Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I have to live on campus?    
2. How do I get an application for on campus housing?
3. May I decorate my room?  
4. Can I bring homemade lofts, cinder blocks, or stilts to raise the height of the beds?
5. Do you provide storage?
6. Are there places in the residence halls where I can study?
7. When will I get my room assignment?
8. How are assignments made?
9. May I have the roommate of my choice?
10. May I request a particular residence hall?
11. What is provided in each room in the residence halls?
12. Are there any extra-long mattresses?
13. Are laundry services available?
14. What if I need computer, telephone or cable help?
15. May I cook in my room?
16. May I have visitors in my room?
17. Can I change roommates?
18. What if I don't go home during the holidays?
19. May I bring a bicycle?
20. May I bring a pet?
21. What about a stereo or TV?
22. What kind of computer do I need to connect to the ACU network?
23. May I have a refrigerator in my room?
24. What personal items should I bring?
25. What items should I not bring?
26. Can I live off-campus?
27. Is there housing for graduate students and/or married students?

1. Do I have to live on campus?    

First- and second-year students are required to live on campus. Please see our Residency Policy for further information.

Limited housing is available for married and graduate students. University Park can answer any questions for these students and upperclassmen.

2. How do I get an application for on-campus housing?  

When you are admitted to the university, the Admissions Office will send you a Housing Application along with your acceptance materials. See Admissions for further information.

3. May I decorate my room?  

Since nails, screws, drilling and many adhesives (e.g., double-stick tape, carpet tape) are damaging to the walls and floors, we ask that you use only removable, non-damaging adhesives (e.g., 3M Command) for attaching items to the walls and doors.  Large area rugs up to 5'x7' are allowed in the rooms. Painting and wallpapering (including wallpaper borders) are also not allowed. Please see FAQ #26 for more specific details.

4. Can I bring homemade lofts, cinder blocks, or stilts to raise the height of the beds?  

For safety reasons all such bed raisers are not to be used in the residence halls. Most residence halls have bunking or lofting kits, some with limited availability. Loft kits are issued on a first come first served basis.

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5. Do you provide storage?  

Storage is not provided for our residents. Please be prepared to keep all items you bring with you in your room, including boxes and luggage. Also remember all items brought into the hall must be taken out of the hall. Any personal items left in a room will be discarded or given to area charities with a fee charged to the resident for removal. 

6. Are there places in the residence halls where I can study?  

Noise policies in each residence hall are intended to provide opportunities for intensive study for all students. You are welcome to study in your room or the hall lobby. Some residence halls have study rooms provided.

7. When will I receive my room assignment?  

Students will receive an email to their ACU email account notifying them of their roommate and residence hall for the upcoming semester. Upon arrival in August, students will be notified of their specific room assignment.

8. How are assignments made?  

For first-year students, residence hall assignments are made based on the date the housing application and deposit are received. Second-year assignments are made through a drawing system during the spring semester. If you are a transfer student and have questions about housing, please contact the Depot.

9. May I have the roommate of my choice?  

If you know with whom you'd like to room, you may indicate his or her name on the housing application. Roommate requests must be mutual to be granted.

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10. May I request a particular residence hall?  

You may submit your residence hall preference on your housing application. However, students are not guaranteed to receive placement in the hall of their choice.

11. What is provided in each room in the residence halls?  

Each residence hall room is provided with telephone/computer outlets, Ethernet, cable, twin beds, desks, chairs, dressers, mirrors, closets/wardrobe, and window blinds. Some rooms also have bulletin boards, sinks, private baths, and kitchenettes. Please see the information sections of Men's Halls and Women's Halls for specifics as to what each residence hall provides.

12. Are there any extra-long mattresses?  

There is limited availability for extra-long mattresses. Effort is made to meet your request but is not guaranteed due to limited availability. Check with your hall for specific information.

13. Are laundry services available?  

Laundry facilities are provided in each residence hall.

