Housing Guide

Living on Campus

University Park

2011-2012

As a member of our residence hall community, you will experience the very best that Penn State has to offer. You have a lot to look forward to, and the Housing, Food Services, and Residence Life staff will be there to support you every step of the way.

To learn more about living on campus at Penn State, take a moment to review the information in this brochure and visit our web site.

A Place to Call HomeAt University Park, there are over 53 residence hall buildings in eight residence areas, housing over 14,000 students. Each residential student will have access to cable television service and an Internet connection. All first-year student rooms are furnished with single beds, desks and chairs, bookshelves, chest of drawers, refrigerator/freezer/microwave unit, and other essentials.

Supportive StaffAssistance is always nearby when you live on campus. Residence Life assistant directors and coordinators are full-time professional employees available to provide residents with assistance in their transition to on-campus living. Resident assistants (RAs) are upperclass students living in the residence area who are responsible for an area house (a designated group of rooms). RAs are available for information, assistance, programming, and other services.

Our Housing professionals provide a clean, well-maintained environment for your safety and well-being. Housekeeping services are provided seven days a week for public areas of the residence halls, including bathrooms and lounges. Maintenance and repairs are handled in a timely fashion.

Great Meals at a Great PriceAll on-campus students enjoy the benefits and convenience of the Campus Meal Plan, which offers members a discounted purchase price at dining facilities operated by Campus Dining. You’ll be able to use your meal plan at campus coffee shops and restaurants, but you’ll get the best value at the dining commons, where you’ll get 65 percent off the cash price for most items. Campus Dining offers a variety of healthy, great-tasting food choices, including traditional items, vegetarian items, and fast food selections.

Campus Meal Plan

Dining Facilities

What’s Inside A Welcoming Community

Welcome .............................................................................................................3

The Residence Areas .........................................................................................4

Special Living Options (SLOs) ..........................................................................4

Supplemental Housing .....................................................................................4

Living On Campus After Your First Year ............................................................4

Students With Medical Needs ..........................................................................5

Campus Meal Plan .............................................................................................5

LionCash+ ...........................................................................................................6

The Penn State id+ Card ...................................................................................6

Surprise Your Student ........................................................................................6

Submitting Your Housing and Food Services Contract ..................................7

Campus Map ......................................................................................................8

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Where Memories Are Made

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As a member of our residence hall community, you will experience the very best that Penn State has to offer. You have a lot to look forward to, and the Housing, Food Services, and Residence Life staff will be there to support you every step of the way.

To learn more about living on campus at Penn State, take a moment to review the information in this brochure and visit our web site.

A Place to Call HomeAt University Park, there are over 53 residence hall buildings in eight residence areas, housing over 14,000 students. Each residential student will have access to cable television service and an Internet connection. All first-year student rooms are furnished with single beds, desks and chairs, bookshelves, chest of drawers, refrigerator/freezer/microwave unit, and other essentials.

Supportive StaffAssistance is always nearby when you live on campus. Residence Life assistant directors and coordinators are full-time professional employees available to provide residents with assistance in their transition to on-campus living. Resident assistants (RAs) are upperclass students living in the residence area who are responsible for an area house (a designated group of rooms). RAs are available for information, assistance, programming, and other services.

Our Housing professionals provide a clean, well-maintained environment for your safety and well-being. Housekeeping services are provided seven days a week for public areas of the residence halls, including bathrooms and lounges. Maintenance and repairs are handled in a timely fashion.

Great Meals at a Great PriceAll on-campus students enjoy the benefits and convenience of the Campus Meal Plan, which offers members a discounted purchase price at dining facilities operated by Campus Dining. You’ll be able to use your meal plan at campus coffee shops and restaurants, but you’ll get the best value at the dining commons, where you’ll get 65 percent off the cash price for most items. Campus Dining offers a variety of healthy, great-tasting food choices, including traditional items, vegetarian items, and fast food selections.

