Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions represent the most frequent inquiries made by prospective students and their families. If you have any other questions after reviewing this information, feel free to contact us.

---

Who is required to live on campus?
All first year admitted students at the Wilkes Honors College are required to live on-campus for their first two years of enrollment. Students must be enrolled as a full-time, degree seeking undergraduate. A resident may be required to depart from University Housing if enrolled credit hours drop below full-time status, at the request of the Executive Director of Housing or designee.

Am I required to live on campus?
All first year admitted students at the Wilkes Honors College are required to live on-campus for their first two years of enrollment. Non-Honors College students who attend the Jupiter Campus can also apply for housing but are not required to do so. Exceptions are made for those students who are 24 years of age or older at the date of matriculation, or for those who are married, have dependent children, or have been honorably discharged from the US Military. Students who wish to be exempt must apply prior to the start of the academic year need to contact jupiterhousing@babycatcher.net for more information.

Is there a deadline for signing up for housing?
There is a priority date to complete a housing application for newly admitted first-year students for priority consideration. Exceptions will be made for those students who are admitted to the university after this. The earlier you turn in your Housing Contract, the more likely you will receive one of your preferred assignment locations.

Students who are participating in the Housing Plan of the Florida Prepaid Program must submit materials no later than June 1st in order to receive proper billing on their account. Please be advised that the Florida Prepaid Program only covers a portion of the Housing fees, leaving the student responsible for the remaining balance.

Can I cancel my Housing Contract?
Once signed and returned, the Housing Contract represents a legal, binding document for the duration of the academic year. For specific cancellation information, refer to the cancellation paragraphs of the Housing Contract.

When are my Housing fees due?
A one-time non-refundable administration charge of $100 will be accessed to all first time applicants when completing the Housing Contract. The remainder of the Fall payment shall be paid on or before the published payment dates, which can be found by visiting the Tuition and Billing Services website.

Will Financial Aid cover my Housing cost?
Many student residents receive financial aid. These awards are intended to first provide coverage for tuition and student fees. Any remaining dollars may be applied to University Housing. However, in order for students to take advantage of financial aid dollars being automatically applied to their housing charges, three steps must be completed:

1. Financial aid must first have been awarded

2. The Student must have signed an acceptance letter for all awards

3. The acceptance letter must have been returned to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

If the total amount of financial aid awarded to the student DOES exceed tuition and other fees, and if sufficient dollars are available to cover Housing charges, the remaining dollars may be applied to Housing charges.

If there is only partial financial aid remaining after tuition and fees have been paid by financial aid, the Student is required to pay in full all remaining Housing charges not covered by financial aid prior to moving into their assigned space.

If the total amount of financial aid awarded to the student DOES NOT exceed tuition and other fees, the Student must make payment of all remaining Housing charges prior to moving into their assigned space.

Students who have pending financial aid awards will be required to pay in full all Housing fees prior to moving into their assigned space and then may reimburse themselves when financial aid is awarded and distributed during the fall semester.

When can I move in? When do classes begin?
Please refer to the Occupancy Period section of your Housing Contract or the Important Dates section of the Residence Hall Brochure.

Who can I talk to if I m having a problem with my roommate?
If you are having a problem with your suitemate(s), you should talk to your Resident Assistant (RA). Your RA lives on your floor or assigned area, and is an upper-division student who has been carefully selected and trained to assist you throughout the academic year. Very often the RA will talk with the Hall Coordinator or Assistant Director and help resolve your problem, usually with a meeting of all parties involved. It is important that you maintain an open line of communication with your roommates so that you can talk about problems you may be having. We expect our residents to treat each other as adults and discuss their differences openly. That is the first step in resolving differences.

If you continue to have problems, and have worked initially with your RA you may next contact the Hall Coordinator or Assistant Director. These individuals are full-time, professionally trained staff member who can assist you in taking additional steps.

What if I want to change my housing assignment?
A room transfer freeze period is in effect from the time your initial assignment is made until two weeks into the fall semester. The Fall Freeze allows us to locate all available spaces. You may complete a Room Transfer Request Form - found at the Housing Office in the lobby of Building 1. You also need to realize that it probably won't be possible to move to every building at every time of the year, especially at the beginning of the fall semester. In fact, it may take more than a semester to switch into a new room.

Can I stay in my room during University holidays and break periods?
The Residence Halls are closed during all breaks and University holidays; however, during these breaks, students who need to stay during this period are required to sign up and request permission. This is to provide additional security during the break.

Students who do not need to stay on campus during breaks and University holidays do NOT need to remove their belongings. We do ask, however, that they empty their refrigerators (to avoid spoilage) and power off electrical items such as televisions, computers, etc.

What items should I bring from home?

• Sheets, mattress cover, blankets, bedspread (beds are twin size, extra long 36 x 80)

• Soap, shampoo, and other toiletries

• Laundry basket and detergent (there are laundry rooms located in on-campus housing facilities)

• Small area rug (see question on carpeting)

• Dishes, drinking cups, silverware, dish soap and towels.

• Alarm clock

• Calendar/Organizer

• Desk supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks and paper, desk lamp)

• Dictionary and thesaurus

• CD / MP3 player, headphones

• Computer, printer, long network cable, surge protector

• A good lock, if you bring a bike

• Umbrella

What items should I leave at home?

• Candles or incense

• Illegal drugs

• All pets, except fish (see below)

• Weapons, including all firearms and ammunition, explosives, knives, and any other dangerous articles or substances

Can I bring my pet?
Unfortunately, almost all pets must be left at home. Possession of pets, other than fish as defined below, is prohibited. Any cost associated with the possession of an illegal pet will be charged to the responsible resident(s) or to all residents of the room/apartment, (damaged furniture, cleaning, pest control, etc.) Fish, may be maintained as pets, as long as they are kept in fish tanks which are no larger than 10 gallon capacity. Residents are responsible for maintaining the tanks and are responsible for any and all damage caused by the fish or the tank.

Are microwave ovens provided? What about refrigerators?
No microwaves or refrigerators are provided in the residence halls.
Residents may bring a small refrigerator and/or microwave. Refrigerators should be no larger than 4.2 cubic feet and should have a maximum of 400 watts at 120 volts. Microwave ovens should be no more than 1.5 cubic feet capacity and should have a maximum of 1100 watts at 120 volts.

Is carpeting provided?
Carpeting in student rooms IS provided in the residence halls. Vacuums are not provided by the university, so students are encouraged to bring their own.

If I bring my computer, how can I hook it up to the internet?
Check out our website for specific information regarding how to make internet connections: vup.babycatcher.net/oit/wireless/. Free, high-speed internet access is provided in the residence halls.

Can I hook my television up to a cable-TV connection?
Yes. Currently FAU contracts with Comcast Cable Television for general programming, at no additional cost to you. No premium channels are available.

Can I bring a vehicle to campus?
Yes. You must register your car or motorcycle with FAU Traffic and Parking and display a current on-campus parking decal. Check out the web page for information concerning these topics at FAU Traffic and Parking.