Applying

Do I have to be admitted to SPSU before I may apply to live on campus?

No, you may apply to live on campus before you have been accepted as a student; however, only students who have been accepted will be sent a contract.

Do I have to be a registered student to live on campus? You must be registered at either SPSU or another State of Georgia University System institution in order to reside on campus. Students who are participating in a Cooperative Education experience through Southern Polytechnic’s Office of Career and Counseling Services may also reside on campus during semesters they are working

How do I apply for on campus housing?

Currently, there are two option that you can use in order to obtain an application for housing. You may go to our Lease Application form on this website, print a copy and send it in with $100.00 Deposit which will be refunded if there are no damages when the student moves off campus permanently. Also, a check for the Application and Reservation Fees in the ammount of $135.00 should be mailed in with the application. If you wish an application to be sent by mail, please contact us at 678-915-7335; you may email us with your request at housing@spsu.edu; or send a request in writing addressed to:

Office of Housing and Residence Life
Southern Polytechnic State University
1100 South Marietta Parkway
Marietta, GA 30060

Do I have to send in two separate applications if I am applying for both a space in a residence hall or a space in an apartment?

No, we use one application form. You may indicate on the form that you are applying for whatever type housing is available at the time. First Year Freshman are not eligible to receive a contract offer for the apartment areas.

If I have applied and paid my fee but do not choose to live on campus do I have to reapply and pay the fee again if I decide at a later date that I do want to live on campus?

No, once you have applied your application it stays on file and you do not have to pay the fee again. As long as you are a student at SPSU or another State of Georgia University System institution , you can simply notify us that you want your application to go active and you will once again be eligible to receive a housing contract offer.

I am an older First Year Freshmen, do I have to live in a residence hall?

First Year Freshman who are 21 years of age or older are exempt from the requirement that they live in a residence hall. These individuals may request space in an apartment setting.

Do I have to live on campus if I attend SPSU?

We encourage all students particularly First Year Freshmen of traditional age (17-22 years) to live on campus. Most students find campus living convenient, and a great way to become connected to the university and to make new friends.

Is there a deadline to apply for student housing?

Contracts are offered on a first come first serve basis the earlier your application and fee is received the better your chance of receiving a contract offer. Applications are stamped with the date we receive them. Contracts are offered based upon that date.

Can I specify that I be sent a contract only if I will receive a private room?

The answer to this question is yes and no. When the question pertains to residence hall space, private rooms are not available. Only students who are employed as Resident Assistants with the Office of Housing and Residence Life are eligible to have a private room in a residence hall. The nature of the duties they perform with students requires this. All other residence hall rooms are designed to be double occupancy and no room that is designated as such will be changed to provide a student with a private room. All rooms that are in apartment units are designed to be private room space. So when speaking of apartments the answer is yes. Students who desire more privacy should plan on requesting a contract for an apartment space. First Year Freshmen students who have a documented medical condition that requires them to be placed in a private room must choose to reside in one of our on campus apartments. This documentation must be provided to the Office of Housing and Residence Life at the time the contract is submitted.

Assignment

When will I know where I have been assigned?

Each Spring Semester students who currently live on campus are given the opportunity to renew their housing contracts. Basically, they receive first preference over any student who will be new to campus living. This being the case after our contract renewal period in March, assignments will begin for new students who have returned their housing contracts to us. However, Howell Hall is reserved for new First Year Freshman, and since no students may return to live in this building, once the contract is received the student will be assigned to a room. Assignment notices will not be sent out until all spaces in a unit are assigned. This insures that you will know who you have been assigned with. Contact information about your roommate(s) will be included in your assignment notice so that you may contact them prior to moving in.

How are assignments made?

The answer to this question depends on your student status. The process for new First Year Freshmen is different from that of students who are new to living on campus but have either been at SPSU or another college. Students who are currently living on campus and are returning to live on campus for another year will know their assignment immediately upon submitting a contract.

