Frequently Asked Questions

Who picks my roommate?

First-year students will be matched with roommates based on requests submitted in their Housing Agreement, in a mutual written request, or by assignment to first-year seminar housing. If no written request is made, every attempt will be made to match students to a roommate using responses from the Housing Agreement. Housing agreements of transfer or re-admitted students will be checked to verify any requests for a specific person. If not, then matches will be made based on expressed preferences. Currently enrolled returning students will choose roommate(s) during the room selection process (Housing Lottery) in the spring semester.

Do I have to have a roommate? Are singles available?

We believe that the College experience is richer and more valuable if students live on campus. The majority of our housing is designed for one or more roommates so that means sharing a room/space. A limited number of single rooms in various residence halls may also be selected as part of the Housing Lottery. There is an additional fee for single rooms that are obtained as part of the annual housing selection process.

Single room housing is also available for students with a medically documented need. For information on this process, see Special Accommodations on our Policies & Procedures page.

What if I know who I want as my roommate?

New students who know who they want as a roommate, must indicate who that person is on the Housing Agreement or by submitting a request to the Residential Life Office in writing. Requests must be mutual to be honored. Requests made after completion of the Housing agreement will override a request submitted on the Housing Agreement. Returning students have the opportunity to select a roommate and housing each spring during the housing selection process (Housing Lottery.)

When will I be able to see my campus housing information (name of my roommate, hall, and room)?

Housing assignment information will be announced in June and can be accessed online using Residence. Note: for a period of time in June, while new students are being assigned housing, access to this information will not be visible to any students (new and returning).

What if I don't like my roommate? How will I get another one?

While most students live well together, there are times when roommates do not get along. In these circumstances, students are encouraged to turn to their Resident Assistant for assistance. Additional resources include the Residential Life Coordinator and other staff in the Residential Life Office. A room change is usually the last resort, taken only when it is clear that the roommates are unable to live together successfully. All room changes must be coordinated with assistance from your RA and/or RLC and are restricted by space-available issues.

What are the dimensions of my campus residence? What are the size(s) of the window(s)? If I want a rug, what size?

Precise floor plans for specific campus residences are not available. However, you can find basic information regarding the approximate room, window, and maximum rug size by going to the Campus Housing link and selecting your campus residence.

What will be provided in my room?

In each Residence Hall room, the College provides the following/student/room:

• 1 XL twin (46x80) bed mattress on a frame (most are bunkable and adjust for 18 to 24 inches of under bed clearance)
• 1 Desk
• 1 Desk chair
• 1 wardrobe/closet space (in some rooms a larger walk-in closet space may be shared by 2 or more students)
• 1 dresser (2-5 drawer; overall storage space is the same, the number of drawers may vary)
• Room darkening window shades on all windows

Shower curtains are provided in single, shared, and community bathrooms; Students in residence halls with single or shared baths (Crever, Forrest, Rich, Williams) or Apartments/Commons are welcome to personalize the bathroom by bringing their own shower curtain - and bath mats. Note: the College does not provide bath mats and the curtain provided by the College must be replaced when the room is vacated.

All furniture that the College provides must be intact and assembled in the room when a student checks out. If a chair or bed frame is removed or disassembled to accommodate personal furniture, it must be reassembled and replaced when the student leaves campus. College staff will not bunk or un-bunk beds for residents, however, students wishing to bunk their beds may pick up "bunk pins" from the Residential Life Office.

What should I bring or not bring to my campus residence?

In general, students should bring some or all of the following: items that are needed on a day-to-day basis, academic support materials, and things that are personally important. Other things students may want to have that the College does not provide in campus residences are somewhat up to personal preference. We get a lot of questions about what students may bring in terms of electrical items. While most electrical items that are used at home are suitable for use on campus, some items or duplicates of items in residences are prohibited. In addition to prohibited electrical items, there are other items that should not be brought to a campus residence. Prohibited items will be confiscated by College staff and disciplinary action may result.

To make shopping/packing easier we've compiled a list of items students might want/need to bring to campus. Please note, this list is not a comprehensive OR a must-have list but simply suggestions. Remember also, that the College is not in an isolated area and there are plenty of places to pick up forgotten items. Please see the last page of this list for items students should NOT bring to campus.

