Living in the Residence Halls
International students who choose to live in the University residence halls mention these benefits: convenient locations; lots of opportunities to make friends; affordable prices; plenty of study areas; access to computer and laundry facilities; and all-you-can-eat meals.

In addition:

• Iowa's 10 Residence Halls are located near the center of campus, with easy access to Cambus (the University's free bus service) routes.
• The residence halls are ideal for students who do not want to cook their own meals because the room contracts include both room and "board" (a required 10-, 14-, or 20-meals-per-week plan). Students whose rooms include kitchen units also have an option of a five-meals-per-week plan.
• About 90 percent of the people who live in the residence halls are undergraduates ages 18 to 20, and their behavior is not always quiet. You may prefer to select a "quiet house" floor in which the residents pledge to refrain from excessively noisy activities.
• University Housing & Dining prohibits the possession and use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs in the residence halls. Students may possess tobacco products in the halls, but may not use them there.

Housing during semester breaks

• Winter break—Only Mayflower, Hillcrest, Daum, Parklawn, Building 3 at the Lodge, and Centerstone Apartments are open for winter break residency. There is a fee to stay in campus housing during the break, and you must be registered at the desk. The other UI residence halls close 24 hours after the end of fall semester exam week and reopen the Saturday before spring semester classes begin.
• Thanksgiving and spring breaks—Residents of all halls may remain in their rooms during these two periods, but meal plan food service is not provided.

Housing application/contract
Your contract becomes legally binding after a certain date, so do not submit a housing application unless you are certain you wish to live in a residence hall.

• Room assignment begins in June and continues throughout the summer. Students are notified by mail.
  • Since it is possible that you might have left your home before receiving this notice, contact University Housing & Dining in Burge Hall (319-335-3000) as soon as you arrive in Iowa City, to confirm that a space has been reserved for you.
• Do not sign a lease for off-campus housing (apartments) before you have checked with University Housing & Dining.
• If you have received a residence hall assignment and you also signed a lease for off-campus housing, you may have two legally binding contacts. In that case, you would be legally responsible for paying rent for both places.

For more information
If you are interested in international issues as well as foreign languages and cultures, you may want to apply for housing in the Global Village Living-Learning Community. It is one of several living-learning communities in the residence halls.

More Residence Hall Information