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F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Application, Contract, & Room Assignments

 

Roommate & Clustermates

 

Computers, Telephones, & Laundry

Does my room have Internet access?

 

Department Policies

 

Miscellaneous

 

Apartment Questions

 

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Application, Contract, & Room Assignments

  • Q: How do I apply for on-campus housing?
  • A: Application forms and instructions can be found HERE.
  • Q: Do I have to live on campus?
  • A: There are no requirements for first-year students to live on campus. However, we highly encourage it! Our residence halls offer excellent programming to look at topics freshmen can relate to and maybe answer a question for them that they might have been afraid to ask. Living on campus is a great way to develop new friendships, to become acclimated to campus, to become involved on campus, and to tap into great resources.
  • Q: When can I move in?
  • A: Residence halls open for occupancy at 1:00 p.m. on the Saturday prior to the first day of registration for the term. STAFF ARE NOT ON DUTY AFTER 6:00 P.M. IN THE EVENINGS FOR CHECK-IN. Late arrivals should notify the Department of Housing at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Q: When will I get my room/building assignment?
  • A: You will receive an information packet prior to the residence hall opening day. The packet will include useful information about campus and your building assignment. You will receive your room and roommate assignments upon check-in.
  • Q: How will I be billed for my room?
  • A: The University now uses e-billing which you access through your UNA Portal Self-Service account. Housing rent is applied to your tuition bill and is due when your tuition is due at the beginning of the semester. Any nonspecific financial aid (grants, loans, and general scholarships) can be used to cover housing rent and will be applied to your balance.
  • Your housing application fee is not applied to the cost of the room. The housing application fee is payable when you make your initial application for on-campus housing. Your housing application fee is a one-time, out-of-pocket fee and continues for subsequent semesters as long as you remain in the campus residence halls.
  • Q: Is there a way out of my housing contract?
  • A: This is a legally binding contract which is effective the day you sign it. As long as you are a student at the University you will be billed for a bed space for the length of time that you requested.
  • Q: Can I request a double-as-single room?
  • A: Double-as-single rooms are very limited and have a higher cost. The double-as-single occupancy room is a room with two beds but only one person is assigned and billed for the entire room. Availability in traditional halls is based on the student’s medical needs, as documented and assessed by University Health Services. Any applicant can request the double-as-single room in cluster housing; assignment is based on availability of space. All requests for double-as-singles must be approved by the Director of Housing. Single rooms in cluster housing and inside single rooms in Rice/Rivers (designed to have only one bed) are assigned on a first-come first-served basis.
  • Q: Can I make changes to my application after I have submitted it?
  • A: Any changes that need to be made to your application should be submitted in writing. Change requests must be received at least 4 weeks prior to check-in. There is no guarantee that requests for changes will be granted.
  • Q: Can I change my contract from 9-month housing to 12-month housing?
  • A: Yes, you can make this upgrade request in the Housing office. If space is available, you must pay the cost difference before you are approved to physically move your belongings. All requests must be made in writing. Like all assignments, the upgrade is based on space availability and date of request.
  • Q: When does the contract end on 12-month housing if I move in after the start of the semester?
  • A: All cluster housing contracts expire on July 31 for the current contract period. For example, if you upgraded to a 12-month contract during October 2009, your housing contract still ends July 31, 2010. Also, if you are a new resident in January, then you have a 7-month contract which also ends July 31.

