Residential Life
FAQs
Do I have to live on campus?
All full-time freshmen and sophomore students are required to live on campus; those with extenuating circumstances may petition for a waiver by contacting the Director of College Housing. Exemptions from on-campus housing may be available to students who live with a parent/parents or legal guardian, reside within 30-mile radius from campus, have dependents, live with a spouse, have verification of prior military experience or other special circumstances. Transfers, upper-division, and graduate students are encouraged to live on campus; however, available rooms will be limited.
When do the Residence Halls open?
Generally, the halls will open on the Saturday prior to
classes starting. You will receive a mailing indicating the exact date
and times.
I have special needs.Who should I contact to arrange...?
Contact the main Residential Life office.
If I am a part-time student, can I live on campus?
Full-time students receive priority; however, part-time students may contact the Residential Life & Housing Office if interested in housing on campus.
Will I be able to get my housing deposit back if I change my mind?
Housing refunds are granted up to May 1 or 30 days from the date of deposit. Refunds must be requested in writing to the Director of College Housing.
How many students live on-campus?
Over 500 students live on campus in two residence halls (Adirondack and Mohawk).
Are the residence halls co-ed?
Although the buildings are co-ed, suites within each building are not. Meaning a building can have a female suite and a male suite across the hall from each other. Double room suites are occupied by four students of the same gender.
Where do first year and upper class students live?
First year students live in Adirondack Hall. Upper class students live in both Adirondack and Mohawk halls.
Are freshmen allowed to have cars on campus?
Freshmen can have cars on campus. All cars must be registered with University Police and must display a parking permit sticker.
Will I be placed with a freshman?
In general, freshmen are assigned in a room with freshmen, and transfers are assigned in a room with other transfers or with returning students.
How long do I have to decide if I want to live on campus?
Room assignments are based on date of deposit. So if you want a single room, the earlier the deposit the better. Generally, rooms are available through August.
May I bring pets?
Only fish in an aquarium of less than 26 gallons are permitted. Otherwise, no pets are allowed.
What does the cost of my room pay for?
Included in the cost of your room is local telephone service, cable TV, laundry to residents, Internet, fully furnished apartments with utilities that are available while classes are in session. Summer housing is available at an additional rate.
Can I bring a refrigerator?
Refrigerators are presently supplied by the college. If a student has need for an additional refrigerator due to medical or dietary need, they need to request permission in writing from the Director of College Housing.
May I bring furniture?
The apartments are fully furnished. State Fire Code regulations prohibit the college from allowing non-college furniture, which is fire rated to be used.
What activities take place in the residence halls?
A variety of activities such as movie nights, workshops, study review sessions, club meetings and events, etc.
What is an RA? And what do they do?
Each RA is assigned two or more buildings. RAs have many roles: enforce policies, resource person, facilitator, peer counselor and friend. In addition, there is a full-time professional Hall Director in each residence hall as well. RAs and Hall Directors lives in the residence halls.
How do I become an RA?
Resident Advisors have usually been selected for the academic year. RA applications are available in the Residential Life & Housing Office late in the fall semester. Contact the Director of College Housing for details.
Are there jobs on campus?
There are a variety of jobs on campus. To see if you qualify for work-study, contact the Financial Aid Office. If you do not qualify for Financial Aid, there are temporary service jobs available in various offices around campus. Contact the Office of Human Resources in Kunsela Hall for further information.
Are there jobs available in the Utica/Rome area?
There are a variety of opportunities in the Utica/Rome area. There are major retailers, national franchises and three local malls (Sangertown Square, Consumer Square, and Riverside Center) to find employment. Some of the stores include Walmart, Lowe’s, BJ’s, Kaufman’s, TJ Max, Barnes & Noble. Check the local newspapers for job postings.
How will my mail be received?
Each resident has a separate mailbox for their mail. Mail is delivered Monday through Friday. Packages are also received by the Residential Life Office. You can sign for your packages at the office.
Is there enough parking?
Parking is available for all the resident students near the residence halls. Mohawk has over 200 spots available, while Adirondack has over 300.
What if I do not want the meal plan?
SUNYIT policy requires that all resident students living on campus participate in a meal plan. Presently, there are several options available to residents which they can choose to fit their needs.
What's the weather like in Utica?
Always changing! Certainly by the end of September, fall weather brings cool evenings; November is usually when we may see our first snow. March weather generally leads to milder temperatures and April showers.
Can my friends or family visit?
Residential Life encourages all residents to work with their roommates with regard to visitors. Policy requires that visitors stay no more than three nights consecutively, or more than six (6) days in a month. Guests should register their cars with University Police and park in designated visitor lots.
What happens if my roommate and I are not getting along?
If you have a roommate issue we encourage you to discuss the issue with your roommate first to resolve the issue. If you are unable to resolve the issue, your RA is always available to assist you.
Can I change halls or roommates?
Most hall or roommate changes will have to wait until at least two weeks into the beginning of the semester. Any room change requests should be discussed with your Hall Director.
What is the alcohol policy?
Students who are 21 years or older may possess or consume alcoholic beverages in their apartments. For additional information, refer to the Residence Hall License.
How do I request a roommate?
During room selection, residents have the opportunity to select a roommate. Each of you on your Housing Accommodation Form must request each other. Residence Life will make every effort to accommodate roommate request.
Will I be able to return to on-campus housing next year?
Yes, housing is available to returning students.
Will I have to leave my room during vacation periods?
Rooms must be vacated during winter and summer breaks. Students may leave belongings in their rooms during winter break, but must move out completely for the summer. Students may apply to live on campus during summer break and pay a fee. Information about break housing will be posted in the residence halls each semester.
Will I be able to live on campus during the summer?
Currently, housing is available during the summer months. There will be a charge to stay during this period.
Can I return early?
In certain circumstances, contact the Director of College Housing for permission.
What happens if I or someone else damages my room, apartment, or building?
All incidents of damages should be reported to an RA and will need to be documented on a damage report by an RA even if the responsible party cannot be identified. If a student damages SUNYIT property, that student is subject to disciplinary action and repair costs. Residents should not repair their own damages - they will be charged for finishing work anyway. If damage occurs within a public area of a building and the responsible party cannot be found, the residents of the building can be held accountable and may be charged for the damage.
Do you provide cleaning supplies?
Vacuum cleaners can be signed out of each residence hall office. These vacuum cleaners should be emptied before returning them to the office. The following items can also be signed out of the residence hall offices: brooms & mops, dust pans, cleaning buckets, pool sticks & pool balls, shovels, carts, and sleighs. These items can be signed out for a period of time. Your SUNYIT Card is required to borrow these items from the office. Please remember to return these items to the office as soon as possible.
How do I move into a different room?
Most hall or roommate changes will have to wait until at least two weeks into the beginning of the semester, if space is available and the request is supported by a justifiable need. Any room change requests should be discussed with your Hall Director. The resident is responsible for getting approval prior to making the change.
Is there a lost and found?
Lost and found items are turned into University Police Office at Kunsela Hall, Room A022.
