Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
- How do I know the dimensions of the room I will be living in?
- May I carpet my room?
- What happens if my roommate and I don't get along?
- Where do I do my laundry?
- Can I store my things over the summer?
- Do I need an answering machine?
- May I live off campus?
- How may I secure a single room?
- May I return to campus early after breaks?
- May I have an overnight guest?
- Where will I receive mail and what address should be used?
- Who do I contact about a room change?
- Who do I contact about a meal change?
- How do I make housing arrangements if I am away from campus (AFC, stop-out, transfer student)?
- Are there kitchen facilities in the residence halls?
- What size sheets should I buy?
- Who do my parents call in case of emergency?
- Who is considered to be a commuter student?
- When do the residence halls close?
- How do I make long distance phone calls?
- How do I hook up my computer?
Answers
How do I know the dimensions of the room I will be living in?
We have provided you with the height, width and length of your room. Since the configuration varies with each room you will probably want to wait until you arrive on campus before you begin construction of your loft. You might be lucky enough to purchase a loft that has already been constructed for your room. Returning students will post signs in the residence halls regarding lofts for sale.
You may use carpeting in all halls except Bergwall, Samuel Morris, Swallow Robin and Wengatz. You are responsible to make sure that the carpet meets FHA requirements for flammability and smoke tests. Carpet dealers can provide this information. Rubber backed carpet is not permitted.
What happens if my roommate and I don't get along?
We encourage you to give your situation a chance. Most often there is an adjustment period that needs to be weathered. The residence life staff will work with both roommates to identify issues and help resolve conflicts. If you find yourself in a difficult roommate situation the best thing that you can do is let your PA or your hall director know before the situation escalates. Our policy is not to allow for room changes, but changes will be considered if there are extenuating and extreme circumstances.
Each hall has laundry facilities on the first floor. The washers and dryers are free for your use. We do ask, however, that you be responsible and respectful by removing your items from the machines in a timely fashion.
Can I store my things over the summer?
Each residence hall does have a storage room varying in size. Students are given a maximum amount that they can store over the summer. Taylor is not responsible for items left in storage over the summer so it is recommended that anything valuable be taken home at the end of the year.
Do I need an answering machine?
No. We have a voice mail system at Taylor. Some students, however, prefer to use their answering machines for a more personal touch.
Taylor University is a residential campus by design, therefore, all single undergraduate students must live in university owned housing or in the home of their parents/legal guardian. It is sometimes necessary for a limited number of students to live off campus in the town of Upland. The number of students approved to live off campus is based on projected enrollment and retention. Because these figures change from year to year, an application and approval process has been established. Upper-class students have the opportunity to apply to live off campus but no student is guaranteed off campus approval. Married students and students over the age of 25 are automatically approved to live off campus.
How may I secure a single room?
There are a limited number of single rooms on campus and they are assigned on the basis of seniority. If a student has a documented health problem that requires a single room, accommodations will be made for that student but otherwise the single rooms are drawn for during room draw.
May I return to campus early after breaks?
No. The residence halls are closed and therefore unsupervised during campus holidays. Because of this, students are not permitted to return early. In the fall, students invited back for Leadership Week may return early. Early arrivals must be approved through the office of residence life services and requests must be made by the coaches/advisors of each group. Individual requests to return early will not be granted.
May I have an overnight guest?
Yes. Guests are welcome to stay in your room for a maximum of five nights. A residence hall director may ask a guest to leave sooner if problems arise. Additionally, guests are expected to abide by the Life Together Covenant and all behavioral guidelines while on campus. Guests are not to be in the living area of the opposite sex at any time without prior approval of the residence hall director.
Where will I receive mail and what address should be used?
Mail is delivered to the residence halls where each student is assigned a mailbox. The following mailing address should be used:
Jane Doe
Taylor University
Name of Residence Hall
236 West Reade Avenue
Upland IN 46989-1001
Who do I contact about a room change?
Your residence hall director facilitates all room changes.
Who do I contact about a meal change?
On-Campus
Presently, the policy at Taylor requires all residential students to take the 21-meal plan. The university has researched the a la carte method of food service and has determined that we can feed our student body more inexpensively with our present system than we could if we used another delivery system. Many of our students look at the 21-meal plan and assume that they are paying for all 21-meals and are frustrated because they are not eating all 21. This is not the case. Missed meals are calculated into the budget when board charges are figured. If every student ate every meal the cost of the plan would be significantly greater.
Off-Campus
If you have been approved to live off campus and would like to change your meal plan, notify the department of residence life services within the time period allotted. The deadline to make changes is three weeks after the beginning of the term.
How do I make housing arrangements if I am away from campus (AFC, stop-out, transfer student)?
The department of residence life services makes assignments for students who are away from campus. Prior to departure, students studying abroad must fill out the proper paperwork identifying their housing preference for the upcoming semester/year. You will then be contacted via e-mail, regular mail or phone to confirm your request.
Are there kitchen facilities in the residence halls?
Yes. Each hall is equipped with an oven, stove and microwave so that the students have options if they happen to miss a meal. Most of the halls have a hall store where food items can be purchased.
What size sheets should I buy?
Twin sheet sets that will fit mattresses up to 80".
Who do my parents call in case of emergency?
The residence hall desk is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. If your parents cannot reach you in your room, they can call the hall desk or the residence hall director. If neither of those options work then they should contact the center for student development.
Who is considered to be a commuter student?
Anyone who is 25 years or older, married or living in the home of their parents is considered to be a commuter student.
When do the residence halls close?
Halls are closed during Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring and summer breaks. Students may not stay in the halls during those times. Students needing help finding accommodations over the break should contact a member of the residence life staff.
How do I make long distance phone calls?
Students are given a long distance phone code that they can use from the telephone in their room. Bills are sent out monthly and students are responsible for paying those bills on time. Contact the business office for information regarding rates.
Please see Taylor University's Resnet Web site to answer your computer questions.