FREQUENTLY ASKED  QUESTIONS

The following questions represent the most frequent inquiries made by prospective students and their families.  If you have any other questions after reviewing this information, feel free to contact us.

·         You can write to us at:         The Department of Housing & Residential Life

Florida Atlantic University

777 Glades Road

Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991

·         You can call us at:               (561) 297-2880   or   (800) 299-4328  

·         You can fax us at:                (561) 297-2881

·         Or you can email us at:         housing@fau.edu

Q 1. Who is eligible to live on campus?

A.  A person must be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate Florida Atlantic University student to be eligible for University Housing.

Q 2. Am I required to live on campus?

A.  All full-time freshman students are required to live in University Housing. Exceptions are made for the following reasons:

• A student is residing with their parent or legal guardian within a 50-mile commutable distance from the campus
• A student is at least 21 years of age
• A student is married

Students who wish to be exempt must apply for exemption prior to the start of the academic year (spring for spring-only residents). Once signed and the academic year has begun the Contract will not be cancelled for this purpose.  The Application for Exemption from the Residency Requirement can be found under the "Prospective Residents" section of our website at www.fau.edu/housing.

Q 3. Is there a deadline for signing up for Housing?

A. Housing space is limited and cannot be guaranteed. There is no particular deadline to sign up for Housing, however students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid being placed on a waiting list for Housing.

Students who are participating in the Housing Plan of the Florida Prepaid Program should submit materials no later than May 1^st.

Q 4. Can I cancel my Housing Contract?

A.  Once signed and returned, the Housing Contract represents a legal, binding document for the duration of the academic year.  For specific cancellation information, refer to the cancellation paragraphs of the Housing Contract.

Q 5. When are my Housing fees due?

A.  A $200 check or money order prepayment is due when you return your signed Housing Contract.  The remainder of the Fall payment is due on August 1^st, and the spring payment is due on December 1^st.  Payment in full must be received in order for the Student to be permitted to reside in his/her assigned space.

Q 6. Will Financial Aid cover my Housing cost?

A.  Many student residents receive financial aid.  These awards are intended to first provide coverage for tuition and student fees.  Any remaining dollars may be applied to University Housing.  However, in order for students to take advantage of financial aid dollars being automatically applied to their Housing charges, three steps must be completed:

1. Financial aid must first have been awarded
2. The Student must have signed an acceptance letter for all awards
3. The acceptance letter must have been returned to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

If the total amount of financial aid awarded to the student DOES exceed tuition and other fees, and if sufficient dollars are available to cover Housing and Dining charges, the remaining dollars may be applied to Housing and Dining charges.

If there is only partial financial aid remaining after tuition and fees have been paid by financial aid, the Student is required to pay in full all remaining Housing and Dining charges not covered by financial aid prior to moving into their assigned space.

If the total amount of financial aid awarded to the student DOES NOT exceed tuition and other fees, the Student must make payment of all remaining Housing and Dining charges prior to moving into their assigned space.

Students who have pending financial aid awards will be required to pay in full all Housing and Dining fees prior to moving into their assigned space – and then may “reimburse” themselves when financial aid is awarded and distributed during the semester.

Q 7. When can I move in?  When do classes begin?

A.  The earliest move-in date for the Boca Raton campus will be on Thursday, August 23rd , 2007 for the Fall Semester. Students may arrive as early as 10:00 am to check in at their Residence Hall or Apartment Area Office.

Classes begin on Saturday, August 25^st, 2007. If you are unable to check in by the first day of classes, you must notify our office in writing or you will lose your current assignment.

Q 8. What if I want to change my Housing assignment?

A.  A room transfer freeze period is in effect from the time your initial assignment is made until two weeks into the fall semester.  The Fall Freeze allows us to locate all available spaces and address the students on a waiting list.  You may complete a Room Transfer Request Form - found at the Area Office.  You also need to realize that it probably won't be possible to move to every building at every time of the year, especially at the beginning of the fall semester.  In fact, it may take more than a semester to switch into some buildings.

Q 9. Can I stay in my room during University holidays and break periods?

A. All Apartments and Residence Halls may be occupied during the Semester Break (December/January). Students who wish to stay during this period are required to “sign up” at their Area Office to remain on card access through the Winter Break. This is done to provide additional security during this longer break.  There is no extra charge for staying during this break as it is part of the student’s contracted term. Apartments and Residence Halls may be occupied during the Spring Break in March as well.

Students who do not need to stay on campus during breaks and University holidays do NOT need to remove their belongings.  We do ask, however, that they empty their refrigerators (to avoid spoilage) and power off electrical items such as televisions, computers, etc. during longer times away from campus.

With regard to other breaks between terms such as the break between Spring and Summer Semesters, and the break between Summer and Fall Semesters, students must be contracted for the future term and also pay the cost for the extra days in between contract terms.

