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Student Life > Housing > A-Z Index > Residence Halls FAQs

• Are students guaranteed housing on campus?
• How are the first-year student coed buildings arranged?
• What should I do if I already submitted my residence application/contract and wish to add a specific roommate choice or change the information I originally indicated?
• What should I do if I need special housing consideration due to a medical condition?
• How are the first-year student room assignments processed?
• How are first-year student roommates matched?
• When will I receive my first-year student assignment and roommate information?
• What if I'd like to change the room assignment I received? Can it be changed?
• Can I move in early?
• What should I do if I want to forward some personal belongings to campus?
• What furniture will be in my room when I arrive and what do I need to bring for the room?
• What are the dimensions of the room?
• Can I build a loft?
• What size sheets should I bring?
• May I have a refrigerator in my room?
• What items are not permitted due to fire safety regulations?
• Am I allowed to have pets in my room/apartment?
• What about telephone service in my room?
• Whom do I contact about telephone and network (WIRED) services?
• Are all on-campus students required to be on a meal plan?
• Can I change my meal plan?
• Are the residence halls/apartments open over Pacing Break? Thanksgiving? Semester Break? Spring Break?
• Can I see my room before moving in?
• Are bathrooms co-ed?
• Will I have the same room assignment for four years?
• What do I do if I am locked out?
• What do I do if something is wrong with my room?
• Who can enter my building?
• Can I store unwanted University furniture off campus if I bring it back?
• Can I receive assistance if moving to another residence hall location?
• What do I do if I have lost my keys?
• What do I do if I want to change rooms?

Are students guaranteed housing on campus?
Lehigh first-year students and second-year students are required to live on campus and therefore guaranteed housing.  All upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) wishing to reside in residence hall housing will participate in a lottery for apartment residential spaces.

How are the first-year student coed buildings arranged?
Coed buildings are separated by floor (i.e. 1st floor men, 2nd floor women) or by section, usually with a stairwell and fire door between (i.e. left side female, right side male). However, first-year students can request a coed floor by room. Only students who request this option will be assigned to a coed floor.

What should I do if I already submitted my residence application/contract and wish to add a specific roommate choice or change the information I originally indicated?
Any such request must be sent to the Office of Residential Services in writing or email to inrsd@lehigh.edu. Assignments are processed at the end of May; therefore, the request must be forwarded before that time in order for it to be considered. Changes or additions will be noted on the application without affecting the priority date for assignment.

What should I do if I need special housing consideration due to a medical condition?
A statement from the physician who is providing your treatment that describes your medical condition and what housing placement is required as part of the treatment is required. This statement should be submitted to Residential Services prior to the end of May so that every consideration can be given during the room assignment process. After assignments are completed, every effort would be made to meet your need; however, it may not be possible. This includes the use of an air conditioner in your residence hall room as treatment for a medical condition. Not all residence hall room windows can accommodate an air conditioner, so it would be important for us to be aware of this need so you can be assigned accordingly.

How are the first-year student room assignments processed?
Assignments are done on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date a student accepts admission by paying the enrollment deposit.  Room types within a building are assigned in order of single requests, doubles, triples, and remaining singles.  Rooms are assigned by square footage with the largest rooms assigned first.

How are first-year student roommates matched?
Once it is determined which building the student will be assigned in, the students are then matched according to the information they provide on the back of the application. Therefore, it is important that you complete all requested information to enable us to make the best match possible. If students mutually request to be together, they will be assigned together. Single rooms will be assigned by request.  Hobbies and interests are compared for possible similarities with other students.

When will I receive my student assignment and roommate information?
Room assignment, roommate name(s), address(es), and arrival information will be forwarded in early July. The assignment and roommate information will not be available before that time.

What if I'd like to change the room assignment I received? Can it be changed?
Although we understand that you might be disappointed, no room changes will be done prior to arrival. Students are asked to give their assignment a 10-day trial period. If the student is unhappy after that time, everything possible will be done to try to relocate him/her. Room change requests should be directed to your Residence Life Coordinator (RLC). Past experience has shown that as the student becomes part of the camaraderie of the building, he/she usually no longer wishes to change.

Can I move in early?
Yes, if necessary. The Office of Residential Services recognizes that specific individuals may need to be permitted to occupy their residence hall rooms earlier than the scheduled check-in. You will receive a Residential Living booklet with your room assignment packet. The Residential Living booklet contains an Early Arrival Request Form, which must be completed and returned to the Office of Residential Services by the first Friday in August.

What should I do if I want to forward some personal belongings to campus?
Personal belongings should be shipped after the student arrives on campus and should be addressed directly to the University box number where you will receive all mail being sent to you. This box number will be included in the arrival information sent to you in July. The University post office in the Ulrich Center will sign for the package and leave a pink slip in your mail box letting you know they are holding a package for you.

What furniture will be in my room when I arrive and what do I need to bring for the room?
Each room has all of the basic furniture for each student. A bed frame, mattress, desk, desk chair, closet or wardrobe, and dresser are provided. There is a ceiling light and either draperies or mini blinds. The information you will be sent in July will include more suggestions on what you may want to bring.

