Housing & Residential Life
Announcements
New Residence Hall Opening Fall 2013
Residence Hall Overview
Prospective Residents
Current Residents
Parents and Family
Social Media
Printable Information
Costs and Contracts
University Apartments
Employment
121 Tawanka Hall
Cheney, WA 99004
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Am I required to live on campus?
- I haven't decided if I will attend Eastern Washington University, should I still apply for housing?
- I am thinking of joining a sorority/fraternity, should I still apply for the residence halls?
- Can I stay in my room during Winter and Spring school breaks?
- Does completing a housing application serve as confirmation of my enrollment to Eastern Washington University?
- Who are the staff in my hall?
- What is a Living Learning Community (LLC)?
Application Information
- How do I apply for the residence halls?
- How do I pay my $125.00 non-refundable deposit?
- Is there a deadline to apply for housing?
- What type of room will I most likely be assigned?
- Will I be assigned to one of my preferred halls/environments?
- Can I get a single room?
- Will my roommate request be honored?
- How can I request an international roommate?
- Can I edit my application after I have submitted it?
- When will I receive my housing assignment?
- What if I don't like my room assignment?
- What if I don't get along with my roommate?
Dining Questions
- Am I required to have a dining plan?
- Will unused dining money be refunded when I move out?
- Where can I get more information about Dining Services on campus?
Facilities and Amenities
- Are the rooms and floors co-ed? Are the bathrooms co-ed? (EWU defines co-ed as males and females sharing a defined space)
- How large are the beds in the residence halls? What size sheets should I buy?
- Is parking available for residence hall students?
- How big is my room, and how much storage space will I have?
- Can I bring my own desk/bed and have the one provided stored?
- Where can I store my bicycle?
- Where will I do my laundry?
- Is there a place I can cook something of my own?
- Do I have a telephone landline in my room?
Rates and Payments
- How much does it cost to live in the residence halls?
- Can my parents receive information about my housing account?
- Where can I view my housing bill?
- How do I make my payments? When is my payment due?
Moving In
- When can I move into the residence halls?
- What should I bring?
- What appliances can I bring?
- I need to move in early because of (International Student Orientation, athletics, band, etc.) How do I apply for early arrival?
Cancelling and Moving Out
- What if I decide to cancel my housing application?
- I want to move out. What do I need to do?
- If I withdraw from the Eastern Washington University, can I still live in the residence halls?
- If I cancel my housing during the quarter can I still use my dining?
General Questions
Q: Am I required to live on campus?
A: Freshmen WUE students are required to live on campus their first year. Also, freshman international students and students participating in the ELI (English Language Institute) are required to live on campus their first two years. For more information related to the international student live on campus requirement, please see global.ewu.edu/LLC.
Q: I haven't decided if I will attend Eastern Washington University, should I still apply for housing?
A: That is the choice of each individual as there is some risk involved because there is a financial cost involved in completing the application. Please call the Housing office at 509-359-2451 for more info.
Q: I am thinking of joining a sorority/fraternity, should I still apply for the residence halls?
A: We recommend that you apply for on campus housing as you will need a place to live during recruitment. However, you are still subject to the cancellation penalties outlined in the housing contract.
Q: Can I stay in my room during Winter and Spring school breaks?
A: Yes, however, during Winter break there is a flat rate fee of $250.00 no matter how long you stay. Dining points are not included and limited dining facilities are open during breaks. Morrison and Dryden Halls will be open for break and students from other buildings will need to temporarily relocate to those buildings during the break if they choose to stay on campus.
Break Dates:
Spring Break '13: March 23 to March 30
Winter Break '13-'14: December 12 to January 4
Spring Break `14: March 22 to March 29
Q: Does completing a housing application serve as confirmation of my enrollment to Eastern Washington University?
A: No. If you have not confirmed your intent to attend Eastern, it is important that you do so. Please confirm by either (1) going to http://www.ewu.edu/confirm, (2) sending in the confirmation card located in your Acceptance Packet (be sure your name and student ID number are on the card), OR (3) calling Admissions at (509)359-2397.
Q: Who are the staff in my hall?
A: Each residence hall has a professional, full-time staff member. These professionals are called Residential Life Coordinators (RLCs) in Streeter, Dressler, Dryden and Brewster Halls. Area coordinators work in Morrison, LA, and Pearce. Each hall is also staffed by student staff members called Community Advisors (CAs) that live on each floor. For more information on hall staff visit the Residential Life Staff and Student Leadership page at Staff and Student Leadership.
Q: What is a Living Learning Community (LLC)?
A: Living Learning Communities (LLC) are communities that bring together students, staff and faculty in environments outside the classroom to provide a deeper level of learning and collaboration. Students in these communities meet frequently and work closely to excel in classes and to enhance their overall college experience. To learn more about LLCs please visit Living Learning Communities.
