Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to live on campus?

The housing application is an online application that can be accessed at housing.res.kent.edu. There is a $40 application fee assessed at the time you apply in addition to a $200 prepayment. At the end of the application, you will be given the opportunity to make these payments by Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

What items should I bring with me to campus?

Every room on campus is furnished with a bed, desk, and dresser for each student in addition to high-speed wireless internet service. Additionally, students should bring bath essentials, extra long twin bedding, as well as any other personal items necessary. Please remember to keep toaster-ovens, candles, indoor grills, microwaves, and torchiere-style lighting at home. For a more complete listing of items, please refer to our Hallways Manual. View our non-inclusive list of items to bring and items to leave at home.

How do I transport heavy/large packages back to my dorm room?

You can check out a cart from your area desk. Make sure to check-out a shopping cart at your local area desk before you head over to pickup your package

Will my mail also be delivered to a locker?

Your mail will be available for pickup in the central distribution services desk during opening hours.  The central distribution services desk is located right next to the lockers.

What are the opening hours of the Eastway central distribution center?

You can pick up your package 24/7.  Oversized/overflow packages and mail can be picked up in the Eastway distribution center between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

What size are the beds in the residence halls?

Mattresses in our residence halls are extra-long (36"x80"). Beds may also be bunked or lofted to help maximize space in rooms. The National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) has partnered with Residence Hall Linens to provide our students with a convenient, affordable way to purchase extra-long sheets and bedding items, as well as other campus-living necessities. Proceeds from this program go to the NRHH and are used for programming and leadership opportunities in the residence halls. Please visit the RHL website www.rhl.org/ken.

Where am I able to use my meal plan and how do I purchase food with my plan?

The Meal Plan is accessed through the student's FLASHcard. For details on the many dining options, please visit the University Culinary Services FAQ page - https://www.kent.edu/dining/meal-plan-faq

Where can I find more information and/or apply to be a Resident Assistant (RA)?

Resident Assistants are valuable leaders that provide a great service to our residents. Information about the wonderful benefits and responsibilities of being an RA, as well as an application, is located at the Resident Assistant home page.

What is my mailing address?

Student Name

Residence Hall

Kent State On-Campus Mail Center

1375 Eastway Drive

Kent, OH 44243

 

 

I am an incoming freshman who will be living in the residence halls. Am I allowed to bring my car to campus?

All of our students are more than welcome to bring their cars with them to the University. However, please note that first-year students park at Dix Stadium. For full parking details, please refer to the Parking Services website at www.kent.edu/parking.

Where will my mail be delivered?

The campus mail and package center is located in the lower level of Eastway Center next to the convenience store. When mail or a package arrives for you at the mail and package center, you will receive an email sent to your Kent State University email address to let you know that you have an item ready for pickup. In order to pick up your mail or package, you will need to bring a photo ID (your FlashCard).

It’s important to note that even if a package’s on-line tracking shows the package as delivered, the package may not have arrived and been processed yet. When your mail or package is ready for pick-up, you will receive an email.

If your package has arrived in a locker, you will receive an email notifying you that your package has arrived and is ready for pickup.

I am interested in changing my room assignment. How can I make a change?

Students who lived on campus during the previous spring semester are able to change their room until the end of the contract renewal process on April 1st. This can be done by logging into the contract renewal online system. Once the contract renewal period has ended, returning residents may no longer change their room. If a returning resident still wishes to change rooms, they would need to wait until the room freeze period ends approximately the 15th day of the upcoming semester if space is available.
New incoming students are able to change their preferences, including hall preference, up until the point during the summer when their housing assignment is made.

Once an incoming student's housing assignment is made, changes can no longer be made to the housing application. Housing assignments are made based on the preferences a student indicates on his or her on-line application and room availability. Once a housing assignment is made, students will be able to view their assignment online by logging back into their online application. Summer room changes are not available to incoming students. For any students that wish to make a room change, they would need to wait until approximately the 15th day of the upcoming semester if space is available.

During the academic year, room changes may be requested by visiting your Residence Hall Director or Graduate Assistant during posted office hours. At the start of each semester, space permitting, there is an approximately 15 day room freeze period where no room changes may occur. After this period room changes may occur if approved by your RHD or GA based on room availability.

I am interested in a single room. How do I know if I'm eligible?

All students are eligible for a single room at Kent State University. Singles are available in Leebrick Hall and Centennial Court C. Freshmen and sophomores are welcome to reside in Leebrick Hall (floors 8-12), while students attaining sophomore status and beyond are also eligible for Centennial Court C. There is a very limited number of single rooms available in other halls: Allyn, Clark, Manchester, Fletcher, Dunbar, Lake and Olson Halls; in these buildings, there are between 3 and 6 singles in the building. While all students are eligible for single housing, we urge incoming students to take part in a living community that provides a roommate. Living with peers and making connections with other students is an integral part of the holistic education our students receive at the university. For further information on these or any of our residence halls, please visit our Residence Halls page.

How do I know if I'm required to live in the residence halls?

