FAQ's

These are some commonly asked questions regarding on and off campus housing.  If you do not find the answer to your questions below, feel free to contact the Office of Residential Life at 203-932.7076.

Is there a housing requirement at UNH?

No. However, it is recommended that all freshman and sophomore students live in on campus housing unless they are 21 or older, married or commuting from the home of a parent/legal guardian or extended family member. To be eligible for on-campus housing, you must be a full-time undergraduate student making normal progress toward a degree. 

Is housing automatically reserved for me when I am accepted by the University?
No. You must return your enrollment deposit to the Admissions Office and electronically sign the housing and meal plan agreements via your MyHousing Account. Information regarding accessing this utility will be sent once we have received your enrollment commitment form.

Does UNH guarantee housing for new students?
May 1 is the priority deadline for housing. An enrollment deposit is required for all new students who wish to live on campus. Students who meet this deadline will 1) be guaranteed housing and 2) be sent information regarding electronically signing a housing and meal plan agreement. All electronic forms must be must be signed by the due date indicated in order to receive a room assignment.  If you know that you will be attending the University of New Haven, please send in your enrollment commitment form before the May 1 priority deadline. The University of New Haven does not guarantee 4 years of housing.

What happens if I do not meet the May 1 priority deadline?
Students who return their enrollment deposit after May 1 will be offered housing as it becomes available.  Therefore it is imperative that all students who require on campus housing have their enrollment deposit in by May 1.

When will I receive my assignment?
Room assignments and arrival information are emailed during the last week of July for the Fall semester and the second week of January for the Spring semester. The packet will contain information regarding your room assignment and telephone number as well as the name, address, and telephone number of your roommate(s). We recommend that you contact your roommate(s) prior to your arrival to introduce yourself and decide what to bring. Room/Roommate Assignments are also available on your MyHousing Account. Information regarding accessing this utility will be sent once we have received your enrollment commitment form.

• All full-time students must provide a completed physical form which was sent by the Admissions Office upon receipt of the enrollment deposit.  If you do not have the form, you may download the physical form and information sheet from the Health Services website at: www.newhaven.edu/healthforms. 
• Connecticut has very strict immunization requirements and we are required to make sure that all students provide proper documentation.   
  • Two valid doses of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) are required of all students entering in the fall of 2010 or a blood test proving immunity.
  • Proof of Chickenpox (varicella) immunization with two valid doses of immunization, or physician documented diagnosis with date, or blood test proving immunity.   
  • Proof of meningitis immunization is required of all students who will be living in University housing.
• Those students who will be UNH athletes must also provide documentation of meningitis vaccine even if they will not be living in University housing.  
• Please provide a copy of the front and back of your private insurance card when you send in your forms.
• Please note that students will not be permitted to move into the residence halls until they have provided Health Services with required completed physical and immunizations.
• Please make sure that you keep a copy of your medical information for your records.  We also strongly suggest that you bring a copy of your completed physical and immunization record with you on move-in day in case Health Services needs to clarify any medical issue. 
• Part-time students are not required to provide a completed physical but must provide immunization as noted above. 

For additional questions please contact Health Services at 203-932-7079.

May I request a roommate?
Yes. UNH makes every effort to honor roommate preferences. Roommate preferences will be honored if:
1) both applicants request each other through their MyHousing Account, and
2) both applicants have been accepted by UNH and have electronically signed their housing agreements by the time assignments are made, which is approximately two months prior to the beginning of the semester.

How are assignments made?
Room assignments are made in the end of July based on the information you provide about yourself. The Roommate Assignment Questionnaire will be available for you to complete online. Be sure to complete the form in the privacy of your room and answer the questions honestly. If you are unable to access the roommate questionnaire please contact the Office of Residential Life (ORL) at 203.932.7076 and we will be happy to assist you.

What if I do not like my roommate?
We encourage you not to make assumptions about your roommate until you actually arrive on campus and meet him/her. Most roommate issues are easily resolved by talking with your roommate. Often people who don't seem to have much in common at first turn out to become good friends. The Residential Life staff is trained to assist in working out roommate conflicts and the first person you should contact if there is a problem is your RA. He/she can give you advice, mediate the problem and assist you in completing a roommate contract if necessary. Your Resident Director can also help if things don't get resolved with your RA's involvement. If all else fails, you can then come to the Office of Residential Life to initiate a room change. Room changes are not done until the second week of school and you should recognize that space is often limited in the fall semester. The Residential Life staff will assist you in this process.