Application Information
Q: How do I apply for the residence halls?
A: To begin the housing application process you will click on the “Apply Now” button and follow the instructions in your housing portal. The first steps to the process are agreeing to the Housing and Dining Contract and paying the $125 non-refundable housing deposit. During the application process you will be able to indicate room preferences, choose a meal plan, and request a specific roommate.
Q: How do I pay my $125.00 non-refundable deposit?
A: You will pay your deposit with a Visa, Mastercard, or e-check during the application process.
Q: Is there a deadline to apply for housing?
A: There is not a deadline for applying for housing, however in order to increase the chances of getting one of your top hall preferences we recommend you apply as soon as possible.
Q: What type of room will I most likely be assigned?
A: New residents are generally assigned to Dressler, Pearce, and Streeter with random exceptions. Applicants requesting a single room will likely be placed in Dryden Hall if we are able to accommodate the request.
Q: Will I be assigned to one of my preferred halls/environments?
A: We do our best to assign applicants to their first or second choice, however this is greatly impacted by the deposit date of each applicant as all priority is based on deposit date.
Q: Can I get a single room?
A: We do our best to accommodate single room requests, however the awarding of single rooms is based on availability so we cannot guarantee that anyone will get a single room. Throughout the academic year as space becomes available you may have the option of buying out double rooms as singles or moving to single rooms on campus.
Q: Will my roommate request be honored?
A: We will honor mutual roommate requests received prior to July 1st as long as we have space available to do so. Roommates must request, and approve, one another on their housing application.
Q: How can I request an international roommate?
A: To request an international roommate, email the Housing office at housing@ewu.edu and include your name, EWU ID, and your request to have an international roommate. Please include in the subject line your name, EWU ID, and "International Roommate". We welcome requests for specific nationalities.
You MAY NOT request to not have an international roommate or a roommate of a specific nationality.
Q: Can I edit my application after I have submitted it?
A: You may log back in to the housing portal and edit portions of your application. However, when we are preparing to do room assignments we will significantly limit this capability in order to assign rooms as effectively as possible.
Q: When will I receive my housing assignment?
A:
Winter and Spring Quarter Assignments - These assignments are generally distributed one to two weeks prior to the beginning of the quarter.
Q: What if I don't like my room assignment?
A: If you would like to request a room change for any reason prior to arrival you may email us at housing@ewu.edu to request the change. Please understand that while we do our best to accommodate these requests, our ability to do so is greatly limited by space available and the date the request is received. We cannot guarantee that any room change will occur prior to arrival. If your room change is able to be accommodated you will be notified by phone or email immediately by our Room Assignments Coordinator.
Q: What if I don't get along with my roommate?
A: If there is a problem that cannot be worked out privately between you and your roommate, there is a mediation process that will be handled by your Community Advisor (CA). If that does not resolve the issue, then the Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) or Area Coordinator (AC) in your building attempts a second mediation. Differences are sometimes solved by moving one of the roommates. If you choose not to try another roommate you will be required to pay the single room rate.
Dining Questions
Q: Am I required to have a dining plan?
A: Yes, all students living on campus are required to have a dining plan.
Q: Will unused dining money be refunded when I move out?
A: Dining money does not get refunded. You can continue to use your dining points through the end of Spring quarter. Unused meal counts are forfeited at the end of each quarter.
Q: Where can I get more information about Dining Services on campus?
A: For more detailed information on Dining Services please visit their website http://www.ewu.edu/dining or call the Dining office at 509-359-2540.
Facilities and Amenities
Q: Are the rooms and floors co-ed? Are the bathrooms co-ed? (EWU defines co-ed as males and females sharing a defined space)
A: We do not offer any co-ed rooms, however we do offer co-ed floors throughout campus and co-ed suites in Brewster. In addition to offering co-ed floors we also offer a limited number of single gender floors.
Louise Anderson (LA) hall is the only hall that has some co-ed bathrooms (sinks and toilets only) attached to the laundry rooms. All other bathrooms (all bathrooms with showers) are single gender.
Q: How large are the beds in the residence halls? What size sheets should I buy?
A: The beds in Dressler and Dryden are regular twins. In Anderson (LA), Brewster, Pearce, Streeter, and the New Hall the beds are extra-long twin.
Q: Is there parking available for residence hall students?
A:Yes, you will need to purchase an “RH” permit which allows you to park in any of the lots designated for the residence halls on campus. Brewster residents should purchase a “DH” permit which allows parking in the Brewster specific parking lots nearest the hall. For more information on parking, visit www.ewu.edu/parking or call Parking Services at 509-359-7275.
Q: How big is my room, and how much storage space will I have?