Q 10. What items should I bring from home?

A.  While none of these items are required, we recommend you consider bringing the following items: 

• Sheets, mattress cover, blankets, bedspread (beds are twin size, extra long – 36” x 80”), Pillow
• Soap, shampoo, and other toiletries
• Laundry basket and detergent (there are laundry rooms located throughout on-campus Housing facilities)
• Small area rug (see question on carpeting)
• Dishes, drinking cups, silverware, dish soap and towels. (Apartment residents will also want to bring pots, pans, etc. to use in their kitchens)
• Alarm clock
• Calendar/Organizer
• Desk supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks and paper, desk lamp)
• Dictionary and thesaurus
• CD player, headphones
• Computer, printer, surge protector
• A good lock, if you bring a bike
• Umbrella
• Telephone/Answering machine
• Refrigerator no larger than 3.6 cubic feet (except in Algonquin)
• Electric Grill (i.e. George Forman Grill)
• Cleaning supplies 

Q 11. What items are not permitted?

A.  Items that are not permitted include: 

• Candles and/or incense
• Illegal drugs
• All pets, except fish (see below)
• Weapons, including all firearms and ammunition, explosives, knives, and any other dangerous articles or substances
• Halogen lamps

Q 12.  Can I bring my pet?

A.  Unfortunately, all pets must be left at home except for fish as described below.  Possession of other pets is prohibited.  Any cost associated with the possession of an illegal pet will be charged to the responsible resident(s) or to all residents of the room/apartment, (damaged furniture, cleaning, pest control, etc.)  Fish, may be maintained as pets, as long as they are kept in fish tanks which are no larger than 10 gallon capacity.  Residents are responsible for maintaining the tanks and are responsible for any and all damage caused by the fish or the tank.

Q 13. Who can I talk to if I’m having a problem with my roommate?

A.  If you are having a problem with your roommate or with another member of your suite or apartment, you should talk to your Resident Assistant (RA).  Your RA lives on your floor or assigned area, and is an upper-division student who has been carefully selected and trained to assist you throughout the academic year.  Very often the RA will talk with their supervisors and help resolve your problem, usually with a meeting of all parties involved.  It is important that you maintain an open line of communication with your roommates so that you can talk about problems you may be having.  We expect our residents to treat each other as adults and discuss their differences openly.  That is the first step in resolving differences.

If you continue to have problems, and have worked initially with your RA you may next contact your Resident Coordinator (RC).  These individuals are full-time, professionally trained staff members who can assist you in taking additional steps.  Check with your RA to locate the office of your RC.

Q 14.  Are microwave ovens provided?  What about refrigerators?

A.  In Algonquin, one Microfridge™ unit is provided for every resident.  A Microfridge™ is a specially constructed unit that contains a separate refrigerator, freezer, and microwave; the wiring for this unit has been pre-approved.  No other microwaves or refrigerators are permitted in this residence hall. 

Residents of the First Year Experience Hall, Indian River Towers, Heritage Park Towers, and University Village Apartments may bring a small refrigerator and/or microwave.  Refrigerators should be 3.6 cubic feet or smaller and should have a maximum of 400 watts at 120 volts.  Microwave ovens should be 1.5 cubic feet capacity or smaller and should have a maximum of 1100 watts at 120 volts.  (Remember, each University Village Apartment unit has a full-size refrigerator-freezer.)

Q 15.  Is carpeting provided?

A.  Carpeting in student rooms IS NOT provided in Indian River Towers and Heritage Park Towers.  Carpeting IS provided in the following areas:

·         Algonquin Hall        

·         University Village Apartments

Q 16.  Do I need to bring my own telephone?

 A.  Yes, you do need to provide your own telephone; however, local telephone service has already been established for your room.  You may also bring your own answering machine – or choose to sign up for voice mail.  As for long-distance dialing, the University has contracted with a company called “PaeTec” to provide long-distance service to our residents.  Each student is provided with his/her own access number so that students who share telephone service will receive their own bill each month.  Other options, including voice-mail or call waiting are available for a nominal fee.  You may sign up with Paetec at www.campuslink.paetec.com or call their Customer Service line at 1-800-962-4772.

Q 17.  If I bring my computer, how can I hook it up to the internet?

A.  Check out our website for specific information regarding how to make internet connections: www.fau.edu/housing/.  High-speed internet access is provided in all Residence Halls and Apartments as part of their room rate. Students will need to have an Ethernet (NIC) card to access the internet.  

Q 18.  Can I hook my television up to a cable-TV connection?

A.  Yes.  Currently FAU contracts with Adelphia Cable Television for general programming, at no additional cost to you.  No “premium” channels are available. Students will need to bring a cable cord to plug in to their televisions.

Q 19. Can I bring a vehicle to campus?