Residence Halls at Penn State University Park
East
North
West
South/Pollock
Living in the residence halls is a great way to meet new people, get involved on campus, and be within
walking distance to your classes and the downtown area.
●East: http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/housing/residence-areas/east-halls.cfm
East offers the largest residence hall complex on campus and is designated for first-year students. A
typical room houses two people (double: two beds, two desks, closet space, one refrigerator and
microwave, etc). Supplemental housing can hold up to eight people in a room but is a cheaper living
option. Students who are randomly placed in supplemental housing can choose to relocate at a later
date by contacting the Assignment Office: http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/contact-us.cfm
Most residence halls have one bathroom per floor.
●North: http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/housing/residence-areas/north-halls.cfm
North offers both first-year students and upper-class students a two or four person suite of the same
gender. Both types of suite come with a private bath. Rooms are single gender but the floors may be coed depending on the location. Supplemental housing and special living options (explained below) are
also offered.
●West- http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/housing/residence-areas/west-halls.cfm
West is comprised of mostly upper-class students (junior and senior class standing) and offers a regular
double, small double and triple room options. Pricing varies depending on the room size. Some of the
residence halls have co-ed floors and each gender has an assigned bathroom. Other halls have single
gender floors (co-ed throughout the building) and each floor has a single gender designated bathroom.
●South/Eastview Terrace/Nittany Apartments &Suites:
http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/housing/residence-areas/south-halls.cfm
Part of South is currently under construction. The new residence hall, Chase, will be open in Fall of 2013.
In addition, renovations in South will provide housing to all Penn State sororities in one location.
Eastview Terrace is an upper-class environment for juniors and seniors. Comprised of seven buildings
and approximately 800 students, residents live in single-room apartment style rooms with single
(private) bathrooms. Depending on the location and room size, living costs are more expensive. This
environment is also quieter and preferred by students who are looking for privacy and study space. A
full kitchen is available for all of Eastview Terrace in Brill Hall but reservations must be made in advance.
Nittany Apartments offers upper-class students, student athletes, disabled students, international
students, and more an opportunity to live in two and four bedroom townhouse apartments. Each
apartment holds four students of the same gender and provides a full kitchen. Nittany Hall offers twobedroom suites with four students per suite and a shared bathroom.
Residents in Eastview Terrace and Nittany Hall are required to purchase (at minimum) campus meal plan
#1 but residents in Nittany Apartments & Suites have the option to or not to purchase a campus meal
plan.
●Pollock: http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/housing/residence-areas/pollock-halls.cfm
Pollock Halls is conveniently located close to downtown, offers a variety of dining options and computer
labs. Typical double rooms are offered as well as supplemental and a large number of special living
options (explained below). Visit the website for more information about specific co-ed floors and
bathrooms.
→What is a special living option?
At University Park, special living options are living communities in the residence halls where students
with similar interests and majors live together on the same floor or building. SLOs participate in field
trips, dinners, social and educational activities related to the SLO.
Visit http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/housing/special-living-options.cfm for a listing and description of
the special living options that are offered at University Park.
A few of the popular SLOs include the International Language House (Pollock Halls), Engineering House
(West Halls) and Discover House (Pollock Halls).
→Dining Commons:
Each area on campus offers a variety of meal options:
Menus can be viewed online: http://menu.hfs.psu.edu/
●Findlay/Johnson (East Halls)
●Pollock (Pollock Halls)
●Redifer (South Halls)
●Waring (West Halls)
●Warnock (North Halls)
The HUB (Hetzel Union Building)
Here is a listing of the current dining options located at the HUB:
Burger King
Chic-fil-A
Higher Grounds
HUB Subs
Mixed Greens
Panda Express
Piccadilli’s
Sbarro
Starbucks
Sushi
Wild Cactus
→What is a Resident Assistant?
A resident assistant is a student leader who lives on the floor with residents to ensure a safe
environment for living and learning. As a representative of Residence Life, he/she is responsible for
policy enforcement and is available to residents as a resource.
→What do they do?
-Programming (plan social activities such as group dinners, speakers, community development)
-Provide important housing information (hold housing meetings, create bulletin boards)
-Enforce policies (such as piggybacking: All residence halls are card access buildings accessible by
swiping your PSU id card for your designated living hall. Piggybacking occurs when a student who enters
a residence hall unaccompanied where he/she doesn’t live.
-Encourage campus involvement (student government, clubs/organizations)
-Establish community (meet each resident through resident chats)
The Resident Assistant is there for YOU! Never hesitate to contact him/her if you have a question or
problem.
→What is a Residence Life Coordinator?
A residence life coordinator ensures the safety and well-being of the residence halls. He/she supervises
the resident assistants and is responsible for dealing with incidents that occur within the residence halls.
In collaboration with housing, food services, and other departments on campus, coordinators provide
opportunities for residents to grow academically and personally as well as become aware of others.
