FAQ: Now that I'm In

General

Q: What type of food service is available? 
A: Each apartment has a full kitchen with standard appliances. Still, many students may enjoy the convenience of a meal plan provided by Dining Services. The new U Card system will be implemented on campus in 2008. Students can put money on the card and use it like a debit card in the food service area. More information on Dining Services can be found at http://www.ius.edu/foodservices.cfm.

Q: Can residential students get their mail on campus?
A: Yes. Each lodge will have a section of mailboxes on the first floor and each resident will have his/her own mailbox.

Q: Are the residence halls accessible for students with disabilities?
A: Yes. The buildings, as with all new construction, meet all requirements for accessibility. The primary laundry room in each building is on the second floor, and a smaller laundry is on the first floor for accessible apartments. Students will have the opportunity to indicate any disability-related needs they have for housing when they fill out an application.

Q: Is a car necessary or are there other transportation options?
A: Whether or not to bring a car is a personal decision. Indiana University Southeast is a small campus and everything is less than a 10-minute walk away. Most students will tell you that parking can be an issue on campus because there are a limited number of spaces. Limited parking is available near the residence halls, but students should not expect to be able to park directly outside their door.

Q: Where are employment opportunities on campus?
A: Student jobs can be found all across campus. Students may work in the residence halls as community advisors or desk clerks or may find employment in other administrative or academic offices across campus.

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Technology

Q: Do the apartments have Internet access?
A: Yes. Each bedroom has a data port per resident, and each living room also has a data port providing high-speed Internet access. The lodges also have wireless service so that students may use laptop computers in the common areas. Each residence hall also has a small computer lab. The university does enforce an Acceptable Use Policy and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act regarding downloading or sharing copyrighted movies and music. Judicial action is taken for violations. Personal wireless hubs are prohibited in student rooms.

Q: Is phone service provided?
A: No. The apartments are not wired for phone service. Virtually every student has a cell phone now, which provides them with maximum flexibility to make and receive calls. Voice over Internet Phone (VOIP) service is available at an additional cost through a separate contract.

Q: What is VOIP telephone service?
A: A broadband or VOIP phone is like a regular phone except it uses high-speed Internet to make calls.

Q: What about cable?
A: Basic cable service is provided at no charge. Premium channels and package upgrades are available directly from the provider. Check back later for information about our cable channel lineup.

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Furniture and Room Set up

Q: What are the dimensions of the rooms?
A: Room dimensions and layout information can be viewed online.

Q: What will be in the room when I arrive?
A: Each apartment is fully furnished with all appliances (stove, refrigerator, microwave hood, dishwasher) and a dining table in the kitchen. A sofa, chair, entertainment stand, coffee table, and end tables are included in the living room of the apartment. Bedrooms will have a single extra-long bed, dresser, desk, chair, and closet space. Bedrooms are either single or double occupancy. Beds in double-occupancy rooms are bunkable.

Every bedroom and living room also has cable television and high-speed Internet access installed. Wireless access is also available throughout the building. Personal phone service is not provided, but may be contracted separately by the students in the apartment.

Q: Are TVs, stereos, etc. allowed?
A: Yes. All electrical equipment must have an approved UL rating. Irons and small appliances such as toasters and coffee makers may be used. But you may want to talk with your roommates in advance to coordinate who is bringing what so you don’t end up with four of everything.

See a complete list of approved and unapproved items. (PDF)

Q: What is NOT allowed in the residence hall room?
A: For safety reasons, there are some items that are not allowed in the residence halls. These include halogen lamps, incense, or anything with an open flame. Candles, even for decorative purposes, are not allowed. Fireworks, weapons including paint ball guns, knives and martial arts weapons, and combustible liquids are also not allowed. Items with exposed heating elements such as coffee makers, toasters, and George Foreman-style grills may only be used in the kitchen space of each apartment. Space heaters are also prohibited.

See a complete list of approved and unapproved items. (PDF)

Q: Can I personalize my room?
A: Part of the fun of living on campus is the opportunity to make the space yours. Pictures, posters, lights, plants, etc. are all a part of making it home. Prohibited decorating items include contact paper on walls, doors or door frames; painting the room; and memo boards on room doors. Only items posted by hall staff will be allowed on the outside of residence hall room doors and hallways. University furniture should not leave the residence hall.

Q: Can I bring my own furniture?
A: Students may bring futons, love seats, chairs, bookshelves, and other items to expand their room. University furniture must stay in student rooms, and in-hall storage is not available.

