How do I register my guest?
If you have a guest who is not enrolled in classes at WIU, and they will be in the building after hours (11:00 pm, Sunday - Thursday and 12:00 am Friday & Saturday), you must visit the information desk with your guest to check-in and receive a guest pass. All guests high school age and above must be able to show a valid photo ID.

Do I need to register all of my guests?
You will only need to register guests who are not active WIU students, meaning they are not enrolled in classes at WIU.

What do I do if my guest can't produce a valid photo ID?
If your guest is not high school age and above, we will make an exception, however, if the guest is high school age and above and is not able to produce a valid photo ID at the time of checking in, they will be asked to leave campus.

What happens if I don't follow this policy?
If an individual is stopped by housing staff and does not have a guest pass, a variety of things can occur depending on the severity of the incident: he/she could be asked to register, the host student may go through the judicial process and/or the guest may be asked to leave campus.

Where can I find more information on the guest policy?
The entire guest policy is available in your Residence Hall Student Handbook

Where can I go to get a housing packet?
After you have been accepted to the University, you will receive instructions on how to apply online or receive a housing application packet in the mail. They are also available in the University Housing and Dining Services office in Seal Hall.

When I apply for housing, am I guaranteed a place to stay?
We guarantee housing for all undergraduate students.

How do I sign up for housing?
To complete a Residence Hall Contract and Application form, you must be a newly accepted Western Illinois University student. Accepted students will receive a mailing from the Admissions office and from the Office of the Registrar after they have been accepted to the university. Once this has been received, proceed to wiu.edu/apply4housing to complete the online housing application. ($50 non-refundable processing fee is due at time of application)When filling out the application, please make sure to have the correct telephone listed where the student can be contacted. Also, PLEASE make sure to check the WIU email account as information is sent to students over the summer. Housing application must be completed by the student.

How do I get a single room?
Each year a certain number of singles are allocated for first year students and for returning students. These are filled on a first come first serve basis related to a student's contract number. Each student may choose to place their name on the Singles Waiting list. To add yourself to the Singles Waiting List, visit the "UHDS Housing Information Menu" on STARS after you have received your assignment. If you have further questions, you can contact your hall clerk or call our office at 309-298-3000.

What if I need to pay with a check?
Students who need to pay the processing fee by cash or check should contact our office by calling 309-298-3000 or emailing uhds@wiu.edu to request a paper copy of the application. 

Students who haven't applied for on-campus housing please do so as soon as possible. Since all Freshman and Sophomores are required to live on campus, students would be charged a non-compliance charge for not living on campus.

When will I know my housing assignment?
We begin processing housing contracts received in date order in late-July for fall Semester (December for Spring semester) and email out assignment information weekly.

When will I know who my roommate is?
This information typically becomes available in late-July. You may check your STARS account to find out the name of your future roommate. This information is available in real-time on STARS. When your roommate has been assigned, the information becomes automatically available.

How are roommates assigned?
We use housing preference to match roommates or you can use the WIU Roommate Matching System on STARS. Preferences such as study habits, cleanliness, sleeping habits are taken into consideration. We encourage this form to be completed by the student.

In order for us to make as accurate assignments as possible, Roommates need to be mutually confirmed by July 20, 2014.

What if I have a special request for housing?
Students needing special housing requests because of disabilities or other circumstances please email uhds@wiu.edu or call the housing office at 309-298-3000. (Make sure to include your Full name and ID#).

I want to live off-campus. What are the requirements and how do I go about doing it?
Students at WIU are required to live on campus for 4 semesters or at least 60 credit hours. If you do not meet these requirements you will need to petition to live off campus. To receive petition information come to the Housing office in Seal Hall. If there are health issues, you will need to provide a doctor's note and medical release along with the petition. It should be noted that students with 1 or more years of active military service can apply prior military living and other residence hall living experiences towards the requirements.

Where can I change my address?
4 Locations: STARS, Registrar's Office, Seal Hall, and the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center in the University Union.

How do I use STARS?
When you sign onto STARS you will need your ID# and password to get logged in. When you first sign on, your password will be the month and day and full year of your birthday. Ex. 07081985. Once you are logged in you may conduct several items of business. You may register for classes, put money on your meal card; there is a calendar there and many other things.

When can I move into the halls in August?
All residence halls open for Fall 2015 Move-In on Friday, August 21 starting at 8am.

Students will be asked to arrive to campus at a certain time & date depending on the distance they live from campus. If they cannot arrive at their assigned time and date, they can come any time on that date or after 8am.

