Policies & Procedures

• I lost my key!

  If you lose your key, you'll need to come by the Housing Services office in 126 Vedder Hall during business hours to pick up a temporary key and have the locks changed to your room.

  There is a $75 fee for this process to pay for the new lock, keys and manual labor that is performed. You can pay cash, use a personal check or have the charge applied to your student account.

   

• I’m locked out!

  If you are locked out in the evenings, please contact the RA on duty. They can let you into your room.

  If you are locked out of your room during the day, go to the Housing Services office in 126 Vedder Hall during business hours to pick up a temporary key. You will have 24 hours (or the next business day) to return the temporary key to our office. When you return the temporary key, bring your original key with you so we can check to make sure you have the correct key.

   

• I’m leaving for break.

  The Housing Calendar lists all of the important dates for campus closings and openings to help you make your travel arrangements for the year. Before the break, schedule your shuttle and prepare your dorm for the period it will be left empty.

  Before You Go

  The following is a list of things you should do prior to leaving the University for a break:

  • Unplug and empty the refrigerator.
  • Take out all trash and vacuum the room.
  • Lock all windows and close the shades.
  • Turn the heat or air conditioning to low.
  • Lock up your valuables or bring them home.
  • Take your room key and BU ID with you.

  University staff will be conducting room inspections during breaks looking for any violations of University policies and the Residence Hall Contract.

  Review the Residential Living Policies section of the Student Handbook.

  2020-21 Student Handbook (PDF)

   

• I’d like to stay on campus during break.

  We encourage students to plan their travel according to the Housing Calendar. However, you may request Transition Housing during breaks and transition periods ("transition" refers to times when classes are not in session).

  Note: If you would like to stay on campus during a break or transition period, you must request this using the process outlined below.

  Step 1: Review the Transition & Break Housing Policies & Guidelines

  Students remaining on campus during transition periods will only be permitted to enter their assigned residence hall or building on the day(s) for which they are registered. If you remain on campus for part or all of the break, carry your BU ID and room key with you at all times since all doors to all buildings will remain locked. Check out the schedule for break housing to see if you will need to apply. 

  Some services may have reduced hours during break periods, including dining halls, health centers, libraries and IT services.

  Most repair and maintenance work occurs over breaks. Facilities personnel may enter student rooms to perform routine maintenance, or there may be interruptions of services (water, electricity, etc.). While our goal is to notify students of these interruptions, emergencies may arise, and timely notice may not be available.

  Step 2: Complete Transition Housing Request Form

  Only those students who registered online with Residential Education will be provided access to their hall. Students registering for transition periods at the beginning or end of an academic semester will receive specific information about move-out/move-in protocol.

  If the deadline for online registration has passed, you may go to Housing Services during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or the Office of Public Safety (after hours) to register; they can issue a temporary card that will be good only for the dates which you have requested.

  Request transition housing

   

• My room is too hot or cold.

  Most buildings have one centralized climate control system that adjusts the temperature of the entire building. Temperature cannot be instantly adjusted. Heating and cooling systems and spaces need time to approach the desired temperature. Even more time is needed to cool spaces.

  Heating

  Heat usually gets turned on between the middle of September and late October. Once turned on, it will remain on until the spring semester.

  The decision to turn on the heating systems in the residence halls is based upon the weather at the time. We try to wait until we are sure that the campus won't experience any warm spells that could make rooms too hot. But there will be days in the spring and fall where temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day, reaching 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and drop to 30 degrees Fahrenheit at night. During these times, our heating and cooling systems struggle to keep up with the changes and getting the building temperatures set just right.

  Automatic and Manual Temperature Control

  The heating systems in the buildings on campus are either automatically or manually turned on. The heating systems of the buildings turned on automatically usually occur when the outside temperature drops below 55 degrees. Do not store items on the heating/AC units, especially when the heat is turned on.

  For buildings with automatic change-over that have air conditioning, it will take several hours for them to cool down. The building water loop must cool down sufficiently before chilled water can be circulated for cooling. Likewise, when transitioning from cooling to heating, several hours are required before hot water can be circulated through the building and begin heating the spaces. These transition periods are required to protect building piping systems.

  If you have any questions, call Housing Services. If you experience problems with your residence's heat after hours or on a weekend, please contact Public Safety at 570-577-3333.

   

• I’m having roommate issues ...

  Each roommate relationship is different, and it is not necessary to be best friends or share every aspect of your college experience together. However, it is important that roommates respect each other's rights and work toward creating an environment conducive to being a student. Getting to know each other and talking about your expectations of living together can help build that successful relationship. Below are some proactive steps that may help get the conversation started:

  Topics to Discuss With Your Roommate(s) at the Beginning of the Year

  • Living arrangements
  • Schedules
  • Study habits
  • Sleeping habits
  • Guests
  • Use of property
  • Noise level
  • Lifestyle issues
  • Lingering questions
  • How would you prefer to communicate with each other if there is a problem?
  • What are you not willing to compromise on?

  Basic Communication Skills for Talking with Your Roommate(s)

  Bringing up an issue with your roommate(s) can sometimes be a difficult task. There are different ways to talk to your roommate(s) about an issue in a civil and respectful manner that can help improve the relationship. Below are some basic guidelines for talking about issues that may arise during the year.

  Basic Guidelines

  • Be calm and cool.
  • Talk about issues directly in conversation.
  • Use statements that begin with "I".
  • Talk about how a situation has made you feel.
  • Be careful not to make accusations or assumptions.
  • Talk about specific behaviors, not a person's character.
  • Treat your roommate(s) as you would want to be treated.
  • Think about what it is like to be in the other person's shoes.
  • Be willing to offer solutions and compromise.

  Seeking Assistance Regarding a Roommate Conflict?

  If you are having roommate issues, consider discussing and filling out a Roommate Agreement (linked below). If a solution cannot be reached by the roommates, speak with your Resident Assistant, Community Assistant or Head Resident for help or mediation.

  Roommate Agreement (PDF)

   

• Do you have family housing?

  The University does not have accommodations for married students with their spouses or for students with children or dependents.

   

• Am I required to live on-campus?

  Yes. Bucknell strongly believes a residential setting is home for foundational learning, growth and development. Students are required to live in University housing the first four years of their undergraduate enrollment, unless granted an exemption from Housing Services. New students who are over 23 years of age, living at home, or have children are typically exempt from the living requirement. Returning students turn who will turn 25 during their senior year are also typically exempt for their senior year.