Frequently Asked Questions

We expect our students to be contributing members of the floor communities in which they live. We expect them to be respectful of other people and treat them as they wish to be treated. We hope that all of our residents will take full advantage of the opportunities afforded them in the residence halls. We also expect academics to be their top priority.

The Wisconsin Board of Regents’ Housing Policy requires those unmarried students with less than 60 credits earned by the first day of classes to reside in the University residence halls. UW Oshkosh also exempts those who (1) are at least 21 years of age or (2) have earned at least 48 credits AND have lived in a residence hall for four semesters. Simply put, most freshmen and sophomores are required to live in the residence halls unless they live within the 45 mile commuter range and are commuting from their parent’s/legal guardian’s permanent home.

Room assignments are made based on the date the contract is received in our office and the space available at that time. We begin mailing room assignments mid–June and throughout the summer. The roommate’s name, phone number, and address will be included.

When you receive your housing packet, the application card has a designated space where you can indicate the name and student ID number of your roommate preference. If both roommates designate one another and turn their applications in within a short time span of each other, every effort will be made to assign them as roommates.

ALL residence halls are smoke-free. No smoking is allowed anywhere in the residence halls or Gruenhagen Conference Center. It is also Wisconsin State Law that to smoke you must be 25 feet from any public building.

It is important for you to know that we will not allow roommate changes for the first three weeks of each semester. There are two reasons for this. One, administratively, our department needs to determine where spaces are available. Secondly, students often come to college never having shared a room with anyone; therefore, it will take some adjustment time to get comfortable and learn how to communicate with a roommate. Our Community Advisor (CA) staff is trained in conflict resolution and can help roommates work through any issues that they might have. Roommates will complete a roommate agreement that serves as a discussion guide for critical issues that affect both roommates.
If after three weeks you are still unhappy, we then suggest you make an appointment with your Residence Hall Director (RHD) to determine possible alternatives for another roommate. If you have issues in the residence halls, we would first ask that you confront the person(s) involved in the situation. If that is not effective, let hall staff know about the problem. Please refer them to your CA or RHD. Both the RHD and CA live in the building. The RHD has an office on the 1st floor of the building and maintains daily office hours there.

During the summer you will receive two or three separate mailings from the Department of Residence Life. In these mailings you can expect to receive information about the following: room/hall assignment, ResNet, loft rental, linen purchase, parking, bookstore, schedule of occupancy and letters from the Director of Housing.

NO. While we understand that Labor Day weekend is a holiday and many folks would like to be able to make plans, we do ask that you begin making arrangements now to move in on the designated move–in day. You may need to contact a friend or a relative to assist. There are many reasons why we do not allow students to move in early. In many cases our halls are still being cleaned and staff are still being trained. Additionally, we cannot guarantee the safety, security or privacy of you or your belongings.

Evans, Stewart, Clemans and Taylor Halls will be open during university break periods throughout the academic year. You may want to consider selecting these halls if you will need housing during breaks. The Gruenhagen Coference Center (GCC) located on campus can provide inexpensive accommodations for students, parents, and guest at any time of the year. Call 920-424-1106 for reservations.

The Housing Contract is a legally binding academic year contract unless the student qualifies for and completes our one semester contract option form. Once students have activated their contract (by picking up their keys), they will be expected to honor it for both semesters of the contract period while enrolled in classes.

Please look for additional information about suggested move–in times in a Residence Life summer mailing. Classes do not begin until Wednesday after opening. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, freshmen are expected to participate in all Odyssey orientation events.

Once you receive your suggested move–in time through one of the Department of Residence Life’s summer mailings, plan to be at your assigned residence hall within that time frame. You will need to go into the lobby/main lounge of the hall and properly check in. During check–in you will complete all the necessary paperwork and be issued keys for your room. While checking in, parents may wish to stay with your vehicle and begin unloading. Once you have unloaded your car, please relocate it immediately to one of the designated parking lots to make room for additional cars. Once you’ve been issued a key, you can begin moving into your room. Members of athletic teams and other individuals will be around on opening day to assist with move–in. If you have any questions, please stop at the desk of your residence hall or find a staff member who can assist you.

The residence hall staff will be planning floor and hall activities so students can become familiar with other residents within their community. There is a full slate of activities planned on campus during the first week of school. Please consult the Odyssey Opening Week schedule. Community Advisors will be escorting their residents to these events.

The Department of Residence Life has partnered with On Campus Marketing (OCM) to provide parents/legal guardians with the opportunity to purchase Welcome Kits and Finals Kits. The kits can include a variety of snacks and other goodies. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these kits goes back to the residence halls. Any other information that you receive outside of OCM is not associated with The Department of Residence Life and is an external business targeting parents.