New Student Convocation is at 5:30 pm on the day of new student move-in and we encourage them to arrive before this event so they may attend. While it is recommended that first year students arrive on the assigned day for orientation activities, the residence halls will accommodate move-ins until the classes begin.

When can I move into the halls in January?
If classes begin on Monday, we will open on Sunday at 10 am. If classes begin on Tuesday, we will open on Sunday at noon.

How do we know where to go to move in?
There will be police officers and university staff directing you where to go on opening day in the fall. In the spring proceed directly to the hall you have been assigned to.

What if I need to move in before my assigned day and time?
Students having special circumstances that requires them to move in prior to the scheduled move-in date will need to contact our housing office for permission at 309-298-3320. There will be a daily fee charged to those that have permission for early move-in. **Members of special groups (band, athlete, etc.) will need to work with coaches or advisors to obtain permission for early arrival. The daily fee will not apply to special groups.

Where can I go to get my ID?
Two Places: Seal Hall front office, Monday-Friday 8-4:30 or the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center in the University Union., Monday-Thursday 8-5:30, Friday 8-4:30.

What do I do if I lose my ID or need to inactivate it?
Call the UHDS Office at 309-298-3000 during business hours to cancel the card or the Office of Public Safety 298-1949 if it is an evening or weekend. You may also deactivate your card on STARS. Obtain a new ID at Seal Hall or the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center in the University Union. The cost for a new card is $25.

What is the FYE program?
This is a structured program for first year students to help with academic, social and personal transitions to college.

How will you assign me a roommate?
We use a lifestyle preference form or any requested roommate from the Roommate Matching System/STARS to match roommates. Preferences such as study habits, cleanliness, sleeping habits are taken into consideration. We encourage this form to be completed by the student. Please note that we do not make roommate changes based on MySpace, Facebook, or other social networking via the internet.

What if I do not get along with my roommate? 
Sometimes we have situations where students are not compatible. We first encourage the roommates to talk with their RA and their hall staff about the situation and attempt to work through the concerns. If students are unable to work the situation out the hall staff will provide the students with other living options. Students should be aware of our no-move policy for the first 10 days of classes. This allows us the opportunity to determine our available space on campus. This year, room moves will not begin any earlier than September 9, 2014.

How do I request a roommate?
On your housing application form there is a place for roommate requests. This request must be mutual. Roommates are guaranteed if information is received by April 1st. If you find a roommate after you have turned in your application, you may write Beth Campbell at Ce-Campbell1@wiu.edu.

How do I switch rooms?
You would first begin by talking with your Resident Assistant about your roommate problems or concerns. They will advise you accordingly about switching rooms. Ultimately the Hall Clerk for the hall would facilitate the administrative aspects of the move.

What happens if I lose my key?
Students may check out for a limited time a spare key at the front desk of your hall. You can also order a new key from the information desk. Your locks will be changed for a fee and billed to your student account.

Where can I buy my textbooks and may I charge them?
Books may be purchased at the University Union Bookstore. Books may not be charged to the student's university account. Payment must be made by cash, check or credit card.

Can a friend visit me and stay in my room?
Residents of the halls are allowed to have visitors of either gender, but the visitor MUST be escorted at all times. You are allowed to have a visitor spend the night, with a maximum of 3 consecutive nights within a 10-day period. If you have a roommate, it is required that you have your roommate's approval for this.

What are quiet hours? 
During the first two weeks of school, the students will meet as a floor and determine quiet hour guidelines. The floor sets the time for quiet hours to begin, somewhere between 7 and 9pm during the week nights.

Is alcohol allowed in the halls?
Alcohol is not allowed in the under-division halls, Bayliss, Henninger or Tanner. In all the other halls it is allowed only if the student is 21. If alcohol is being consumed in a room, the door must be closed and all persons in the room must be 21.

Can I have a pet in my room?
Only aquarium fish are allowed in the residence halls. All other pets are prohibited.

Can I stay on campus over breaks?
Our halls close during break periods.

Do I have to take my belongings home over breaks? 
No. Students can leave their things in their rooms during fall, winter and spring breaks. They must take everything home for the summer.

When can I move into the halls in January?
The halls open two days prior to classes beginning at 12:00 noon. If classes begin on Monday, we will open on Saturday at noon. If classes begin on Tuesday, we will open on Sunday at noon.

Why does my child have to move out during summer?
During the summer we offer a limited number of courses for students. Our campus population is smaller in the summer. We ask all students to move out in the summer so that we can perform cleaning and maintenance to our facilities. We will open one hall in the summer for summer school housing.

