Residential Life - Frequently Asked Questions

Utica Community
Living on Campus
Residential Life and Student Living
Residential Life - Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions to assist you as students prepare to move into our residence halls. If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact the Office of Student Living and Campus Engagement at 315-792-3285.

Who can a student talk to in their residence hall?

There are student staff members who work in every residence hall. These staff members are students who are trained to assist students with a variety of concerns. Your student can also talk to any of the professional Student Living staff who are staff members that work within the residence halls and within the Office of Student Living and Campus Engagement in Strebel 206. These staff members are an excellent resource on-campus who can assist in a variety of concerns.

What can a student do if they're having roommate troubles?

Please review the Room Change Process guide.

What if something is wrong in my room, such as a blown light bulb or leaky faucet?

Please submit a residence hall work request here.

Are students allowed to have cars on campus?

Yes, students may bring a car to campus. All cars must be registered with Campus Safety, have a valid registration sticker displayed, and adhere to all parking restrictions enforced through the Office of Campus Safety.

Are students required to purchase a meal plan?

Yes, all residential students are required to purchase a meal plan. Meal plan information is available through the Sodexo website.

Are the residence halls coed?

All of the residence halls are coed. Double rooms are occupied by two students on the same gender except students who apply through the all-gender housing process. All floors are coed meaning there could be a male-designated space next to a female-designated space. Coed floors in corridor-style buildings (buildings without rooms that contain their own restroom within the suite/cluster/apartment) have a female-designated and a male-designated bathroom on each floor.

How can students request a medical housing accommodation?

The Office of Learning Services is responsible for evaluating whether to grant or deny requests for a medical accommodation. For more information, please contact the Office of Learning Services at (315)792-3032 or visit www.utica.edu/learning.

What banks have ATMs on campus?

There are two ATMs on campus. Adirondack Bank (located in Strebel Student Center) and First Source Federal Credit Union (located in White Hall) each have an ATM on campus.

What is the two-year housing requirement and why does it exist?

At Utica University, we believe that on-campus living plays a crucial role in students' academic success and persistence to graduation. Studies have shown that students who live on campus have higher GPAs, are more likely to graduate on time, and report greater satisfaction with their college experience. That's why we have a two-year housing requirement for all incoming first-year students, as well as a four-semester requirement for transfer students (at Utica and/or their previous institution).

Our residence halls offer a complete living-learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging and connectedness among students. By living on campus, students have easy access to academic buildings, the library, the Strebel Student Center, and other resources that can help them succeed academically and socially. Additionally, living on campus provides opportunities for students to develop essential life skills like time management, self-discipline, and collaboration.

If a student does not receive approval to live off-campus and their permanent address is outside a 30-mile driving distance, they will be assigned to a residence hall room and charges will be added to their student bill. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Living and Campus Engagement at SLCE@utica.edu

Are there any exceptions to the two-year housing requirement?
Exceptions to the residency requirement include students who live at home with a parent or legal guardian within a 30-mile driving range, currently active or military veterans, students who are married or have legal dependents, medical or disability circumstances that cannot be accommodated. However, we encourage all students to consider the benefits of on-campus living and to take advantage of the many resources and opportunities that it offers. We review each application on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the student's individual circumstances and needs. To request an exception to the requirement, please submit a Housing Release form found under the Policies, Processes, and Forms section.

If a student does not receive approval to live off-campus, they will be assigned to a residence hall room and charges will be added to their student bill. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Living and Campus Engagement at SLCE@utica.edu