FAQs
We know you've got them, and not just one, plenty....questions that is. We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions by category. If you don't find the answer here to your questions, please just complete this form to receive a prompt answer.
Facilities Questions
- How do I request an extra-long mattress?
- I wonder what size my room will be?
- What size microwave can I bring?
- How much space is under the beds?
- Are res hall rooms carpeted?
- How do I get a loftable bed?
- How many quarters do the laundry machine cost?
- What kind of furniture is in the room?
Assignment Questions
- When will I find out where I'll be living?
- How can I request a roommate?
- How many freshmen are in each hall?
- What does built-up triple mean?
- How is my assignment made?
- My assignment included a letter saying my room is usually a lounge. Can you give me more information?
- What can I do if I didn't get one of my choices?
Financial Questions
Returning Student Questions
Q I'm 6'4" and I need an extra-long mattress, how do I request that?
- If you will be living anywhere EXCEPT Eaton, Marston, Richardson House or Christensen or Williamson Hall, your mattress is already the longest we provide. If are assigned to one of the halls listed above and you'd like to request a long mattress, submit a long mattress request. But please wait until you know where you'll be living. By the way, the longest mattress we furnish is 36" x 80".
Q I wonder what size my room will be?
- Most residence hall floor plans and dimensions are available on-line at www.unh.edu/housing/floorplans. It's important to remember that the diagrams and measurements may not be exact and are only meant as a guide.
Q What size microwave/refrigerator can I bring?
- Per the Room and Board Agreement, "Refrigerators that stand less than 35" in height and draw no more than 1.5 amps of power are allowed. Microwaves up to 800 watts of power output are acceptable." So basically, any small refrigerator unit you'd find in a large retailer such as Walmart, K-Mart or Target would be acceptable. Ditto for smaller sized microwaves.
Q How much space is under the beds?
- The exact measurement will vary, but under most beds (left in a low sleeping position) there is approximately 11" from floor to bed rail. Many students find that bed elevators/risers (remember this ain't your mamma's concrete blocks under the bed legs situation anymore!) sold in many bed and bath stores give them a few extra and critical inches. Also, if you happen to live in a room furnished with a loftable bed, then much more space is available underneath your bed.
Q Are the res hall rooms carpeted?
- No, with the only exception being the mini-dorms. Most students make arrangements to bring an area rug. If you purchase an area rug, we suggest that you wait until you arrive before you cut it to fit. Many of our dimensions are only approximations. Rugs are also sold at stores in Durham.
Q I want a loftable bed, how do I get one?
- If you live in a room or hall that is furnished with loftable beds, then you will have one. However, if your hall or room is not furnished with loftable beds, then you will need to make your own arrangements for getting one (buying or building). Please read our loft bed web page.
Q I'm wondering how many quarters I'll need to bring to do my laundry?
- Zero! All our laundry machines are operated by Cat's Cache (a debit card system). To read up on Cat's Cache, check out their web site.
Q What kind of furniture is in the room?
- All student rooms are fully furnished. Residence hall furniture includes a desk, chair, dresser, bed and closet for each occupant. Our residence hall rooms also contain recycling baskets and mirrors. Some of our residence halls have built-in furniture (closets and dressers) which are in fixed locations and cannot be moved. But most of our residence halls do not. Residence hall rooms are not carpeted; they have tile floors (except for the mini-dorms). We have several different styles of furniture. It is impractical to list what style is in each room. As we upgrade and renovate, we are slowly consolidating our styles. Visit our furniture web page for the dimensions and sizes of typical residence hall furniture.
Assignment Questions
Q I'm an incoming freshman, when will I know where I'm going to be living in the fall?
- Freshman assignments are mailed out in mid-July. Once the mail date has arrived, you will also be able to log into Housing OnLine and check out your assignment information.
Q I met someone at freshman orientation I'd like to room with. How can I change my housing request to include this person as my requested roommate?
- Since the application closed on June 26, we cannot honor new roommate requests.
Q My assignment included a letter saying my room is usually a lounge. Can you give me more information?
- When demand exceeds capacity rooms typically used for floor lounge space are converted into bedrooms. These rooms afford each student about as much space as someone living in a designed triple and are priced accordingly. As spaces become available in halls, we move students out of the lounges and adjust their bill accordingly.
Q How is my room assignment made?
- Freshmen who apply by the deadline are assigned via an automated assignment process. If you've requested a specific roommate, this program attempts to place you with them as long as you have requested each other. It then attempts to place you in one of your requested theme choices and/or other noted preferences. If no space is available that matches your preferences, you will be placed in available rooms to ensure that you have a space to live at UNH. All our residence halls (except Mills Hall which is upper class only) have approximately 25-30% of their population as freshmen (well except for the all freshman halls which are 100% freshmen, d'uh!). So remember, you won't be the "lonely only" freshman in ANY residence hall on campus. .
Q I requested a freshman only dorm and didn't get it. Am I going to be stuck as the only freshmen with all upper classstudents?
- No! All our residence halls (except Mills Hall which is upper class only) have approximately 25% of their population as freshmen (well except for the all freshman halls which are 100% freshmen). For example, last fall Jessie Doe Hall (out of 140 residents) had approximately 44 freshmen. So you won't be the "lonely only" freshman if you didn't get into a freshmen-only hall.
Q What can I do if I didn't get one of my choices?
- Assignments are made in a random order. As space in themed housing is limited, you may not receive your first choice or even your second or third choice. You can call our office (or this year chat on-line) after you receive your assignment and talk to an assignments specialist.
Q I'm studying abroad for Spring Semester, how do I let you know I still need a room when I return?
- Stop by our office during the Fall and fill out a study-abroad request form. This form lets us know that you are going abroad, but will be returning. That way, we'll know if you'll want housing upon your return.
Q I'm coming to UNH in the Fall and I got my assignment. I'm in a built-up triple. What does that mean?
- A built-up triple is a residence hall room that three people live in; where normally two people would be assigned. At UNH, we make a guarantee to house all freshmen who apply by the deadline; but when the demand exceeds our capacity, we assign freshmen into built-up triples. We realize that this is a less than ideal situation, but we do try our best to ease the transition. Students living in built-up triples are moved as space becomes available. Students living in a built-up triple pay a reduced rate. Additionally all built-up triple rooms are furnished with loftable beds, and each student has their own desk, chair, dresser, and their own internet connection.
Cancellation/Financial Questions
Q I'm a returning student and I signed up and paid my housing deposit for next year, but now I need to cancel my assignment. Can I get my deposit back?
- Well, yes and no. Per the cancellation schedule set up in the Room and Board Agreement, if you cancel your housing contract before June 1st, you are entitled to a 50% deposit refund. For specific cancellation dates and refund amounts, please read carefully the Room and Board Agreement.
Q I was living in a built-up triple until mid-semester, then I got into a cool double. But I got a bill in the mail for additional housing charges, what's up with that?
- When a built-up triple room is broken down, the person moving to a double and the two who remain in the built-up room as a double begin paying the double rate.
Q I received a bill for damages in my dorm. I didn't damage anything. How can I find out what the charges are for?
- Our Housing OnLine site has a link to dorm damage charges. Log in and follow the damage billing link to see a break-out of the charges assessed to your student account. More dorm damage information can be found at this web site.
Q I don't need a phone in my room because I have my own cell phone.
- Unfortunately, we don't have a directory for cell phone numbers, often times the phone number attached to your residence hall room is the only way University officials have of contacting you. We strongly urge all students to connect a phone and check your voice-mails frequently...who knows, maybe someone official may have important information to share.