Exploring MTSU Student Housing Options: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the right housing is a crucial part of the college experience. At Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), a variety of on-campus housing options cater to diverse student needs and preferences. From traditional residence halls to apartment-style living, MTSU offers a range of communities designed to enhance student life and academic success. This article provides a detailed overview of MTSU's housing options, application process, and important considerations for students seeking on-campus accommodations.

Applying for On-Campus Housing

The first step to securing housing at MTSU is to gain acceptance to the university and obtain a Pipeline log-in. The MT Housing Portal is your gateway to applying for residence halls and on-campus apartments. To begin, complete the Residential Life Application and submit it along with the required fees. You can apply online or in person at the Keathley University Center (KUC) Room 300.

Housing Application Timeline and Deadlines

MTSU's housing process remains open as long as space is available, so there isn't a strict deadline. However, applying early is highly recommended. Applicants who complete their housing application by the deadline posted on the Dates page will be assigned a room lottery time. Current residents pick first, followed by new residents. Once all spaces are filled, a Waiting List is initiated.

The Waiting List

The Waiting List process operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Assignments from the Waiting List are contingent upon cancellations. To join the Waiting List, complete the required steps, but note that the prepayment is not required at this stage.

Housing Prepayment

A $350 prepayment fee is required at the time of application. This fee signifies the student's commitment to an assignment based on the terms of the license agreement, which covers both fall and spring terms. The prepayment is only fully refundable if the student is denied admission to MTSU. However, partial refunds may be available depending on the date of cancellation.

Room Lottery Process

MTSU Housing utilizes a room lottery process for the majority (90%) of its applicants, allowing students to select their preferred living spaces.

Room Lottery for Current Residents

The room lottery for current residents typically begins in November for the upcoming academic year (both Fall and Spring terms).

Room Lottery for New Residents

New students or current residents who do not complete the application process by the priority deadlines will be assigned by the housing staff on a first-come, first-served basis to any remaining available space. The availability of specific room types or facilities cannot be guaranteed in these cases. However, students frequently cancel or change their room assignments during the room lottery period, providing opportunities for others to secure their desired spaces.

Changing Room Assignments

If you have access to the room lottery process, you can log into the housing portal to view available spaces and make any desired changes. If the semester has already started or if the deadline for the room lottery has passed, you can submit a change request form after the second full week of classes. If space is available, the housing staff will do their best to accommodate your request.

Roommate Selection

The room lottery process also facilitates roommate selection. To room together, roommates must assign themselves to the same room during the room lottery process. Both students need to complete the application simultaneously and before the room lottery deadline. When both students have access to the room lottery process, they should look for a completely empty room to assign themselves. If the application process is not completed before the room lottery deadline, roommate requests cannot be accommodated.

On-Campus Housing Options

MTSU offers a variety of on-campus housing options to suit different preferences and needs.

Traditional Residence Halls

Traditional residence halls provide a community-oriented living experience with shared community baths. These halls often feature lounges and lobbies designed for conversation, studying, and recreation.

Corlew and Cummings Halls: "The Towers"

Nicknamed "The Towers," Corlew and Cummings are the tallest and most populated dorms on campus. They are also the only two freshmen-only dorms, making them ideal for new students looking to make friends. These dorms offer a large, welcoming community.

Lyon, Monohan, and Rutledge Halls

Often considered favorite dorms at MTSU, Lyon, Monohan, and Rutledge Halls boast large rooms, clean halls, and quiet atmospheres. Lyon also features a 24/7 computer lab that is open to residents of Lyon, Monohan, and Rutledge.

Rutledge Hall: "The Rut"

Nicknamed "The Rut" by its residents, Rutledge is one of the oldest dorms on campus. It features a vintage staircase, long halls, and a downstairs lounge with a community TV. With one of the smallest numbers of residents, it offers a close-knit community.

Read also: Graduate Student Guide

Deere, Gracy, Judd, and Sims Halls: "The Quad"

These dorms form a tight-knit inter-dorm community, often called "The Quad" by students. They feature "Living/Learning Communities," which try to house students of the same majors near each other, fostering a sense of community. Built in a semi-square, these dorms share a spacious, grassy courtyard and are right next to the Cyber Cafe, which features a mini-market and a Subway that are both open until 2am every night.

Apartment-Style Living

MTSU also offers apartment-style living for students seeking more independence and privacy. These apartments typically include full kitchens, living rooms, and private bedrooms.

