If you have a question about living on campus, please start here. If you can't find the answer on this page, please contact the Residence Life Office so we can assist you and add your question to this list.
Are traditional-age students required
to live on campus?
Mercyhurst North East does not require traditional-aged students to live on campus. We do ask that the student keep his or her address up to date with the registrar's office at all times once enrolled.
May I bring a car with me to campus?
Freshmen residents are not permitted to bring a car to campus during their first term. They may then apply at the main office for a permit to bring a car on campus.
Are there curfews?
This is no curfew in effect at Mercyhurst College. However, freshman residence halls do have a visitation policy. During visitation hours, residents may have guests of the opposite gender visit in their rooms. No opposite gender guests are allowed in rooms, suites or floor lounges after visitation hours are over. Visitation hours are from 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
How do students receive mail?
Mail sent to a student at the college should be addressed as follows:
Student Name
Mercyhurst North East
16 West Division St., Box # ____
North East, PA 16428
Am I required to purchase a meal plan?
Freshmen in residence halls are required to purchase the full board meal plan, and students living in townhouses must choose one plan. Commuters may purchase a meal plan if they wish. Meal plan information will be sent with your housing application and contract, or you may contract the dining services department at (814) 824-2203.
When will I get my housing application and contract?
Housing applications and contracts are sent to students each spring prior to Easter break. Each student will receive an information packet explaining housing options and procedures. The packet from residence life consists of a personal data sheet and the housing contract. You will receive two copies of your housing contract--one to sign and return and one for your records.
Applications are accepted through the end of April, and during the first week of May, registration is verified and students are put into groups. Students are contact the first week of August with their housing and roommate assignments.
Is a housing deposit required?
A $250 deposit is required to secure your housing assignment. This deposit is held by residence life office.
Can I request a single room?
You may request a single room on your housing application. However, singles are first and foremost reserved for students with serious, demonstratable medical needs. If singles are available, they will be assigned to students who have requested one and based on the date the office received both the completed housing application and deposit. There is an additional charge.
Do scholarships cover the housing deposit fee?
Most scholarships cover tuition only. If a scholarship includes housing costs, the scholarship will only cover the standard cost for housing; any additional costs are the responsibility of the student. No scholarship includes the housing deposit of $250. This deposit must be paid by the student before he or she will be assigned housing.
Can I request a particular residence hall?
You can specify whether you prefer a residence hall or townhouse. The assignment is made according to the date your housing file is complete and by available space. If your first choice has been filled before you have been assigned, you will be assigned to your second or third choice. Assignment to a preferred residence hall or townhouse is not guaranteed.
What should I do if I have not received my housing application and contract?
You should contact the Admissions Office at
(814) 725-6312.
Is it possible to break the contract once I have already agreed to it?
Yes, however, you must contact the residence life office by Aug. 30. After that date, you may forfeit your housing deposit.
When will I know where I live?
Each freshman will receive his or her residence hall assignment in early August before the fall term begins.
What comes in my room/townhouse?
Residence halls:
- Cable service (standard)
- Phone service (on-campus and local; one jack)
- Ethernet connections (one per student)
- Bed (one per student)
- Desk (one per student)
- Desk chair (one per student)
- Dresser/drawers (one per student)
- Clothing hutch (one per student)
Townhouses:
- Cable service (standard)
- Phone service (on-campus and local; one jack on first floor, one jack in each bedroom)
- Ethernet connections (one on first floor; one per bedroom)
- Kitchen: Refrigerator, stove, sink, pantry
- Dining room: Table and four chairs
- Living room: Two sofas, two chairs
- Bedrooms: Two beds (twin standard), one desk,
one chair, two dressers, shared closet
What do I need to bring?
- Bed linens (standard twin size)
- Towels
- Pillows
- Clothes hangers
- Telephone and/or answering machine
- Computer
- Microwave (low wattage)
- Television
- Stereo
- Small refrigerator (in residence halls)
- A small vacuum cleaner
- Cleaning supplies to clean your room or townhouse
- Anything else that makes you feel at home.
