General Housing FAQs
May I change my room?
There is a room “freeze” during the first two weeks of every semester, when students may not switch rooms or roommates. If there are issues between roommates, Residence Life staff will step in and help mediate, so roommates have every opportunity to resolve their issues. Please contact your Resident Assistant if you are interested in sitting down for a roommate mediation.
Can I have a loft?
Shenandoah’s residence halls do not have lofts, although all beds are capable of being bunked. Residence Hall beds can also be adjusted to three different heights. Students can decide to bunk or adjust the height of their beds when they move in. Students are not permitted to “loft” their beds by placing them on top of other furniture in the room.
What are quiet hours?
Quiet hours support a learning environment. During quiet hours, residents are not to play loud music or be disruptive to their hall neighbors. Residence hall quiet hours are in effect Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and Friday through Saturday from midnight to 10 a.m. Whenever quiet hours are not in effect, courtesy hours are enforced. Courtesy hours make each student responsible for the environment in his or her residence halls.
The semester is ending. What do I need to do to move out?
Your room needs to be restored to its original condition (for example, cleaned, perishables discarded, personal items removed, and furniture put where it’s supposed to be.) Additionally, keys need to be returned to Residence Life. Visit our break and closing page for more information.
Please visit our break & closing shuttle schedule page for information about move out.
May I store my belongings over breaks?
You may leave your belongings in your residence hall room over fall, Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks, but you assume responsibility for your possessions. Over the summer, all belongings must be removed from all rooms. Anything left behind after May Commencement will be disposed of or donated to a local thrift store.
May I stay in my room over breaks?
Residence Halls and the Allen Dining Hall are closed during fall, Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks. For security purposes, no one is permitted to stay on campus over breaks unless approved in advance by the Office of Residence Life. Students who do not have a reason to stay on campus – academic, athletics or travel – should make other arrangements. Students must vacate their rooms by 5 p.m. on the eve of all breaks.
Am I allowed to have a car on campus?
All residential students are allowed to have a car on campus as are all commuter students. Students who park cars on campus must pay an annual fee for a parking permit decal.
Will my room be air conditioned?
Yes, all residence halls have central air conditioning.
Housing Application FAQs
Who is required to submit a Housing Application?
All first- and second-year students who live farther than 30 miles outside of campus, as well as any student who wishes to live on campus.
What if I want to live off campus?
First and second-year students who have not been approved for a housing exemption are required to live on campus. First and second-year students who believe they should be approved to live off-campus can apply for a housing exemption through the housing portal. All other students are permitted to live off campus.
What if I want to keep the room I am in now?
While we do not fulfill requests for students to keep their same room for the following academic year, if your room is still available for selection at the time of your assigned lottery, you are welcome to select it.
What if I want a single room?
There are limited single rooms available at a higher per term rate. A small selection of single rooms are available in upper-class residence halls (Edwards Residential Village, Romine Living Center, East Campus Commons, and Vaden Campus Commons). Priority will go according to classification: graduate students, then seniors, then juniors, then sophomores. Single rooms are only guaranteed to students who have applied for and been approved for a medical single. This application process is not through The Office of Residence Life. Contact Student Support Services for this application process.
Who can live in the Solenberger Apartments?
The downtown apartments at 142 N. Loudoun Street are only available to graduate students who are 21 or older.
What is the application process to live in The Village apartments?
The Village apartments are four-bedroom apartments open to rising junior and senior students. Priority is given to seniors and groups of four applying to fill an entire apartment. Applications are anonymized and reviewed by a committee. Village residents are selected based on their thoughtful answers to the application questions, GPA requirements, conduct history, and a faculty/staff recommendation letter. All four residents must meet the application requirements to live in the apartment. The Village residents are expected to be positive role models for other Shenandoah students. The Village application is integrated into the general housing application on the housing portal.
Does Shenandoah have 12-month housing on campus?
Solenberger and The Village both offer 12-month housing. 12-month housing contracts are from mid-May through mid-May. Meals are not included in the cost of 12-month housing but can be purchased in addition. In addition to a Housing Agreement (Contract), 12-month applicants must complete a Supplemental Contract, which will be found within the general housing application. Students will be able to select either 10- or 12-month housing via their housing application. Additionally, summer housing for summer term students is offered at Vaden Campus Commons.
Which residence halls are pet-friendly?
Vaden Campus Commons, Edwards Residential Village, and Solenberger Hall are pet-friendly for residents who have been approved to have an animal. The animal application can be found on the housing portal. An additional pet fee will be required of approved residents. There are certain restrictions concerning the weight, type, and breed of animals that will be allowed.
I am a junior or senior. Can I forfeit my housing and live off campus.
Yes, you have until June 1 to make a decision about your housing reservation. After that date, terminating your housing agreement will incur a fine.
I still have questions!
Contact the Office of Residence Life at (540) 665-4504 or reslife@xsdvoip.com.