Campus Meal Plan

Dining Facilities

What’s Inside A Welcoming Community

Welcome .............................................................................................................3

The Residence Areas .........................................................................................4

Special Living Options (SLOs) ..........................................................................4

Supplemental Housing .....................................................................................4

Living On Campus After Your First Year ............................................................4

Students With Medical Needs ..........................................................................5

Campus Meal Plan .............................................................................................5

LionCash+ ...........................................................................................................6

The Penn State id+ Card ...................................................................................6

Surprise Your Student ........................................................................................6

Submitting Your Housing and Food Services Contract ..................................7

Campus Map ......................................................................................................8

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Where Memories Are Made

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Students with Medical NeedsPenn State provides a climate of equal opportunity to all programs, activities, and services, and is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Penn State will provide accessible housing for students with disabilities as defined by these laws. To qualify for protection under these laws, the student must provide documentation from a qualified examiner that substantiates that he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity and that the requested accommodation is necessary to afford the student equal access.

To request a reasonable accommodation, the Request for Housing Medical Accommodation Form needs to be submitted prior to the established deadlines. Students will be informed of the determination after the evaluation. In order to make a reasonable accommodation for the student’s need, there may be certain situations where housing preferences (such as area or roommate requests) cannot be honored.

Campus Meal PlanThe Housing and Food Service Contract features the convenience of the Campus Meal Plan. Dining dollars are deposited into a declining balance account, and are accessed by the Penn State id+ Card. Simply present your id+ card to the cashier and the purchase amount will be deducted from your account.

The meal plan is comprised of two components—base cost and dining dollars. The base cost covers all non-food costs for operating food services, such as labor, supplies, maintenance, and utilities. Dining dollars are used to make purchases at on-campus food service facilities.

All menu items have a cash price that includes both the food cost and base cost of operation. Since meal plan members pay the base cost up front for the entire semester, on-campus dining purchases are significantly discounted with each visit. Meal plan members receive a special set rate when purchasing meals at the dining commons, which are all-you-care-to-eat facilities. Purchases made at other food service operations will receive a discount on prepared food items. For certain items, such as prepackaged vendor items and bottled beverages, no discount is given.

The meal plan offers six level options, with varying dining dollar amounts available to purchase meals. Meal plan levels can be adjusted throughout the semester until 14 days before the end of the semester at eLiving. Any charges or refunds will be applied to the student’s Bursar account. Additional funds can be added online or with cash/check at the cashier station or commons desk.

Residence AreasThere are eight residential areas on campus—East, North, Pollock, South, West, Eastview, Nittany, and White Course. First-year students reside in the residence halls located in East, Pollock, and South, as well as Special Living Options in North and West. Each residence area features several residence halls and a central commons building, and is conveniently located near classrooms and recreational facilities. You’ll have access to laundry and dining facilities, computer labs, and mail service–right in your residence area. No matter where you live on campus, you’ll be a part of a supportive, friendly community!

Learn more about the specific first-year student housing areas, such as room diagrams and dining facilities:

East Housing Area Pollock Housing Area South Housing Area

Special Living OptionsSpecial Living Options (SLOs) provide residence hall students the opportunity to live with other students who share similar interests. Some SLOs focus on academic disciplines like business or engineering, while others are intended for students interested in social issues or community service. Several SLOs are designed especially for first-year students. All SLOs offer students the opportunity to participate in special activities and programs and interact closely with faculty and staff.

Supplemental HousingIf you accept your offer of admission to Penn State close to or after the May 1 deadline, you may be assigned to supplemental housing. Supplemental housing accommodates four to eight students, and offers the same amenities as a regular double room, such as furniture, cable television, and Internet service. Students assigned to supplemental housing receive a reduced room rate.

Living On Campus After Your First YearOn-campus housing is not guaranteed after your first year living on campus. Since the majority of residence hall space is allocated for first-year students, the demand for on-campus housing may exceed the space available. This means that if you submit a request for a Housing and Food Service Contract for your sophomore, junior, and/or senior year, there is a chance that you may not receive an offer for on-campus housing. Some students may also receive an offer for supplemental housing. If you request a Housing Contract but do not receive an offer, you will be eligible to request a Housing and Food Service Contract for the following year. If you choose to move off campus after your first year and do not submit a request for a Housing and Food Service Contract, you will be eligible to add your name to the Waitlist for housing after the contract process has ended. You will not be eligible to participate in the request process. Visit eLiving to learn more about the process.