What to Bring/What Not to Bring Shopping List

For more information about College and Residential Life Policies please see our Policies and Procedures Web page.

Do I need to purchase extra long sheets for my bed?

Beds in our campus residences have 46x80 twin mattresses. Extra-long sheets will fit on these mattresses. Residential Life has found a convenient, affordable way to ensure that students have sheets that will fit the extra-long mattresses through the Residence Hall Linens program. Students will receive information in summer mailings about this program. Information is also available on the Residence Hall Linens website. Proceeds from this program go to Residential Life Office and are used for programming in our campus residences.

Can I bring a loft?

With the exception of select rooms on campus (Crever, Rich, and Wesley Halls), the College does not provide loft beds, however, students may bring a loft bed for their residence hall room. Loft beds are not permitted in Asbury and Skeath Halls. Loft beds are not permitted in apartment units but are permitted in The Commons. Click here for our complete Loft policy.

Can I bring a refrigerator? What about a microwave?

Each student room is allowed to have one compact refrigerator no greater than 200 watts or 1.3 amps. Each room/apartment is permitted to have one microwave that is no greater than 1.0 cubic feet or 1050 watts. You will need to check the specifications of specific models or with the manufacture to be sure your chosen appliance meets these requirements.

What if I forgot to bring something? Where can I shop, bank, etc.?

Below is a link to a list of local businesses that are easily accessible from Lycoming College. This list is by no means comprehensive, and these businesses are not officially promoted by the College. We just thought it would be helpful in the event that a student needs (or wants) to shop after arriving at Lycoming. All are located within a 15-mile driving distance from campus and some are actually within walking distance. Even if a student doesn't have a car, all are on the local bus routes (including the mall) and all students have access to free River Valley Transit city bus service using their College ID. For bus route information see the River Valley Transit website.

"You Don't Need to Buy and Pack Everything!" - A where to shop list

Are the halls/apartments air-conditioned?

No. With the exception of The Commons and a limited number of upper-class living spaces, campus housing is not air-conditioned. It is advisable that you bring a fan. Students are not allowed to bring and install air conditioners without prior written approval. Students who need air conditioning due to a medical necessity must request Special Accommodations through an application process and provide official documentation for the need.

What services does the College provide in my residence hall/room?

Cleaning. The College provides cleaning services for the community, shared & private bathrooms, and common areas (lounges, hallways, laundry rooms), and trash removal from common areas (trash/recycle rooms, lounges, bathrooms.) Residents are responsible for cleaning and emptying trash from their rooms and placing it in the proper receptacles in a designated trash/recycle room located in each hall.

Maintenance. Maintenance services are provided in the Residence Halls. Residents are responsible for reporting any emergency issues to Public Safety and for submitting routine maintenance or repair requests through the online work request form.

Appliances/Furniture. The College does not provide refrigerators or microwaves in Residence Halls (except in some community lounge/kitchen areas.) Most beds are bunkable with pins that can be found in the room or obtained from the Office of Residential Life. (Note: College staff will not bunk or unbunk the beds and will not store any bed parts that are not used in a loft.)

Telephone, Computer, and Cable (TV) Network. Because technology in the world, and on-campus, is ever-changing we recommend you see the information provided on the ITS/Media Technology sections of the Lycoming website for the most current technology (phone, computer, cable) provisions in our residence hall rooms and apartments.

Where can I do my laundry?

Each residence hall is equipped with washers and dryers which are located in one or more laundry rooms. Apartment/Commons residents also have access to a centrally located laundry area.

Laundry Machines

• All machines are front-loading and energy-efficient.
• Residents are asked to purchase liquid laundry detergent with "he" (high efficiency) on the label.
• For issues with the laundry machines, including the laundry app, residents are encouraged to contact Caldwell Gregory.

Laundry 

• At the start of the fall semester, each resident receives a laundry balance which is programmed with $120 of credit which is to be used for the entire year. Each resident will be charged a $40 laundry fee per semester.
• If a resident uses all of the credit, s/he is welcome to add credit through the "Speed Queen app". 
• If a resident laundry app stops working, students should contact Caldwell Gregory.
• If a resident's laundry account has credit left over at the end of the spring semester, that credit is NOT carried over to the next academic year.
• For more information visit: https://www.laundrypalooza.com/

How do I get connected to the campus computer network, ResNet?