14. What if I need computer, telephone or cable help?  

Please see the Team55 Web site for further information.

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15. May I cook in my room?  

You may have the following cooking appliances in your room: pop-up toaster, coffee maker, and microwave. Devices that do not automatically turn off (i.e. indoor grills, toaster ovens, etc.) are not allowed for safety reasons. No open element appliances are allowed. If you want to cook a full meal, most residence halls have a kitchen available.

16. May I have visitors in my room?  

You may have guests of the opposite gender in your room during specified visitation hours. Residence halls have visitation at scheduled times, as well as special visitation times such as during Sing Song, Homecoming, and other times as approved by the Department of Residence Life Education and Housing. You will be notified of visitation times through your residence hall staff.

17. Can I change roommates?  

We will accept roommate changes until the Friday after June Passport which will be July 2nd. Due to a full freshman class, all hall assignments are final, and no hall to hall changes will be made. Following the Friday after June Passport (7/2) no roommate changes will be made until after the second week of classes. During these two weeks it is suggested that you and your roommate resolve any issues by talking with your RA. If after two weeks you still want to change roommates, make an appointment with your RD and they will work with roommate conflicts on a case by case basis.

18. What if I don't go home during the holidays?  

Residence halls are closed during Christmas break. Although our halls are open for Thanksgiving, Easter, and fall and spring breaks, it is strongly encouraged that residents spend this time with their family and friends.

19. May I bring a bicycle?  

You are welcome to bring a bicycle, and bicycle racks are provided outside of each residence hall. We recommend that you purchase a lock for the security of your bicycle. Bicycles may not be stored in your room or anywhere else inside the hall.

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20. May I bring a pet?  

Pets are not allowed in the residence halls. This includes fish, turtles, and hermit crabs.

21. What about a stereo or TV?  

Each hall has a television in the lobby for your use, but you may bring your own TV or stereo. You may want to coordinate with your roommate(s) so that you can utilize your room space well. Consider bringing headphones if you play your TV or stereo loudly – that way you won't bother other students who may be trying to sleep or study.

22. What kind of computer do I need to connect to the ACU network?  

Please see the Team55 Web site for further information.

23. May I have a refrigerator in my room?  

Only one refrigerator per room is permitted, and it must require no more than 1.5 amps in order to protect the electrical systems in each residence hall.

24. What personal items should I bring?  

26. Can I live off campus?  

All first-year and second-year students are required to live on-campus, regardless
of the number of hours earned. The only exceptions to this requirement are as follows:

• A student’s parents are Abilene residents and he or she will live with his or her
  parents in the family’s primary residence. (Students whose parents own property
  in Abilene are not exempt from this policy. Parents should plan to lease this
  property until their student is eligible to live off-campus.)
• A student is 21 years of age prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
• A student has graduated from high school more than two years prior to the
  beginning of the fall semester. (Home schooled students and high school students
  enrolled in college classes earning dual credit are not exempt from this policy.)
• A student is married and files a marriage license with the Residence Life Office.
• A student is enrolled in less than 12 hours at ACU. (First and second-year students
  enrolled in less than 12 hours at ACU and taking additional hours from another
  college or university in Abilene or the surrounding area are not exempt from this
  policy.)

If any of these exemptions apply to you, please submit a Petition to Live Off-Campus. 

When making decisions with respect to off-campus petitions, the Office of
Residence Life Education and Housing will consult with various ACU officials, as well
as with any person submitting supporting documentation. The decision of the Director of
Residence Life Education and Housing will be final. Any concerns or questions
concerning ACU residence life philosophy, policies or process should be directed to the
Office of Residence Life Education and Housing.

ACU Box 29004, Abilene, TX 79699 / 325-674-2066 / www.acu.edu/reslife / reslife@acu.edu

27. Is there housing for graduate students and/or married students?  

Limited housing is available for married and graduate students. Please contact University Park Apartments for further information.

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