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Students with Medical NeedsPenn State provides a climate of equal opportunity to all programs, activities, and services, and is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Penn State will provide accessible housing for students with disabilities as defined by these laws. To qualify for protection under these laws, the student must provide documentation from a qualified examiner that substantiates that he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity and that the requested accommodation is necessary to afford the student equal access.

To request a reasonable accommodation, the Request for Housing Medical Accommodation Form needs to be submitted prior to the established deadlines. Students will be informed of the determination after the evaluation. In order to make a reasonable accommodation for the student’s need, there may be certain situations where housing preferences (such as area or roommate requests) cannot be honored.

Campus Meal PlanThe Housing and Food Service Contract features the convenience of the Campus Meal Plan. Dining dollars are deposited into a declining balance account, and are accessed by the Penn State id+ Card. Simply present your id+ card to the cashier and the purchase amount will be deducted from your account.

The meal plan is comprised of two components—base cost and dining dollars. The base cost covers all non-food costs for operating food services, such as labor, supplies, maintenance, and utilities. Dining dollars are used to make purchases at on-campus food service facilities.

All menu items have a cash price that includes both the food cost and base cost of operation. Since meal plan members pay the base cost up front for the entire semester, on-campus dining purchases are significantly discounted with each visit. Meal plan members receive a special set rate when purchasing meals at the dining commons, which are all-you-care-to-eat facilities. Purchases made at other food service operations will receive a discount on prepared food items. For certain items, such as prepackaged vendor items and bottled beverages, no discount is given.

The meal plan offers six level options, with varying dining dollar amounts available to purchase meals. Meal plan levels can be adjusted throughout the semester until 14 days before the end of the semester at eLiving. Any charges or refunds will be applied to the student’s Bursar account. Additional funds can be added online or with cash/check at the cashier station or commons desk.

Residence AreasThere are eight residential areas on campus—East, North, Pollock, South, West, Eastview, Nittany, and White Course. First-year students reside in the residence halls located in East, Pollock, and South, as well as Special Living Options in North and West. Each residence area features several residence halls and a central commons building, and is conveniently located near classrooms and recreational facilities. You’ll have access to laundry and dining facilities, computer labs, and mail service–right in your residence area. No matter where you live on campus, you’ll be a part of a supportive, friendly community!

Learn more about the specific first-year student housing areas, such as room diagrams and dining facilities:

East Housing Area Pollock Housing Area South Housing Area

Special Living OptionsSpecial Living Options (SLOs) provide residence hall students the opportunity to live with other students who share similar interests. Some SLOs focus on academic disciplines like business or engineering, while others are intended for students interested in social issues or community service. Several SLOs are designed especially for first-year students. All SLOs offer students the opportunity to participate in special activities and programs and interact closely with faculty and staff.

Supplemental HousingIf you accept your offer of admission to Penn State close to or after the May 1 deadline, you may be assigned to supplemental housing. Supplemental housing accommodates four to eight students, and offers the same amenities as a regular double room, such as furniture, cable television, and Internet service. Students assigned to supplemental housing receive a reduced room rate.

Living On Campus After Your First YearOn-campus housing is not guaranteed after your first year living on campus. Since the majority of residence hall space is allocated for first-year students, the demand for on-campus housing may exceed the space available. This means that if you submit a request for a Housing and Food Service Contract for your sophomore, junior, and/or senior year, there is a chance that you may not receive an offer for on-campus housing. Some students may also receive an offer for supplemental housing. If you request a Housing Contract but do not receive an offer, you will be eligible to request a Housing and Food Service Contract for the following year. If you choose to move off campus after your first year and do not submit a request for a Housing and Food Service Contract, you will be eligible to add your name to the Waitlist for housing after the contract process has ended. You will not be eligible to participate in the request process. Visit eLiving to learn more about the process.

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If you accept your offer of Admission online:• Log on to your MyPennState account using your Friends of Penn State (FPS) account and password.

• Submit your acceptance fees and housing deposit.

• Your offer of admission and Housing and Food Service Contract are now accepted.

• Log in to eLiving to indicate your housing preferences (area, roommate, and SLO) and your Campus Meal Plan level.