What security measures are taken in the halls?
Security cameras are at all entrances of the halls. All of the halls except Higgins Hall have keyed elevators. 24 hour Information Desks monitor security. The front doors lock at a certain time each night. Staff perform safety rounds through the hall and are "on call" in case of emergency. We work closely with the Office of Public Safety by having "Teams Police" officers assigned to each area on campus. They do programs in the building and often get to know residents that way.

Is the campus safe?
We have Teams Police Officers in the halls, a Beacon-blue light system, WESCORT-escort service, Go West bus system, and educational programs in the halls to educate about safety. Staff is on duty 24 hours in case of emergency. While the campus of WIU is safe we still encourage students to take their own precautions. We recommend that students should lock their rooms at all times and they should walk around campus in groups when appropriate.

What do I do if I need medical assistance? 
Contact your information desk, a university staff member, the Office of Public Safety, or Beu Health Center. We have an Emergency Medical Service that is on duty each evening to conduct assessments for minor medical needs.

What are the dining options?
We have Basic, Plus Option 1 and Plus Option 2. Basic is the lowest priced option with Plus Option 2 being the highest priced. After the tenth academic day of the semester, the plan cannot be changed.

Can I eat anywhere on campus?
Students can eat in any dining center on campus and in the Union using their meal plan.

How can I add money to my card?
To add money, log onto STARS or go to the Housing office in Seal Hall. This is the same process for off campus students.

How can I check to see how much money I have on my accounts?
When you go through the lunch lines or vending machines it should show your current balance. Students can log onto STARS to view account information. You may also call or visit Seal Hall and they will tell you your balance information.

Explain how the meal plan is structured.
The meal plan at WIU is Alacarte meaning that each item is individually priced.

What is Rocky Dollars?
Rocky Dollars can be used for vending, campus bookstore, and washing machines. It is also used to eat in the university union for on-campus and off-campus students.

How do I get the unused dollars on my meal plan at the end of the semester? At the end of the year?
At the end of the semester in December, any unused dollars roll into the next semester. At the end of the semester in May, depending on your Dining Plan code based on your date of acceptance to the University, refunds are sent to the address on your university file. Students will receive up to $250 ($125 per semester) of any unused Dining funds. Students withdrawing from the University will be subject to a prorated point adjustment.

Can I have a car on campus?
All students can bring cars to campus. A parking pass costs $42 for the year for Q-Lot and Residence Hall lots. 

Where do I get my parking permit?
The parking permit may be purchased at parking services located in Mowbray Hall on C T Vivan Way (Murray Street) or at the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center in the University Union.

Where can I find the bus route? What are the hours for the buses?
You can go online to the Go West website or call 298-3353 for more Go West Information.

May I see a room when I visit campus?
During the summer, we don't have a display room set-up except for Admissions in Olson hall. You can go online to see renderings, floor plans and pictures of the rooms.

What items are in the room?
Each room is equipped with a bed, dresser, desk, desk chair, and blinds. There are desk lights and wall lights. If it is a double room there will be two of everything. In some rooms we have movable furniture. Please see individual hall pages on this site for details.

What does a Super-Single room have in it?
Super Single rooms have one of everything listed above, plus an overstuffed chair and small table.

What does a Suite Style Living Room have in it?
Suite Style Living Rooms are available in Corbin Hall. These rooms share a common room which has a loveseat, overstuffed chair, and microfridge in it.

What does a Suite Style Bathroom Room have in it?
Suite Style Bathroom Rooms are available in Caroline Grote Hall. Two rooms share a bathroom in these arrangements.

Are the rooms carpeted?
Halls that have carpet in the rooms are Bayliss, Henninger, Thompson, Tanner, Lincoln, Caroline Grote & Washington. Corbin/Olson does not have carpet in the rooms.

What color is the carpet in the rooms?
The color of the carpet varies depending on the hall.

Where do I go to find out room dimensions and measurements for beds, dressers, and closets in the halls?
The measurements for the beds and other furniture located in the rooms can be found on the individual the Residence Hall pages or you may call Seal Hall and someone will help you.

What size are the mattresses?
Our mattresses are 80 inches long. They will need extra long sheets. They are available at most stores and we will be sending some information on how you can order them from a company we contract with.

How much room is under the bed?
There is 9 inches from the floor to the bottom of the bed.

Are cinder blocks allowed to raise your beds?
Cinder blocks are not allowed to raise your bed. However, bed risers are allowed for bed raising.

May I loft the bed?
Yes you can. The dimensions of the room, which you can find on our web site, will help you in constructing the loft, however we do not give out specific guidelines. We only require that the unit is free standing and protected with a fire resistant coating of paint. Often students sell them and we post signs in the hall lobby advertising this. In Bayliss, Henninger, Corbin/Olson, Thompson, Lincoln, Washington and Caroline Grote you are not allowed to bring a loft or bunk bed. These halls have moveable furniture that already stacks into a bunk situation.

