Residence Life FAQs

• What is the difference between a "dorm" and a "residence hall"?
  
  A dorm is simply a place to sleep, while a residence hall is a place to live and learn in a community environment where dedicated full-time professionals are available 24 hours a day.
  
  
• What is the length (term) of the housing contract?
  
  The student housing contract is a legally binding contract for the full academic year and is not a fall-only contract. Students will be held accountable for both the fall and spring semester housing charges. Spring-only housing contracts and Summer contracts will be available for those who are not living on campus in the Fall.

• What is the residence hall assignment process?
  
  Lincoln University operates nine residence halls: Anthony, Bennett, Dawson, Hoard, Martin, Perry, Sherman, Tull and Yates. (Dawson and Perry are currently offline.) All returning residents or transfer students may request space in one of our residence halls, keeping in mind the following criteria: Bennett Hall is designated for students studying agriculture and/or 1890 Scholarship recipients, Hoard and Yates Halls are the honors halls with a GPA of 3.0 and above requirement, as well as home to our SGA members. Anthony Hall is our honors college hall, and residents must be selected to live in this building.
  
  Assignments are made over the summer, and residents are notified of their assignment in late July. First-time freshmen and transfer students must pay their housing fee and submit a completed contract before an assignment is made.
  
  
• How are rooms and roommates assigned?
  
  Students are assigned a room and roommate based on the information submitted on the Residence Hall Questionnaire accompanying the contract. It is the Department's policy not to discriminate when assigning roommates based on race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality or culture. Every effort will be made to honor mutual roommate requests provided the timeliness in receipt of the contracts and that both students have been assigned to the same residence hall.
  
  
• Can I choose my roommate?
  
  Yes. You can request a specific roommate during the application process. Both students must confirm the match.
  
  
• What if I don’t choose a roommate?
  
  You’ll be matched based on your answers to lifestyle and preference questions in your housing application.
  
  
• Can I request a room change?
  
  Room changes are allowed during designated periods and must be approved by Residential Life.

• How are housing fees billed and paid?
  
  Housing Fees will be placed on the student's University account at the beginning of each semester or at the time of their contract renewal. These charges are due at the start of each semester. If a deferred payment plan option is chosen, payments and due dates are set out by the Bursar's Office. All payments should be made payable to Lincoln University and forwarded directly to the Bursar's Office.
  
  
• Is personal property insurance necessary?
  
  The University cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to any student's personal items. With this in mind, we highly recommend renters insurance if personal items are not covered under the family's homeowner's insurance plan. Renters insurance information is provided to the student upon receipt of their contract and housing fee or can be obtained in the Office of Residential Life.

• How big are the beds?
  
  All beds are TWIN XL, requiring TWIN XL sheets. A mattress pad is highly recommended for comfort.
  
  
• Can we bring our own microwave and/or mini-refrigerator?
  
  The University does not provide a microwave and mini-refrigerator in each living unit. Personal microwaves and/or mini-refrigerators are permitted and need to be mini-fridge status with surge protection and UL compliance.
  
  
• Is telephone and cable service provided?
  
  Local telephone service and cable connections are not provided.

• What computer technology is provided?
  
  Residents of all residence halls benefit from network modules provided in each living unit. Residents with their own personal computer may use an Ethernet card or connect to the wireless network connections to access the University's mainframe, Internet and library online systems. Fully equipped computer labs are located in the Page Library, Stamper Hall, room 118, and Frank Hall, room 5. Access to the labs is in accordance with each facility's hours of operation and when classes are not being held in Frank Hall, room 5.

• When do the residence halls open?
  
  All residence halls open at least two days prior to the beginning of each academic semester. For those students requiring arrival on campus early, arrangements can and must be made through the Office of Residential Life. An extra cost may apply.
  
  
• What staff is available in the residence halls?
  
  A full-time, live-in residence director administers the residence halls. Along with the day-to-day administration, these staff members advise students and facilitate social and educational programs and activities. Another integral part of the Residential Life staff is the Resident Assistant (RA). RAs are students, living on the floors of each residence hall, who receive extensive training and serve as information sources, peer advisors and maintain close contact with the residents.

• What are the designated visitation hours?
  
  Sunday–Thursday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  Friday–Saturday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Visitation is not permitted if the residence hall front desk is closed.

Click here to view the full visitation policy

• Can I set my own visitation limits in my room?
  
  Yes. Roommates may mutually agree to limit visitation in their room by completing a Roommate Agreement through Residential Life.

• When are quiet hours enforced?
  
  Weekdays (Sunday–Thursday): 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM
  Weekends (Friday–Saturday): 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM
  
  Holiday and break exceptions apply:
  
  Weekend hours apply through long weekends (e.g., Monday holidays).
  Mid-week holidays and break housing periods do not change weekday quiet hours.
  
  
• Are there extended quiet hours during finals?
  
  Yes. 24-hour quiet hours begin at 9:00 PM on the Friday before finals week and last through the end of the semester.

• What happens if I break quiet hours?
  
  Failure to follow quiet hour rules may result in disciplinary action.
  
  Click to view the full quiet hours policy