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FAQ ... new students | current students
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FAQ's - current students

Q: What is provided in each of the residence halls?

Residence hall rooms are arranged in spacious suites that can accommodate up to five people. Each room is joined by a bathroom and has cable TV, wireless internet access, and private a telephone line with voice mail. Heating and air-conditioning is also provided. Each room has a tiled floor, a window and two closets. The room is equipped with beds, chairs, desks, double dressers, a modular phone jack, cable connection, wireless internet and venetian blinds. The windows are 65.5 inches long and 49.5 inches wide.

Q: Are there any extra-long mattresses?

There are extra-long mattresses available in the dorms. Please indicate on your housing application if you need an extra-long mattress.

Q: What will I need to bring?

› Flashlight › Twin size sheets and bedspread › Pillow › Mattress Pad › Towels and washcloths › Bath Mat › Alarm Clock › Fire resistant window curtain and rod › Drying rack for clothes › Broom/dust pan

› Wastebasket › Iron and portable ironing board › Stereo, VCR and/or TV › Personal computer w/USB port › Airtight containers for snacks › Low amp. Microwave › Refrigerator (no larger than 3.5 cu. ft.) › First Aid Kit › Sewing Kit › Surge Protector

Q: What should I leave at home?

› Pets › Hotplates or any open burner device › Guns, metal point darts, knives, or any object that could be used or viewed as a weapon › Electric Blankets › Electric Heaters › Flammables › Candles or Incense › Extension cord without surge protection

Q: What is a Residence Life Coordinator (RLC)?

RLCs are full-time CSU staff members who supervise the student Resident Directors and student Resident Assistants in performance of their duties and are responsible for all aspects of the housing and residence life system. The RLCs act on behalf of the Director of Residence Life and Campus Safety in his absence and are the primary facilitators of all residence hall programs. The RLCs are present to assist students with any problems that may arise in the residence halls.

Q: What is a Resident Director (RD)?

Each residence hall is staffed with at least one student Resident Director. The RD is responsible for day-to-day supervision of all hall activities, emergency maintenance problems, RA supervision, and general supply needs. RDs report to the RLC assigned to their residence halls. The RDs are available to assist students with problems which may arise in the residence halls.

Q: What is a Resident Assistant (RA)?

On every floor of every residence hall there is at least one RA. A RA is a student member of the Residence Life Staff. The RAs are selected on the basis of their ability and desire to develop the peer counseling, advising, and leadership skills necessary to create an effective learning environment. RAs are responsible for assisting students in making a smooth adjustment to campus life, enforcing rules and policies, providing answers to questions, issuing supplies, handling student problems, facilitating residence hall programs, and many other duties which may arise in the residence halls.

Q: Are there places in the residence halls where I can study?

Students can study in their rooms or in the study lounges provided in each of the residence halls. Students can also study in the CSU library which is open most evenings until 12am.

Q: May I decorate my room?

We want you to personalize your room in order to make it more comfortable. Although you are not allowed to paint or paper your room, you can bring your own curtains and carpet. Since nails, screws, and many adhesives (e.g., double-stick tape, carpet tape) are damaging to the walls and floor, we ask that you use only removable, non-damaging adhesives (e.g., 3M command) for attaching items to walls and doors. Window and floor sizes vary by dorm; therefore, you may want to wait until you arrive for classes before purchasing curtains and carpet in case your assignment changes over the summer.

Q: May I have visitors in my room?

All of the CSU residence halls are single gender halls with no co-ed visitation allowed inside the room. Co-ed visitation areas are located in Littlejohn Parlor, the Quad 2 lounge, and the second and third floor lounges in Women's North and South, Russell East, and Russell West. Co-ed visitation lounges are open daily from 6 p.m. until midnight. Same sex overnight visitors are allowed to visit on Friday and Saturday nights with approval from your RLC.

Q: Do I have to eat in the dining hall?

Eating on campus is a terrific way to stay connected with friends, grab a quick bite between classes and get good tasting food. All students living on campus have a meal plan. So although you do not have to eat in the CAF or Edwards Express, the bigger question is, Why not?

Q: May I cook in my room?

Low amp. Microwaves are the only cooking devices that we allow in the rooms. There are full kitchens that are open to all the residents in the second floors lounges of Women's North and South.

Q: Are there laundry services available?

Each residence hall is equipped with coin/card-operated laundry facilities.

Q: What about stereos or TVs?

Each hall has a building has a social lounge that is equipped with a TV for your use, but you may bring your own TV or Stereo. You may want to coordinate with your roommate(s) so that you can utilize your room space well. Consider bringing headphones if you play your TV or stereo loudly – that way you won't bother other students who may be trying to sleep or study.

Q: May I bring a pet?

Fish are the only pets allowed in the residence halls and apartments. Fish tanks are limited to 10 gallons or less.

Q: Will there be parking close to my residence hall?

Parking is provided in lots located adjacent to or in close proximity of the residence halls. You must purchase a University parking permit to park in these areas. We do offer on campus escorts 24 hours a day so that you will never have to walk across the campus alone.

Q: May I bring a bicycle?

You are welcome and encouraged to bring a bicycle, and bicycle racks are provided outside of each residence hall. We recommend that you purchase a heavy-duty lock to secure you bicycle. Bicycles may also be stored in your room with the agreement of all your roommates.

Q: How do I receive my mail?

If you are living in the residence halls your mail will be delivered to the CSU campus post office located on the 1st floor of the Strom Thurmond Center. All students living on campus are required to have a CSU mailbox number. There is no charge for mail sent to any on campus address. Most services of a regular post office are available on campus at regular prices. This will be how your address should appear on mail for you to receive it in a timely fashion:

Student Name CSU Box # P.O. Box 118087 Charleston, SC 29423

 

Q: How can I make long distance phone calls?

Long distance calls may be placed by using the long distance service of your choice via calling card, or you may apply for a long distance code provided by the university.

Q: May I bring my own telephone and/or answering machine?

You will need to bring your own phone but voice mail is provided on every phone line. So you do not need to purchase an answering machine.

Q: What if my roommate and I do not get along?

College is a time of new growth and discovery. When conflicts arise, we encourage roommates to communicate their concerns to each other. However, we acknowledge that there are times a neutral prospective, such as from a member of the Residence Life Staff, helps in the mediation process. Residence Life Coordinators (RLC) are professional staff members who oversee conflicts needing more attention. All RLCs are trained in conflict resolution and low-level mediation. They can also facilitate room changes, if needed.