All residence halls are fully wired for our Residential Computing Program. All incoming students are given a free email account for the duration of their studies at Lycoming. Information Technology Services (ITS) hosts several workshops each semester to help students become familiar with the use of campus standard software.

Resident students can access any Internet-based resource from his/her room on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week basis via the Ethernet network after joining the Residential Networking Program (ResNet). Residents may join the ResNet program by following the steps as outlined in the ITS website under ResNet Access. Questions about residential computing should be directed to ITS, (570) 321-4150.

Do I have to have a cell phone?

No, the College offers phone service and billing through the student account. For information regarding this service, see Office of Telecommunications.

How can I hang posters and pictures on my walls?

Unfortunately, we are unable to recommend a specific product or means for hanging items on-campus residence walls. Residents should never use heavy-duty adhesive products on any surfaces (ie.- Command strips, duct tape, packing tape, glues, etc.) as they potentially cause paint damage and are difficult to clean/remove from surfaces. Any product, if used improperly, can be difficult to remove and may discolor or damage surfaces. If you choose to use any type of adhesive product, you are required to remove it prior to checkout. Residents will be assessed repair costs for any permanent damage (i.e.- nail holes, paint/furniture damage) or any additional cleaning required in removing residue.

How can I become eligible to live in the College Apartments/The Commons?

The College Apartments and The Douthat Commons are available to students with 50+ credits at the conclusion of the Fall semester preceding the Housing Lottery. Applicants must also have at least a 2.25 GPA and be in good disciplinary standing. Eligible students receive information regarding the availability each spring as part of the housing selection process and are invited to apply.

What will be provided in my apartment?

In common living space:

• 1 "Soft seat" for each resident (a combination of sofa, love seat, chair(s)
• 1 dining or bistro table and a minimum of two chairs (this varies from College apartments to the Commons and is based on # of residents)
• 1 full-size refrigerator (all units)
• 1 stove/oven (College apartment units)
• 1 cooktop (The Commons units)
• Carpet (College apartments have some hardwood floors; Commons units have carpet in all spaces except bathroom and kitchen areas.)
• Shower curtain
• Window shades

In bedrooms:

• 1 twin 46x80 bed mattress on a frame (most are bunkable* and adjust for 18 to 24 inches of under bed clearance)/resident
• 1 Desk/resident
• 1 Desk chair/resident
• 1 wardrobe/closet minimum/bedroom
• 1 dresser (2-5 drawer)/resident
• Window shades

All furniture that the College provides must be intact and in the campus residence when a student checks out. If any furniture is disassembled or removed to accommodate personal furniture at the beginning of a semester/year, it must be reassembled and replaced when the student checks out.

What services does the College provide in my apartment?

Cleaning. Cleaning of all areas in apartment/Commons units is the sole responsibility of the residents. Unlike Residence Halls, custodial staff will not clean bathrooms. However, a supply of toilet paper is provided in the laundry area to which residents have access. Trash and recyclables must be removed by the residents and placed in bags in the receptacles provided by the College based on a collection schedule that is published in the Apartment/Commons brochure each year.

Maintenance. Maintenance services are provided in the Apartments/Commons. Residents are responsible for reporting any emergency issues to Public Safety and for submitting routine maintenance requests through the online work request form.

Appliances/Furniture. The College does not provide microwaves, cooking utensils, dishes, or cleaning supplies in Apartments/Commons units. Loft bed units are not permitted in apartments but are allowed in the Commons. Please consult the Loft Policy for regulations regarding lofts. Most beds are bunkable with pins that can be obtained from the Office of Residential Life. (Note: College staff will not bunk or unbunk the beds.)

Telephone, Computer, and Cable (TV) Network. Because technology in the world, and on-campus, is ever-changing we recommend you see the information provided on the ITS/Media Technology sections of the Lycoming website for the most current technology (phone, computer, cable) provisions in our residence hall rooms and apartments.

What should I bring or not bring to my Apartment/Commons Unit?

