Frequently Asked Questions
Assignments
- When will I receive my housing assignment?
- Can you give me my roommate's home telephone number?
- Can I request another incoming freshmen as a roommate?
- If I'm unhappy when I get my assigned room or roommate, can I get it changed before school opens? How?
- Do I have to live on campus?
- When can I move into my room? Can I move in early?
- What if after two days, I discover that I can't live with my roommate(s)?
- Can I be released from my housing contract and move off campus in December?
- If I have questions once I've settled in, who can answer these?
- How is Housing priority established?
- When are Housing applications due?
Facilities
- What do I do if something is wrong in the room?
- Can we have a pet?
- Can we have a microwave, toaster oven, coffee pot or hot plate in our rooms?
General
- Where is card access available?
- Can we have opposite sex overnight guests in our rooms?
- How can I get my post office box?
- How can I find out what my Post Office Box number is? Is this associated with housing?
- How do I sign up for a meal plan?
- Who do I contact about a MicroFridge?
- Can I build a loft in my room?
- Who do I contact about buying a loft?
- How can I get telephone service in my room or apartment?
Assignments
When will I receive my housing assignment?
Assignments are usually mailed out by the middle of July. Included with your assignment will be a link to find your roommate(s) name(s) and contact information.
Can you give me my roommate's home telephone number?
Yes, if you roommate gave permission to do so on his/her housing application.
Can I request another incoming freshmen as a roommate?
Yes. You will have the option on your housing application to request a roommate of your choice. Keep in mind that your priority level will be adjusted according to the roommate with the latest Clemson University application date.
If I'm unhappy when I get my assigned room or roommate, can I get it changed before school opens? How?
It is our goal to make everyone happy with their room and roommate assignment. Even after assignments are made, we will continue to work to accommodate your preferences. If you want us to change something about your assignment, email the housing office immediately explaining your preferences. Be sure to include your CUID#. While we can't guarantee the change you want, we promise we will try our best to honor your request.
Do I have to live on campus?
Yes. University policy stipulates that all unmarried freshmen who are under the age of 21 at the time of enrollment who do not live with parent(s) or guardian(s) [within a 50-mile radius of campus] are required to live in University-owned housing for the fall and spring semesters. (Written documentation is required.)
For the purpose of this agreement, transfer students are not considered freshmen. Transfer students are housed on a space available basis.
If a violation of the on-campus residency requirement is discovered before the semester begins, the student's enrollment may be jeopardized unless the Housing application is completed and the student is assigned on-campus housing. If a violation of the policy is discovered after the start of the semester, the student will be referred to the Office of Community and Ethical Standards for failure to comply with a University policy.
When can I move into my room? Can I move in early?
Freshman and new students can start moving in the Saturday before classes begin (8 a.m.). All continuing students can start moving in the following Sunday (8 a.m.). In general, our staff is preparing buildings up to the last minute, so moving in earlier is not an option.
What if after two days, I discover that I can't live with my roommate(s)?
Of course, we do not want anyone to be miserable. Both the residence hall staff and Mell Hall staff are available to assist you. Room change information will come through your Resident Assistant and email.
Can I be released from my housing contract and move off campus in December?
The University housing contract is a legally binding document, and it is for the academic year. Students are encouraged first to contact the Assignments Office with concerns regarding the contract cancellation process. If the concerns are not resolved satisfactorily, the student is encouraged to submit such concerns to the Appeals Committee.
If I have questions once I've settled in, who can answer these?
All university housing facilities are staffed with Resident Assistants and a Resident Director. Generally Resident Assistants are undergraduate students living on the floor with total responsibility for that area. Resident Directors are graduate students also residing in the building. Additionally, each community is staffed with an Area Coordinator. This staff member is a full-time, professional Housing employee.
How is Housing priority established?
Housing priority for all new students is based on the application date to the University, not on the date you applied for housing. For continuing students, priority is based on your academic class.
