Frequently Asked Questions | University Housing | SIU

We work closely with the Office for Access & Accommodations to meet the needs of our residents to ensure that students with disabilities are appropriately accommodated in integrated settings. We want to ensure that nothing stands in the way of success for our residents.

Who should I contact to discuss special needs?
Students requiring special accommodations or modifications should discuss these needs with the Office for Access & Accommodations (OAA). OAA will follow up with an assessment and then make a recommendation for University Housing regarding any modifications or adaptations to make the living space work for that specific student. Please detail your special needs when you complete your Housing contract. Students with mobility impairments should work with University Housing on securing an accessible space.

Which areas offer accessible housing?
Thompson Point on West Campus, University Hall on East Campus and apartment areas all offer accessible housing provided you meet eligibility requirements.

What amenities are available in accessible housing?
We offer a range of accessible amenities including remote door openers; roll-in showers; lowered shelves, closet bars, and sinks; and adjustable desks. Our dining staff also provides assistance with food trays in the serving area.

How do I contract for an apartment?
You may apply for an apartment online once you're admitted to the University, provided you meet eligibility requirements and provided the application is open. A contract will be offered to you, based on availability and eligibility.

What should I pack?
We've developed a suggested packing list that should help make your packing a bit easier.

Is Internet provided?
Internet is provided at Wall & Grand and Evergreen Terrace Apartments. See What's Included for more information.

Is my housing Financial Aid eligible? Yes. Financial aid is applied first to tuition charges, then to fees, and lastly to housing charges.

Do I pay my Housing monthly? No. Housing charges are posted to the Student Account for the entire semester. Fall semester is August through December 31, Spring semester is January through May 31, and Summer semester is June and July.

If I move into my apartment during the month, do I pay for that entire month? No. Rent is pro-rated based on the move in date.

Can I make my prepayment with cash? Cash is not accepted. Credit card, personal check, or money order are the only forms of payment accepted.

Do we recommend any off-campus apartments? University Housing does not provide, sponsor, approve of, partner with, or inspect off-campus housing.

Contract & Terms FAQs

Why is there a on-campus housing policy and who is required to live on campus?
Living on campus has been shown to help students do better academically and get more involved. Most of our first-year students are required to live on campus. Our upperclassman students are invited to live on campus. The SIU Carbondale Student Housing Policy offers more details regarding who is required to live on campus.

How do I contract for a residence hall?
Once you're admitted to SIU, you may complete a residence halls contract provided the contract is open. Contract dates and times depend on the semester you enter SIU and on our contract schedule. Typically, the earlier you contract (once the contract opens), the more choices you have of where to live. Visit our Residence Hall Contracts page for more information.

Can I loft or bunk my bed?
Each residence hall bed may be lofted or bunked. Beds on West Campus and in some rooms in University Hall are lofted prior to students moving in. Residents in other residence hall areas may check out a lofting or bunking kit from their area Housekeeping Office. Lofting and bunking kits may be distributed special distribution locations during move-in. Signs will direct residents to these points. Residents must return all furniture to original layout prior to check-out.

What are the dimensions of typical residence hall rooms?

• Mae Smith, Neely & Schneider Halls, East Campus: 17 feet x 14 feet
• University Hall, East Campus: 16 feet x 11 feet
• Thompson Point, West Campus: 19 feet x 12 feet

How do I change rooms?
Students with a residence hall contract may select and change rooms online during their assigned room selection period. Students who contract after the online room selection has closed will be assigned a room. After move-in, students wishing to change rooms should go to their area office. Room changes will be processed as space become available. Students may not move until they receive an approved copy of the Contract Change Form from Residence Life staff. Room changes may be made only under the supervision of the Resident Assistant and Residence Life Staff.

University Housing reserves the right to change the room assignment of a student at any time, to authorize or deny room and roommate changes, to consolidate vacancies, and to over-assign spaces.

Are laundry facilities available?
Laundry facilities are available in each residence hall. East Campus halls (Mae Smith, Neely, Schneider and University Hall) have washers and dryers located on each floor, beginning with floor two. West Campus halls (Thompson Point) have washers and dryers located on the lower level of each residence hall and in the commons building, Lentz Hall.

Can I have visitors or guests in my room?
Visitation has been approved for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week unless visitation privileges are restricted or altered by staff. University Housing staff reserve the right to alter visitation privileges as situations may require for the proper operation of the residence halls. This includes declaring certain rooms off limits for visitation if the exercise of this privilege is creating problems. The right to privacy of roommates will be respected and permission must be granted by the roommate for a guest to be present. A resident may declare his or her room off limits to guests at any time. Guests must be accompanied by a host or hostess at all times. View The Guidebook for detailed information on this policy.

