University Housing

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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Current Students

Are students required to live on campus?
How do I apply for on campus housing?
Is there a fee to apply for housing?
Is the housing application a contract?
Is there a deadline by which to submit my application?
What if I want to change my preferences (hall choices, preferred roommate, etc.) after I send in my application?
How can I be sure to get the roommate I want?
Which halls are current students “eligible” to live in?
What happens if I am on a waiting list?
How wired is campus housing?
How are the rooms furnished?
How are the rooms cleaned?
Are there any halls which stay open during University break periods (Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break) for current students?
Does Carolina have any “theme” or “special interest” housing options?
Is a meal plan required?
What are the “rules” regarding visitors?
When will I find out where I’ve been assigned and with whom?
Where do I go to “check-in” when I move in?
How can I change rooms or roommates?
What if I decide I would just rather live off campus?

1. Are students required to live on campus?
Upperclassmen are not required to live on campus. However, many upperclassmen choose to live on campus. The proximity, convenience and the ability to get and stay connected to the University and its resources are best accomplished by living on campus. Much empirical research has shown that students who live on campus tend to get better integrated in the university community and as such, are more likely to graduate than those who don’t.

2. How do I apply for on campus housing?
Students can apply for campus housing via the web at https://vip.sc.edu. We encourage current students to apply within the priority deadlines to ensure that they are in the lottery for an assignment. We offer several Living and Learning Communities that upperclassmen are eligible for, however they may require a supplemental application. A complete list of these communities, as well as additional applications, can be found by visiting the Residential Learning Communities website.

3. Is there a fee to apply for campus housing?
All students must submit a non-refundable $45 application fee, as well as a $100 advanced room payment fee with their application. Half ($50) of the $100 advanced room payment fee is credited to each semester’s room fees. If you decide to not accept your assignment before April 1, you will be refunded the advanced room payment fee. If you cancel between April 2 and June 1, you will forfeit the advanced room payment fee and be charged a cancellation fee of $500. Canceling between June 2 and August 16 will result in a forfeiture of the advanced room payment, as well as a cancellation fee of $1000. Any cancellations received on or after August 17 will result in a forfeiture of the advanced room payment, a cancellation fee of 40% of your contract value, as well as a prorated amount for the number of days since the halls opened. Please read all Stipulations Relating to Cancellations and Refunds carefully before signing and submitting your housing application.

4. Is the housing application a contract?
Yes. By completing and submitting this application/contract, you are “contracting” yourself to live on campus for two consecutive semesters (only one if applying for Spring only). It is a legally binding contract. Again, please read all Stipulations Relating to Cancellations and Refunds carefully before submitting your application/contract. Keep in mind that by submitting an online application, you are submitting your electronic signature and accepting the contract.

5. Is there a deadline by which to submit my application?
Current student sign-up runs from January 9 to March 9, the priority deadline. Paid applications received by March 9 will be entered into the lottery drawing in order to receive an assignment.

6. What if I want to change my preferences (hall choices, roommate preferences, etc.) after I send in my application?
After an application has been submitted during the priority sign-up period, changes can be made prior to March 9. You can make these changes by accessing your original application online at https://vip.sc.edu.

7.How can I be sure to get the roommate I want?
Students may request up to three roommates. In order to be assigned together, each student MUST mutually prefer the others and all paid applications MUST be on file at the time we make assignments. Even though we cannot guarantee placement with a preferred roommate, we will make every attempt to honor such requests providing space is available.

8. Which halls are current students eligible to live in?
All halls that are not Freshmen Centers are for upperclassmen and transfers. You can visit our Virtual Tour online to get a complete list of these buildings, as well as details about the individual buildings.

9. What happens if I am on a waiting list?
Assignments are offered based on cancellations received. Your place in line is determined by the initial lottery number issued to you during sign-up. Please check VIP to view your waiting list number and to monitor the last number processed on the waiting list. If at any point you wish to cancel your housing while on the waiting list, you will receive a refund on the $100 advanced room payment fee. You can cancel your housing by logging into VIP and accessing your original housing application.

