Residential Life

Students applying to live at The University of Tennessee Southern for the first time should complete the 2022-23 New Student Application.

New students must pay a $150 application fee (through the online application) and provide proof of meningitis immunizations (through MedProctor). No new students will be allowed to move into residential facilities without receipt of the application fee and proof of meningitis immunizations.

Update as of 4/1/2022: Apartments are full. Students who wish to move from residential halls to the Student Apartments (depending on availability) will be ranked using a combination of “first-come, first-served” and seniority. Students who have already signed a Room and Board Agreement may complete an online form to be added to the Waiting List.

New students wishing to live off campus should complete the 2022-23 Off Campus Application by August 1, 2022.

Returning residents, or students who have lived on our campus previously at UT Southern, should complete an application here.

The Housing Selection Process, in which returning residents select their own rooms, has completed. All returning residents wishing to live on campus for 2022-23 will be randomly assigned. We do not take requests regarding assignments outside of the preferences communicated in the application.

Update as of 4/1/2022: Apartments are full. Students who wish to move from residential halls to the Student Apartments or Oakwood Academic Excellence Apartments (depending on availability) will be ranked using a combination of “first-come, first-served” and seniority. Students who have already signed a Room and Board Agreement may complete an online form to be added to the Waiting List.

Returning residents must register here for a move in time for August 21 or 22, 2022.

Students wishing to commute to campus, or live off campus, should complete the Off Campus Application before July 1 to avoid charges. (New Students to the University may apply until August 1.)

Failure to accurately complete this application and provided any necessary supporting documents will result in the student being charged for on campus housing.

To determine if you are eligible to commute/live off campus, please review our Residential Requirement below. If a student decides to commute or live off campus but does not meet the exceptions in the Residential Requirement, the student will be charged for on campus housing.

If a commuting student fails to complete the Off Campus Application, the student will be charged for on campus housing.

Academic Year (August-May)

Resident Assistants are the heart blood of on-campus life. They create programs, support students, and keep the halls running smoothly for residents.

Applications for the RA role for 2022-23 are due February 4, 2022. Interviews will take place February 7-11.

Summer (May-August)

Summer Resident Assistants keep our campus facilities running throughout the summer months. They oversee all check in and check out processes, respond to emergencies, and support summer residents as needed.

Applications for the Summer 2022 RA role are due March 1, 2022. Interviews will take place March 7-11.

All full-time students under the age of 21 and enrolled in at least 12 hours of coursework each semester are required to live on campus or at home with a parent, legal guardian, sibling (over the age of 25), or a grandparent within 40 miles of campus.

Exceptions to the Residency Requirements:

1. Student is 21 years old and in good academic and student conduct standing prior to August 1 of the academic year.
2. Student has acquired 90 credit hours prior to August 1 of the academic year.
3. Student lives at home with a parent, legal guardian, sibling (over the age of 25), or a grandparent within a 40 mile radius of campus. Documentation may be required to demonstrate the relationship in addition to a copy of the current driver’s license of the parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent with whom the student will reside. The student must live in the residence with the stated family member full time. The parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent must have lived in the residence for at least one year preceding the date of first enrollment.
4. Student has a documented disability, with a corresponding Reasonable Accommodation on file with the Vice President of Student Affairs.
5. Student is a military service veteran.
6. Student is legally independent, with documented proof provided.
7. Student is married or has dependent children.
8. Student is enrolled solely in online courses.

If a student believes themselves to be in an exceptional circumstance, the student may submit a petition for an exception by the date listed in the Timeline below. Contact Residential Life for more information. If a student decides to move off campus and does not meet one of the above exceptions, they will be charged for on campus housing.

To petition for an exception to our residential requirement, a student must write a letter to the Housing Appeals Committee.

The letter should explain the exceptional circumstances that the committee should consider. Please be as detailed as possible. Petitions should explain in detail the reason an exception is needed and what solutions the student has tried to make on-campus housing work.