Every residence hall room at UWO already contains a refrigerator, freezer–unit and a microwave. Students may bring their own refrigerator of four cubic feet or less.

Every residence hall room at UWO is already carpeted.

Residence Life does not provide vacuums for student use. We encourage residence hall students to bring their own vacuum for use in their room. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the carpet clean and vacuumed.

Yes. Each room is equipped with a data jack which will allow you to get on ResNet. ResNet, short for Residential Network, is the high–speed ethernet service in each room. The cost for this access is incorporated in the housing fee. All you need to do is to register via an online registration system. Within a short period of time, you will be able to access the Internet and check University email. You will also be able to register for classes online. For more information on ResNet, please call the ResNet Hotline at 920.424.0863, or visit our website: http://www.housing.uwosh.edu/

Each hall has a main desk that serves as the “information center” for the hall. The desk distributes mail, checks out equipment and keys, and serves as a general resource for students. Each hall is also equipped with a computer lab that remains open as long as the desk is open. Laundry facilities are also available. Several halls have exercise rooms.

Yes. The Department of Residence Life employs many students as desk workers, nighthosts, weekend custodians, secretaries, Community Advisors and other positions. If you are interested in employment opportunities, you can visit our website and apply for any open jobs www.mio.uwosh.edu. There is also a Job Fair on campus during opening week for student jobs on and off campus.

Yes, lofts can be rented for the academic school year through the student group United Students in Residence Halls (USRH). The cost of a loft rental is $80 (subject to change) for the academic school year. You may also rent a shelf for the loft unit for $10 (subject to change). The loft dimensions are 76” long X 54” or 60” high (height is adjustable). If you choose to rent a loft and you live in North or South Scott Hall you will not be allowed to move your loft above the 54” height due to fire code. Students who choose to live in Taylor Hall already have loftable furniture, so students in that building are not allowed to bring in lofts or rent lofts.

Students who choose to live in Taylor Hall already have loftable furniture, so students in that building are not allowed to bring in lofts. Due to the sprinkler system and specific height requirements, only University metal lofts are allowed in Scott Hall.

It is possible for residents in other buildings to construct lofts for their rooms. They must be movable and free standing which means that they do not rely upon the support from walls, ceilings, or other structures within the room. Lofts should be constructed in a manner that is safe for students and does not restrict access to any part of the room. The department does not distribute loft plans. Students must incorporate the mattresses and bed frames from their room into their loft design. Students may also rent lofts. Information about loft rentals will come in a summer mailing.

We encourage students to personalize their rooms. Due to safety reasons we do have some restrictions. We do not allow students to hang flags, quilts, etc. from the ceilings, walls or windows for fire safety reasons. We also do not allow students to paint their rooms. All rooms are painted a neutral color. Room furniture can be moved around the room; however, furniture cannot be removed from the room.

Appliances should be limited to TVs, radios, stereos, shavers, electric clocks and hair care devices. Basically, appliances with an open heating element or burner and/or those that may cause ventilation problems are not permitted in students rooms.

No animals, with the exception of fish in properly maintained aquariums, are allowed in residence halls. “Visiting” pets are also not allowed.

Yes. However, the Department of Residence Life is not responsible for loss or damage to these possessions. Please encourage your student to take valuables home if there is a concern. Our staff may enter rooms during breaks for maintenance purposes and safety inspections.

The student is. Although precaution is taken to maintain adequate security, the University cannot assume the responsibility for the loss of or damage to student possessions. We encourage you to carry appropriate insurance to cover such losses. Check your homeowners insurance for coverage or look into renters insurance.

No overnight guests are allowed Sunday–Thursday evening. The weekend guest policy for your room will be determined by a roommate agreement negotiated between you and your roommate with the assistance of the Community Advisor.

If you are not 21 years of age, you cannot possess or consume alcohol in the residence halls. Any alcohol violations will be addressed through the University discipline system (which you will hear about later in the day). The University takes a firm stance against illegal drugs and underage drinking. The University may use “Parental Notification” when students (under 21 years of age) have significant issues with alcohol and/or other drugs.

We expect our students to be contributing members of the floor communities in which they live. We expect them to be respectful of other people and treat them as they wish to be treated. We hope that all of our residents will take full advantage of the opportunities afforded them in the residence halls. We also expect academics to be their top priority.

Rooms, hallways and public areas are equipped with smoke detectors. We do not allow candles or incense in the rooms. We also monitor cooking within the rooms. Halogen lamps are not allowed in the residence halls. All appliances must be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) approved and no heating appliances with an open or exposed coil are allowed. Fire drills are held each semester.

Residence halls are locked