Frequently Asked Questions
Basic On-Campus Living
- How do I apply for housing?
- How much does it cost to live on campus?
- Can I smoke in my room or hall?
- Are alcoholic beverages allowed?
- Is the PIN number I use to access my residence hall the same one I use for RAMS?
- Where do I get my meal card and building access card?
- Can I have a private room?
- How do I get mail at my residence hall?
- Why should I consider renter’s or personal property insurance?
- Can I have a pet?
Roommates
- How do I request a roommate and/or suitemate?
- Do I have to request a specific person, or can I ask for someone who meets a general preference? (In my major, same hobbies, hometown, etc.)
- What if I want to change my hall/room/roommate preference?
- When will I find out who my roommate is and what room I am assigned?
- What if I don’t get the room or roommate I wanted?
- What if my roommate and I are not getting along?
- Will I be able to contact my roommate before I arrive?
Moving In
- What should I bring with me?
- What types of appliances can I bring?
- Can I bring my own furniture?
- When can I check in to my residence hall?
- What if I need to check in early?
- I plan to live off campus while I attend ASU. Do I need to let you know?
- Can I bring candles or incense?
- Can I stay in my room or leave my stuff in my room over break periods?
- Who do I contact if I still have questions?
How do I apply for housing?
Before you apply for housing, you need to apply for admission to ASU and receive your campus ID (CID) number. After you have your CID, you can apply for housing online by visiting the Residential Programs main Web page and clicking on the “Apply Online” link. You will be asked to pay the $200.00 non-refundable housing application fee during the on-line application process.
At the end of the online application process, print out the Confirmation Documents. These documents contain important information about your housing agreement as well as information about the next steps in the process – choosing a room and/or roommate.
How much does it cost to live on campus?
Cost varies somewhat by building and meal plan choice. Please visit the Cost page for more details. We encourage you to carefully consider your budget when weighing your housing choices.
Living on campus offers you a great value for your money by including in one convenient package (and location), many services that other places “cap” or charge extra for. In addition to a great place to live, when you live on campus you get services that aren’t offered anywhere else, including convenient access to campus services, faculty and staff— resources that are here to help your succeed! We offer hundreds of programs and events that entertain but also help you get to know other students and learn new skills. Student and professional staff live in all the areas to provide 24/7/365 assistance and support.
When you live on campus, the university isn’t just where you attend class. It’s your neighborhood! It’s way more than just a place to live!
Can I smoke in my room or hall?
No. All residential facilities on the ASU campus are designated “tobacco free.” As such, the use of all tobacco products is prohibited in the individual rooms, lobbies and other community areas. Smoking outside of campus buildings, including residential facilities, is not permitted within 50 feet of the entrance.
Are alcoholic beverages allowed?
For a complete explanation of the university’s alcohol policy, please refer to the Residence Hall Handbook and the ASU Student Handbook. We do not encourage the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in any of our residential facilities.
However, we recognize that students who are of legal age to possess and consume alcoholic beverages may want to do so. The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted in the individual rooms at Vanderventer Apartments, provided that ALL the occupants and guests are of legal age.
In addition, there are restrictions as to quantity of alcohol, number of people allowed to be present, associated behaviors, etc. Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in all other residence halls is prohibited, regardless of the residents’ ages. Please note that ASU police officers enforce a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking anywhere on campus.
Is the PIN number I use to access my residence hall the same one I use for RAMS?
No. You will be issued a separate four-digit PIN number that is tied to your ID card and building assignment for door access. You can change the PIN number you use for door access at your hall desk during designated hours.
If you forget your PIN, for security reasons, we cannot look it up for you. It will have to be re-set and a new number selected. Please do not share your card or PIN number with others. This compromises safety for everyone in the building, and intentionally doing so may subject you to disciplinary action.
Where do I get my meal card and building access card?
Your ASU ID, the OneCard, is not only your official university identification, it is your meal plan card, card access device, library card and “ticket” to recreational facilities and sporting events. For more information, contact the OneCard Office at (325) 942-2331 or visit the office on the second floor of the Hardeman Building.
Can I have a private room?
About 50 percent of the rooms on campus are private. All bedrooms in Centennial Village and Texan Hall are private rooms.
After the semester starts, if Texan and Centennial buildings are full and there there is space available in other buildings, rooms that are normally double rooms may be offered as private/single rooms. Students requesting and accepting assignment to a private room should pay special attention to the additional cost associated with private rooms. Changes to your room assignment can affect your student bill. Please check your student account and be prepared to pay any additional room charges at the time that you accept the private room.
How do I get mail at my residence hall?
All mail goes to the Mail Services Office on the first floor of the University Center. This applies to all FedEX and UPS deliveries as well.
To get mail on campus, you must have a post office box at Mail Services. All students who live on campus are required to sign up for a post office box at Mail Services. There are two ways you can sign up for your P.O. Box:
1) You may select the optional campus mailbox fee when you register and have the charge for your mailbox added to your student bill.
2) You can sign up for a box in person at Mail Services in the University Center.