• Housing preferences can be modified until May 1 by logging into eLiving. Select the “summary” page, and then click on the appropriate contract.

• Click on the “Save Changes” button to save your housing preferences.

• Note: If you are offered summer admission you will need to accept two contracts, one for summer and one for the fall-spring academic year.

If you accept your offer of Admission by mail:• Return your Acceptance Notification, acceptance fees, and housing deposit in the envelope provided, and mail to:

Office of the Bursar 103 Shields Building University Park PA 16802-1276

• To accept your Housing Contract, log on to eLiving before May 1 with your Friends of Penn State (FPS) account and password. Click on the “Accept Contract” link.

• Indicate your housing preferences (area, roommate, SLO) and your Campus Meal Plan level. Housing preferences can be modified until May 1 by logging into eLiving. Select the “summary” page, and then click on the appropriate contact.

• Click on the “Accept Contract” button to accept the Housing and Food Service contract.

• Note: If you are offered summer admission you will need to accept two contracts, one for summer and one for the fall-spring academic year.

LionCash+LionCash+ is an online, prepaid flexible spending account accessed with your Penn State id+ Card. Just deposit money into your account and enjoy the convenience of making cash-free purchases at participating locations on and off campus. There are over 200 participating off-campus merchants. LionCash+ is also the method to pay for on-campus laundry. Funds can be added at any time online or at the commons desks. Family and friends can also make deposits online.

LionCash+ also complements the meal plan. If you run out of dining dollars, on-campus dining registers will automatically default to your LionCash+ account. If there are enough funds to cover your purchase, funds will be withdrawn from the LionCash+ account and processed at the meal plan rate.

The Penn State id+ CardEach Penn State student is issued an official University ID—the Penn State id+ Card. You will use your id+ card to enter your residence hall, access your meal plan and LionCash+, to access the Newspaper Readership Program machines, access your athletic tickets, and check out books from the University Libraries.

Surprise Your StudentSend your special student a yummy surprise. The Penn State Bakery has been preparing delicious desserts for over 50 years, and you can share its delicious goodies with your student. Select from a cookie canister, specialty cakes, monster cookie, monster brownie, and cupcakes. Items are delivered fresh to your student’s commons desk for pick-up.

Your Housing and Food Service ContractAll first-year students are required to live on campus at University Park. Nineteen residence halls are reserved exclusively for first-year students in the East, Pollock, and South housing areas. We also offer numerous Special Living Options (SLOs) for first-year students to request. Regardless of where you live on campus, you will be in an area with other first-year students. Housing and Residence Life staff will provide a clean, safe, and supportive environment for you. On each floor, a Resident Assistant (RA) will be available.

How you accept your Housing and Food Service Contract depends on how you accept the offer of admission—either online or by mail. Please be aware that the Assignment Office for Campus Residences makes room assignments in the order that students accept their offer of admission to Penn State. The earlier that you accept the offer, the better chance you have of receiving your housing preferences. The later you accept the offer of admission, closer to the May 1 deadline, there is a likelihood that you will be assigned to supplemental housing, regardless of your housing preferences listed on your contract.

Submitting your Housing and Food Service Contract

Requesting an Exemption from First-Year HousingYou may be granted an exemption from the on-campus living requirement as a first-year student if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are 21 years old or older when you accept your offer of admission to Penn State.

• You are a United States veteran.

• You live within Centre County in the primary residence of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

• You are married and/or have dependent children who live with you.

If you accept the offer of admission online through MyPennState, you will be prompted for an exemption if you are 21 years old or older or live in Centre County. All other students must accept the offer of admission and pay the $100 housing deposit along with the acceptance fees, then contact The Assignment Office for Campus Residences to request an exemption form. The Assignment Office will review the completed exemption form and notify you of the determination. If you are exempted from living on campus, the $100 housing deposit will be refunded.

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If you accept your offer of Admission online:• Log on to your MyPennState account using your Friends of Penn State (FPS) account and password.

• Submit your acceptance fees and housing deposit.

• Your offer of admission and Housing and Food Service Contract are now accepted.

• Log in to eLiving to indicate your housing preferences (area, roommate, and SLO) and your Campus Meal Plan level.

