Living in the Residence Halls

International students who choose to live in the 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.

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 "non-first-year floor" or a designated "quiet house," in which the residents pledge to refrain from excessively noisy activities. Residence Services 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
Only Mayflower and Hillcrest residence halls are open over the one-month break between the fall and spring semesters, and residents may be housed there during the break at an additional daily charge. The other residence halls close 24 hours after the end of the fall semester exam week and reopen the Saturday before spring classes begin. Unless you live in Mayflower or Hillcrest, you must vacate your residence hall room for winter break. On-campus housing contracts do not include housing during Thanksgiving break and spring break, but residents may be housed during these two periods at an additional daily charge.

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 the Housing Office in Burge Hall (319-335-3009) 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 the Housing Office.
• 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 International Crossroads Living-Learning Community on the main floor of Hillcrest Residence Hall. It is one of several living-learning communities in the residence halls.

More Residence Hall Information