What am I not allowed to bring?
- Explosives of any kind
- Firearms, ammunition, hunting knives, bow and arrows or any other kind of weapon
- Candles
- Incense
- Hot plates
- Toaster/toaster oven
- Electric heaters
- Pets (except fish)
- Alcohol containers (decorative or otherwise)
Do I really need to bring a phone if I plan on using my cell phone?
Yes. Because your on-campus phone number is one of the three official methods professors, counselors, advisors, and administrators use to contact you, you should bring a phone. The residence staff recommends that you bring an answering machine as well.
What types of social activities occur in the residence halls?
Resident assistants organize social, educational and community building activities to help the residents adjust to college life and to living with each other. These programs range from movie and popcorn night, barbecues and softball competitions to programs on financial matters. Students are encouraged to talk to RA's about planning events.
Can residents keep firearms and other such weapons in their residence?
Weapons and firearms cannot be brought on campus by any student or staff member. Permission will not be granted to store or have weapons in a residence hall or apartment. Students face immediate suspension from the college if found to be in possession or to have brought a weapon or firearm on campus.
Is cable available in the residence halls?
The residence halls and townhouses are equipped with free basic cable through Time Warner Cable.
Am I allowed to have overnight guests stay in the residence hall?
In the residence halls, guests of the opposite sex are not permitted to stay overnight. The visitation policy allows these guests to remain in the hall until midnight during the week, and 2 a.m. on the weekends. Same sex guests are permitted to stay no longer than 48 hours and must sign-in and out at the front desk. All residents must get permission from their RA or Hall Director before overnight guests may stay in the building.
Is smoking allowed in residence halls?
All freshman residence halls are tobacco and alcohol free. Smoking is not permitted within 20 feet of the front doors of the residence halls.
May I have a microwave in my room?
Yes, low wattage microwaves are permitted.
May I have a refrigerator in my room?
Refrigerators are permitted in residence hall rooms as long as they are no larger than 4.0 cubic feet.
Can I build a loft?
No. Lofted beds are not permitted.
Where do I do laundry?
Neumann and Miller halls each have a laundry facility, and the Townhouses have two. The laundry machines are free of charge for residents.
What is the mattress size?
All mattresses are standard twin size.
What kinds of pets can I have?
Fish are the only approved pet permitted on campus. Fish tanks may not be more than 10 gallons.
Are the residence halls air conditioned?
No. However, if there is a demonstrable medical need for an air conditioning system permission may be granted by Jim Lanahan, dean of administration. The student must supply the air-conditioning unit.
Does the college insure my belongings?
The college is not held responsible for any loss or damages that occur to the belongings of the residents, nor is there an insurance policy available through the college.
Is there storage available?
No. Students who need storage can make arrangements with local storage facilities.
International students are permitted to leave some things in storage after getting permission from Tyrone Moore, associate vice president of administration.
How are the residence halls cleaned?
Each residence hall has a housekeeping staff who assigned to do routine cleaning in the common areas of the hall: common showers and bathrooms, stairwells, hallways, lobbies and laundry rooms. Residents are responsible for cleaning their individual rooms. The housekeeping staff does not clean townhouses, except for common areas. Residents are responsible for cleaning their townhouse, including garbage removal.
Can I choose my roommate?
If you know someone with whom you would like to be roommates, you may request his or her name on the housing application. Roommate requests need to be mutual in order to be granted: your desired roommate must request you on his or her housing contract as well, and must be registered.
What is the room assignment process?
Freshmen are assigned to a room based on roommate requests based on the date the housing file is complete, building requests, and roommate requests. A housing file is not complete until both the signed housing contract AND the housing deposit are received. Assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis and assignment requests will be honored while space is available. Requests for a specific roommate will be honored whenever possible. Room assignments are mailed to freshmen in early August as the decision are finalized. While every attempt will be made to honor housing requests, the residence life office cannot guarantee that every request can be honored. Changes to assignments cannot be made after assignments have been mailed in early August.
After I move in, what if I do not like my assignment?