Q: Do I need renters insurance?
A: Renters insurance for theft or property damage is not provided as part of the housing contract. Many students are covered under their family’s homeowners insurance, so inquire with the policy’s agent. Students may also purchase their own insurance from the carrier of their choice.

Q: What size are the mattresses?
A: The mattresses are extra-long twin mattresses, measuring 36” x 80”. When purchasing bed sheets be sure to look for that size. Sheets for extra-long twin mattresses can be purchased at several local stores or online merchants.

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About Roommates

Q: When will I find out about my roommate?
A: Contact information for your roommate, if available, will be sent to you along with your assignment.

Q: Is it possible to request a different roommate?
A: You can request a different roommate, but once assignments are made we cannot always guarantee that changes can be made. We will do our best to accommodate assignment preferences.

If we are unable to place you with your requested roommate, we may be able to help after the halls open. Around the second or third week of the semester, room changes may be granted as space allows. Working with hall staff, students can move within or to other halls. Through this process new roommate requests can often be facilitated. Students who want to move will be expected to assist in the process of finding a new room or roommate.

Q: What happens after roommate assignments go out?
A: Contact information for your roommate will be sent along with your assignment. You are encouraged to contact each other and begin initial get-to-know-you discussions such as likes and dislikes, interests, etc. It is also important for roommates to discuss use of the room, determine how the space will be shared, and who is bringing what. Once both roommates are on campus communication about personal lifestyles and getting acquainted with each other continues. Residence hall staff is available to help facilitate discussion between roommates and help resolve any conflicts or concerns.

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Moving-in

Q: How do I get to campus?
A: View maps and get directions to IU Southeast.

Q: Any recommendations to make move-in easier?
A: Move-in is hectic as 400+ students and their families all try to get settled in the halls at the same time. We recommend students unload their belongings in front of the hall and then go park their cars before taking things up to the room. This allows more people to get in close to the hall and not carry things as far. During opening weekend, volunteers will be available to help families carry items up to student rooms. Other things to consider are bringing a dolly and cutting handles in boxes for easy carrying. We also recommend a few basic cleaning supplies. They come in handy for a quick sprucing up and keeping the room clean during the year.

Q: What about parking during move-in?
A: Students and parents can park in any student space on campus during move-in week. Cars in employee, reserved spaces, on sidewalks and the grass, or handicapped (unless a permit is displayed) spaces will be ticketed. Thirty-minute loading areas in front the residence halls will also be enforced.

Q: What will happen when I arrive?
A: Anticipate a lot of traffic around the halls as several people arrive and unload at the same time. If you have multiple people with you, ask them to unload the car onto the sidewalk and move it to a permanent parking spot. While they do that you can go in the hall to start checking in.

Check-in will consist of several stations, such as receiving your room key or student policies and completing paperwork such as an emergency contact card. This includes a health insurance policy number so bring the appropriate information with you. An important part of check-in will be the Room Inventory Form. Take this form to your room and make notes regarding any damages or wear and tear you see in the room. When you check out, this form is used to compare the condition of your room before you moved in. Any damages not previously noted on the form will be billed to your student account when you leave.

Finally, take time to look at the signs and information posted in the halls. Some signs will be informational - such as policies or campus services - others will inform you of campus and hall events happening the first week, and others will be about meetings for different organizations you can join.

Q: Will there be anyone to help me move?
A: Volunteers from across campus and the New Albany community will assist with move-in. They will help unload cars and carry belongings to your room, but the unpacking is up to you.

Q: What should I do during that first week I get to campus?
A: Get to know your roommates: If you do not already know your roommates, take the time to get to know each other. Talk about your likes and dislikes, your morning routines, and your expectations of each other. Investing the time now talking about these issues can save you arguments and headaches later.

Get to know your community advisor and other residents: Meet and learn about the people you will be living with throughout the year. Make a special effort to meet your CA. Community advisors can be valuable friends and resources.

Get Ready to say WOW!: Week of Welcome will definitely WOW you. Fun activities throughout the week will help students get to know each other, start forming relationships, and become acquainted with the campus and the surrounding area.

Attend activities in the hall each night: To help you meet others in the building and across campus, each hall will be offering activities each evening during the first week of school. These events are just the beginning of great programs and events the staff offers to help you meet other people and have fun.

Buy your books: Do this early! Most students wait until the last minute and then the bookstore is crowded. Bring a backpack with you to take your books back to your room.

Find your classes: If you don’t know where to find the room or building where your classes will be, take the time to explore and find them. This will make the first few days of class less stressful.

Get your room set up: Get settled in your room and personalize the space. Then you will be ready to go and can focus on academics when classes start.

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