Why Do Students Live On Campus?

Living in a residence hall provides students with enhanced opportunities to become involved with the university, to meet and develop relationships with a greater variety of people and to participate in a living experience that is unique to university life.

For these reasons and many others our students enjoy living on campus. Studies show that students who live on campus as compared to those who decide to live off campus:

• Have Higher Graduation Rates
• Achieve Greater Academic Success
• Utilize Campus Resources more often
• Are move involved in Campus Life
• Have a Higher Satisfaction level with their Collegiate Experience
• Have a Higher level of Personal Development
• Develop Relationships with a more Diverse Group of People

Who lives in Residence Hall One?
All USFSP undergraduate students are eligible to live on campus. Please refer to our University Student Housing Contract for specific eligibility information.

University Student Housing is unable to accommodate married or family housing. 

 

What Are the Advantages of Living On-Campus?

The University Student Housing Contract is an academic year contract (Fall/Spring semesters).  Often in an off-campus facility, a student will be expected to sign a twelve month lease.  Residents are offered the opportunity to submit a separate contract for summer housing if needed. University Student Housing is closed over break periods between semesters. 

Our housing rates are listed as a lump sum per semester and the student pays in one installment, depending upon financial aid options. The room rates are listed under the rates tab and include all utilities, water, trash services, wireless internet connection, and cable television. When living off campus you will likely have separate bills for each, including set-up fees for each service.

University Student Housing residents receive additional basic amenities such as bedroom and common area furniture, access to laundry, vending and lounge areas inside and outside the residence halls.  The student doesn’t need to worry about purchasing these items on their own.  Living on-campus is great because there is no commuting to class, which saves time and money in gasoline expenses.

Another advantage to living on campus is that residents pay for an individual space in a residence hall so if a roommate should leave, the resident isn’t left in the position of worrying about how to pay the remaining bills or trying to divide the bills with roommates.

Living in a residence hall provides additional advantages. The Resident Assistants (RAs) offer an array of educational, recreational, multicultural and social programs and activities in the community.  The RAs are available to assist residents in meeting each other on their floors and in the building. Community Development in the residential communities is very importan

Please click the rates on the left hand side for the screen for actual rates

How are residents charged for housing?
University Student Housing rates will drop prior to the start of classes each semester. This amount will be visible through each resident's OASIS account. Payments are due by Friday of the first week of classes.  Deferment options are available but the student must make arrangements with the Financial Aid Office at (727) 873-4128.  For specific questions regarding housing payments contact the Department of Housing and Residential Education at (727)-873-5101. 

What is the term of the University Student Housing Contract?
The contract term is for one academic year and covers the fall and spring semesters.  If the student signs a contract after the academic year has started, the contract will remain active for the duration of the academic year.  Contracts with varying lengths are also available to coincide with the summer sessions, though residents may be required to move to a new room assignment during the summer term(s).  The contract excludes the time between the semesters. Returning residents do not have to remove their belongings over the winter break between Fall and Spring semesters.  University Student Housing does not offer Winter Break Housing.  The Housing Contract is a legally binding document between the Student and the University (Department of Housing and Residential Education). 

What technology services are provided in the room rate?
Each resident hall room has a wireless internet connection and cable TV connection which allows for basic cable television; generally over 40 channels are available, including the four major broadcast networks, ESPN and more.

Campus Computing Services offers an information page on their website specifically for students who live in the residence halls. For more information:
http://www.stpete.usf.edu/computing/student_housing/internet_access.htm

If someone is under 18 years of age what do they need to do to sign a contract?
If a student is younger than 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must co-sign the contract.  When the appropriate signatures are in place, the student may submit the contract and prepayment.

What is the Florida Prepaid Program?
The Florida Prepaid Program allows parents in the state of Florida to begin paying for college before their children enroll. The program is a 529 investment plan managed by the Florida Prepaid College Board. If you are unsure if you have contributed to the plan or if you are unsure of to which plan you have contributed, (Tuition, Dormitory and or Local fee) please visit the The Florida Prepaid College Plan web site. All Florida Prepaid participants must include their FPP number on their University Student Housing contract.

 

What is the room assignment process? 
All first time in college freshmen students are required to live in on campus housing the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The residency requirement is listed in the University Student Housing Contract. 