The residence life department encourages all residents to allow ample time to get acquainted with their new roommate and/or assignment. If this is not an option, the resident should talk to the resident assistant (RA) assigned to his/her floor or wing. Room changes are decided on the basis of how much space is available, and the number of people requesting changes. At the beginning of each term, there is a two week freeze on assignemtn moves; residents wishing to be reassigned will be placed on a wait list during this time.
Can you give me my roommate's telephone number?
Yes. Your roommate's e-mail address and phone number will be provided to you in August, along with your hall and room assignment.
How do I call long distance from my room?
The school provides a long distance service. Charges for long distance calls are the responsibility of the resident. Any resident can apply for a Telephone Access Code, a four-digit number that allows him or her to call long distance from any telephone on campus. Long distance charges using the TAC is charged to the student's account.
Is there a telephone line in my room?
Yes. A telephone line is provided in each residence hall room and suite. Residents are responsible for providing their own phone. With so many students using cell phones, the residence life staff recommends that if you plan on using your cell phone primarily, you also purchase an answering machine for your room. Professors, counselors and administrators will not know your cell phone number, but they will know your room number.
Do I really need to bring a phone if I plan on using my cell phone?
Yes. Because your on-campus phone number is one of the three official methods professors, counselors, advisors, and administrators use to contact you, you should bring a phone. The residence staff recommends that you bring an answering machine as well.
Do all the buildings have Internet access?
Yes, residence halls have Internet access in the room. There is one Internet port per resident in the hall rooms, and one per bedroom in the townhouses. Wireless access is available in the Student Union in Miller Hall.
Can I accept collect calls?
Students are not permitted to accept collect calls at their room number. The telephone system will not allow the call to go through.
What kind of computer do I need to connect to the college network?
Both Macintosh and IBM compatible computers will work on the Mercyhurst network. An Ethernet card, cord, and software are required and are available at the college bookstore. The IT department has a Web page with more detailed information. You can visit the site by clicking here.
How is safety and security handled on campus?
The police and safety office, located in the lower-level of Miller Hall, is open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Police and safety officers patrol the campus during the day and night on foot, on bicycles and by vehicle. There is a dispatcher on duty in the office 24 hours a day. Once you move in, you will be instructed on how to contact police and safety.
Access to residence halls is restricted to residents and staff members of the college by an electronic access control system. You One Card (your ID card) is equipped with a microchip that automatically unlocks the doors to the residence halls when they are locked. The front doors of Neumann and Miller Halls lock automatically at midnight each night and unlock at 6 a.m. The doors of each floor are locked 24 hours a day. Also, each resident is issued a key to their individual room. The residence halls and townhouses close during Thanksgiving, Spring and Christmas breaks.
What happens if I lose my One Card?
Because your One Card is also your access card for your hall, you should replace your card as soon as possible after losing it. Your should go to the cafeteria to get a replacement. There is a replacement fee.
Who do I call in case of an emergency?
In case of an emergency, first call the RA. If the RA is not available, call police and safety at ext. 6103. If you feel that there is not enough time to call for on-campus assistance, call 911. A 9 must be pressed in order to get to an outside line, so to call 911, the number dialed would be 9-911.
What do I do if something is wrong with my room/apartment?
Students should not attempt to make repairs themselves. Students should contact their RA so that they can make the necessary arrangements to have the problem fixed. Periodically, maintenance personnel will be present in the buildings to repair and inspect the residence facilities.
Are student residences open over the breaks?
The residence halls and townhouses close during Thanksgiving, Spring and Christmas breaks. Students with special circumstances should contact Larry Kozlowski, director of student life, at 725-6312.
Is there on-campus housing during the summer?
On-campus housing is during the summer is limited to students taking summer courses or working on campus.
What do I do if I lose my keys?
If a key is lost, it should be reported immediately to the RA, hall director or assistant director in your area. Replacement keys can be received in the Office of Student Life, in the Student Union. The cost of a replacement key is $25. If a student waits until checkout to document a missing key the fine is $50. Residents are not permitted to copy their college room keys. |
