Facilities

• What types of residence halls are at Humboldt?

• We have traditional residence halls as well as apartment and suite style living. You can take an online housing tour of the facilities.

• What types of special living communities are available?

• When you come to HSU, you can arrange to live in a residence hall organized around a theme. We call them "special living communities". Special living communities give you a chance to hang out and learn for a year alongside people who share your interests.

  We are offering the following special living communities for the 2009-2010 academic year:

  • Academic Intensive
  • The Art Colony
  • Eco Living
  • Gender Neutral
  • Health + Wellness
  • Indoor Adventure
  • International Living
  • Movers + Shakers
  • Native American Living
  • Natural Resources + Sciences Living
  • Outdoor Adventures + Community Services (OACS)
  • Rhythm + Resistance
  • Women for Change
  • 21 + Over
  See the complete descriptions for each of our special living communties.

• What size are the rooms and what types of rooms are there?

• The rooms vary in their dimensions depending on the room type. We offer single and double rooms in traditional residence halls as well as in apartment and suite style living. Triple rooms (double rooms converted into triples) are available in the Canyon and the Hill and are offered at a reduced rate. You can view the floor plans of the different areas and see photographs of each type of room on our virtual tour.

• Are the rooms furnished or do I need to bring my own furniture?

• The rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, dresser and wastebasket. The beds are extra long twins (34"x78"-80"x6") except for in Creekview and in part of the Campus Apartments where we provide standard twin beds. The apartments and suites are furnished with living room and kitchen furniture. Creekview, Cypress, The Manor and Campus Apartments have refrigerators and stoves in their apartment and suite kitchens. In addition, Creekview apartments have microwaves. You can take an online tour of the facilities. Please see the FAQ "I know I need to bring my own lienen, but what size should I bring? " in the Moving In section to see a list of Campus Apartment rooms and corresponding bed sizes.

Housing Application Process

• How do I apply for housing?

• Our online Housing Application site has a detailed 3-step guide with information on the procedure and also allows you to apply on-line.

• If I complete the application, am I obligated to live in the residence halls?

• If you complete the initial application there is no obligation to live in housing. This simply places you on a distribution list to receive more information to help you determine if living on campus is for you.

• What are license materials?
• Our online license materials contain information you need to know about housing and dining on campus and documents that you must complete, sign and return to us in order to be assigned a room.

  When you submit the license materials you will also need to make the initial payment online as part of the license process. Links to our online license are only emailed to students who have applied for housing and who have been admitted to the university.

  The initial distribution of license packets is in March for the fall semester and mid-October for the spring semester. Licenses are sent on a weekly basis after the intital mailing to newly admitted students.

  License materials are sent to the personal email address you provided to HSU or your HSU email address if it is active. Please contact Admissons at apply@humboldt.edu or 1.866.850.9556 to update your personal email address.

• Are freshmen required to live on campus?

• Freshmen are not required to live on campus; however, we highly suggest that you do. Living on campus acquaints you with new people from diverse backgrounds pursuing a variety of academic interests. Many of our residents acknowledge they made their best friends while living in the residence halls.

  Living on campus provides an environment for academic success as well as allowing students to develop leadership skills through the various residence hall organizations. It is also very convenient to live on campus where you are in close proximity to the library, faculty, classrooms, and computer labs.

• Am I Guaranteed Housing at HSU?

• Unfortunately at this time we do not guarantee housing to all HSU students. We have space for 1,600 students and if demand exceeds our supply, we will offer priority to new freshmen students. We reserved 350 of these spaces for current residents interested in returning to the residence halls for another year and these spaces are allocated via a lottery process. The remaining 1250 spaces are reserved for new freshmen and transfer students. The campus has plans to add additional new housing (opening Fall 2010) and when completed these units will increase the number of on campus residents to over 2000.

• Are single rooms available?

• We do have a number of single rooms in each living area. However, most of the single rooms are reserved by returning residents who have priority in selecting housing for the next academic year.

  Any singles remaining after current residents have reserved rooms are assigned to new students on a first come, first served basis determined by the date we receive your housing and dining license materials. If you are not assigned to a single room, you can request to be placed on a waiting list in the event one becomes available.

  Contact the Housing Office to find out the details of this process as they vary depending on the semester for which you are applying.

• Can I choose the area in which I want to live?

• You certainly can and, while we cannot guarantee you will be assigned in your preferred area, we do our best to do so.

  It is important to remember that rooms are assigned on a first come, first serve basis that is determined by the date we receive your license materials and initial payment. When you complete your housing and dining license materials, you will be asked to rank your housing preferences.