First Year Freshman Assignment Process

Your housing application as well as your housing contract is used to determine your housing assignment. You should make sure that all your information submitted on these documents is correct and accurate. If you have a specific request for a roommate you must make sure that you note this on your Roommate Profile and that the person you are selecting also indicates that he/she wishes you as a roommate. Only when both contracts show that the students wish to live together will the assignment be made to put them together. First year freshmen are assigned based on the following criteria; 1) academic major, 2) entering as an honors program student, and 3) smoking preference (even though smoking is not allowed in a residence hall building or room smoke still tends to cling to clothing etc. and so we try not to put non smokers with smokers). Students who apply to live on campus late in the process may find that we cannot make an assignment in this way. Assignments made in July and August tend to be made to a few limited spaces and there is no guarantee that we can either match you with someone in the same major or match you with a roommate preference.

New Student Housing Assignment Process

Your application for housing has an area where you can make your preferences known. Based on this when space allows, you will either receive a contract for placement in a residence hall or a contract for placement in an apartment. You will not receive contract offers for both. Once you return the contract you will be assigned to a housing space. If you receive a contract for a residence hall space, you may indicate on it a specific roommate request, however, we cannot guarantee that your request can be honored. If your requested roommate is already assigned with another person then you will be assigned to a space as close as possible to the person you have requested. Your application also indicates your status as a smoker or non smoker and if you mind being assigned with someone who smokes. We will make every effort to honor your preference but cannot guarantee that your preference will be honored. Space in the residence halls is usually very limited and it is not unusual for assignments to be made that puts smokers and non-smokers together. If you are offered a contract for an apartment your application preferences will be noted and you will be assigned to an apartment space based on availability. You may indicate on your application the order of preference that you have for the four person unit in University Courtyard, the two person unit in University Commons, or the four person unit in University Commons. Your smoking preferences will also be used in these assignments so please make sure that you indicate what they are.

Smoking inside our Residence Halls and apartments is prohibited.

Moving In

When do I move in?

Your assignment notice will give you the dates and times that you will be able to move in.

If I cannot move into my assignment at the times indicated on my assignment notice can I move in at another time?

Yes, however, you must contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life to explain your situation and to receive permission at an arranged time. You will then receive a notice either by email or by US Mail that gives you written permission for a specific time that has been arranged. Every effort will be made to address reasonable requests that are based on circumstances that require us to deviate from normal move-in times. We will not allow a move-in outside of the standard move in dates that merely is just more convenient. Our staff work specific schedules and arranging times outside of the normal ones for move-in requires scheduling staff to be available at those times. Unless you have written permission from us you will not be allowed to move in if you show up outside of the times that you are given in your room assignment notice.

When do I have to pay for my housing?

The answer to this question again depends on where your assignment is. If you are moving into a residence hall assignment you must pay for your room and meal plan for the whole semester prior to moving in. If you have not you will not be given a key. Students assigned to a residence hall who are receiving financial aid will be allowed to move in provided that they have been awarded the financial aid and have formally accepted the aid awarded. Applying for aid is not sufficient reason for the university to allow a student to move in. Additionally, the aid you have accepted needs to be sufficient enough to cover the majority of your costs which includes tuition as well as housing and meals. If you are moving into an apartment you must pay your first month’s rent prior to your being allowed to move in. Payment each month is due on or before the first day of the month.

What should I bring with me when I move in?

Both residence hall rooms and apartments come completely furnished. These are some suggested items students may want to bring.

    Residence Halls:

• Extra long twin sheets
• Blankets and Bedspread
• Cleaning supplies
• Personal computer
• Television
• Microwave oven
• Laundry hamper
• Laundry detergent
• Trash can
• Clothes hangers
• Soap, toothpaste, tooth brush
• Small lamp
• Flashlight
• Dictionary
• Shower shoes and shower caddy
• Iron with automatic shut off and small ironing board

    Apartments:

• Full size sheets
• Blankets and Bedspread
• Cleaning supplies
• Personal computer
• Television
• Laundry hamper
• Laundry detergent
• Trash can
• Clothes hangers
• Soap, toothpaste, tooth brush
• Small lamp
• Flashlight
• Dictionary
• Shower shoes
• Iron with automatic shut off and small ironing board
• Dishes
• Pots and pans for cooking

Please remember that the average residence hall double room at SPSU has only 183 square feet of space. You may want to move into your room before deciding that you need any additional furniture.