In general, you should bring some or all of the following: items that you need on a day-to-day basis, academic support materials, and things that are personally important to you. Other things you may want to have that the College does not provide on-campus residences are somewhat up to personal preference. We get a lot of questions about what students may bring in terms of electrical items. While most electrical items you use at home are suitable for use on campus, some items or duplicates of items in residences are prohibited. In addition to prohibited electrical items, there are other items that you should not bring to your campus residence. Prohibited items will be confiscated by College staff.

For your convenience and to make your shopping/packing easier we've compiled a list of items you might want/need to bring to campus. Please note, this list is not a comprehensive OR a must-have list but simply suggestions. Remember also, that the College is not in an isolated area and there are plenty of places for you to pick up anything you may forget or find that you need after you arrive. Please see the last page of this list for items you should NOT bring to campus.

What to Bring/What Not to Bring Shopping List For Apartments/Commons

For more information about College and Residential Life Policies please see our Policies and Procedures Web page.

How do I get connected to the campus computer network, ResNet?

All residence halls are fully wired for our Residential Computing Program. All incoming students are given a free email account for the duration of their studies at Lycoming. Information Technology Services (ITS) hosts several workshops each semester to help students become familiar with the use of campus standard software.

Resident students can access any Internet-based resource from his/her room on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week basis via the Ethernet network after joining the Residential Networking Program (ResNet). Residents may join the ResNet program by following the steps as outlined in the ITS website under ResNet Access.

Questions about residential computing should be directed to ITS, (570) 321-4150.

Do I have to find my own long-distance telephone service?

No, the College offers long-distance service and billing through the student account. To request this service, contact the Office of Telecommunications.

What are the "guest policies"?

Guests are any person not assigned to the room and visit a hall, floor, room, or Apartment sharing an activity or study time with a resident. Residents are accountable for the actions of their guests at all times and are expected to escort their guests while on campus. All students are expected to inform their guests of College and residence hall policies, and also of any standards of behavior specific to their floor. All non-student guests must be registered by the hosting student with the Department of Public Safety regardless of the length of their visit. Students are cautioned against hosting minors (i.e., under eighteen) as guests. Refer to the Gatherings Policy for the maximum number of people permitted in a room/apartment.

Overnight guests (student and non-student) are permitted only with the approval of all room/Apartment occupants* and for no longer than three nights in a seven-day period. Having overnight guests during the week is discouraged to help provide a study environment. Cohabitation (an individual not assigned to a room/Apartment yet living there beyond guest guidelines) is not permitted.

A roommate has the right to deny another roommate or housemate permission to have a guest (student or non-student, staying a few hours or overnight). No student has the right to impose a guest or visitor on their roommate/housemate without their specific permission. If a student feels that another roommate/housemate is imposing his/her guests or friends on them, they should contact their RA, Residential Life Coordinator, or any member of the Residential Life staff.

What if I have to come to campus early because of athletic training, choir, or another College commitment? What do I need to do to get permission?

If a student needs to arrive early (prior to official hall opening) because of athletic training, choir, or another official College purpose, a coach or advisor will notify the Office of Residential Life regarding who is arriving, when they are arriving, and why they are arriving. If a student is requesting Early Arrival for personal reasons*, information regarding the process will be published on the main Residential Life Web page under "Current News ". *Note: a specific fee per day may be applied to the student account if approval is granted for early arrival due to personal reasons.

What are quiet hours? When are they?

Quiet hours are defined as periods of time when noise is kept to a minimum on a residence hall floor. While exact times for quiet hours are decided upon collectively by residents on a floor, quiet hours must begin no later than 11 pm on weekdays and end no earlier than 9 am. During the weekends, they must begin no later than 1:00 a.m. and end no earlier than 9 am. During finals week, 24-hour quiet hours apply. Courtesy hours are in effect at all times in the residence halls. This means that each resident and his/her visitors have the responsibility to act with consideration toward residence hall community members who choose to study or sleep.

Can I smoke in the residence halls/apartments?

Smoking is prohibited in all campus buildings including the Residence Halls, apartments, and The Commons. See Campus Smoking Policy in the Student Handbook.

What is the College's alcohol policy? What happens if I violate it?