10. How wired is campus housing?
Each student room has separate voice, cable and data jacks. The data jacks connect students to all campus computing resources, plus the Internet. In addition, there are 24-hour computer labs located in Bates House, Patterson Hall and Columbia Hall. These labs are available for use by any student living on campus. In addition, the Department of Housing is committed to providing increasing “virtual” administrative processes. For example, all campus residents can access their housing assignment information via the web on VIP. In addition, all students can apply for campus housing on VIP.

11. How are the rooms furnished?
While this varies somewhat by building, all are air-conditioned and have voice, cable and data connections in each room. Additionally, each student is provided with a twin bed, dresser, desk and chair and a closet. Also, most upperclassmen buildings include a living area and kitchen. All halls have laundry facilities. Once you’ve received your assignment, you can visit our Virtual Tour for specific details about your building. It is always a good idea to contact your roommates ahead of move-in day to discuss what each of you will bring and whether any equipment or decorations will be shared.

12. How are the rooms cleaned?
Students are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their individual rooms and/or apartments. Students in suite-style halls are responsible for cleaning their room and bathroom. Custodial staffs are responsible for cleaning all other common areas, such as hallways and lounges. Similarly, maintenance staffs are dedicated to maintain, repair and refurbish both individual and common areas.

13. Are there any halls which stay open during University break periods (Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break) for current students?
Yes. All upperclassmen, apartment-style halls remain open during break periods.

14. Does Carolina have any “theme” or “special interest” housing options?
Yes. There are quite a few available for current students. Keep in mind that some of these special communities may require a supplemental application in addition to the original housing application. You can refer to the Living and Learning Communities page on our website for a complete list of these communities, as well as to access applications. All Living and Learning Community applications are due by January 31 at 5PM.

15. Is a meal plan required?
After your freshmen year, meal plans and Carolina Card accounts are optional, but quite convenient. You may add money to the Carolina Card, which is much like a debit card (i.e. it allows you purchase items at any campus location with a pre-paid account balance). Changes can be made to your meal plan choice through the Main Housing Office (before you pay your fees), on VIP under “Optional Fees” or by calling Dining Services at (803) 777-4161.

16. What are the “rules” regarding visitors?
Most upperclassmen buildings under either “Plan C,” which is opposite gender visitation from 10 AM to 2 AM that night Sunday-Thursday, or “Plan D,” which Is self-governed by each individual apartment. The guest policy in your room should be discussed with your roommate to reach an agreement about the frequency and duration of guest visiting your room and should be included in your Roommate Contract. To see a list of which buildings operate under which plan, visit our Moving-In Guide.

17. When will I find out where I’ve been assigned and with whom?
Students who applied during the priority sign-up period can check the status of their assignment online on VIP beginning March 20. The specific building name, roommate contact information, as well as a specific room number, will be available. Not all students who sign-up during this period will receive an initial housing assignment, but instead will be given a wait list number. As cancellations and spaces become available, we will assign students off the wait list. You can visit our Housing Registration Guide for complete details as to how assignments are made.

18. Where do I go to check-in when I move in?
You will be able to pick up your key from your building on move-in day, August 18. After that, you can go to your Area Office to pick up a key.

19. How can I change rooms or roommates?
Students can request room changes on an on-going basis via VIP under the UCHOOSE Roommate Resource option. The student will be contacted by an assignment coordinator once the change can take place. Completing the Roommate Contract in as much detail as possible, however, is a great way to avoid potential conflicts.

20. What if I decide I would just rather live off campus?
The housing application is a legally binding contractual agreement between you and the University. By state law, the Department of Housing is financially self-supporting; therefore, we operate similarly to off campus landlords regarding contractual matters. Should you decide to live off campus while under contract for an on campus space there will be a sizeable cancellation fee. You can read all of the Stipulations Regarding Cancellations and Refunds on our website. Be sure to read the appropriate section labeled “Continuing-Currently Enrolled Students.”

Columbia, SC 29208 • 803-777-4283 • housing@sc.edu

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