How do I rent a loft?
Students residing in Tanner may rent a loft through bedloft.com (www.bedloft.com). The loft will be placed in the student room upon his or her arrival. It is the student's responsibility to put up the loft. See our Hall Furnishings page for details.

What is a Microfridge?
It is a combination unit which includes a refrigerator, freezer and microwave. They rent for $130 per academic year (August-May) and are generally split if there is a roommate. If both roommates request a Microfridge, we will only put one in the room before students arrive to the hall. See our Microfridge page for details.

If my roommate moves out will I get charged for the Microfridge?
If both students are renting the Microfridge unit, the unit stays in the room and the student leaving will forfeit their amount. Thus the students staying will not be charged extra. If the student leaving the room has rented the unit individually the unit will be transferred to his/her room or removed depending on the request of the students.

Do the rooms have cable?
Yes. Students have access to over 50 channels and the cost is included in the room and board fees. View a list of cable channels here.

What do I do when my cable is not working?
Students should go down to the information desk and fill out a form that will be given to the Hall Clerk and they will submit a work order to get it fixed. (NOTE: If you are receiving stations 1-12 only and not the others, you need to re-program your TV)

What about internet access?
All rooms are wired with 10/100BaseT Ethernet for direct high-speed internet access. They must have an ethernet card in their computer.

Is there wireless within the rooms?
WIU is undergoing an aggressive wireless update this summer with the goal of having wireless in the rooms by the time the halls open in the Fall. If it is not complete, there is a direct line internet access port in each room. All academic buildings and residence hall common areas (excluding floor lounges) have wireless.

Can both roommates have a computer?
Yes, but there is only one data connection. They will either need to get a hub or switch.

What about telephone service?
Telephone access is available in each residence hall room; however, the line must be activated by the student which will include a monthly charge. If you would like to activate your phone line, simply call Western Telephone Services (WESTEL) at (309) 298-2701. Students need to supply their own phone if they wish to use this service

When are the bathrooms cleaned?
The residence hall bathrooms are cleaned every day Monday throught Friday. Cleaning times vary between floors. The custodial staff will post the cleaning times on the entrance to the bathroom during the first week of school. Residents in Grote Hall are required to clean their own bathrooms.

Are all of the bathrooms community bathrooms?
All of the bathrooms in the residence halls are community bathrooms, except for Caroline Grote Hall in which 2 rooms share a bathroom . Each is equipped with several sinks, toilets, urinals, and showers. Showers have curtain or poly-mar doors.

Do you have to bring your own toilet paper?
Toilet paper will be provided. The only exception to this is Grote Hall where residents have to supply their own toilet paper.

Are there storage spaces in the halls?
There are storage closets on each floor for student to store luggage and boxes. Space, however, is limited, and we do not store items that are of great value, i.e. bikes, golf clubs.

Can I store my furniture?
In some halls we have space to store bedframes if a student brings a loft. Space is given on a first come first serve basis. We do not store any other furniture other than bedframes.

Are their regular treatments in the halls for pests?
We have regular inspection and treatment of all our facilities. If you have a request to have your room treated, please complete a maintenance request form and inform your hall staff. Lady bugs are common in our halls as they are in many places across the Midwest. We do what we can to prevent these from entering. They are not harmful to human beings.

May I cook in the halls?
There are kitchens located in the common areas of the halls. Students may check-out cooking equipment from most of the residence hall front desks.

Can I use extension cords in the residence halls?
Extension cords can be used in the residence halls, however, they must be at least a 14 gauge cord. If the cords are of a smaller gauge, they will be confiscated. Multiple outlet plugs are not allowed and will be confiscated. Outlet strips are permitted in the halls, but require a surge protector.

What are the restrictions on fridges and microwaves?
Students can have microwaves in their rooms (if they are fewer than 700 watts) but toasters, toaster ovens, hot pots, hot plates, George Foreman grills, etc. are not allowed in student rooms. Refrigerators are limited to 4.6 cubic feet and must be Energy Star Rated.

When does the heat get turned on?
We consider long range weather forecasts as well as current building temperatures before we make decisions about air conditioning and heat changes. Our systems take several days to change over from one system to another. Learn more about Heating & Cooling the Residence Halls.

Where do I do my laundry?
There are laundry facilities in each hall located in a common area. It costs $1.25 to wash and $1.00 to dry. Students can use coins or Rocky Dollars in the laundry facilities.