Lycoming College adheres to Pennsylvania State laws and prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol by minors (under the age of 21). Students who are of legal drinking age may possess or consume alcohol within certain guidelines established to help students make responsible and adult choices concerning the role of alcohol in their lives.

Students should refer to The Student Policies Manual for a full and complete description of the alcohol policies and sanctions for violations.

How do I know what the other College policies are?

Your Resident Assistant will talk with you about some of the more common policies at the beginning of the academic year during your first Community Meeting. The Student Code of Conduct outlines policies that apply to all students regardless of where they are on campus (ie, in classrooms, on the quad, in the gym, in the residence halls). There are also policies for residents (and their guests) that apply specifically to campus housing- Room Regulations which concern health, safety, and property issues, and Residence Hall Policies which address behavioral issues like noise, smoking, and gatherings.

What happens if I get in trouble?

If you are involved in a situation where policies may have been violated, you will first have the opportunity to meet with a College staff member who is investigating the incident. S/he will talk with you about what happened and give you the opportunity to accept responsibility for any policy violations. Most cases are resolved at this level. If you decline to accept responsibility and the staff member has enough information to believe a violation occurred, then you will be referred for a disciplinary hearing. For detailed information about the process, please refer to the Student Code of Conduct.

If I do get in trouble, will you tell my parents?

It is good practice for students to have open communication with parents about the College experience and we always recommend that students talk to their parents about any involvement in the disciplinary process. Parents are routinely notified of student involvement in the disciplinary process if the student is found responsible for a second alcohol violation, a drug violation, faces a hearing with the All College Disciplinary Board or is at risk of harming themselves or others.

How do I receive mail and what will my mailing address be?

The Lycoming College mailroom and student mailboxes are located on the second floor of Wertz Hall. For information on sending or receiving mail and student mailboxes, please see the Mail Services Web page. Important note: Students must have mail addressed to them at their campus mail address NOT a residence hall, room, or apartment street address.

How do I replace a lost campus residence key or Student ID?

Lost or stolen room/apartment key and/or student IDs, should be reported immediately to the Office of Public Safety to see if it has been turned in. For the replacement of keys, students must contact the Office of Residential Life. In the event of lost, stolen, or non-returned keys, the Residential Life policy requires locks to be changed and new keys cut for all residents. The charge for a lock change and new keys is a minimum of $35/lock and will be posted to your student account. Reporting lost or stolen keys promptly is important not only for safety reasons but also because students must turn in keys when checking out of a residence. Waiting to report a loss only delays the inevitable.

How do I report things that are broken or not working in my room/apartment?

Any emergency/potentially dangerous issues should be reported immediately to the Office of Public Safety at (570) 321-4911. For all other repairs to campus residences, residents are responsible for submitting an online Work Request. Please contact your RA, House Manager or RLC for instructions on how to do this.

Will I live with people of the opposite sex?

Asbury, East, or Skeath Halls are co-ed by floor or wing and each community has its own gender-specific community bathroom. Crever, Forrest, or Williams Halls are co-ed and rooms that are connected by a bathroom are the same gender. Wesley Hall and the Apartment/Commons units are also co-ed, but have gender-specific bedrooms; bathrooms in these residences are separate and individual so are able to be gender neutral. Rich Hall houses all women.

How safe is campus housing?

The Lycoming College campus is only as safe as each person makes it. In other words, each of us has a responsibility to ensure that we do not jeopardize others' safety by loaning keys or IDs, propping doors, or admitting unknown persons into campus residences. Information about criminal incidents can be accessed through the Department of Public Safety.

Are there frequent thefts in campus housing? What should I do if something is stolen?

Most thefts occur when students fail to lock their campus residence or when students leave their belongings unattended. Remembering to lock doors at all times and not leaving belongings unattended is important. All thefts should be reported to the Department of Public Safety immediately so that they can document the incident. The College does not carry insurance on students' belongings. Parents and students may wish to check their Homeowners insurance or obtain renter's insurance to cover loss to belongings.

Are there lounges in the residence halls? Where can I study?