If the reason for petitioning is medical, the student must have a Reasonable Accommodation Request on file with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, submitted by the current Census Day. Petitions for exceptions are unnecessary in this case.

Petitions should be submitted by July 1, 2022 to reslife@utsouthern.edu. (New Students to the University may submit until August 1.) Petitions will be presented to the Housing Appeals Committee for a decision. Petitions received after Census Day will not be considered.

Signing a lease does not exempt a student from financial responsibility for an assigned space in campus housing. Students are recommended to refrain from signing an off-campus lease or make other contract obligations until they hear back from the Appeals Committee.

Students petitioning for an exception to Residential Life policies are recommended to consult with the Financial Aid office to determine how living off-campus may affect the student’s financial aid package.

Residential Life prioritizes the best fit for a student in terms of roommates, conditions, etc. over specific locations, and we do not take requests to live in specific buildings outside of the Housing Selection Process.

Students can view their assignment, when available, by accessing the Housing Portal.

How to Access Your Housing Portal:

1. Go to Portal: Access Student Account 
2. In the very top center of the new webpage, hover over a tab labeled Student Portal. Click On a Computer (even if you’re using a phone!) when the window appears.
3. You will be taken to a new page where you will need to enter your personal UT Southern credentials. 
4. After signing into CAMS, on the far-left side, under Administrative Services, there will be a tab labeled My Housing.
5. Click on My Housing, and you will be taken to a page that will have your housing information posted!

Residential:

Residential meal plans are included in each student’s Room and Board charges. Changing a meal plan does not change the overall Room and Board charge, and meal plans cannot be removed from Room and Board. Residential students may select one of the following plans, and selections must be made within the first 2 weeks of the semester:

• 19 meals per week, plus $50 Flex to use at FireHawk Cafe
• 15 meals per week, plus $75 Flex to use at FireHawk Cafe
• 10 meals per week, plus $100 Flex to use at FireHawk Cafe

Commuter:

All commuting students have $25 Flex to be used in the FireHawk Café or Dining Hall. Non-residential meal plans are also available for commuting students, and may be purchased here!

• 25 meals for $185
• 50 meals for $350

We have four on-campus residential halls, and details on each are below! You may also view pictures of recent residents’ rooms by clicking here.

Student Apartments, consisting of two multilevel structures, house 116 students. Each apartment has four single bedrooms, two full baths, a small kitchenette and dining area, and washer/dryer facilities. Apartment kitchens come with a 4-person table and chairs in addition to a full-size refrigerator and microwave, but hot plates are not permitted due to the fire code. Apartment living rooms have a small couch and chair, as well as a coffee table. Each bedroom is furnished with the following: extra-long twin bed frame (height-adjustable) and mattress; desk and desk chair; 3-drawer chest of drawers; 3-drawer nightstand; and a standing wardrobe (closet) with a hanging rod.

Criswell Hall, a traditional dormitory-style building, provides comfortable living quarters for female students. This building has a guest lounge, a resident lounge for the private use of the residents, a laundry room, and a Resident Director’s apartment. Each room is furnished with two of each of the following: extra-long twin bed frame (height-adjustable) and mattress; desk and desk chair; 3-drawer chest of drawers; 3-drawer nightstand; and closet space with hanging rod. Located in an elevated position, it commands a panoramic view of the campus and provides easy access to the Student Union.

Upperman Hall is a traditional dormitory-style residence hall for both male and female students. This building has a guest lounge with a pool table, a resident lounge for the private use of the residents on each floor, a laundry room, a Resident Director’s apartment, and an outdoor courtyard. Each room is furnished with two of each of the following: extra-long twin bed frame (height-adjustable) and mattress; desk and desk chair; 3-drawer chest of drawers; 3-drawer nightstand; and closet space with hanging rod. This building is conveniently located in the heart of campus life with easy access to offices, academic buildings, and the Student Union.