For more information, please call Mail Services at (325) 942-2342.
Why should I consider renter’s or personal property insurance?
ASU assumes no financial responsibility for loss or damage to personal items. We STRONGLY encourage you to carry renter’s insurance or see if you are covered under your parent’s homeowner’s policy. Renter’s insurance is typically inexpensive and in the event of a problem, it is well worth the cost.
We work closely with our maintenance staff to keep our facilities in good working order. However, no system is without the potential for problems.
While we have a great record for safety and security, residence halls are like any other community and, unfortunately, thefts, vandalism and accidents occasionally occur. Most of these incidents are crimes of opportunity (doors/cars left unlocked, propped open doors, items left unattended or out in the open, etc.). Abiding by Residential Programs and university policies by locking doors, securing valuables and reporting suspicious situations to the police or hall staff is the best preventive measure and can go a long way toward protecting you and your belongings.
Can I have a pet?
Due to the need for tight controls in the areas of health and sanitation as well as concern for the welfare of animals, pets are not allowed in any of the residential areas. This applies to guests as well as residents.
You may keep a small aquarium of fish in your room. Aquariums cannot exceed 20 gallons in volume.
Service animals are not pets and, in accordance with ADA regulations, are permitted in the residential facilities. Specific information about the university’s policy regarding service animals may be obtained from the Student Life Office.
How do I request a roommate and/or suitemate?
After you have applied online, you can move on to application Step Two, called MyHousing. You will find the link to MyHousing on the Residential Programs home page.
New students will need their CID and PIN number to log in. Current residents can access MyHousing by logging in to RamPort and going to the Residential Programs Channel, located on the Campus Life tab.
When you log in to MyHousing, you will be able to edit the personal preferences you entered during the application process, select your meal plan and edit your building preferences. During your assigned room selection (lottery) times, you can request specific people to be your roommates/suitemates (remember, requests must be mutual and you must be in the same lottery process) and even assign yourself and your matching roommates/suitemates to a room.
The planned room selection/lottery times for new students are listed on the MyHousing log-in page. You can find them by clicking on the “Room Assignment Schedule” link. Please note the appropriate dates and remember to log in again to make your selections.
Important Note: If you are a returning resident and decide to choose a room and/or roommate for yourself (self-select) during the spring renewal process, you are choosing to bypass the room and personal preferences information that you entered. As a result, you will NOT be alerted to possible conflicts (i.e. smoking vs. non-smoking status). Unless you are choosing to live with someone whom you already know, we STRONGLY encourage you to participate in the auto-assignment process so that the system can assign you based on room and personal preferences.
Do I have to request a specific person, or can I ask for someone who meets a general preference (same major, hobbies, hometown, etc.)?
IIf you do not have a specific person in mind to be your roommate, do not worry. Many of our students do not come to campus with a roommate they already know. Just make sure that you have updated your personal and building preferences in MyHousing prior to the appropriate auto-assignment process. The system will match you to a roommate based on the information you entered.
Specially designated housing for students admitted to the university’s Honors Program is available in Texan Hall. We work with the Honors Program and individually with Honors students in making assignments to this area.
The ASU Residential Programs Office does not illegally discriminate when making assignments and will reject requests for assignment or reassignment based on reasons of race, color, religion, age, disabilities or national origin.
What if I want to change my hall/room/roommate preference?
You can log in to MyHousing and make changes to your building, personal and roommate preferences up until the point that you are assigned to a room, either through the self-service or auto-assignment processes. Once you are assigned, changes you make to your preferences will only be used in the event that it becomes necessary to change your assignment in some way (i.e. the roommate you originally requested cancels and you receive a new one through the auto-assignment process).
After the start of the semester and pending space availability, there will be announced periods, called “Open Change,” when we will accept general room/roommate and meal plan change requests. During these times, you will submit your request through MyHousing by clicking on the “Request a Room Change” button. You will be notified through e-mail if your request to change rooms has been approved. You will also be given instructions about what you need to do to complete the transfer.
If you find you are having room or roommate problems, please contact your staff as soon as possible to discuss options other than moving. We may be able to help you find another solution and save you the time and inconvenience of moving.
When will I find out who my roommate is and what room I am assigned?
New students should check the room assignment schedule that is posted as a link from the MyHousing log-in page.
You will know what your assignment is as soon as it is made. Just log in to your MyHousing account for the information. We encourage you to check your MyHousing account frequently, as assignment information can change as a result of cancellations, facilities issues, etc.
What if I do not get the room or roommate I wanted?
With our online services, we think you will see that our students have much more control over their room and roommate assignments than was previously possible. While we tried to make the system as user-friendly and flexible as possible, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to honor all of your requests.
We can guarantee that we will do our best to assist you both during the assignment process and after move-in. We will also help you work out problems that may arise with your living arrangement. Of course, we cannot help you if we do not know there is a problem, so we rely on you to let us know you are having a problem and to be open and honest about it.
What if my roommate and I are not getting along?
Some conflicts are a natural part of living with someone. It is probably not realistic to expect that even friends will get along 100 percent of the time.
