Residential housing and move-in frequently asked questions

Are students required to live on campus?

The University is a residential campus and requires students to live on campus for the duration of their undergraduate experience. Studies show an increase in diversity awareness and understanding, student- faculty interactions, and engagement in collaborative learning by students who live on campus in a liberal arts school. Redlands is known for its sense of community and our Resident Assistants play an important role in creating supportive communities for their residents by planning hall activities and programs that any student can take part of. To ensure residents feel safe to be themselves, explore their identities and learn and grow together. As well as help new roommates learn how to communicate with each other, share a living space and respect diversity.

It is for these reasons, the only petitions reviewed for off-campus status are those that have met one of the residential requirement exemption criteria. To learn more about the process visit our Off Campus Petition Process webpage.

How much is a room?

Housing rates vary based on room type and meal plan selections. Our current academic year room rates can be viewed on our Room Rates webpage.

Who do I talk to about requesting housing accommodations?

Any student requesting housing accommodations (i.e. single room, air-conditioning, apartment, etc.) for physical or mental health needs are instructed to complete the Accommodations Process with Academic Success and Accessibility (ASA). This process allows students to provide information about any medical diagnoses and request accommodations. We encourage students to review this information and submit any necessary paperwork as quickly as possible to be reviewed by the Accommodations Committee for consideration. Should a student be approved for housing accommodations, RLH is notified and based on the current availability, RLH will make housing adjustments to meet those accommodations.

What will happen if there is a vacancy in my room?

While we try to match students with roommates prior to moving in, there are times when students may be faced with a vacancy in their room.  In these cases, Residence Life and Housing will continue to work to create roommate matches, whether through consolidation with another student(s) with a vacancy or by offering vacant spaces to students looking to change rooms for a variety of reasons.  When contacted about a new potential roommate or consolidation, we request that students are open and friendly to one another. 

How do I select my room?

• All new students can select their roommates on their MyRedlands Housing Portal on the Housing and Roommate Selection tab in the left hand toolbar. By clicking on Select Roommates and filtering the term, students will find and view other new student profiles.
• All new students will have their room assigned to them, considering their personal preferences, New/Transfer Student Housing Intention Form, matched roommates, and availability. They will be able to select their own room during the rest of their time at Redlands.

Students seeking accommodation due to a medical/physical/psychological need, are highly encouraged to complete an Accommodation Request with Academic Success and Disability Services.

Why does my portal say I have been placed in Generic Housing? 

For billing purposes, a student’s housing assignment, which can be found under Assignments on the MyRedlands Housing Portal, will reflect "Generic Housed". Generic Housing is a placeholder used while assignments are being processed. Students are assigned this category which is replaced by the assigned hall and room once assignments are complete.

I would like to live in a gender-inclusive environment/What is All-Gendered Housing?

Housing at Redlands allows any student to live with any student, provided all parties consent to the arrangement. To learn more, view our Housing Policies here.

Who is a Resident Assistant?

Resident Assistants (RAs) are full time University of Redlands students who have had intensive training and serve as facilitators for community building. RAs facilitate programs, serve on the duty on call rotation and are trained in crisis management.

Learn more about your Resident Assistants on this page. 

Who is a Community Coordinator?

Community Coordinators (CCs) are staff members that have a Master’s degree or are graduate students pursing a Master’s degree. CCs work with Resident Assistants (RAs) to provide residents with University resources and develop positive residential communities.

What does the school provide in the rooms?

In the residence halls, the furniture provided includes a bed, desk, set of drawers or a dresser, closet or wardrobe, and chair. In the apartments, limited living room furniture, as well as a refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher, are provided.

Can risers be put on the bedposts to give a little extra storage space?

Almost all the beds in the residence halls can be raised with a request to our Facilities team once students arrive on campus. You might also consider bed risers to give students extra storage space underneath the beds. Commercial bed risers that cup the legs are the only bed lifting mechanism permitted for use and are used at the student’s own risk. Other types of rising items, such as cinder blocks or DIY construction, are not allowed.

Will storage trunks fit under their beds?

While it depends on the size of the trunk and the adjusted height of the bed, most trunks do fit under beds. It is recommended that storage containers be purchased after move-in to ensure that proper measurements can be taken since there are a few different bed models throughout the communities. All beds in the rooms are height adjustable. This means the bed can be made taller to fit storage underneath. Upon arrival, should you want your bed raised, or even lowered, please let an RA know and they will communicate with the Facilities Management team who are available throughout the move-in day, to visit your room and make the adjustment.

Do students have access to a refrigerator and microwave in their community?

All students have access to a common refrigerator and microwave in the community’s kitchen. While students are not permitted to have a microwave, they are able to have a mini fridge of their own(maximum 4 cu ft).

Where are the Laundry Facilities located?

The residence halls, organization houses, and apartment complex on campus have access to a community laundry facility. While most laundry rooms are located within the residence halls, a few communities have external facilities.  East Hall's laundry room is located on the east side of Orton Center, Brockton's room is on the north side of the community building in Block A.

What are the Laundry Charges? 

Current laundry costs are $2.00 to wash and $1.00 to dry.

Can we ship packages by UPS to the student mailbox numbers?

Yes! Student Mail Center