Navigating Spring Semester Housing Options: A Comprehensive Guide

Finding the right housing for the spring semester is a crucial step in ensuring a successful and enjoyable college experience. Whether you're a new student, a returning resident, or seeking off-campus alternatives, understanding the available options, policies, and procedures is essential. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of spring semester housing, drawing upon examples from Central Washington University (CWU), Bloomsburg University, and the University of New Mexico (UNM), to illustrate key considerations and best practices.

On-Campus Residence Halls: Building Community and Convenience

Living in a residence hall offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a community of students with diverse backgrounds, values, and lifestyles. At Central Washington University, residence halls are designed to foster connections and provide a supportive environment. Living on campus is an experience like no other. Being part of a community is about making connections with others who have common interests.

Residence Hall Features and Amenities

Each room in all residence halls is furnished with a Twin XL bed, dresser, desk and desk chair for each student. Most common rooms in the residence halls include a couch, chairs, coffee table, dining table and dining chairs.

At Bloomsburg University, residential communities are built to encourage academic success, personal growth, inclusivity, and fun. These communities offer diverse, safe, and supportive environments to live and learn, with opportunities to get involved in social, recreational, and educational programs.

Residence Requirements

Some universities have specific requirements for on-campus living. Central Washington University follows the guidance of the Washington Administrative Code. The WAC policy requires that all students under the age of 20, living outside of a commutable distance with a direct relative, having completed less than three quarters or two semesters of college credits post high school (Running Start credits do not count), or that are unmarried, must live in the residence halls.

Read also: Your Guide to Spring Housing

Specific Residence Halls

Universities often offer a variety of residence halls with different features and amenities.

Central Washington University (CWU)

CWU has seven residence halls on campus, all of which are located on the upper residential quad, with the exception of Traer. Traer is right in the middle of campus, allowing for easy access to classrooms and the campus center! No matter which hall you reside in, you’ll find student and professional staff dedicated to making you feel at home!

Oglethorpe University

Bowden and Magbee Halls opened Fall 2005 and together house approximately 150 students. Each apartment-style suite features four private bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchenette. All common rooms feature a kitchenette area, dining room table with chairs, a coffee table, couch and chair. All individual rooms feature beds, desks and closet space for each resident.

Dempsey Hall consists of four floors with two and four-person suites on each floor. All rooms feature beds, desks, dressers, and closet space for each resident.

Jobe and Hansen Halls house approximately 150 students and features a traditional granite façade, matching Oglethorpe’s unique Collegiate Gothic style. Each suite includes four private bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and kitchen area. All common rooms feature a kitchenette area, dining room table with chairs, a coffee table, couch and chair. All individual rooms feature beds, desks and closet space for each resident.

Traer Hall is adjacent to the academic quad and the Turner Lynch Campus Center. All rooms feature beds, desks, dressers, and closet space for each resident.

Alumni, Jacobs, and Schmidt Residence Halls are all considered part of the Upper Quad. All rooms on the first and second floors are suites with private entrances and baths.

Bloomsburg University

Bloomsburg, our communities offer a variety of living options from single student residence hall rooms to six-bedroom apartments and even residential Learning Communities - where you’ll live with other students sharing your same major and interests. Students will be assigned as space is available. Suite-Style Residence Hall Range in size from 1 to 4-person single bedroom, shared bathroom and common space suites. On-Campus Apartments Range in size from 2 to 6-person single bedroom apartments with shared kitchen, living room and bathroom(s).

University of New Mexico (UNM)

First-year students enjoy living in suites and rooms in traditional and renovated residence halls throughout campus. Upper-class students can select from traditional and renovated residence halls, suites, single-occupancy rooms, and apartments. Eastview Terrace houses upper-class students in seven residence halls. Each student has a single room with a private bath. Nittany Apartments features four-person apartments for upper-class students. North Halls offers suite-style rooms in four residence halls for both first-year and upper-class students. West Halls offers a true, traditional collegiate feel - beautiful brick buildings which open onto a quad with symmetrical walkways and arches that lead to the heart of campus.

Applying for On-Campus Housing

The application process for spring semester housing typically involves completing an online application and paying a registration fee. At UNM, completing your registration process for housing is a binding agreement. So please understand the obligations, penalties and cancellation policies before you submit. Your terms and conditions, cancellations policies and costs will be provided during your registration process. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee. Your registration fee will be conveniently billed directly to your student account. This charge is deferred and added to your bursar's account to be paid in the beginning of the coming academic semester.

Read also: UCLA Spring Break: What to Expect

Roommate Selection

Many universities allow students to select their roommates. At UNM, you will be able to select your roommate at a later date after you register. We will provide you with information on when and how to select your roommate. Don't have a roommate? You will be able to identify one through the roommate selection process or we will place you with the best match indicated through a series of questions asked in your registration process.

Exemption from On-Campus Housing Requirements

Students who meet certain criteria may be eligible for an exemption from the on-campus housing policy. At Central Washington University, students may seek exemption from the policy if they receive written approval from the Office of Residence Life and meet at least one of the following qualifications:

Be 22 years of age or older by the first day of classes for the term in which the exemption is requested.
Be married. Proof of marriage will be required.
Reside with their parent or legal guardian within a 25-mile driving distance, as measured by Google Maps, of Oglethorpe University for duration of academic year for which exemption is requested.

Off-Campus Housing: Exploring Alternative Options

For students seeking more independence or those who are exempt from on-campus living requirements, off-campus housing provides a range of alternatives.