Establishing good communication and ground rules early in the semester – and continuing to talk about how the relationship is working – are good ways to avoid major conflicts.
However, if you find that you and your roommate are at an impasse, please contact your resident assistant or area coordinator as soon as possible. These staff members will be able to offer you advice, give you some tips on talking to your roommate about what is bothering you, and/or mediate the conflict.
If necessary, your area coordinator will meet with you and your roommate to decide if a room change is in order. Most students want to have good roommate relationships and seek to get along, so give each other the benefit of the doubt and the respect to talk to each other honestly and constructively about the problems. Thinking about how you would want to be approached or treated if the roles were reversed is a good place to start.
In any case, if it is not working out, do not just “tough it out.” It shows a lot of maturity to acknowledge that there are conflicts. We can help if you let us know there is a problem.
Will I be able to contact my roommate before I arrive?
If one is available, your roommate’s/suitemate’s e-mail address will be displayed on your MyHousing page.
What should I bring with me?
Items that we have found helpful to bring include linens (bed size is long twin, 39” x 80”), blankets, comforter, throw rug, towels, iron, surge protector, cell phone, food storage containers, cleaning and laundry supplies, and classroom and office supplies.
You may also want to bring a few personal items (photos, posters, plants, etc.) to make you feel more at home. We also suggest that students bring a locking storage box or small trunk to better secure more valuable items.
What types of appliances can I bring?
All residence hall rooms have a micro-fridge unit. The micro-fridge is a combination microwave/refrigerator/freezer unit. No additional appliances for food preparation – toaster ovens, hot plates, sandwich grills, George Foreman grills, etc. – are permitted.
Students are allowed to bring certain appliances, such as hair dryers, air popcorn poppers, computers, TVs and audio listening devices. If you have any questions about a particular appliance, please contact your hall staff or the Residential Programs Office at (325) 942-2035.
Can I bring my own furniture?
Your residence hall room or apartment is fully furnished. You may not remove or disassemble any of the furniture that is in place.
You may bring a few additional items if space permits. If you have a documented medical condition that may require special accommodation, including furniture change, please contact the Residential Programs office to discuss options.
When can I check in to my residence hall?
Check-in begins at 8 a.m. the Friday before classes start. To check in, simply go to the front desk of the residence hall to which you have been assigned. You will then be given instructions on completing the check-in process. We encourage new students to check in before 3:00pm on Friday, so that they are moved in and ready to participate in Rambunctious Weekend activities!
It is important that you accurately complete your check-in form and note any damages or problems in the room. If you fail to mark something down, it is possible that you will be held responsible for the damages when you check out of the room later in the year. Your Hall staff will review the room inventory form, as well as other important information that you will need in your first few weeks, when you check in.
What if I need to check in early?
Early check-in is permitted for students who are required to come early to participate in university-sponsored programs, such as athletics, student government, sorority recruitment, employment, band, Residential Programs staff, etc.
You may be subject to a $25 per night early move-in (break housing) charge. Please contact the Residential Programs Office to make arrangements if you think you will need authorization to move in early.
The early move-in charge is waived for students who maintain continuous occupancy, that is, if they live on campus in the semester or term immediately preceding the break and will be living on campus in the semester or term immediately following the break.
I plan to live off campus while I attend ASU. Do I need to let you know?
Yes. Angelo State University has a Housing Policy that requires many students to live on campus for about the first two years (60 semester credit hours). To live off campus, you must meet exemption criteria or have been formally approved for exemption from the housing policy.
A hold will remain on your registration until you have let us know about your living plans. This goes for new as well as returning students. For more information on ASU’s housing policy and the exemption process, visit the housing policy exemption Web page or contact the Residential Programs Office.
Can I bring candles or incense?
No. Objects that produce excessive heat, have an open flame or smolder (i.e. candles, incense or halogen lights) constitute a serious risk for fire and are strictly prohibited in the residence halls and apartments.
Can I stay in my room or leave my stuff in my room over break periods?
Thanksgiving, winter (Christmas) and spring breaks are included in your regular academic year contract. There is no additional charge to stay during these periods or to leave your belongings in your room – assuming you are returning after the break.
Residential Programs staff members are available on-call during break periods to assist you. University Police are also available for emergency assistance during breaks. Contact names, rooms and phone numbers will be posted in each building during breaks.
The break between spring semester and summer session I and the break between summer II and August check-in are not covered by your academic year contact and are subject to the break fee of $25 per night. The break fee is waived if you live on campus during the semester/term immediately preceding the break and will be living on campus in the semester/term immediately following the break (continuous occupancy).
Who do I contact if I still have questions?
You can find additional information about our policies and procedures by checking out our Residence Hall Handbook.
Please contact the Residential Programs Office at (325) 942-2035 if you have questions. You may also send us a fax at (325) 942-2239, or e-mail us at housing@angelo.edu.
Our mailing address is:
ASU Residential Programs Office
ASU Station #11016
San Angelo, TX 76909-1016