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Roommate & Clustermates

  • Q: Which halls are co-ed?
  • A: Covington, Hawthorne, LaGrange, and Lafayette are all co-educational separated by floor. Co-ed buildings are subject to change based upon demand.
  • Q: Can I request a specific roommate?
  • A: Yes, students who wish to request one another as roommates should submit their applications at the same time to the Department of Housing. Requests must be mutual.
  • Q: Can I request specific clustermates?
  • A: Yes, Students who wish to request one another as clustermates should submit their applications at the same time to the Department of Housing. Requests must be mutual.
  • Q: How are roommates/clustermates assigned?
  • A: Assignments are based on spaces that have not been reclaimed by current residents. The primary consideration is the date the completed application, housing contract, and housing application fee are received. We will honor mutual roommate requests for double rooms. It is rare for a full mini-cluster to become available for 4 new applicants.
  • Q: If I am not satisfied with my room, can I switch?
  • A: Once a room or building assignment has been made, any request for change must be submitted in writing to Housing. All room and building changes must be coordinated and approved by Housing. If you experience difficulties with roommates, cluster-mates, and/or facilities, you should always pursue a resolution with the area coordinator first. Roommate reconciliation is a great resource by the professional Residence Life Staff. Always seek their assistance before making a request to the Housing office to change rooms. If the Director of Housing approves the room change, then a move day will be designated and room charges adjusted. Any increased cost must be paid before physically changing rooms. Any resident making an unauthorized move must pay a penalty and return to the orginal assignment.

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Computers, Telephones, and Laundry

  • Q: Does my room have Internet access?
  • A: All rooms in each residence halls are now equipped with high-speed Internet service via Ethernet. Any computer running Windows XP should be able to access the Ethernet as long as it has an Ethernet card installed. There is no charge for this UNA Internet service. In order for both students in a double occupancy room (Rice, Rivers, LaGrange and Lafayette) to share the UNA Internet service, we recommend that you purchase a 4-port 10Base-T Ethernet hub. This device is low-priced (less $20).

  • LaGrange Hall now has wireless Internet. This is the first residence hall to go wireless at UNA. In order to connect to the Internet in LaGrange, you must have a wireless card in your computer. However, you should remember that this is an unsecured network. If you wish, you may still go through Comcast to get you own modem. The Dept. of Housing is not responsible for the cost and /or the privacy of the network.

  • Click here to view the University of North Alabama Information Technologies Acceptable Use Statement

  • Also, you can access the Internet through the use of the telephone service line using a dial-up modem. An extra phone line and jack are available at an additional charge through campus Telecommunications (256-765-4196). This service is payable in full at the Business Affairs cashier's window before installation. [Note: The additional phone line is not available on fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of Rice Hall due to an irreversibly severed phone line to the building, nor in cluster-style residence halls.]

    • Approved Devices for Residence Halls


  • Q: If I do not have a computer, is one available for me to use?
  • A: Computer labs are located in both Rice and LaGrange Hall for all residence hall students. Labs are equipped with both Gateway and Macintosh computers. Software includes word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs. Network printers are available using student's mane card.
  • Computer labs are available in each of the cluster-style residence halls: on 2nd and 3rd floors in Covington, Hawthorne, and Appleby East and West. Network printers are available using student's mane card.
  • Q: What kind of telephone services are provided?
  • A: Local telephone service is automatically provided and all charges are included in the room rent. Phone numbers are assigned to residents at check-in and service is immediately available. Residents must provide their own phone and cord. Answering machines are functional on the campus phone system. Residents may use 0-plus dialing or calling cards for long distance calls.
  • An extra phone line and jack are available at an additional charge through campus Telecommunications. This service is payable in full at the Business Affairs cashier's window before installation. However, this additional phone line is not used for directory assistance in Rice, Rivers, LaGrange, and Lafayette Halls. [Note: The additional phone line is not available on fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of Rice Hall due to an irreversibly severed phone line to the building.] Residents of double occupancy rooms in Hawthorne, Covington, Appleby East, and Appleby West will each have a private telephone number assigned. [No additional phone lines can be installed in these halls].
  • Additional telephone services, such as voice mail, call waiting and caller ID, are available at an extra charge. Residents must provide their own caller ID box if this service is desired. Services can be purchased and are payable at the Business Affairs cashier's window on a semester basis. After purchase, please allow 3 business days; then check your on-campus mailbox for instructions on using the telephone services.
  • Q: Where can I wash my clothes?
  • A: Coin-operated washers and dryers are located in each residence hall and are available for use by all residents. Soft drink and snack machines are also available. The mane card may be used for laundry and vending services.