A: It depends on the hall you are assigned to. Basic room layouts are shown, along with panoramic shots of sample rooms, on each hall page. Also, see the Typical Room Information PDF document for more details about space in your room. All halls have a style of bed which can be raised in step increments up to a maximum under bed height of 31". It always amazes us how much clothing and other personal items students manage to fit in their rooms! Limited storage space for suitcases and empty boxes is available in some halls, check with your hall staff about available space.
Q: Can I bring my own desk/bed and have the one provided stored?
A: The provided furniture must stay in your room. Storage space for furniture is not available and the furniture is not allowed to be stored off-campus.
Q: Where can I store my bicycle?
A:All halls have bike racks either indoor or in an outdoor location near the hall. Be sure to bring a bike lock!
Q: Where will I do my laundry?
A: Each residence hall has laundry facilities. Some are centralized while others are located on individual floors. Washers and dryers are card operated. Laundry cards containing 44 loads are $30.00 per quarter and charged to your student account. This calculates to only 68 cents per load! Even if you took laundry home, we don't think you could heat the water and run the dryer for that price! We are glad we can offer such a good value while still ensuring that the machines are well-maintained and always working. (If you run out of laundry money you can purchase additional loads at the Housing office).
Q: Is there a place I can cook something of my own?
A: Most floors have a shared kitchenette with stovetop elements and a sink. Cooking in kitchenettes should be limited to minimum preparation items such as snacks, soups, etc. Each residence hall has at least one full kitchen with a stove and oven which can be used for preparing more elaborate meals.
Q: Do I have a telephone landline in my room?
A: We no longer automatically provide landline service in each room. Survey responses indicated less than 1% used them. Instead, we have put those resources into improving internet services for the halls. If you would like a landline, please email the housing office at housing@ewu.edu.
Please Note: An additional fee may apply.
Rates and payments
Q: How much does it cost to live in the residence halls?
A: Please refer to our "Costs and Contracts" page to view all room and board rates.
Q: Can my parents receive information about my housing account?
A: Your parents can only receive information about your account if you give them permission. To give them permission you must complete a "Student Release of Information" form and submit it to the registrar's office. You will be required to list the names of the individuals who are allowed access to your account and provide a password that they will be required to give when requesting information. For more information regarding the Family Education Rights to Privacy Act please visit the FERPA page .
Q: Where can I view my housing bill?
A: Your housing bill can be viewed, and paid, on your EagleNet account.
Q: How do I make my payments? When is my payment due?
A: Housing charges are applied to your student account at the beginning of each quarter. Your student account must be paid in full by the sixth (6th) class day of each quarter. Payments can be made on EagleNET with a credit card, over the phone with Student Financial Services, or via check. If you need to make alternate payment arrangements contact the Student Financial Services office at 509-359-6372.
Moving In
Q: When can I move into the residence halls?
A: For Fall '13, residents may check in on Friday, September 20th, between 9am-5pm. Please see the updated Move-In guide to find out the times that specific floors should move in. Residents may continue to check in throughout the weekend and until Tuesday, September 24th. If you plan on moving in later, please email us at housing@ewu.edu so we don’t reassign your room.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Please look at our "List of Allowed Items" on our Forms and Documents page. This list also includes recommended items to make your room your home, such as: pictures, posters, blankets, pillows, etc.
Q: What appliances can I bring?
A: You can bring a television, mini-refrigerator, microwave, etc. For an exhaustive list of what appliances are allowed or not allowed, please refer to our "List of Allowed Items" on the Forms and Documents page.
Q: I need to move in early because of (International Student Orientation, athletics, band, etc.) How do I apply for early arrival?
A: Early arrivals are only allowed for students involved with certain approved programs. If you are a member of a program that requires you to arrive before the scheduled date you must contact your advisor/supervisor and make sure they have made arrangements with Residential Life staff.
Cancelling and Moving Out
Q: What if I decide to cancel my housing application?
A: If you cancel your application but have not moved in you will need to submit the cancellation in writing via email to housing@ewu.edu. You will need to include your name, EWU ID, and the reason for your cancellation in the email.
Q: I want to move out. What do I need to do?
A: In order to properly move out, you will need to make an appointment with the Area Coordinator or Residential Life Coordinator of your building. After that meeting has taken place you will need to make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance with a Community Advisor (CA) to complete a final walkthrough of your room and return your room key. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the cancellation penalties in the contract which can we found on our Costs and Contracts page before you decide to move out.
Q: If I withdraw from the Eastern Washington University, can I still live in the residence halls?
A: If you withdraw from EWU you may not continue to live in the residence halls. All residents must have a minimum of 10 credits each quarter. If you are living in the halls and have less than 10 credits you will be considered in violation of your contract and you will be required to leave the halls.
Q: If I cancel my housing during the quarter can I still use my dining?
A: You may continue to use your dining until the end of Spring Quarter that you cancel in. At the completion of that quarter the remainder of your dining money will be forfeited.