Room assignments are made based on the date the completed contract (contract, processing fee and pre-payment) and all other necessary paperwork is received by the Department of Housing and Residential Education.   

The earlier a student submits the Contract and payment, the better the chances of receiving the preferred room assignment.  Every effort is made to assign the student according to his/her indicated room preference; however, roommate choices and specific room preferences are not guaranteed.  Roommate preferences must be mutual and submitted prior to the assignment process or the roommate request cannot be honored.

Students who will be away from campus (for the spring semester) for a University-sponsored/approved academic program activity, such as student teaching and/or interning or students who will graduate in December may request cancellation of the University Student Housing Contract.   Please review your copy of the University Student Housing Contract for specific information concerning cancellation guidelines. This process will begin mid Fall semester.

After the academic year begins, residents who wish to cancel the contract may do so by "buying out" the remaining portion of their Universty Student Housing Contract balance. Please review your copy of the University Student Housing Contract for specific information concerning cancellation guidelines.

All residents and their guests are expected to abide by all Federal, State, University and Housing regulations. A complete copy of the University and Housing policies and regulations is provided to each student upon check-in.

Room assignment notification is mailed in July and every two weeks thereafter to the permanent address of each resident.  Residents will receive roommate(s)/suitemate(s) contact information when they receive the room assignment notification.

There is a ten-day room freeze at the beginning of each semester to ensure adequate time for all residents to arrive and check in.  We are unable to make room changes or room transfers until the completion of the room freeze and room assignment verification period.  Flyers will be distributed notifying residents of the room transfer/room change dates and timeline.

What about students with disabilities?
If the student has a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and would like to request a reasonable accommodation of disability in room assignment, the student will need to contact the Office of Student Disability Services (OSDS) at (727) 873-4990.  The student will need to follow OSDS procedures for requesting such an accommodation as to allow OSDS to coordinate the request with the Housing staff.  Students who request a single bedroom for medical reasons must provide appropriate documentation to OSDS.

When will I be notified of my room assignment and roommate?
For the Fall semester, we will begin contacting residents in early July.

How do you make room assignments?
The room assignments process is complicated and takes into account when your University Student Housing contract was submitted, who you selected for suitemates/roommates and suite style. In addition, we look at areas of the building which may be special interest areas which may dictate learning community eligibility and/or acceptance into a specific program. Assignments are automatically done using housing software and then reviewed by our professional staff to minimize potential conflict

If there are other questions regarding Housing and Residential Education, please contact us at (727)-873-5101. 

I've already applied for a room assignment, what is the next step?
Room assignments will be mailed in July and every two weeks thereafter. Your assignment notification will include your room assignment, roommate contact information (where available) and information regarding check-in procedures. 

 

Housing Policies

Housing and Residential Education Guidebook

 

Residence Hall Suite Floor Plans

To view suite floor plans and diagrams of the building click these .jpg image links:

- Six Person Suite in RHO

- Four Bedroom Suite in RHO

Are the residence hall rooms furnished?
The following furniture is provided in each bedroom for each resident: one bed, mattress (twin extra long), chest of drawers, desk, and desk chair.

In the 4-person, suites in RHO the following furniture is provided in the common area: one lounge chair, one sofa, one kitchen table, storage cube, and four kitchen chairs.

In the 6-person, suites in RHO the following furniture is provided in the common area: one kitchen table and four kitchen chairs.

Students may bring additional approved furniture into their suite; however, university-owned furniture may not be removed at any time and is to remain in the room within the suite.  There is no student furniture storage in the residence halls on campus.

How many people are assigned to each suite?
Depending on the room assignment, 2-6 people share a suite. Each resident is assigned to a specific space or room.  Each resident will share a bathroom with up to two other residents who are considered suitemates.

What appliances or other amenities are available?
In RHO a full-size refrigerator, a full-size stove/oven, a microwave, and a garbage disposal are provided in each kitchen.  The residents bring their own cooking/dining utensils and items.  There are also laundry and vending machines located in the residence halls. If a problem arises, you will need to contact a staff member to assist in placing a work order.

