A: As information becomes available, the University Housing website is being updated. We will also be sending out information to current students in the 2013 fall semester letting them know when we will start accepting applications. New students admitted to the university for fall 2014 will be notified in their acceptance letter how to access information about University Housing.
A: Current GSU students enrolled fall 2013 will be able to apply for University Housing starting December 2, 2013 by going to the University Housing website and clicking on the link that says Apply for University Housing.
New GSU students admitted for summer 2014 or fall 2014 will be able to submit an online application starting February 3, 2014 by going to the University Housing website and clicking on the link that says Apply to University Housing.
As you go through the online application-contract process, you will be asked to read and signify your understanding of the Housing Terms and Conditions. Submission of the online application-contract indicates that you agree to abide by the contract terms and conditions and that you consent to the policies described in the document.
You will also be asked to submit a $25.00 housing application fee and a $200 housing pre-payment within the application - contract channel on the Housing application portal. A Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit or debit card is needed to pay your housing application charge and make your initial housing payment.
For students admitted for spring semester 2015 we will begin mailing information about our housing process in early November 2014 and then each week as students are admitted.
A: In April 2014 University Housing staff will begin making fall housing assignments for currently enrolled students.
University Housing staff will begin making housing assignments for NEW students beginning the first week of June 2014.
Once an assignment has been made the student will receive an email at his/her GSU address with information about the assignment and assigned roommate(s).
A: A $200 initial pre-payment and a $25.00 housing application fee are required to complete the online university housing application-contract. You will be asked to submit your housing payment within the university housing application – contract channel. You will need a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover credit or debit card to complete this transaction.
A: A Request for Cancellation of the contract before moving into university housing (checking out keys), and prior to the applicable opening day of University Housing, will be accepted with one of the following guidelines:
A written request for cancellation received on or before June 1, 2014, for the fall semester, or January 1, 2015, for the spring semester (new spring semester applicants only) will result in the refund of the $200 pre-paid housing payment.
A written request for cancellation received after June 1, 2014, for the fall semester, or January 1, 2015, for the spring semester (new spring semester applicants only) but prior to the Friday before the first day of classes each semester will result in forfeiture of the $200 pre-paid housing payment.
Approved cancellations after the first class day of the semester will result in a prorated charge for usage of the room.
A request for cancellation of the University Housing Contract must be done by e-mail (housing@govst.edu) or in writing, addressed to and received by: Office of University Housing, Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL 60484.
A: Apartment units have fully-equipped kitchens. Community kitchens with appliances are located on each floor of the residence hall. The GSU Café in the main university building serves meals and a variety of snacks every day. Vending machines are located at the residence hall and throughout campus.
Students living in University Housing are strongly encouraged to place monies on the GSU myONECard for food and beverage purchases in the café, convenience store and in GSU vending machines.
The GSU myONECard Campus Cash program is a convenient and flexible declining balance account. We don't mandate that students obtain meals at specific times or use a certain number each week. GSU students do not pay for missed meals or subsidize other students' dining plans. Our dining program allows each student to suit their own personal dining habits and needs.
Students may add value to their GSU myONECard anytime via credit/debit cards at the GSU Campus Card office or online.
There are 3 recommended Campus Cash options for students living in University Housing.
For the student that lives in the suite style housing units and plans to purchase food or beverages daily, we recommend the student sign up to have $1500 each semester placed on their GSU myONECard for food and beverage purchases. This averages out to approximately $100/week during the semester for these types of purchases.
For students who don't plan to purchase food or beverages daily, we recommend placing $1000 each semester on their GSU myONECard for food and beverages.
For students living in the apartment style housing units which have a full kitchen, and who plans to only enjoy an occasional meal at the café when appointments, study time, class, and work schedules leave little time for preparing and cooking food we recommend placing $500 each semester on their GSU myONECard for food and beverage purchases.
A: It's impossible to predict how early you would have to turn in your contract to get into Housing. Although your chances are enhanced the earlier you turn in your contract, it is still no guarantee. Currently enrolled students will begin applying for University Housing starting on December 2, 2013 and new GSU students will begin applying on February 3, 2014 We are currently planning on setting aside half of the hall for new students coming to GSU in the fall 2014 semester (first year, transfer, graduate level).
A: If you need special accommodations because of a disability, medical need, or transgender identity, please contact University Housing at 708.235.7110 or housing@govst.edu.