• Speaking of roommates, can I select my own?

• Yes, you can! The license materials have a section where you can request a specific roommate. In order for the process to work, your friend must also request you in his/her license materials.

• If I don't have a preferred roommate, what factors will be used in selecting a roommate for me?

• When no preferred roommate's name is given, roommates are assigned according to information supplied in the Roommate Questionnaire portion of the license materials.

  These questions address issues of lifestyle and other preferences that will help us best match you with a roommate. It is very important that each student completing the questionnaire answer the questions as honestly as possible as this will ensure the best match possible is made for you.

  However, if you return your documents late in the assignment process or if your original roommate cancels, it may be more difficult to find the best match as options may be limited.

• Will I know who my roommate is before I move into my room?

• Yes, we supply you with your roommate's name, address, telephone number and email address as part of your room assignment email. It can be helpful to contact your roommate to get acquainted prior to moving in.

• What if my roommate cancels before we move in?

• If this happens, we assign you another roommate as quickly as possible.

• What if my roommate and I do not get along?

• Going away to college and living in a residence hall can be a wonderful growing experience. However, it can also be interspersed with homesickness, unexpected changes in lifestyle, and exposure to new thoughts, people and ideas. It may also be the first time you have had to share a bedroom with anyone much less a complete stranger!

  Therefore, it is important for you and your roommate to try to get to know each other as individuals. Time is usually needed for this to happen and we find that even newly assigned roommates usually get along fine.

  We do not allow room moves for the first two weeks of each semester. Students can contact their specific Residence Life Coordinator beginning the first day of classes to be placed on a waiting list to move to another area.

  If you need help during the transition process of getting acquainted with your roommate, Residential Life Staff is available to provide assistance in improving roommate relationships. If all else fails, room moves can be made during specific times of the semester as vacant rooms become available.

Rates and Payment Information

• How much is the initial payment?

• The initial payment for new students is one of two options. If you have been awarded financial aid, you will need to send $200 with your license materials. Otherwise, you must send $500 with your license materials.

• How do I pay the initial payment?

• You can pay by check or money order made payable to Humboldt State University and the student's name and student ID number should be written on them.

  Send payment to:
  Housing Cashier
  Housing and Dining Services
  355 Granite Avenue
  Arcata, CA 95521-7914

  The Housing Cashier can also be reached by telephone at 707-826-5510. The Housing Cashier's Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Credit card payment and electronic checks can be paid on-line.

• What does it cost to live in the residence halls?

• This varies depending on the type of room you select. You can also view our room rates for the academic year.

• How do I pay for my housing costs?

• You are given several payment options. You can pay annually, by semester or monthly.

  If you are on financial aid, you automatically will be assigned to the semester plan. You are personally responsible for any balance due if your financial aid does not cover your entire housing costs. You can make a personal payment plan with our Housing Cashier to pay any remaining amount due as long as you make the payment plan by the day your financial aid payment is due.

  If you have a meal plan, it is added to the cost of your room so that your payments cover both room and meals.

• Are payment plans available?

• A payment plan will be included with your room assignment email. It will outline the due dates and amount due for the specific payment plan you selected. It is important you keep this payment plan because we do not send out invoices notifying you when payment is due. It is your responsibility to refer to the payment plan for that information.

• When is my first payment due?

• As mentioned previously, an initial payment is due with the return of your license materials. After the initial payment, no payment is due until August 10 for the fall semester. If you plan on attending for spring semester only, your first payment is due January 10. Financial aid payments are by the end of second week of classes to allow time for the aid to disburse.

• What is the license cancellation policy?

• If, for any reason, you wish to cancel your request to live on campus for the 2009-10 academic year, the Housing Office must receive such notice in writing or email (housing@humboldt.edu) by July 18, 2009. Notifying any other university office does not satisfy your obligation to notify the Housing Office in writing. Such requests that are postmarked by July 18 will be honored and your initial payment minus the $200 cancellation fee will be refunded to you. Requests postmarked between July 19, 2009 and August 17, 2009 will be honored; however, these requests are subject to the cancellation fee along with a prorated daily penalty fee for each day of notice which is less than the required 30 days. After August 18, 2009, cancellations are no longer valid and you will be held financially responsible for the entire license period. The cancellation fee is charged regardless of your room assignment status. The cancellation fee will be waived only if Housing is unable to offer you a room by August 18, 2009 and you cancel your request to live on-campus. If you remain on the wait list after August 18 and we offer you a room and you decline it, you will be charged the cancellation fee and any appropriate penalties.
  