Is room decoration permitted?
Students are encouraged to personalize their residence hall room. However, the suite must be in the same condition when the student checks out as it was when they checked in.  Room modifications and other permanent installations are not permitted.

 

Roommates

How does roommate matching work? Can I request to live with someone I know?
Roommates are matched based on the information you provide in the Personal Information section on the housing contract. We then match people with similar responses on their housing contract. You may also request a specific roommate as long as the request is mutual and received by the roommate request deadline date. While roommate requests are important, we base actual assignments on many factors.

I viewed my future roommates profile on a social networking site and don't like what I see. Do you recommend I switch roommates before meeting in person?
First impressions are important, but using online networking sites to make complex generalizations about those we live, work and commune with is not the best way to make your first impression. We encourage contact with your new roommate before attempting to submit a room change request. It’s good to find out what you have in common and what can be learned from the other. If you are not convinced and the semester has not begun, you can always attempt to change rooms following the ten-day freeze process by using the Room Change Request Form.

Why didn't I get my first preference and/or 1st choice for the room I selected?
Assignment is on a first-come-first-serve basis, if your first-choice space is full when we receive your housing contract, we will proceed to your second choice. The process is continued until all assignments are made. If your preferred space is one of the most popular spaces, you may not get that suite/room type.

Staff

Residential Education Staff
The Residential Education Staff assists in making residence halls a positive environment supportive of residents’ academic pursuits. Trained staff members live within the residence halls.

Two full-time, professionally trained staff members live on-campus and supervises the residential community.  The residence halls are staffed with Resident Assistants, upper division undergraduate who have been specifically selected and trained to provide assistance and maintain a supportive community atmosphere.

Resident Assistants (RAs) reside within the building and serve as leaders for their floors and community in the halls. These staff members assist in offering programming (educational, cultural and social) and enforcing enforcing policies and serving as a valuable resource to the residents within the residential community.

Miscellaneous Questions

How many credit hours must residents take in order to live on campus?
Students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours per semester at USF St. Petersburg to be eligible to live in University Student Housing.  The summer credit hour requirement is 6. If a resident falls below the minimum credit hour requirement, the resident will be required to move out of the residence hall. 

Is the residence hall single-sex or co-ed?
It is co-ed by suite/room meaning residents of the same sex are assigned to the same suite but may have neighbors of the opposite gender. 

How do residents get their room keys?
Residents are issued a suite key/room key following completion of the appropriate room check-in procedures. 

Is parking permitted on campus?
Yes, however a residential parking permit is required.  USFSP offers designated parking spaces in the parking garage near Residence Hall One.  For more information regarding Parking and Traffic Services, visit the Parking Services website at http://www.stpt.usf.edu/parking_services/index.htm. Resident students are encouraged to purchase the parking permit prior to their arrival on campus. Permits can be purchased during summer orientation sessions.

Is smoking permitted in any residence hall?
All campus facilities are designated as “smoke free” by Florida Statute.  Smoking is not permitted inside any campus facility including all housing rooms. USFSP is smoke free as of January 2012. 

Are pets permitted?
Pets are not permitted in University Student Housing.  Only fish in tanks up to 1 gallon are permitted.  No other “pets” are permitted; this includes an animal or reptile that could live in a 1 gallon tank. If the “pet” can survive outside of water, it is not a fish and therefore is not permitted. 

Are laundry facilities provided?
Laundry facilities are available and are coin operated.

Do on campus residents in the residence hall have a mailbox? 
Each resident is issued a mailbox in the residence hall.  Residents are expected to check their mailbox regularly for pertinent information.  The University will use the resident mailbox as a means of communicating information to the resident.

May I stay on campus during breaks and holidays?

University Student Housing is closed during the winter holiday period and between all semesters. You may leave your belongings in your room between fall and spring semesters. Residents should take what is needed for the three week break period. During this period, residents are not permitted to remain in the hall. Residence Halls areis open during Thanksgiving and Spring Break. Residents must move all of their belongings out at the end of the spring semester.

What should a resident plan to bring to campus?
Ideas Of What To Bring To Campus (PDF).

Fall assignments are mailed out during July and every two weeks thereafter. It is recommended that you communicate with your suite/room mates to determine what you need to bring to campus.