Scarlett Commons Apartments

Scarlett Commons Apartments are located on the far eastern side of campus, next to the MTSU Recreation Center. Each apartment accommodates 4 residents in private bedrooms with two-bedrooms sharing a bathroom. Each apartment is equipped with beds, night stands, desks, a stove and refrigerator, dining table with chairs, living room chairs and a TV stand. The Scarlett Commons club house is located in the central courtyard and is open 24-hours, 7 days a week. It houses a lounge, front desk operation and laundry facilities.

Womack Lane Apartments

Womack Lane Apartments comprise 192 one- and two-bedroom units with areas designated for single students and families. All single-resident apartments are furnished. Each apartment comes with a fully furnished kitchen and a dining room for a family, and the complex features a daycare for students’ children.

Greek Housing

Students wishing to reside in Greek Housing complete the housing application and prepayment as normal, indicating the House/Sorority or Fraternity name on their housing application. However, students living in Greek Housing do not participate in the room lottery process. Instead, house managers will send a roster of student placements within their building.

Single Rooms

Single rooms are rooms in residence halls that are fit for just one occupant. Due to the demand of single-person accommodation on campus, MTSU also offers Private (PVT) rooms. Private rooms are typical double-occupancy rooms with two sets of furniture, but only one person is assigned to this space.

Amenities and Services

MTSU Housing provides a variety of amenities and services to enhance the living experience for its residents.

Utilities and Laundry

All residence hall rooms and apartments are air conditioned and include utilities and free laundry. All buildings and complexes have centrally located laundry facilities including both washers and dryers.

Wi-Fi

Students will need to use a streaming service to access their favorite shows, but the upgraded Wi-Fi costs will be included in the student’s rent charges each semester.

Parking

All classifications are permitted to have their car on campus, and the cost of your permit is included in your fees. However, you must register your vehicle and receive the appropriate parking decal.

Safety and Security

Staff members at 24-hour reception desks provide information and security assistance.

Maintenance

Report your problem to the Housing Facilities office. You can phone in your problem to 615-898-4116. If you get locked out or lose your key, desk assistant staff can assist you in providing a temporary key, or getting in contact with an on-call staff member to provide access to your assigned space.

Important Policies and Regulations

Meal Plans

First year students are required to take on either a 5 Day or 7 Day Unlimited meal plan if they choose to reside in on campus housing.

Substance-Free Housing

All housing on campus is substance free. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted on campus. All Housing and Residential Life facilities are smoke-free. MTSU is committed to maintaining a drug free environment in the residence halls and in on-campus apartments.

Visitation Hours

Visitors are allowed during visitation hours. All guests must be accompanied by their resident host during the entirety of the time they are present in the building. And, all guests must be signed in by their resident hosts at the front desk of the area. Overnight guests are permitted, but must be approved by the Area Coordinator of the area. The form needed for approval is located on the Housing portal.

Pets

Pets are not permitted except for fish in aquariums of ten gallons or less. This does not exclude accommodations for animals required pursuant to federal and/or state law.

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours take place every day from 9pm to 9am.

Summer Housing

All facilities close for summer, with the majority of our residents assigned to Deere and Nicks Halls for Summer term. Scarlett Commons Spring residents who have also secured a space in Scarlett Commons for Fall/Spring of the following year are permitted to stay in Scarlett Commons Apartments for the summer term, so long as they are enrolled in at least one three-hour class.

Personal Property Insurance

MTSU assumes no responsibility for the theft, destruction or loss of money, valuables or other personal property belonging to or in the custody of the student. Each student is strongly encouraged to carry personal property insurance.

License Agreement and Cancellations

All housing assignments are made for the academic year, both fall and spring terms. Students are held to the housing agreement so long as they are enrolled in courses for the term. Students who are graduating in December, studying abroad or who will not be enrolled at MTSU for the spring term, can submit a cancellation request for refunding of a portion of the housing prepayment, based on the dates outlined in the Student Housing License Agreement, as well as a reversal of Spring housing charges. Cancellation requests may be submitted by signing into the Housing portal, clicking on the icon under “Forms/Agreements” and then on the icon under “Cancellation Form”. All students have the ability to submit a License Cancellation Appeal to a committee of officers. Additional documentation supporting your appeal must be supplied along with your License Cancellation form.

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