Howell Hall

Howell is where all First Year Freshman are housed. It was renovated over the summer of 2005. At that time the heating and air conditioning system was upgraded, an elevator was added, and the electrical system was expanded to more readily handle the needs of today’s students. Howell has high speed internet and a modern fire safety system. The building also has a sprinkler system that is tied into the fire safety system. Additionally, bathrooms were modernized, carpeting replaced, as well as a variety of other upgrades.

Howell is a unique environment. It is home to the First Year Residential Experience. F.Y.R.E as we call it for short is a program that began in 1996 at SPSU. While there may be first year programs on other campuses, our program diverges from most in its decidedly more academic orientation. SPSU has a demanding curriculum and the focus of our first year program centers on what students need to do from an academic perspective in order to succeed here. The program provides a variety of services to our first year students and it is a requirement that any first year freshman who chooses to live on campus must be enrolled in the program. More information on F.Y.R.E. can be obtained on the F.Y.R.E. website. Some other things that make the environment in Howell unique are that there is a denser staff to student ratio, residents are assigned to areas of the building based on academic major, and it is also home to a specific wing reserved for honors students.

Student rooms in Howell are furnished with a bed, desk, desk chair, lighted desk book shelf, and a wardrobe unit that has two drawers built into it. Since rooms are designed for double occupancy, each room comes with two sets of furniture.

Norton Hall

Norton currently houses students who are beyond their first year of college. It was renovated over the summer of 2004. It received the same changes and upgrades that Howell Hall received in the summer of 2005. It too, like Howell has high speed internet and a modern fire safety system.

Norton is an ideal place for experienced students who still want the convenience of residence hall life. Students who reside here enjoy the freedom of not having the responsibilities and increased costs that come with apartment living. Additionally, for those students who do not wish to, or are unable to commit to a year long contract, Norton is a great alternative. Experienced students who live in Norton enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and community emphasis that Norton provides.

Student Rooms in Norton are furnished with a bed, desk, desk chair, three drawer dresser, two drawer dresser and a wardrobe. Since rooms are designed for double occupancy, each room comes with two sets of furniture.

Residence Hall Specifics

1. The residence halls require an Academic Year Contract rather than a 12 month contract that is required in Apartment Housing.

2. All residence hall students are required to enroll in a university food service meal plan. The two options currently available are a 14 meal per week plan or a 19 meal per week plan. Residence hall facilities are not designed to accommodate daily food preparation. This activity, in fact, creates several issues. First and foremost of these issues is that it encourages students to utilize illegal cooking appliances. Nationally, it is the norm that cooking appliances are illegal to use in residence hall environments due to safety and fire code concerns. Second, food storage in student rooms encourages the likelihood of unwanted pests. Finally, there are realistic concerns on the part of the university having to do with the health and well being of its students. Traditional age students sometimes can lead very unhealthy lifestyles. Left up to themselves, especially during the first year of college, many students will survive on what is commonly called “junk food”. They will also eat at unusual hours and they will skip meals altogether. Meal plans are a way that helps to insure that student have available to them three regularly scheduled meals a day and a balanced diet. It may not be home cooking but neither is surviving on cereal, ramen noodles, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pizza, and fast food burgers.

3. Residence halls are not open for student occupation during the times between academic terms. They do, however, remain open during holidays that occur during an academic term.

4. Full payment for housing and meals is due prior to occupancy for each academic term. Students who are qualified for and who have accepted financial aid may have that aid directly disbursed to cover payments for housing and meals. Any remaining difference after financial aid disbursement must be paid by the deadlines established each term.

5. Private rooms are not available in the residence halls. Students who have a documented medical condition that requires them to have their own room but does not limit their physical capabilities should plan to live in a university apartment setting that can accommodate their need for privacy without taking space away from another student. Students with physical impairments may apply to live in specially equipped rooms in Howell Hall for this purpose. These are private rooms but may only be used for students who have physical limitations that impair their mobility.

6. All beds in the residence halls are extra long twin beds and require bed linens made for that size unit.

7. All utilities as well as cable TV and high speed internet are covered by the students housing payment.

8. Rooms must be vacated no later than 10 am the day following the student's last scheduled final examination unless the student is graduating, in which case a room will be available until after commencement exercises. Between semesters, the University will close all residence halls.

9. All residents are required to turn off lights, unplug appliances, empty trashcans, remove perishables from refrigerators, and take home pet fish or plants before semester closings. Locked windows and doors and drawn blinds and drapes will enhance the security of a resident's room during vacation periods. The Department of Housing and Residence Life is not responsible for personal belongings which may be lost, damaged, or stolen. Valuables should be removed from the room by the resident during holiday closings to prevent theft or damage. The housing staff will check all rooms for security.

Office of Housing and Residence Life
1100 S. Marietta Pkwy
Marietta, GA 30060-2896
Phone: 678-915-7335
Fax: 678-915-3413
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