What does it mean when I electronically sign a housing agreement?
Once you electronically sign your housing agreement you have made a commitment to reside in university housing for the academic year. An agreement may be canceled only if written notification is received by the Office of Residential Life prior to the beginning of the fall semester. If a student cancels, the enrollment deposit is forfeited. If a student wishes to cancel their housing after the start of the semester, they must submit a written letter of appeal to the Housing Refund Committee. All inquiries regarding housing agreements should be addressed to the Office of Residential Life.

What should I bring?
Students should bring the following: alarm clock, blankets, pillow, bed linens, towels, study lamps (not halogen), extension cord, desk supplies, laundry bag and detergent, pictures of friends, bath items, mug/glass, toiletries and something to contain them, posters, stamps and stationery, dictionary and thesaurus, and a rug. Apartment residents may wish to bring dishes and silverware.

What items are prohibited in the residence halls?
Pets (including snakes, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, mice, cats, dogs, etc.), firearms, replica guns, high powered water guns, knives, fireworks, BB and pellet guns, wrist rockets, sling shots or other dangerous items, air conditioners (unless approved for one through Campus Access Services, space heaters, electric blankets and multiple outlet plugs designed to alter electrical capacity, halogen lamps, candles, charcoal/gas grills and combustibles, empty kegs to use as furniture, alcohol bottle collections, drugs and drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverages if you are under 21 years of age, open coil cooking units, convection ovens, waterbeds, cinderblocks,  and laser pointers.

Am I required to purchase a meal plan?
Yes, all resident students are required to purchase a meal plan with the exception of those residents living in Main Street Condos, Savin Court, and Regency. First Year students are required to select the Charger Unlimited meal plan. Sophomores, juniors and seniors may choose any plan. For a full list of all dining policies and fees, please click on the following link. Please call the Office of Residential Life at 203-932-7076 if you have any questions.

How is my room furnished?
Each student is provided with a bed, mattress (36" x 80"), dresser, desk, desk chair, and closet space. All rooms have mini-blinds on the windows.

What is the University smoking policy?
Smoking is prohibited in the University’s residence halls in compliance with State of Connecticut Public Act 03-45 which bans smoking in all college and university residence halls.

When smoking outside, please be sure to comply with the university policy which requires you to stand 20’ from the building and dispose of your cigarette butts in the appropriate receptacles. 

Violators of the smoking law are subject to fines, possible prosecution by a court of law and University disciplinary action.

Important Telephone Numbers
Office of Residential Life 203-932-7076
Admissions Office 203-932-7319
Bursar’s Office 203-932-7218
Disability Services & Resources 203-932-7331
Financial Aid 203-932-7315
Health Services 203-932-7079

Residential Life Policies and Procedures
The Residential Life section of the Student Handbook contains a great deal of information written specifically for resident students. Please refer to the Student Handbook for complete information.

Can I live on campus during vacation periods?
No. All residence halls are closed during vacation periods. Exceptions to this policy are granted for specific groups of students depending on each break period. Please refer to the break closing materials posted by Residential Life prior to the start of break for more details.

When do the residence halls close for vacations (2012-13 Academic Year)?

How do I get telephone service in my room?
Your phone number will be provided in your assignment email, which is sent in early August. The University provides local telephone service in each student room. Long distance service is also available through the Telecommunications Department at a nominal fee. 

Is there a computer hookup?
All residence hall rooms are connected to RESNET, which is a collection of network services that UNH resident students can access from their individual rooms. Among these services are E-mail and Internet access. Internet is also available at our off-campus locations as well! More information on this subject is here.

Do rooms have cable TV?
Cable TV is available in each student room/apartment. Preferred basic cable service is provided by the University. TVs and cable cords are not provided.

Will I be tripled?
Due to an increase in the number of new students choosing to attend UNH, it is anticipated that it will be necessary to triple freshmen this fall. The de-tripling process begins as soon as spaces on campus become available. Students, who remain tripled after October 10th  in Bethel, Bixler, and Botwinik Hall only in the fall semester and February 15th in Bethel, Bixler, and Botwinik Hall only in the spring semester, will receive a $500 credit to their University account.

Can I have a car on campus?
All sophomores, juniors and seniors may have a car on campus. Vehicles must be registered with Campus Police and you should be aware that you might not be able to park right next to your residence hall.

How do I get mail sent to me?
Students must go to the mail department (in the basement of Maxcy Hall) to be issued a box number.

Your mailing address is:
University of New Haven
Your Name
Student Box Number
300 Boston Post Road
West Haven, CT 06516-2000