• Housing preferences can be modified until May 1 by logging into eLiving. Select the “summary” page, and then click on the appropriate contract.

• Click on the “Save Changes” button to save your housing preferences.

• Note: If you are offered summer admission you will need to accept two contracts, one for summer and one for the fall-spring academic year.

If you accept your offer of Admission by mail:• Return your Acceptance Notification, acceptance fees, and housing deposit in the envelope provided, and mail to:

Office of the Bursar 103 Shields Building University Park PA 16802-1276

• To accept your Housing Contract, log on to eLiving before May 1 with your Friends of Penn State (FPS) account and password. Click on the “Accept Contract” link.

• Indicate your housing preferences (area, roommate, SLO) and your Campus Meal Plan level. Housing preferences can be modified until May 1 by logging into eLiving. Select the “summary” page, and then click on the appropriate contact.

• Click on the “Accept Contract” button to accept the Housing and Food Service contract.

• Note: If you are offered summer admission you will need to accept two contracts, one for summer and one for the fall-spring academic year.

LionCash+LionCash+ is an online, prepaid flexible spending account accessed with your Penn State id+ Card. Just deposit money into your account and enjoy the convenience of making cash-free purchases at participating locations on and off campus. There are over 200 participating off-campus merchants. LionCash+ is also the method to pay for on-campus laundry. Funds can be added at any time online or at the commons desks. Family and friends can also make deposits online.

LionCash+ also complements the meal plan. If you run out of dining dollars, on-campus dining registers will automatically default to your LionCash+ account. If there are enough funds to cover your purchase, funds will be withdrawn from the LionCash+ account and processed at the meal plan rate.

The Penn State id+ CardEach Penn State student is issued an official University ID—the Penn State id+ Card. You will use your id+ card to enter your residence hall, access your meal plan and LionCash+, to access the Newspaper Readership Program machines, access your athletic tickets, and check out books from the University Libraries.

Surprise Your StudentSend your special student a yummy surprise. The Penn State Bakery has been preparing delicious desserts for over 50 years, and you can share its delicious goodies with your student. Select from a cookie canister, specialty cakes, monster cookie, monster brownie, and cupcakes. Items are delivered fresh to your student’s commons desk for pick-up.

Your Housing and Food Service ContractAll first-year students are required to live on campus at University Park. Nineteen residence halls are reserved exclusively for first-year students in the East, Pollock, and South housing areas. We also offer numerous Special Living Options (SLOs) for first-year students to request. Regardless of where you live on campus, you will be in an area with other first-year students. Housing and Residence Life staff will provide a clean, safe, and supportive environment for you. On each floor, a Resident Assistant (RA) will be available.

How you accept your Housing and Food Service Contract depends on how you accept the offer of admission—either online or by mail. Please be aware that the Assignment Office for Campus Residences makes room assignments in the order that students accept their offer of admission to Penn State. The earlier that you accept the offer, the better chance you have of receiving your housing preferences. The later you accept the offer of admission, closer to the May 1 deadline, there is a likelihood that you will be assigned to supplemental housing, regardless of your housing preferences listed on your contract.

Submitting your Housing and Food Service Contract

Requesting an Exemption from First-Year HousingYou may be granted an exemption from the on-campus living requirement as a first-year student if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are 21 years old or older when you accept your offer of admission to Penn State.

• You are a United States veteran.

• You live within Centre County in the primary residence of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

• You are married and/or have dependent children who live with you.

If you accept the offer of admission online through MyPennState, you will be prompted for an exemption if you are 21 years old or older or live in Centre County. All other students must accept the offer of admission and pay the $100 housing deposit along with the acceptance fees, then contact The Assignment Office for Campus Residences to request an exemption form. The Assignment Office will review the completed exemption form and notify you of the determination. If you are exempted from living on campus, the $100 housing deposit will be refunded.

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Questions?Please contact us at:

The Assignment Office for Campus Residences201 Johnston CommonsUniversity Park, PA [email protected]

www.housing.psu.edu

This publication is available in alternative media upon request.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901; Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.

U.Ed BSO 10-300 ASMO 09-HO-0015