In Skeath Hall there is one main lounge with a large screen tv that is used as a study space, social space, and for community meetings. In Asbury, the main lounge with a TV is on the lower level. Crever has a tv lounge and a multi-purpose room on the lower level; Rich has a main lounge with a TV on the first floor; Williams Hall has a lounge on the second floor adjacent to the front entrance, another lounge in the center of the third floor with a tv and one smaller lounge on each floor. Forrest has two lounges, both with TVs, on the first and third floors. Greek floors in East Hall and Forrest (TKE) each have lounge space for their activities and meetings. Aside from these areas, students often utilize their own rooms, the Snowden Library, Pennington lounge in the Academic Center, Jack's Place, or Burchfield Lounge in Wertz Hall and their favorite classroom, computer, or science lab space to get work done.

What is "Affinity Housing"?

The Affinity Housing Community program promotes the infusion of intellectual life into the residential setting by providing opportunities for individuals to live among others who express similar interests. Students choosing to be a member of an Affinity Housing Community will have the opportunity to develop and maintain a community that emphasizes the integration of academic, leadership, and/or personal interests with a residential environment. Affinity Housing Communities are made up of 15, or 17 residents who: organize around a common shared intellectual or thematic interest; practice self-governance, coordinated by a resident student Affinity Community Facilitator (ACF); hold the authority to manage their own programming budget; maintain a relationship with a faculty mentor; develop their own practices and traditions; set annual goals for programming and outreach consistent with the mission and purpose of the community. Beginning in fall 2015, Affinity Housing communities in Wesley Hall will be co-ed clusters of gender-specific single and double rooms with gender-neutral bathrooms.

What is the Creative Arts (CAS) floor?

The Creative Arts Society floor is a self-governing, upper-class living community that brings together students with an interest in the arts, including art, creative writing, theater, and music. Creative Arts community members work with faculty advisors to share ideas and collaborate on programs to promote an awareness of the arts on campus. Students who are interested in living on the CAS floor should contact the Office of Residential Life for information.

What is a Residential Life Coordinator? A Resident Assistant? What do they do?

The Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) is a professional staff member responsible for the supervision of the paraprofessional staff (RAs) and oversees the development of strong residence hall communities for several residence halls. The Residential Life Coordinator also assumes leadership responsibility for several functions within Residential Life and assumes responsibility for a collateral assignment in such areas as Student Engagement and the FYRST program for first-year residents.

The Resident Assistant (RA) is a student member of the Residential Life Staff. He or she is a full-time student who is responsible for the smooth functioning of one or more floors in a residence hall. In addition to handling many administrative tasks such as opening and closing the halls, check-in, and check-out, maintenance reports, etc., the RA is there to help you and other residents as individuals and as members of the floor community. RAs go through an extensive training process and are good resources if you have any questions, problems, or concerns.

How do I select/change my meal plan?

Each year (including first-years), students complete an online housing agreement in which they select their meal plan for the coming year. First-year students can choose either the Standard Meal Plan or the Enhanced Meal Plan.

Upper-class students who wish to make a change in their meal plan may do so during the first two weeks of each semester only by emailing Residential Life Office at reslife@lycoming.edu. Information regarding the meal plan change period will be sent via email at the beginning of the semester. Information about current meal plans can be found on the Business Office Web page.

How do I select housing after my first year?

Each spring the Residential Life office conducts a campus housing selection process (Housing Lottery) for current students to select housing for the upcoming year.

Information about the specific process will be posted on the Residential Life Web page and advertised via emails and campus postings in order to notify students when the process is beginning.

Participation in the lottery requires students to do ALL of the following:

• Pay the Enrollment Deposit by a designated deadline. The enrollment deposit serves as notice that a student plans to return and allows registration for the upcoming fall classes as well as participation in the housing lottery.
• Reconcile ALL holds on the student account by a designated deadline. Reconciliation of the student account by the deadline will allow the student to be issued a lottery number and to complete the Housing Agreement.
• Complete the online Housing agreement 24 hours prior to housing selection. Completion and submission of the housing agreement will allow the student to select housing and also allow the selected housing to be "officially" assigned.
• Adhere to any application submission deadlines.
• Attend (in person or by proxy) a specific lottery session, if required and according to the type of housing that is desired.

Students who are currently or planning to study abroad, participate in an internship, or apply for re-admission to the College, must contact the Office of Residential Life for information regarding campus housing selection for their returning semester.