What should I pack, what should I leave at home, and what comes in my room?
New residents and their families often have many questions about what to bring. View the residence halls packing list for suggestions. Be sure to check with your roommate to see what s/he is bringing and willing to share before you purchase large or expensive items for your room. Also, refer to the Resident Handbook for more details on prohibited items.

Can I have a phone or computer access in my room?
You may bring a computer with you to your room. Wireless Internet is included with your residence halls contract. Computer labs are also available on campus. Telephone access is available in student rooms for an additional charge. Students wanting a land line telephone will need to activate their own phones and pay for their own services. Be sure to read the Getting Connected information prior to arrival to prepare your computer and to purchase the right items for your room.

What size carpeting should I get for my room?
The following sizes of carpets are the largest possible, based on the measurements that will not be obstructed by a convector, closet, door pillar, or sink (in suite-style rooms).

• Mae Smith, Schneider & Neely (Single, Double & Temporary Rooms): 9ft 8in X 14ft 6in
• Thompson Point (Single, Double & Temporary Rooms): 17ft 8in X 9ft 5in
• Thompson Point (Triple Rooms): front room is 13ft 6in X 11ft, rear room is 9ft X 12ft
• University Hall: Rooms are already carpeted on floors 2-4. Rooms on floor 1 will take a carpet around 15 ft x 10 feet.

Where is Freshman Housing?
We don't designate an entire area as "freshman housing". Our first-year students live in each of our residence halls.

How Do I Get Involved in My Residence Hall?
A variety of University Housing student organizations are available for you to join. These are a great way for you to meet friends, develop connections to University Housing staff members, gain event planning skills and have fun.

What is a Resident Assistant (RA)? Resident Assistants are students who have been selected and trained to provide a variety of services to residents. RAs answer questions about Housing and University policies and refer students to appropriate campus offices when they need help or services. They provide advice to students on personal and academic problems and mediate roommate conflicts. They are responsible for enforcing the rules in the Resident Handbook, the Student Code of Conduct and other University rules. RAs also help students plan educational and recreational activities.

Am I required to have a dining plan if I live on campus?
Residents of our traditional residence halls are required to have a dining plan, as it comes with the contract. Junior and senior students have the option of purchasing a dining plan or opting out of a dining plan.

What are my dining plan options if I live in an apartment or off campus?
Students living in an on-campus apartment, junior/senior housing or off campus may purchase the Saluki Anytime dining plan or the Block-20 dining plan. The Block-20 Plan offers 20 meals that can be used throughout the academic year at the discretion of the student. Additional blocks may be purchased as needed. View the dining plan page for more information.

What is offered for special dietary needs?
We accommodate residents with a wide variety of food allergies and needs including purchasing, storing and cooking food separately. We even offer a gluten-free kitchen area for our cooks. Residents with special dietary needs should contact our registered dietitian at 618-453-2301.

What is Debit Dawg and where can I use it?.
Debit Dawg is the University’s debit card program. Students also use Debit Dawg to make copies and to purchase food at local restaurants.

Students and staff are automatically assigned a Debit Dawg Account. Funds can be added at any of the Debit Dawg cash machines — located in Lentz Hall, Trueblood Hall, University Hall, the Student Center, Morris Library, Law School, Faner Computer Learning Center 1 and CASA Computer Learning Center 2.

Where can I eat my meals?
You may dine at either of our dining halls in Trueblood and Lentz with a valid dining plan at the entrance to the dining hall.

Can I bring a guest to the dining halls?
At this time the dining halls are not open to guests.

Can I loan my card to a friend?
Friends can not use your ID card. Doing so subjects both parties to disciplinary action.

Where can I eat on the weekends?
View our dining hours to see when our dining facilities are open.

What are “Holiday Hours”?
Holiday Hours are special hours that are in effect during University Holidays when school is in session. These dates and times are posted in the areas and on the website.

Can I bring my vehicle on campus? Please visit the Parking Division or call 618-453-5369 for questions and concerns about SIU Carbondale parking policies.

Is public transportation available? Yes. The Saluki Express bus service, with routes around campus and throughout the Carbondale community, is free to students with a valid Student ID. Visit the Saluki Express web site.

Should I bring a bicycle? Bicycles are a great way to get around and very popular with our students. You may lock your bike up at any of our bike racks, located by each residence hall, or take your bike into your room. For room storage, many students simply place their bike against a wall.

Bicycles must be registered with the SIU Carbondale Department of Public Safety.