USI Residence Life FAQs

Housing FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about:

Res Life Policies

What is the alcohol and drug policy for housing?
Can I bring my pet?
What do I need to know about transportation and parking?
What if I want to cancel my housing? How do I get my money back?
What is the deposit for? Will I get the deposit back?
What can I do if I do not agree with a policy?
What if my friends want to visit? What is the visitation policy for campus housing?
What if I get in trouble?
Can I have the same apartment every year I am at USI?
How many hours do I need to take to stay in on-campus housing?

Q: What is the alcohol and drug policy for housing?
The residence halls and on-campus apartments are dry. This means that absolutely no alcohol nor any alcoholic container is permitted anywhere on the premises (cars, apartments, outside, etc.) of the on-campus apartments or the residence halls. It is important to remember that a violation of the alcohol policy can place your housing contract in jeopardy. Consequences for violating the alcohol policy are outlined in the Residence Life/Food Service Contract Booklet. Should you choose to violate the policy, you could find yourself facing an Administrative Hearing.

Possession of illegal drugs is a violation of housing policy and federal law. Students found in violation of this policy maybe removed from University Housing. Possession of drug paraphernalia is also prohibited.

Q: Can I bring my pet?
For reasons of safety and security the only pets allowed in housing are fish.

Q: What do I need to know about transportation and parking?
Since space is limited for parking in the apartments, every vehicle must have a USI parking decal. Those students living in housing can not park on the main campus and must either walk to class or ride one of the three shuttle buses. These buses make regular rounds from the housing areas to the main campus during the school year. One of the buses, the METS shuttle, makes trips from campus and to the local shopping area which contains department and grocery stores.

Q: What if I want to cancel my housing? How do I get my money back?
See the Residence Life/Food Service contract under the section labeled "Contract Cancellation". The guidelines for contract cancellation and any refunds are detailed there. Further information is also given under the sections "Buyout Policy", "Breach of Contract", "Contract Release Process", and "Contract Release Procedure". Please read all sections that are applicable to your particular situation. All cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in person at the Residence Life Center. The Director of Residence Life reviews all requests for cancellation of your contract and/or refund of your deposit.

If you have any other questions, the Residence Life Center front desk can help you fill out the appropriate paperwork. Staff is available at the Residence Life Center from 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday.

Q: What is the deposit for? Will I get the deposit back?
The $200.00 deposit serves a dual purpose. Not only does it act as a damage deposit once you have checked in to university housing, it also serves to hold your space in university housing prior to your arrival. During your time with university housing, you must maintain a deposit balance of $200.00, so any damages attributed to you during your time with housing will be billed directly to your student account. Damages will only be applied to your deposit when you officially check out of university housing, unless you renew your housing for the next year or sign up for summer housing.

Q: What can I do if I do not agree with a policy?
Students that do not agree with a policy can approach the issue with the Student Housing Association (SHA). This student run group has been tremendously helpful in the department's efforts to ensure that our ever changing student population is best served. SHA meets Tuesday nights at 9:30pm in the McWest Recreation Room located in the McWest campus apartments area.

Q: What if my friends want to visit? What is the visitation policy for campus housing?
You can have visitors at anytime within the visitation schedule. Typically, visitors are welcome from 8 am to midnight Sunday - Thursday and until 2 am Friday and Saturday. If your friends will be staying overnight or longer you must register your guests. Members of the opposite gender cannot stay past visitation hours for any reason.

Q: What if I get in trouble?
When a student gets in trouble (usually due to a policy violation outlined in the Residence Life/Food Service) they are subject to the administrative policies as outlined in the Residence Life/Food Service contract. This includes an administrative hearing with a hearing officer. You and the hearing officer will discuss the incident that occurred and it will be decided if you are responsible for the charges. If you are found responsible then the incident will be assigned a sanction. For more detailed information on the process please see the Judicial Affairs.

Q: Can I have the same apartment every year I am at USI?
During Spring renewal each resident has the opportunity to choose to live in the same apartment or to move. There are some residents that have lived in the same apartment for 3 years or more! The sooner you come in during the renewal week the better your chances are. However, while we do our best to honor requests, uncontrolled circumstances may force us to make changes as deemed necessary by the Residence Life Department.

Currently, the residence halls are reserved for first-year students only. The only upperclassmen that are allowed to stay in the residence halls are those that are involved in the Mentor program.

Q: How many hours do I need to take to stay in on-campus housing?
You need to be enrolled in at least 9 undergraduate credit hours at USI to live in campus housing.