When are Housing applications due?
All new freshman applications are due by May 1 or Housing priority will be lost.
Facilities
What do I do if something is wrong in the room?
The maintenance staff in University Housing will respond to almost 100% of the problems reported. If you need to report a problem, fill out a maintenance request here or at the front desk of the building where you live. You can also call the Housing Maintenance office at 656-5450 to report a problem. The office is open from 8 a.m.–midnight 7 days a week. For emergency service after these hours, please contact your Resident Assistant or the Resident Director on duty.
Can we have a pet?
Yes, FISH ONLY! And only in a 10 gallon or smaller aquarium.
Can we have a microwave, toaster oven, coffee pot or hot plate in our rooms?
Generally no, unless the coffee pot or hot plate is thermostatically controlled. Most residence hall kitchens/lounges provide at least one if not all of these items.
General
Where is card access available?
See information at http://tiger1.clemson.edu/card_access/. Card access is available in every residence hall, mostly on exterior doors.
Can we have opposite sex overnight guests in our rooms?
All University Housing areas will be designated as allowing either standard or self-regulated visitation. Under either policy, guests must be escorted at all times during their visit, and residents are responsible for the conduct of their guests.
Standard Visitation: All residence halls with communal baths have a Standard Visitation Plan, which allows visitation on Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM. From Friday at 10:00 AM to Monday at 3:00 AM visitation will not be restricted except for Visitation Plans that allow occupants of a room to set visitation hours by mutual consent at the beginning of each year or when occupancy changes.
Self-regulated visitation: Visitation hours in the apartment/suite areas are set by mutual agreement among roommates or suitemates at the beginning of each year or when occupancy changes.
How can I get my post office box?
You may sign up for a post office box online when you pay your fees. The rental is good from August to August.
How can I find out what my Post Office Box number is? Is this associated with housing?
Your PO Box is not associated with housing. You will be able to get your PO Box when you pay your tuition and other fees. You may call the USPS Clemson office for more information at 864-656-2351.
How do I sign up for a meal plan?
You can choose a meal plan when you call the voice response system (IVR) at 864-656-8449 or on the web at tigerweb.clemson.edu. Follow the prompts and select all optional fees that apply to you (meal plan, money on Tiger Stripe, PO Box, etc.). You will need your numeric password that is on the top of the student's bill. Please note that you will be given a new balance, but will not be sent a new bill. You will then be given an option to pay by a certain date by credit card or by check with the appropriate instructions for both.
Who do I contact about a MicroFridge?
You may visit CollegeFridge or call 888-929-0806 (toll free) to rent a MicroFridge.
Can I build a loft in my room?
This is most often our most difficult question to answer. Lofts may be used in most traditional residence hall rooms. See Lofting Guidelines for additional information. The Housing Office does not endorse or encourage the use, purchase or construction of bed lofts. Lofts (purchased, rented or constructed) are not allowed in overflow rooms. Please contact University Housing if you are unsure of this policy.
Rented, purchased or constructed lofts are not permitted in Calhoun Courts, Thornhill Village, Lightsey Bridge, Holmes, McCabe and Stadium Halls, Norris, Simpson North, Simpson South, Bowen, Donaldson, Bradley, Wannamaker or the Clemson House as the furniture in these areas are loftable and/or bunkable.
Who do I contact about buying a loft?
Please refer to Loft Guidelines regarding all questions about lofts. Lofts (purchased, rented or constructed) are not allowed in overflow rooms. Please contact University Housing if you are unsure of this policy.
How can I get telephone service in my room or apartment?
University Housing no longer provides telephone service. If you would like telephone service in your room or apartment, you may contact the Telecommunications Office to have the service connected (at a monthly expense). For more information, you may email the Telecommunications Office or you may stop by their office in the Hendrix Center. Remember to bring your own telephone. Telecommunications will service your telephone line but not your telephone.