic year. Whereas many apartment complexes might have an option to pay a fee for early termination, many campus residential contracts do not offer this possibility. Getting out of a housing contract once it is submitted and approved is often very difficult if not impossible to accomplish. Know exactly what you are getting into when you sign the contract. If it is binding and if you are unsure as to whether residential living is right for you, ask yourself if you need to think about it a little longer before signing.

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