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Department Policies

  • Q: What is the alcohol and drug policy?
  • A: No illegal substances or paraphernalia are permitted on campus. Drugs and drug paraphernalia will be confiscated by residence hall staff and/or officers of the Department of Public Safety.
  • No kegs are allowed in any area at any time. According to university policy, university students are expected to be aware of and to abide by local and state laws and university regulations.
  • The resident's rights of privacy and study will be maintained. Loud and/or disruptive behavior, interference with the cleanliness of residence halls, or drinking habits injurious to the health or education of an individual or those around him/her are reasons for appropriate disciplinary action.
  • In the State of Alabama, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. It is unlawful for minors to "purchase, consume, possess or to transport any alcohol, liquor, malt or brewed beverages within the state..." In addition, anyone who furnishes alcoholic beverages to a minor is subject to a civil suit by the minor's parents or guardian. There is no limit to the damages that may be awarded in such a suit. At the University of North Alabama, any minor found with alcohol, or anyone hosting a minor with alcohol, will be subject to university disciplinary action.
  • Q: Is there a curfew?
  • A: You are expected to set your own limits. The residence halls are locked 24/7 via magnetic locks that can only be opened by a resident's mane card.
  • Q: What is the overnight guest policy?
  • A: Guests of the same sex may be accommodated in university housing, for no more than three nights in any 30-day period, and provided they are registered at the front desk. Opposite-sex guests are not permitted to stay overnight at any time. Guests under age of 18 years must have written consent by legal parent/guardian and sign a special release form.
  • Q: Where is smoking allowed?
  • A: There are designated smoking areas outside of each residence hall. Smoking is not permitted inside any building on campus.

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Miscellaneous

  • Q: Am I required to have a meal plan?
  • A: If this your first time to live in a UNA residence hall, then you must purchase a meal plan. When you sign the housing contract, you are agreeing to a mandatory meal plan if you live in Rice, Rivers, LaGrange, Lafayette, Hawthorne, or Covington Hall.

  • There are two meal plan options that satisfy this requirement by the Business and Fiscal Affairs Office. You can choose the 15 meals/week with 25 flex dollars or the 12 meals/week with 100 flex dollars. The requirement is for two regular semesters (Fall and Spring). If you do not select a plan, then the Business Office will select and charge you for the meal plan.

  • You may order your meal plan (board) by completing the meal plan contract when you submit your housing contract. You may also order on-line through your UNA Portal account. Or, if on campus, visit the cashier's window in Bibb Graves Hall. Meal plan prices are subject to change. You can visit www.una.edu/diningservices for more info.

  • Q: Are the halls open during academic breaks?
  • A: Covington, Hawthorne, and Appleby East and West operate on a 12-month contract (August-July) so those buildings do not close. Rice, Rivers, LaGrange, and Lafayette do close for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and interim academic periods.

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Apartment Questions

  • Q: Are pets allowed in the apartments?
  • A: The only pet that we allow are fish in a tank not bigger than 5 gallons. Sorry, no cats or dogs.
  • Q: Can I subscribe to any other cable service besides the one that the University provides?
  • A: No, cable services go through the University. If you are interested in premium services, you need to go through Comcast for that upgrade.
  • Q: Are the apartments open during the summer month?
  • A: Yes, the apartments are open during the summer months. On the apartment application you have the option of choosing to begin leasing an apartment during the summer. If you are already in an apartment, you have the option of extending your lease past the May 31 termination date.
  • Q: What is the availability of the apartments?
  • A: The availability will depend on the number of apartments that will become available. This can vary from year to year, so if you are interested in an apartment, get your application and deposit in as soon as possible.
  • Q: What appliances are furnished?
  • A: All apartments are provided with a refrigerator, stove, and oven. The single-level and Lion's Gate apartments have dishwashers.
  • Q: Does the University provide Internet service?
  • A: No, the University does not provide Internet services. The University will, however, provide tenants with a list of local providers upon request.