Housing Frequently Asked Questions

The first two weeks of each semester, residence life observes a 'room freeze' while we verify occupancy.

Q. How do I request a roommate or suitemate?

A. After you complete your housing application, you will be able to request roommates or suitemates via your housing portal.

What type of furniture can I expect in my room? Will extra furniture be removed from my room?  

Floor plans for each residence hall will remain the same. Please continue using the Residence Life website for information based on your assignment.  At this point, the University does not plan on removing any furniture within rooms due to lack of storage. We ask that you leave all furniture within the room.  

As a graduate student,  do  I need to meet the  requirement  of 12 credits to reside in housing?    

Graduate students are exempt from the 12-credit requirement as graduate classes are structured differently.  Undergraduate students are required to carry 12 credits in order to be considered for housing.    

Will we be able to have roommates for the spring semester?   

The University continues to monitor state and local guidance related to the management of the COVID pandemic.  Our decisions about residential structure will largely be influenced by the evolving nature of the statewide response.  We plan to be in communication with students as circumstances evolve. It is very unlikely that single bedrooms will change for the spring semester.

POLICIES, PROCEDURES, & SAFETY

What are the COVID-19 policies going to be like living in the hall?  

New resident students will be asked to complete an online Canvas course related to COVID safety on campus and will have discussions in initial floor meetings.  

In addition to training and education, students will notice other measures taken to ensure limited exposure.  These include:

• the closing of common areas such as lounges and kitchens (students will continue to have access to laundry facilities and outdoor space)
• requiring masks in all public spaces (inside and outside) and
• outside visitors are currently not allowed.

The University continues to monitor state and local guidance related to the management of the COVID pandemic.  Students will be asked to monitor their Salem State e-mail address for updates and announcements related to updates in approach to policy or practice if statewide guidance changes.  

ENGAGEMENT    

Are there still living-learning communities happening in the halls? If I'm in a living-learning community (LLC), will I be on the same floor with other LLC students?     

Residence Life did house students based on interest in the Business and LatinX Living Learning Communities. Students were housed by each other in Bowditch Hall and the RAs on those floors are going to engage LLC students in a unique living-learning experience. Those signed up for those communities can expect more information to come.   

Will there be events and activities in the residence halls?   

Residence Life is working hard on ways to engage residents within the hall in a safe and fun way. The Guide to Living On Campus addresses hall engagement and what they can expect from living on campus.

HOUSING DEPOSIT

How do I pay the deposit?

You may pay your deposit online by following the links in Navigator. You may also pay your deposit in-person at the Student Navigation Center or mail a check to the student accounts office. If you send a check, make sure you write your student ID number on it.

If I've paid my housing deposit to live on campus, what happens next?

Once you've paid your deposit, you'll have access to your license agreement and housing application in the housing portal. This must be completed before we can assign you a space on campus. 

If I have an outstanding balance, may I still pay the housing deposit?

Yes. Your previous bills must be paid in full before a housing deposit for next semester will be accepted.

I don’t currently live on campus. May I pay the deposit to live on campus and participate in room selection?

Students who are not currently living on campus are still welcome to pay the housing deposit by the published deadline(s). 

What happens if I miss the deposit deadline?

If you do not pay the deposit by the deadline you will be able to participate in room selection after students who met the deadline complete their selection process. 

Can I cancel my housing contract between semesters? If I cancel my Housing License Agreement do I get my money back?

Visit the housing cancellation page for information on cancellation requirements and refunds.

FACILITIES

What  sort of safety precautions is the University taking to ensure my safety?   

In cooperation with University Facilities Department, the Residence Halls will be prepared for students’ arrival with COVID safety precautions in mind.  The facilities staff have participated in COVID-specific cleaning training and are treating and sealing common areas such as bathrooms and elevators with “Permasafe.”     

Permasafe is a long-lasting antimicrobial surface protectant that continuously inhibits the growth and spread of microorganisms and helps prevent the growth and spread of bacteria.   

Additionally, facilities will clean and disinfect common bathrooms twice a day. Once in the morning and then again in the early evening.   

Additional precautions include the replacement of hand dryers with hands-free paper towel dispensers, the upgrade of soap dispensers to anti-microbial soap and hand sanitizer dispensers installed in each residence hall lobby.  

How do I see what my room will look like?

We encourage people to take a tour of campus by participating in accepted student days through admissions. We will try our best to accommodate special tour requests. Residence life is not able to show students a particular room or apartment. Pictures of selected rooms are posted in the residence hall section. Students may also schedule a tour with admissions to see what standard rooms look like.

What size are the beds?

All beds in the residence halls are twin extra-long.

Can I build a loft in my room?

No, however, the bed frames provided have the ability to raise and lower the bed if you wish to store belongings underneath your bed.

Do the residence halls have wireless Internet access?

Yes.

Is there access to kitchens in the residence halls?

Atlantic and Bates have in-apartment kitchens. Peabody and Bowditch halls have community kitchens in the ground floor lounge.

What do I do if something is wrong or damaged in my room?

Place a work order with facilities. If that doesn't work, contact your RA.