What are the dimensions of the room?
Floor plans and 3D images are available under each individual building listing on our housing website.

Can I build a loft?
Lofts must comply with specifications established by the Office of Residential Services. These specifications prohibit the removal of any University furnishings or affixing lofts to walls, furnishings, or ceilings. Loft guidelines/approval forms are available at the Office of Residential Services.

What size sheets should I bring?
All mattresses are 36" wide and 80" long and take extra long twin sheets except for McClintic-Marshall (M&M), which provides mattresses that are 36" wide and 76" long.  Extra long sheets will fit these smaller mattresses.

May I have a refrigerator in my room?
Personal refrigerators may be brought, but are not to exceed 4.2 cubic feet. MicroFridges are available for rental from Campus Specialties. Information will be included in the arrival package. A subscription form will be sent from the company over the summer. You can visit them on the web at http://www.campusspec.com.

What items are not permitted due to fire safety regulations?
Halogen lamps, candles of any kind (including decorative), incense, automatic drip coffee makers, percolators, all cooking appliances such as hot plates, microwave ovens, toasters, toaster ovens, heating or immersion coils, electric fry pans, broilers, grills/griddles, portable heating units of any kind, electric blankets, sun lamps.

Am I allowed to have pets in my room/apartment?
No animals are allowed except non-predatory fish in properly maintained aquariums of 10 gallons or less (aquariums must have noise-free compressors for the filters) are allowed in the residence halls.

What about telephone service in my room?
A telephone is provided in all residence hall rooms so it is not necessary to bring one from home. If you would like to bring a special phone from home you certainly may.

Whom do I contact about telephone and network (WIRED) services?
The Lehigh Office of Library and Technology Services is located in Linderman Library and can be contacted via phone or e-mail for telephone or network questions and/or problems:

Long distance services (758-5005)
Voice mail services (758-5300)
Network (WIRED) services (758-2666)
General help (758-4357)

Are all on-campus students required to be on a meal plan?
All first-year students are required to be on a 19, 14 or 12 meals per week, unlimited, or 225 per semester plan. Upper class students residing in Trembley Park, Sayre Park and Campus Square apartments are not required to be on a meal plan. All other on-campus upper class students are required to be on at least an 8 meals per week or 150 meals per plan.

Can I change my meal plan?
Meal plans may be changed within the requirements of the living area up to the 10th day of class of each semester at the Bursar's Office with charges assessed per an established pro-rated schedule. Changes outside of the required meal plan or after the 10th day of class for reasons such as medical condition must petition and receive approval from The Executive Director of Student Auxiliary Services. If such changes are approved, cost adjustments will be processed on a pro-rated basis as of the week following the last meal purchase.

Are the residence halls/apartments open over Pacing Break? Thanksgiving? Semester Break? Spring Break?
The residence halls are open over all break periods. Students who will be remaining on campus over breaks must register with Residential Services. There are limited dining options during breaks. Students interested in staying during breaks should consult the Lehigh Dining Services website for further dining information.

Can I see my room before moving in?
Throughout the summer months, residence halls at Lehigh University are utilized for conference programs. Since rooms are in use, they are not available for viewing.

Are bathrooms co-ed?
All bathrooms at Lehigh University are single sex.

Will I have the same room assignment for four years?
Lehigh University typically has residence hall areas that are designated as first-year student housing. During the second semester of the first-year, students have the ability to participate in the Residence Hall Room Selecting Process for second-year housing. Juniors and seniors participate in a lottery for remaining apartments each spring.

What do I do if I am locked out?
If locked out, students are encouraged to find a roommate to let them in the room. If they unable to find a roommate, alternate options are available. Between 8:15am and 4:15pm on weekdays, students may go to Access Control. Upon presenting identification, a temporary key will be issued. Students may also find a Residence Life staff member in order to gain access to their room.  Between 8pm and 8am, students are able to go to the building staff office to locate the on-duty staff member. If no one is available to assist the student, University Police can be contacted at (610) 758-4200. There are fines associated with continuous lockouts.

What do I do if something is wrong with my room?
Problems related to a student room or common areas within the building can be directed to the student's Gryphon. Gryphons can direct and assist students with repairs and corrections.

Who can enter my building?
Students living in the building, maintenance, and custodial staff are the only individuals with access to a specific building. Custodial staff have access to common areas.  If requested by the student, maintenance staff have the ability to access individual rooms to make repairs.

Can I store unwanted University furniture off-campus if I bring it back?
It is expected that all University provided furniture remains in a student's room throughout the academic year.  Some furniture can be disassembled and stored in the room if not wanted (e.g., bed).

Can I receive assistance if moving to another residence hall location?
When available, the University can provide assistance to students moving to another residence hall location. However, students should not depend upon this service.

What do I do if I have lost my keys?
Individuals who have lost their keys should go to the Office of Access Control. Upon presenting identification, a replacement set will be provided.

What do I do if I want to change rooms?
Students who would like to change rooms should contact their Gryphon and Residence Life Coordinator (RLC). The Residence Life staff members will be able to assist the student with the room change procedure.