→Roommate: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/reslife/roommates/
Roommates are randomly assigned unless you request specifically to live with someone you know
through www.eliving.psu.edu. This site shows your housing contract, roommate, mailbox number, etc.
It is common for an international student to be placed with an American student.
Room assignments will be posted online on Monday, July 22nd after 9:00am.
According to the University of Wisconsin, here are a few roommate tips prior to arrival:
http://www.uwsuper.edu/reslife/current/tips.cfm
Things to talk about with your roommate BEFORE moving in:
1. What time do you go to bed/wake up? (ex: early riser, late owl, sleep until the last minute, etc)
2. What are your sleep patterns? (ex: like to have music on, must have complete darkness, etc)
3. How do you want to arrange the room? (keep in mind the rooms already have furniture in them,
and are limited spaces)
4. When will you be arriving on move-in day? (the first person to arrive has more chance to move
things around and make placements of items)
5. How do you feel about guests coming over and overnight guests? (ex: I am ok with guests 10am10pm daily, but no overnight guests, etc)
6. What are your study habits? (ex: study with music on, study with TV on, study in the lounge, etc)
7. What items do you own that you are willing to share? (ex: you can use my pots and pans but
don't touch my clothes)
8. Who is bringing what? (no need to have two of everything--share!)
If things don't go so smoothly, what should I do?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
DON'T PANIC--you don't need an immediate room change!
Openly and honestly communicate with your roommate
Discuss what is bothering or concerning you with them directly
Don't forget to listen!
Try to compromise and meet halfway
Keep issues between you and your roommate (don't gossip to friends, post on facebook, talk
loudly in the hallway about it, etc)
7. Respect their point of view
8. Contact your Resident Assistant (RA) to help problem solve with you
→Community
What does the word “community” mean to you? According to the Association of College Unions
International, community is, “a broad vision for campus life that allows all groups and individuals to
learn, grow, and develop to their best potential in a challenging yet safe environment.
(http://www.acui.org/content.aspx?menu_id=30&id=298).”
In order to create community, Penn State Residence Life has created the following outcomes to ensure
the best residence hall living community experience for its residents.
Penn State Residence Life Co-Curricular Learning Outcomes:
●Educational Priority
Residence Life's Educational Priority is the intended learning for residents during their tenure in the
residence halls. Residence Life uses this Educational Priority to guide the staff when planning and
providing educational initiatives to all residents. The Educational Priority for Residence Life is:
●Respect for Self
The Office of Residence Life will educate residents about issues relating to how their personal behaviors
can impact their experience at Penn State as well as their personal and/or professional futures.
Specifically, staff will address issues related to residents' health and safety on campus.
●Respect for Others
The Office of Residence Life will educate students about issues relating to living in a community.
Students will explore issues related to community life that impact them both while they attend the
University and also in their futures. Residents will be educated on how their actions can affect the lives
of others and they will be able to identify the expectations of being a part of the Penn State community.
More specifically, staff will educate students about issues related to civility, communication skills, social
justice issues, and sportsmanship.
●Responsibility for Self
The Office of Residence Life will educate students on personal responsibility. Residents will be educated
on how their actions can affect their lives and how to take responsibility for their decisions and actions
both now and in the future. They will also be knowledgeable of the skills needed to be academically and
socially successful.
●Responsibility for Community
The Office of Residence Life will educate students on issues relating to living in a community greater
than the university. Residents will be educated on how to become active in the greater community
during and after their time at Penn State.
●Responsibility for Environment
The Office of Residence Life will educate students on issues relating to the environment. Residents will
be able to recognize ways they impacts the environment on a daily basis. Moreover, residents will learn
how they can take steps to reduce negative effects of the decisions they make related to the
environment.
What are quiet hours?
Students who live on campus must follow the terms, conditions and regulations of University Housing by
the University Code of Conduct. Quiet hours are 8pm-8am from Sunday through Thursday; 1am-10am
Friday & Saturday & 24 hours during finals week each semester.
→Fire Drills
To comply with state and local fire regulations, fire drills will be conducted in all residence halls once a
month. Everyone present in the building during the emergency drills must participate by vacating the
building according to instructions. Rooms may be checked during fire drills to ensure compliance. Failure
to vacate the building will result in disciplinary action.
Fire Safety Equipment
1. Fire alarms and fire extinguishers are located on every floor in each building. Student should
familiarize themselves with their locations.
2. Each residence hall room is equipped with a smoke detector that is electronically operated. In
rooms where sprinklers have been installed, the smoke detector is monitored by University
Police. All other smoke detectors operate independently from the building fire alarm system.
The detectors and sprinklers are for students’ safety and should not be tampered with at any
time.
3. Any student who experiences a problem with the smoke detector/sprinkler system should
contact Housing or Residence life staff immediately.
4. Tampering with fire safety equipment is a very serious matter that could jeopardize the safety of
a number of people. Tampering with this equipment at any time, including covering the
equipment or dismantling the equipment in your room and discharging a fire extinguisher on a
floor may result in severe disciplinary and/or criminal action including a loss of residence hall
contract.