Kent State University Housing policy states that all students enrolled for nine or more credit hours at the Kent campus must live in university housing until they meet one of the following conditions:

  • have attempted 60 credit hours (junior standing) prior to the start of the academic year
  • are 20 years of age prior to the start of the academic year
  • have lived in university housing for four semesters
  • will live and travel to class from the primary residence of their parent or legal guardian residing within 50 miles of the University
  • have been granted an exemption from the Department of Residence Services

If the student's plans include commuting from home, they must submit a Mandatory Housing Exemption Application.

DOWNLOAD THE MANDATORY HOUSING EXEMPTION APPLICATION

Additionally, if the student plans on living in University recognized Greek housing, the student must submit Greek exemption paperwork.

Do you have any triple rooms?

A limited number of triple rooms are offered in Centennial Courts D-F, Johnson Hall, and Stopher Hall. The housing application provides an area to request another individual to be your roommate or suitemate. There is space to request up to three individuals. When filling out your application, you would need to request both of your friends that you wish to live in a triple with in this location. Please provide their last names and Kent State email addresses. Each of your friends will need to also follow this step to ensure all three individuals are placed into the same triple room.

Please note that housing assignments are made on a first come, first served basis. In addition to applying early, it would also be in the students' advantage to apply together. While every effort will be made to honor your request, we cannot guarantee that your request will be filled. Also, in order to be assigned to a triple in Johnson Hall or Stopher Hall all three individuals will need to be members of the Honors College.

Can I request my friend to be my roommate?

The housing application provides an area to request another individual to be your roommate. There is space to request up to three individuals (the first space should be used for your roommate request if you are interested in a double room. If you are interested in living in a triple room, please use the third roommate request field). When filling out your application, please provide their full name and Kent State email address. Please note that housing assignments are made on a first come, first served basis. In addition to applying early, it also would be to the students' advantage to apply together. While every effort will be made to honor your request, we cannot guarantee that your request will be filled. All individuals wanting to be roommates must confirm their roommate request before May 22nd when we begin assigning rooms for the upcoming academic year.

Are students charged for room damages?

Students may get charged for damages they were responsible for. Upon move-in, students will assess any damage that may have previously occurred to the room. A similar inspection will happen on move-out, and students may get charged for new damages. Students are responsible for the cleaning of their rooms on a regular basis, as well as their private bathroom (if applicable). This includes removing trash to the appropriate receptacles. University Housing reserves the right to take corrective action, including cleaning the room and billing the resident. in situations that present a health or safety concern. However, in almost every situation, the first course of action will be to ask the resident(s) of the room to remedy the situation within 24 hours. Vacuums may be available in your community; please check with your RA, ARHD, or RHD. 

Are pets allowed?

Pets, except fish, are not permitted in the residence halls, student rooms or public areas of the halls. For fish, the fish tank capacity per room may not exceed 30 gallons. This policy includes the pets of guests. Students who are approved for an Assistance Animal must abide by the Policy on Reasonable Accommodations and Assistance Animals in University Housing. For more information regarding the Policy on Reasonable Accommodations an Assistance Animals in University Housing visit this site.

What items are not allowed in the residence halls?

These items are prohibited on-campus. Find more information here.

  • Any Lamp with Halogen Bulbs 

  • Any Pet that is NOT a Fish 

  • Candles/Incense 

  • Fireworks 

  • Electrical Devices with an Exposed Heating Coil 

  • Flexible Multi-Armed Floor Lamps 

  • In-door Grills (George Foreman™ types) 

  • Lava Lamps 

  • Nails for Hanging Items (please use Sticky-Tac or 3-M removable hooks instead) 

  • Rubber or Foam Backed Carpet 

  • Stand-Alone Freezer 

  • Space Heaters 

  • Torchiere Style Lamps/Multi-arm Style Lamps 

  • Window Air Conditioning Units 

  • Toaster Ovens/Hot Pots/Plates 

  • Toy Guns (i.e. BB or Airsoft) 

  • Weapons (real or fake that look real) 

Can I have guests?

Residents may bring guests into the residence halls. A guest is defined as any person who is not assigned to a room in that particular hall. All guests must be escorted by their host at all times – including in stairwells, bathrooms, lobbies and elevators. Residents are responsible for, and will be held accountable for, the actions of their guests. Residents are responsible for all violations that occur within their rooms, regardless of whether they are physically present in the room at the time. University Housing staff members reserve the right to require a guest to leave the room/floor/building when a guest is disruptive or not escorted by a resident of the building. University Housing also reserves the right to limit guest privileges to a room/floor/building as a disciplinary action when a guest is disruptive or not escorted by a resident of the building. With the consent of all roommates and/or suitemates, residents may permit a guest to stay overnight in their room for no more than three (3) days in a seven (7) day period. These nights do not need to be consecutive. Guest/escort policies may change based on university needs, such as a public health emergency. University Housing staff will notify students should policies change. 

Should I have renters' insurance?

Check to see if your homeowner's or renter's insurance covers your belongings while you're at KSU. University insurance covers facilities only. Kent State University is not responsible for student personal property that is lost, stolen, or damaged. You may also contact an agency that offers policies specifically for on-campus housing students.  Below are some companies that provide insurance policies for college students: 

Click here for more information.