  New residents cancelling for the Spring 2010 semester must send notice in writing or email (housing@humboldt.edu) by January 2, 2010. Notifying any other university office does not satisfy your obligation to notify the Housing Office in writing. Such requests that are postmarked by January 2 will be honored and your initial payment minus the $200 cancellation fee will be refunded to you. Requests postmarked between January 3 and January 11, 2010 will be honored; however, these requests are subject to the cancellation fee along with a prorated daily penalty fee for each day of notice which is less than the required 30 days. After January 12, 2010, cancellations are no longer valid and you will be held financially responsible for the entire license period. The cancellation fee is charged regardless of your room assignment status. The cancellation fee will be waived only if Housing is unable to offer you a room by January 12, 2010 and you request in writing to be removed from the wait list before you are offered a room.

Dining Services

• What about a meal plan—do I have to have one?

• If you live in Sunset, Redwood, Cypress or Canyon you must have a full meal plan. Meal plans are not required in Creekview, the Campus Apartments and The Manor. View the meal plan rates for the academic year.

• Why do the meal plans have different prices?

• It is not possible to design a meal plan that will fit everyone's needs. The meal plans are priced differently because they are different sizes and are designed to fulfill the distinct eating habits of a variety of students.

  Each meal plan includes fixed operating costs that cover the expense for staff wages, benefits, supplies, rent, insurance, utilities, etc., plus an allocation of points for the purchase of food.

  More information about dining services can also be found on the dining services page, more info about points can be found under meal plans.

• What are points?

• Each food item has a specific point value and food is purchased using these points. When you purchase a food item, the dining cashier electronically deducts these points from your meal plan account.

  For example, if you purchase a blueberry waffle the cost is 100 points; a cheeseburger is 135 points; baked potato is 75 points; vegetarian burrito is 65 points; and so forth.

  The dining cashier can tell you how many points you have remaining so that you can keep track of your spending and better budget your allocation of points.

Moving In

• When can I move into my room?
• Fall 2009 check-in begins Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 9 a.m. Spring 2010 check-in begins Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 9 a.m.
• What should I bring?

• We suggest that you bring all of the special items that will make your new home feel like home . but you can't bring everything!

  Some of the basic items you might want to add to your list are:

  • Blankets
  • Linens
  • Pillows
  • Towels
  • Posters and pictures
  • Alarm clock (you don't want to be late for class!)
  • Stereo/radio (headphones are helpful!)
  • Telephone (your family wants to hear from you!)
  • Computer
  • Study lamp
  • Flashlight (in case of power outage)
  • Laundry supplies (yes, you have to do laundry!)

  You might also want to bring:

  • Coffee pot
  • Bicycle
  • Iron (please note: irons are only allowed to be used in the laundry rooms)
  • Plastic bucket/container for toiletries and any other personal items you may need.

  You can bring a television but, if not, Sunset, Redwood, and Canyon have TV lounges in each building. There are also large screen TV's in the Creekside Lounge and the Jolly Giant Commons Recreation Room.

• I know I need to bring my own linen, but what SIZE should I bring?

• You will need to bring sheets, pillowcases, blankets, bedspread/comforter and a pillow. The beds in every area except Creekview Apartments and some Campus Apartment beds are extra long twin beds (Creekview beds and some Campus Apartment beds are standard twins). The extra long mattresses measure approximately 34" wide by 78"-80" long by 6" thick.

  If you live in the Campus Apartments, all beds are extra long twin beds EXCEPT for the following: double rooms 1-16, 25-32, 40-47 on the A2 or B1 side and double rooms 17-24, 33-39, 48-55 on the A1 or B2 side. All single rooms have extra long twin beds.

• If I bring a computer will I be able to access the Internet?

• Yes, our ResNet computer connectivity program allows you access to the Internet through the university computer system.

  Each room in the Hill, Canyon, Cypress, Creekview and The Manor are equipped with ResNet and there is no additional charge for this service. The Campus Apartments is not wired for ResNet, but we do provide free wireless access to our residents.

  Wireless is now available in many areas throughout the residence halls and the Jolly Giant Commons.

  Visit the ResNet webpage for more information.

• If I don't have a computer is there a computer lab in the residence halls I can use?

• Yes, there is an 11 station computer lab in the Jolly Giant Commons that is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

  There are also computer labs available in different locations on campus for student use.

• What about cable TV and telephone service?

• Cable TV is available through Suddenlink Communications in all areas. You can contact Suddenlink Communications at 1-877-443-3127. Please provide your room number and building (eg 5555 Cypress) and tell them if you are activating service in a bedroom or in a living room.