→Showers/Bathrooms
Residents supply their own towel, shampoo, soap and other toiletries. Housing staff clean the restrooms
on a regular basis to maintain healthy and safe conditions for residents. Make sure that you lock your
room every time you leave to prevent theft!
→Policies: http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/housing-contracts/terms-and-conditions/tcr-reshalls.cfm#policies
Alcohol: University Park is a dry campus, which means that NO alcohol is permitted in the residence
halls, even if you are 21 years of age or older.
ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
Alcohol Policy
1. The possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all Penn State on-campus
undergraduate residence hall buildings including Nittany Apartments and Eastview Terrace for
students of any age.
2. It is a violation of state law and University policy for a student under 21 years of age to attempt
to purchase, consume, possess, or transport alcoholic beverages. It is unlawful to sell, furnish, or
given to any minor, or permit that alcoholic beverages be sold, furnished, or given to any minor.
3. It is against residence hall policy for there to be any tailgating activities in the residential quad
areas or residence hall parking lots where alcoholic beverages are being served on any football
game/event weekend including all home football games, Football Eve, Fourth Fest, and the
spring Blue and White Weekend. Students tailgating with alcoholic beverages in these defined
areas will be confronted and will likely be charged with “open containers in an unauthorized
area.”
4. Residents will be held responsible for activities that occur in their rooms, and will be referred to
the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Student Conduct, and/or University Police if guests are
violating the on-campus alcohol policies listed above.
5. Failure to comply with the direction given by or the request to present identification to a
University Official acting in the performance of their duties is a violation of the Student Code of
Conduct and will result in a referral to the Office of Residence Life or the Office of Student
Conduct.
6. It is against the Student Code of Conduct to supply false information, such as name, age, etc. to
University Officials who are acting in the performance of their duties.
Illegal Substances
It is a violation of state and university policy to illegally possess, use, distribute, manufacture, sell or be
under the influence of other drugs. Students who violate this policy will be referred to the office of
Residence Life, the Office of Student Conduct, and/or University Police.
It is against residence hall policy for a student to be in a residential area (room, common area, common
building, building entryway, or quad area immediately adjacent to the residence halls) and in the
presence of an illegal substance. Students who are in the presence of an illegal substance in these areas
will be referred to the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Student Conduct and/or University Policy.
FIRE SAFETY POLICIES
Candles and Incense
For safety reasons candles, incense, and other flame-emitting articles are prohibited in the residence
halls. Only potpourri burners with an enclosed heating element and an automatic shut-off are
permitted.
Cooking
The only cooking permitted in residence halls is that which can be done using the University-owned
refrigerator/microwave provided in each room (refer “appliances” section). This means NO rice cookers
or grills.
Smoking
Penn State promotes smoke-free environments by prohibiting smoking in all buildings. This policy is
enforced in all University facilities, including residence halls and dining commons. Established “smoking
area” maps are posted in each residence hall area.
How to Get Involved
Student/Area Government:
ARHS http://php.scripts.psu.edu/clubs/up/arhs/index.php
ENRA: http://php.scripts.psu.edu/clubs/up/enra/index.php
SHRA: http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/shra/
NRHH: http://php.scripts.psu.edu/clubs/up/nrhh/index.php
Break Housing: http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/housing/important-dates.cfm
Except those who have break housing contracts, ALL residents are required to leave campus during the
following breaks: Fall (November 25th-29th), Winter (December 21-January 11th), Spring (March 8th16th). Halls close on Sunday, May 11th at 4:00pm for the summer.
In order to request break housing, contact the Assignment Office in advance:
http://www.hfs.psu.edu/housing/contact-us.cfm
Assignment Office
201 Johnson Commons
University Park, PA 16802
assignmentoffice@psu.edu
814-865-7501 phone
Break access housing will charge an additional fee to stay in the residence halls over break. Visit the
website listed above for more details.
Housing to Install Wireless in Residence Halls
Wednesday April 24, 2013
Housing will begin providing wireless networks this May that will eventually service all student
rooms and apartments.
Information Technology Services (ITS) will install and manage the large network for housing that
will cover all residence hall buildings at University Park as well as the Altoona, Beaver, Berks,
Behrend, Greater Allegheny, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Mont Alto campuses. The project will install
approximately one access point radio in every three-student room to ensure robust network
coverage. The estimated 4,200 access point radios will broadcast both the psu (authenticated)
and attwifi (guest network) network IDs.
“We realize how important wireless connectivity is for our residents and are excited to begin
moving ahead to provide reliable wireless network coverage across all residence hall living
areas.” said Stan Latta, assistant vice president for housing and food services and residence life.
Installation for North Halls and Eastview Terrace is planned to be completed over the summer.
The new Chase Hall and renovated Haller and Lyons Halls will open this fall with comprehensive
wireless coverage. Installation will continue in the fall and is expected to take twelve months to
complete all University Park residence hall buildings. Installation will continue at the eight
commonwealth campus locations.