A: You will have an opportunity on the housing application to identify a student you would like to have as a roommate and/or apartment mate. We will work to accommodate this request provided both (all) students have identified the other student as a preferred roommate.
If you do not have a preferred roommate, we will assign you a roommate utilizing the responses to the preferences you identified in your housing application. We will try to assign new first year students with another new first year student but this may not always be possible.
A: If you know someone you want to live with - whether it's a friend from high school, a friend who is transferring to GSU, or a friend who is already at GSU - you will be able to identify them as a roommate preference through the assignment website.
A: To be a good roommate, you have to be willing to negotiate and to compromise on some things and understand your roommate rights and responsibilities, even though it's not always easy. In order to avoid conflicts, at the beginning of every year roommates are required to sit down together and fill out a Roommate Agreement. The Roommate Agreement helps roommates talk through some of the most frequent areas of conflict, such as guests/visitors to the room, use of the TV, whether or not to share items (like food), etc. If, during the course of the semester, a conflict arises that you and your roommate are unable to resolve, you should talk to your RA or Residence Hall Director. If both you and your roommate have tried to resolve a conflict and have not succeeded, you may decide you don't want to live together. At that point, if there is space available in other rooms or halls, it may be possible for the RHD to reassign you. If not, then you may have to wait until second semester to make a room change.
Once a student has been assigned, we do not make room assignment changes before the school year begins. Students should come, move in to their assigned space, and meet roommates before making judgments on compatibility. The University has a 10-day room freeze - meaning, during the first ten class days of the fall and spring semester no room changes occur. This is in order for us to determine whether everyone assigned a space has arrived on campus.
A: Not all first year students will live with another first year student so as to accommodate mutual roommate requests of incoming students who know a student already enrolled at GSU or who is a transfer student. When University Housing staff members make new student assignments, we will work to assign students of similar academic standing to a room or apartment.
A: Yes. Guests are allowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week in University Housing. A guest may stay a maximum of 3 consecutive days within a seven - day period with the permission of your roommate. Residents in violation of this policy may have their hosting privileges revoked.
All guests (male and female) must be accompanied by a resident of the residence hall at all times. Any guest who will be in the hall past midnight must be registered at the Residence Hall main desk. Residents should understand that 'visitation' is a privilege and that it does not take precedence over a roommate's right to study, sleep and have privacy.
A: The University supplies a desk, chair, wardrobe/dresser unit, a bed, and extra-long twin mattress (36" wide x 80" long x 6" deep) for each student. Window coverings, garbage can and recycling bin, cable television and internet access are also provided.
There are four different types of housing units. Apartment units also contain full kitchens with appliances, living room furniture.
Each residence hall floor has lounges for study and socializing as well as a kitchen for programs and use by students. A laundry room and vending machines are located on the first floor of the hall.
A: You should bring your own extra-long twin sheets, blankets, bedspread, and pillow. All rooms have cable TV outlets. However, you must provide your own cable cord.
The University strictly prohibits electrical appliances in the residence halls with the exception of hair appliances, mirrors, and shavers. For your convenience, a microwave oven is provided in the public kitchens on each residence hall floor.
A: Yes. There are professional and paraprofessional (resident assistants, or RAs) staff working and living in the residence hall. The staff provides opportunities for each resident to enhance their personal, interpersonal, and educational development. Residents are encouraged to talk to their RA or the professional staff about any concerns or questions they have. Between midnight and 6 a.m. students must show their University ID to Night Operation staff in order to enter the residence hall.
A: The RA hiring process is conducted once each semester for the following year or semester. Applications for RA positions (2014/2015) will be available online starting in October 2013.
A: There are approximately 50 parking spaces adjacent to the residence hall. These spaces will be available for student vehicles with a valid permit. Resident Permits for this lot will be issued for a charge ($50.00/semester) on a first come, first served basis. When you apply for housing you will indicate your desire to purchase a resident permit. Once all permits have been issued for this lot, there will be an additional designated parking area on one of the other university parking lots for residential students who bring vehicles to campus. The charge for this lot will be $20.00/semester. The charge for residential permits is in addition to the Roadway and Parkway Fee paid by all enrolled students.
University Housing Contact Information | Phone: 708.235.7110 | Email: Housing@govst.edu