  Telephone service is provided by AT&T. It is your responsibility to contact AT&T for installation. They have established a special telephone number for university students to call to set up service. This number is 1-877-722-6787 (1-877-7CAMPUS).

  In addition, AT&T has a website where you can request phone service. The web address is www.att.com. Request new service and enter your address as your room number, building name and use the word "Hall" after your building name (for example, 1025 Redwood Hall). Enter Arcata as the city and the zip code is 95521.

  This should work for all areas with the exception of The Manor and the Campus Apartments. The entry made for The Manor would be your mailing address plus the apartment number (for example, 1702 L K Wood Bl, A1). The entry for the Campus Apartments would be your mailing address plus the apartment number (for example, 355 Laurel Dr, #4B).

  It is helpful to contact AT&T before you arrive on campus to arrange to have your phone connected on a particular day. If you wait until you arrive it can be a number of days before your phone is installed.

• What recreational facilities and social activities are offered in the residence halls?

• The Jolly Giant Commons has a recreation room with large screen TV, pool table, video games, and piano. It also has a weight room, hot tub and sauna.

  The Creekside Lounge has a large screen TV, pool table, and video games. There are a tremendous variety of social activities and programming that occurs in the residence halls. The Residence Hall Newsletter lists activities designed for students in the residence halls.

• If I need help, are there people in the residence halls I can contact?

• YES! A student staff member called a CA or Community Advocate (formally known as a Living Group Advisor) is assigned to each floor, wing or building in every residence hall on campus. These students have been hired through a competitive selection process and trained in communication, human resource management and group facilitation.

  The CA Staff is supervised by Residence Life Coordinators who are highly trained professional staff dedicated to providing an atmosphere of mutual caring and respect among students and staff alike.

  The entire Residential Life and Housing and Dining staff is committed to assisting students in any way possible. This includes answering questions about the University and its various departments and helping with roommate, personal, social and/or academic problems.

  They are also involved in organizing group activities and a variety of interesting programs in which everyone can participate. Our staff works hard to build a diverse community within the residence halls and to help you succeed as a student at HSU!

• Are the residence halls closed during university breaks?

• No, you are allowed to stay in your room during all university breaks. Services are reduced, however, and for the most part, dining services are not available.

• Can I bring my car to campus?

• We discourage students from bringing their cars. Parking is highly impacted in the residence hall areas. If you bring your car you may have to park in lots that are not in close proximity to your residence.

  Parking permits currently cost $157.50 per semester (2008-09 school year) and do not guarantee that you will have a place to park. The Jack Pass allows students to ride local bus systems for free and downtown Arcata is a pleasant 10-15 minute walk from the university.

• Can I bring a pet?

• Warm-blooded, feathered and poisonous pets are prohibited in the residence halls at all times.

  Fish, reptiles and amphibians are allowed provided they are adequately contained in an aquarium/container no larger than 10 gallons. Each resident is allowed one aquarium with the exception being in a triple room where only a total of two aquariums/containers would be allowed. The fish/reptile/amphibian must adequately fit in the aquarium/container as prescribed by a professional able to determine such matters (pet store owner, scientist, etc.).

  You must consult with your roommate prior to bringing the pet to address any concerns your roommate might express.

• Are there laundry facilities in the residence halls?

• Yes, each area has laundry facilities for the residents' use. The cost to wash is $1.50 per load and drying is $1.50 per hour. The laundry facilities are operated by Web Services, a nationally known university laundry service.

• Is smoking allowed in the residence halls?

• Smoking is not permitted inside any residence hall facility at any time.

  In fact, in an attempt to promote healthy choices, the University has adopted a new smoking policy that allows for smoking only in 18 designated areas on campus. Seven of these designated areas are in the vicinity of the residence halls.

  Please refer to the University Smoking Policy for more details.

• What are some of the other policies and guidelines I need to observe?

• We want our facilities to be a place where residents can live in an environment where they are respected and valued. There are policies and guidelines that have been created to protect the rights of students and encourage their responsibility in creating a safe and healthy living environment. For more info read and download the Reslife Handbook.

Additional Questions

• Where is the Housing and Dining Services office located?

• The Housing and Dining Services office is on the second floor of the Jolly Giant Commons, which is located on the north end of campus on Granite Avenue.

  Campus Map

• What if I have other questions?

• If you have questions that are not answered here, please contact the Housing Office either by phone or e-mail and we will do our best to answer them.

  You can call the Housing Office at 707-826-3451 (hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or e-mail us at housing@humboldt.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!

• What about off-campus housing?

• For information about off-campus housing visit our off-campus housing site.