Oakwood Apartments for Academic Excellence, located on West Flower Street, are apartment-style units with two bedrooms connected by a shared bathroom. Each apartment also has a washer and dryer, and a kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator and stove. Apartment living rooms have a small couch and chair, as well as a coffee table. Each bedroom is furnished with the following: extra-long twin bed frame (height-adjustable) and mattress; desk and desk chair; 3-drawer chest of drawers; 3-drawer nightstand; and a closet with a hanging rod. To be eligible to live in Oakwood, students must have a cumulative collegiate grade point average of 3.30 or higher.

The Residential Life Staff consist of an Coordinator, 3 Hall Directors, and 14 Student Resident Assistants. Our staff host programs within the residence halls to build community and encourage student involvement. Please reach out if you have questions!

• Kara Williams – Residential Life Coordinator; Student Apartments Director: kwill249@utsouthern.edu, 912-358-9311
  
• Caleb Truelove – Upperman Hall Director: 
  trueja59@utsouthern.edu, 931-309-1226
   
• Jana Williams – Oakwood Director: 
  freeja39@utsouthern.edu, 931-309-0939

Residents needing assistance within their Residential Hall should contact the On Call Phone for their building. Emergencies should be directed to Security at 931-309-7502.

• Upperman Hall: 931-309-1226
• Criswell Hall: 931-309-1023
• Student Apartments: 931-309-1012 (All summer residents use this number)
• Oakwood Apartments & On Campus Houses: 931-309-0939

The health and safety of our residential students is our top priority in Residential Life. Residential Life has increased frequency and thoroughness of cleaning (including the thrice-daily cleaning of doorknobs and bathrooms) and the installation of additional alcohol-based hand cleaning stations, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation and our facilities.

While The University of Tennessee Southern remains open, residential halls will remain open but may implement necessary protocols to help protect residents from illness.

Students are encouraged to regularly clean their personal space and belongings and report symptoms of Covid-19 via the Covid Notification Form.

Summer Housing

Limited housing is available on campus during Summer 2022 for current residents. Students must complete the Summer Housing Application at least 14 days before their requested move-in date. Please note that Dining facilities are closed throughout the summer.

Dates:

• Spring Transition ($100) – May 5-May 14
• Summer Session 1 ($600) – May 15-June 25
• Summer Session 2 ($600) – June 26-August 5
• Fall Transition ($100) – August 6-August 19

Cost: Summer housing fees, regardless of location, are $600 per session. Students enrolled in 9+ hours of summer coursework at the University receive a 50% discount for summer sessions. For Transition periods, summer housing fees are $100. Fees are added to the student’s summer bill. Students should work with Business, Financial Aid, and/or Enrollment if aid is needed.

Move In: All move ins must occur Monday-Friday during business hours (9am – 5pm). Students should complete the Room Clearance Form within 12 hours of checking in.

Assignments: Residents typically reside in their housing for the upcoming fall. Should the resident be assigned to a traditional residential hall, or living off campus in the fall, they will usually be assigned to another community for the summer sessions.

Policies: Residents should be aware that the Housing Handbook for 2021-2022 will be applicable for Summer 2022. Residents are responsible for knowing the content of the Housing Handbook, including the special notes for summer residents.

Summer Resident Assistants

Summer Resident Assistants keep our campus facilities running throughout the summer months. They oversee all check in and check out processes, respond to emergencies, and support summer residents as needed.

Applications for the Summer 2022 RA role are due March 1, 2022.

• To view the New Student Housing Application for 2022-23, please click here.
• To view the Returning Student Housing Application for 2022-23, please click here.
• To view the Off Campus Application for 2022-23, please click here.
• To view the Summer Application for 2022, please click here.
  
• To view the Immunization Requirements for 2021-22, please click here.
• To view a copy of the 2021-2022 Room and Board Agreement, please click here.
• To view a copy of Work Order instructions, please click here.
• To view a copy of the Housing Handbook for 2021-2022, please click here.

Residential Life Due Dates and Timelines