What can't I bring?

    Residence Halls:

• Pets
• Halogen lamps
• Cooking appliances of any kind
• Candles
• Sun Lamps
• Live Christmas Trees
• Firearms or weapons of any sort. (Bringing a gun onto college grounds is against state law and anyone who does so will be vigorously prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Additionally, the student will be suspended from the university for a period of not less than two years.)

    Apartments:

• Pets
• Halogen lamps
• Candles
• Sun Lamps
• Live Christmas Trees
• Firearms or weapons of any sort. (Bringing a gun onto college grounds is against state law and anyone who does so will be vigorously prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Additionally, the student will be suspended from the university for a period of not less than two years.)

Can I have a car on campus?

Yes, any student that has the need to have a car can have one on campus provided they purchase a parking decal from the Department of University Police. The decal must be displayed in the area of your car that is designated by the police. You may park your car only in parking areas that your decal allows you to park. Parking in any other areas will result in your being ticketed and fined.

Living on Campus

Do I have to purchase a meal plan if I live on campus?

All students who choose to reside in a campus residence hall are required to be on a meal plan. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! Meal plan options acceptable for residence hall students to choose are those listed as a choice on the residence hall contract. Students who choose to live in an apartment are NOT required to purchase a meal plan.

What is included in my payment for rent?

    Residence Halls:

• All utilities (heat, electric, water)
• Cable TV
• High Speed Internet Service
• Use of Residence Hall facilities
• Use of the Community Center facilities

    Apartments:

• Use of Community Center facilities
• Use of common area facilities in University Courtyard
• Cable TV
• High Speed Internet Service
• All Utilities (electricity & water)
• Electricity cap is allotted. If exceeded, a quarterly excess will be charged.

Can I stay in my assignment during the times the university is not operating?

Students assigned to an apartment have a year long contract and are not required to vacate at any time during their contract period. Students assigned to residence halls are not required to vacate their assignment over breaks that take place during a semester such as Thanksgiving or Spring Breaks. Students are not allowed to occupy their assignment between semesters. Students with a need for housing at these times should consider living in an apartment rather than a residence hall as long as they are eligible to do so. Residence hall students need not take their possessions home during the semester break unless they are moving to a new room assignment in the spring.

If I am not taking courses during the summer months may I remain in my assignment?

If you are living in an apartment you may continue to live there until your contract is completed even if you are not taking any summer courses. If you have been living in a residence hall your contract is only for the academic year and you must move out at the end of the spring semester. Limited space is available for summer housing in the residence halls and you must sign a separate contract to live there.

Where do I receive my mail?

All students who live on campus are assigned a mailbox located in the Community Center Complex. You will receive a mailing address in your assignment notice.

Can I change my housing assignment?

Once your housing assignment is made it cannot be changed until you move on campus. If a tenant requests to be transferred and the transfer is approved by Management, the tenant requesting the move will pay a $100.00 transfer fee. During the first two weeks of the Fall Semester students may request a change of assignment. If space allows and/or if two students agree to switch spaces the request will be granted. Thereafter it will be assumed that any request to make a room change is due to a conflict situation between roommates whether in a residence hall room or apartment. Only after students engage in a mediation process and that process proves inadequate to solve the issues that exist will a change be authorized and then only if there is space that allows for the change to take place. Residence Hall students may have a two week period at the beginning of the Spring Semester to change or they may request a change to take effect at the beginning of the Spring Semester without engaging in mediation. Students assigned to an apartment do not have this option.

Can I have a guest overnight?

Your roommate(s) must agree that it is allright for your guest to be there. Guests can cause issues between roommates so please take care of your roommate’s feelings. Talk to them first before you bring a guest back to your room or apartment. Please refer to the rules regulations concerning guests at the following link: Residential Policies and Procedures.

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