A Comprehensive Guide to High Point University Housing Options

Choosing where to live is a significant part of the college experience. High Point University (HPU) offers a variety of housing options designed to cater to diverse student needs and preferences. This article provides a detailed overview of the housing opportunities available at HPU, encompassing traditional residence halls, suite-style living, apartment-style accommodations, and specialized housing for honors students and those with accessibility needs.

On-Campus Housing: An Overview

All residential properties at High Point University are considered on campus, fostering a close-knit community and convenient access to academic and recreational facilities. From traditional residence halls to apartment-style living, HPU strives to provide an environment where students can thrive.

Housing Application Process

The journey to securing on-campus housing begins with a few key steps. First, students must pay their $500 enrollment deposit. Following that, the Housing Application typically opens in January for first-year students. For instance, the Housing Application opened at 9:00 AM on January 14 for all first year students. It's essential to complete the survey and questionnaire as openly and honestly as possible to ensure the best possible housing assignment. The housing contract must be signed to complete the application. If a student is under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian is required to complete the proxy form.

Housing assignments for first-year students are determined based on the admissions decision type and the date the enrollment deposit is paid. While HPU makes every attempt to place students in their top preferences, this is not always possible for each student. Students are welcome to add themselves to any other waitlists via the Housing Portal, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Student Life manages waitlists until the end of July.

Traditional Residence Halls

Women’s Complex (McEwen, North, Wesley, and Yadkin Residence Halls): These halls offer traditional double occupancy rooms with hall-style bathrooms in North, Wesley, Yadkin, and the third floor of McEwen. McEwen also features select double occupancy suite-style bedrooms with a shared jack-and-jill bathroom on the first and second floors.

Suite-Style Living

R. G. Wanek Center: Provides suite-style double occupancy rooms with jack-and-jill style shared bathrooms, along with select single occupancy bedrooms that also feature jack-and-jill style shared bathrooms.
University Center 2: Similar to the Wanek Center, it offers suite-style double occupancy rooms with jack-and-jill style shared bathrooms and select single occupancy bedrooms with the same bathroom setup.

Living in a suite can enhance the college experience by making it easier to connect with other students. As one student noted, "Living in a suite made it easier for me to get to know at least two other girls besides my roommate."

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Apartment-Style Living

Wilson Hall Apartments: These offer apartment-style double occupancy rooms with a shared common area and bathroom within the unit.

Specialized Housing Options

Honors Scholar Housing

Honors Scholar students are required to live in Finch Hall for their first and sophomore years. The honors college provides the Office of Student Life Housing team with a list of first-year students who are required to live in Finch. Finch offers single rooms, fostering a focused academic environment.

Living in Finch can be a transformative experience. One student shared, "Deciding to live in Finch was one of the best decisions I could have made. I love the set up of having a roommate and sharing a bathroom with another room." Another student praised the honors floor, saying, "The honors floor has been my refuge from an often chaotic college life. I have never experienced any greater educational bond with a group of people than my new found friends on the honors floor. Living on the Honors floor has been one of my best experiences here at High Point."

Accessible Housing

High Point University is committed to providing accessible housing to students with disabilities. Housing accommodations ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to college education and university life. Students who are registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) and approved for a housing accommodation(s) will be offered a housing assignment from Student Life that addresses the functional limitations of their disability and meets the requirements of their accommodation(s). Housing accommodations ensure that a student’s need for accessible housing is met. More information about accessible housing can be found online.

The interactive process involves the student meeting with an Accessibility Specialist to discuss their disability-related concerns while attending High Point University. The Accessibility Specialist will review the submitted documentation after meeting with the student and take into consideration what was discussed during the meeting. Once the Specialist has reviewed the documentation, the student will receive an eligibility letter with the approved accommodations. The review process typically takes 3-5 business days after all required documentation has been received and the student has met with an Accessibility Specialist.

It's important to note that if a housing accommodation is approved before the deadline, Residence Life will ensure equal access, but it does not guarantee a specific residence hall or room within a residence hall. While HPU strives to minimize allergens when feasible, the campus is not allergen-free.

Housing Tiers and Preliminary Rates

HPU categorizes housing options into different tiers, each with its own preliminary rate. These rates are subject to change by the Board of Trustees, with final rates approved at the March Board Meeting preceding the fall semester for which the new rates apply.

Housing Tier 2: Includes single rooms in Finch (Honors Only), North College Court, North College Terrace, and Established University Houses.
Housing Tier 3: Encompasses single rooms in McCain Place Townhomes, North College Townhomes, Point Place Apartments, New Build University Owned Houses, University Village, and 4-person suites in Caffey Hall.

Student Perspectives on On-Campus Living

The on-campus living experience at HPU is often described as vibrant and community-oriented. Students appreciate the convenience and social opportunities that come with living on campus.

One student raved about living in Blessing Hall: "You can get away from your room by just going one door down and feel like you’re in a whole other building. I absolutely love living in Blessing. It’s great having the privacy of my own room while still being able to hang out with my friends in the living room. One of my favorite things about Blessing is it is easy to study and take charge of your academics at hand."

Another student highlighted the benefits of living in University Center (UC): "The UC isn’t far from anything on campus and coming home to this building, sitting up on a hill, makes me smile every time. I couldn’t be happier with where I am living and wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else."

Living in McEwen also has its perks, as one student shared: "Living in McEwen I was able to be near the library, Slane, and close to almost all of my classes. Everyone at some point or another has their door open and when walking through the hall everyone is so friendly. This is perfect for rainy days if you don’t want to leave!"

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