Gables Brookhaven

Gables Brookhaven is an apartment complex directly adjacent to Oglethorpe’s campus. Students living at Gables must notify Oglethorpe of their plans during the housing selection process each spring. The meal plan that is required of students fulfilling their living requirement at Gables is the 150 meal plan. All leasing for apartments at Gables Brookhaven is done thorough their office, not Oglethorpe.

Greek Row Housing

Housing on Greek Row is reserved for students who are active members of a Greek organization. First-year students may not live in Greek housing. Each spring, sororities and fraternities are required to submit lists of students who will be occupying the houses for the following academic year. House residents will not go through the traditional room selection process but are required to submit an online housing application. Fraternity and sorority members should discuss the requirements for living in fraternity/sorority houses with their respective chapters. Each house features four bedrooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. The houses also have an expansive common area in the basement and 1st-floor laundry facilities. Residents of Greek Row who reside in a double room receive ten entries per week.

Considerations for Off-Campus Living

When considering off-campus housing, it's important to factor in costs, transportation, and lease agreements.

Housing Agreement and Cancellation Policies

Understanding the terms of the housing agreement and cancellation policies is crucial before committing to on-campus housing. At Bloomsburg University, housing agreements are for the full academic year (starting in the fall semester and ending at the conclusion of the spring semester) or remaining portion thereof. Students who wish to be released from their housing agreement must submit a housing release request. You are not released until you receive an approval response from the Office of Residence Life. A cancellation fee may be applied depending on when you submit the release and your reason for requesting to be released.

Reasons for Release

Release request reasons will be verified with the Office of the Registrar and/or other offices as needed. If you are found to be attending Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg and living off-campus without an official release from the Office of Housing & Residence Life, housing charges will be applied to your university account. Academic: Reasons include graduating, withdrawing, transferring, military, student teaching, studying abroad, completing an internship, clinical or practicum. Commuting: As registered with the University, your official home address on record must be within a commutable distance to campus (30 miles). Online Classes: Select this reason if you are living at home because your classes are online and you live beyond 30 miles of campus.

Cancellation Penalties

Students who wish to cancel this agreement must submit a housing release request. Effective Fall 2026, cancellation penalties for semester (after agreement has been signed): Cancellation requests made on or after June 1, but before August 1, will be assessed a $300 cancellation penalty. Cancellation requests made on or after August 1, but before the first day of classes of the fall semester, will be assessed a $500 cancellation penalty. Cancellation request made after the first day of classes, the student will be responsible for the Housing and Food Service fees for the entire Agreement year.

Refund Policy

Housing Refunds: Students who withdraw from Commonwealth University, complete the housing release form and move out of their on-campus housing should review the University Refund Policy. This is not a weekly based refund so be sure to notice the dates and amount of refund for this semester. This table applies to housing only, not meal plans. Meal Plan Refunds: The last day of Drop/Add is the last date to cancel your meal plan and get a full refund. After that date, weekly meal plans will be refunded using daily proration. Block meal plans refunds will be based on the number of days remaining in the semester or utilization rate.

Additional Resources and Support

Universities provide a variety of resources and support services to assist students with their housing needs.

Residential Staff

Residential staffing varies depending on the size and layout of the building. In general, residence halls have a minimum of two Resident Assistants (RA) per floor. Apartments are staffed in a similar fashion with at least one Resident Assistant per building. Additionally, each building has a Graduate Hall Director (GHD). All Resident Assistants and Graduate Hall Directors are full time university students who are trained in a variety of areas and can assist with any issue or challenge you may have.

University Police

The University Police Department employs commissioned armed police officers to enforce Pennsylvania crime and vehicle codes, university policies and campus parking.

Fire Safety

Each residence hall room, suite and apartment has one or more sprinkler heads and hard-wired smoke detectors. The hallways and common areas are equipped in a similar fashion. Twice a semester, fire drills are conducted as required by Pennsylvania state law.

Internet Access

All students residing on-campus are provided with access to the university's high-speed wireless network.

Personal Property Insurance

A leader in providing college student personal property insurance, National Student Services, Inc's (NSSI) coverage plans are designed specifically for students living in college or university residence halls or off-campus housing. NSSI offers insurance plans featuring low deductibles and affordable premiums.

PSECU (Credit Union)

Because you belong to the Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg campus community you are eligible for a Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) membership.

Graduate Hall Directors

We are seeking Graduate Hall Directors who match our values and philosophy and are dedicated to help in the betterment of our cause. Our GHDs are dynamic individuals who use their wealth of experiences to help our department continually evolve, provide well-rounded approaches to resolve student issues, and work to create welcoming atmospheres in all of our communities.

Resident Assistants

The overall goal of a Resident Assistant is to serve as a peer educator and helper while facilitating the personal and academic growth and development of residential students. RAs are chosen on the basis of leadership experiences, interpersonal skills, interest in working with students to develop a positive floor/hall/apartment community, and willingness to be actively involved in their own personal growth and development.

Disability Accommodations

The university will make room assignments in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the university will make every reasonable effort to provide equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination for all members of the university community and visitors to the university. Consistent with the commitment to maintaining an environment of dignity and respect, also house students that are free from all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, content observed on social media or any other characteristic protected by law. Students can be assured that accommodations will be provided in a non-discriminatory manner, be comparable, convenient, and accessible, and will be at or less than the cost assigned to other students.

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