ROOM AND CAMPUS POLICY

If I am over 21, can I have alcohol in my room?

If you are 21, you may have alcohol in your residential space provided everyone in the space (i.e., room/suite/apartment) is 21 years old or older. Students are permitted to have alcohol in their room/suite/apartment, however, if a student under the age of 21 enters a space where alcohol would normally be permitted, that space then becomes a “dry” space. Visit the Guide to Living on Campus for more details on the alcohol policy on campus. 

Are pets allowed on campus?

The only pets allowed on campus are fish in a 10-gallon or less tank. Service animals are allowed if approved through the disability services office.

Can I smoke in my residence hall room or apartment?

Salem State University is tobacco-free. There is no smoking, or the use of other related tobacco products, marijuana or e-cigarettes, allowed on university property.

What appliances can I have in my apartment (microwave, toaster, hot plate)?

Microwaves under 600 watts, miniature refrigerators under four cubic feet. We suggest students rent a micro-fridge.

Can we have opposite sex, overnight guests, in our rooms?

Yes. We suggest you discuss with your roommate(s) how you want to approach guests in your particular space. See additional details about host, guest and visitor guidelines in the Guide to Living on Campus.

What items can I not have in my room?

Please see this list of items.

Can I bring a car on campus with me?

First-year students are not allowed to have a car on campus unless they receive special approval. All other students are allowed to have a car on campus if they register and purchase a parking permit from university police.

TELEVISION/CABLE

Do I need a cable box? 

No, with the new system, you can connect your TV or another device directly to the wall TV (coaxial) port.

Will my TV work with the new system? 

If your TV was manufactured after 2008 it *should* work.  The TV must have a "QAM-compliant tuner" in it.  If you are not sure, googling your TV model number and the acronym "QAM" will usually help you find the answer. Some low-end TVs (mostly ones with resolutions of 720p) do not support QAM stations.

If my TV does not support QAM, can I still use it? 

Yes, but you will need an external QAM tuner similar to the old cable boxes.  While there are many on the market, we have tested two that we know will work with our system -- iView 3500STBII and ViewTV AT-163.

Can I use a DVR? 

At the present time, the system does not support commercial DVRs such as TiVO.  Windows Media Center (included with many versions of the Windows operating system) will work with SSU TV as long as you have a QAM-compatible TV tuner connected to your computer.

What does the new system give me that I didn't have before? 

The new system provides standard definition channels (SD), which was a part of the old system, but now without extra charge, you will also get high-definition channels (HD).  For our students who speak Chinese, we also have several Chinese language channels.  Additionally, we have 3 channels dedicated to Salem State to use for sporting events, special lectures, guest speakers, notifications, etc. You will also notice a special MTV channel - mtvU.  mtvU is only available to colleges and universities.  You will never see it on commercial cable systems.  Lastly, our new system allows our Campus Police to place an alert on every channel of every TV in the event of an emergency to better notify the college community.

Is there a channel guide? 

The best way to see a channel guide is online.

Who do I contact if I have a problem using SSUTV? 

First, check with your neighbors.  If they aren't experiencing problems, check your TV.  If you feel your TV is working properly and need more assistance, or you have other questions, contact the ITS Help Desk or call 978.542.2036.

Do I need to do anything for my TV to work on the new system? 

Yes.  Connect your TV to the TV wall jack with a coaxial cable, then go into the settings for your TV and tell it to Scan for New Channels. If your TV scans for both analog and digital channels, don't be alarmed if it takes a long time and finds nothing in the analog channels. All of our channels are digital.

I don't see all of the channels. What's wrong?  

There are several possibilities: If your TV as well as your neighbors' are not getting any channels, there could be a problem in your building, possibly due to a power outage.  We have equipment in each building that provides the TV signal.  If other TV's are working, but not yours, be sure you have scanned for digital channels.  If the weather is very bad outside, some channels may be temporarily lost.  The bulk of our channels are provided over a satellite system. Those satellites are not directly overhead but in the Southwest. Once the bad weather passes in that area, your channels will return.

If you need ITS assistance, please have the manufacturer and model of your TV available. 

MISCELLANEOUS

Do I have to live on campus?

No, there is no requirement to live on campus at Salem State University. 

Where does my ClipperCard get me into?

Your ClipperCard is your key to your residence hall or apartment. It also includes your meal plan and has options for laundry.

What do I do if I lock myself out of my room or apartment?

Find an RA in their room or go to the front desk of a building and they can assist you.

How do I find my mailing address? How do I access my mailbox?

In your housing portal, you can find your mailing address next to your housing assignment. Your mail assistant will issue your mailbox number and combination/key when you arrive on campus.

How do disciplinary sanctions affect my housing?

Violations of university and housing policies may impact your ability to live on campus depending on severity. The student conduct code should be reviewed for more information.

Is there transportation available on campus?

Yes, there is a scheduled shuttle service throughout the day that is free for students and after hours there is a student-run shuttle service.

What opportunities are there to get involved?

Tons! Residence life is home to many student leaders and organizations. Check out our Get Involved page for information about the various groups.