University of South Carolina

Packing Tips

• Pack all belongings in boxes or totes. Loose items can easily be lost or misplaced.
• Label all boxes and totes with the student's name, residence hall and room number so they are clearly identified.
• Check with your roommate on large items to see who will bring those items so you can avoid duplication.

Linen and Carpet

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) sponsors a sale of carpets and linens. For details about purchasing comforters, sheets, pillows, towels and more, call 800-957-4338 or visit www.rha.org/usc-store. All purchases will be delivered to the student's home during the summer. Many of the rooms in the residence halls are not carpeted. Thus, RHA has made arrangements to allow students to pre-order a carpet and have it placed in their room before Move-In Day. For rates, colors or to place an order, please call 800-892-8729 or visit www.rhcarpets.com/usc.

Lofts

University Housing furnishes all resident rooms with beds, dressers and desks. Some students may wish to supplement or complement these furnishings by constructing a loft in their room. Such additions are allowed at USC within certain guidelines.

Students are not permitted to disturb the surface coating of the ceiling in any residence hall. 

The University does not endorse or encourage the construction or use of lofts. The University does not inspect, nor in any way certify the stability or construction of student installed lofts regardless of where the student obtains the loft or loft materials. The University assumes no responsibility for the safety or stability of any student installed loft or the consequences of having a loft in ones room. Students are to consider the safety of the room when placing any loft, as placement may interfere with the proper function of sprinkler systems. The loft can not shield combustible materials such as computers, work desk, TVs and furniture, etc. from the spray pattern of the sprinkler head.

Lofts may be installed by students in all student rooms except McClintock, the Honors Residence and Patterson Hall.

Lofts are not recommended in apartments, especially those with private bedrooms.

Because of the possibility of damage to the facilities, lofts must be free standing and must not be attached to any walls, ceilings or floors. Lofts may not be stacked on other pieces of furniture (desks, dressers and bookcases) or on cinder blocks, etc. These arrangements are inherently unstable and damage university furniture/facilities.

The lofts must be made of non-combustible or fire treated materials.

Lofts must have at least 30 inches clearance between the top of the mattress and the lowest point in the ceiling, including sprinkler heads and light fixtures.

Lofts are not to block the entrance or exit from the room. Doors and windows should not be obstructed in any way.

All university-provided furnishings must remain in the room, including the bed and bedspring. The housing department does not have storage space available for student room furnishings. Any damages to the furnishings not reported at time of move-in will be charged to the student's account following their moving out. After the loft is removed, the student is responsible for placing the university-provided furniture back in the same condition and placement as it was when the student originally checked-into the room. Any damages to the room, furnishings or finishes beyond normal wear and tear will be billed to the student.

Lofts must be disassembled and removed shortly before finals begin in the spring semester so noise does not disturb those studying for finals.

Note: Lofts can be rented or purchased online through Timbernest by visiting their website at www.timbernest.com, selecting USC under "college accounts" and typing in the code "SC35." Orders must be completed by August 13, 2012 to ensure delivery to campus.