Fact Sheet 07: Residence Life and Housing

Revised August 2007

Residence Life and Housing

College Is More Than Just Attending Classes

West Chester University residence halls are an integral part of the total college experience. If you live on campus, the opportunity to be more involved, meet more people, succeed academically, and be challenged is within your grasp. Pursuing intellectual activities, exploring your individuality, and developing independence creates a unique combination that expands every aspect of college life.

You will be at the heart of it all. Residing on campus and taking advantage of its possibilities puts you in the middle of a living-learning environment. You will build connections with the college community and find opportunities for intellectual, social, recreational, and career growth by living with other students who share your interests, concerns, and desire to succeed.

You will have the flexibility to do more. No time is lost to commuting, finding parking, or preparing meals. Everything you need is in one place, including your classes, the library, computer labs, academic support services, meals, health services, entertainment, and much more. Living on campus at WCU allows for extra hours that are better spent studying, participating in extracurricular activities, or enjoying friends.

Don't Do It Alone

When you live on campus at West Chester University, you have easy access to an abundance of support services. Within your own residence hall, trained peer counselors (resident assistants) and a professional residence life staff member (resident director/gradute hall director) are available 24 hours a day. The University also provides on-campus health services, counseling services, and academic support services. Need more help? Attend programs on time management, study skills, dating, and diversity, all in the comfort and convenience of your residence hall.

Choose an Environment That Fits Your Lifestyle

Each residence hall at West Chester University includes a variety of features to enhance your new home. All rooms have twin beds, cable television, closets, attractive furniture, and storage space. Each residence hall has a unique social atmosphere and spirit of community. West Chester University has different living options, each with different lifestyle choices.

The University-owned traditional residence halls offer a group style of living. These halls are a great way to meet others and share your interests with diverse people. Typical rooms are designated as doubles, and approximately 30 students reside on each wing. Each building provides residents with laundry facilities, vending machines, quiet study areas, computer labs, recreational space, a television lounge, and shared shower and restroom facilities. You may select to live on a single-gender or coed floor. With each of these options, you also may select 24-hour quiet or 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. quiet-hour options.

Apartment living is available for transfer and upperclass students on South Campus. The apartments offer all of the amenities of home and still provide the support and convenience of living on campus. A typical apartment is shared by five students and has a living/dining room area, a kitchen, a shower, and bathroom facility. The apartments are fully furnished. Additional services include a convenience store, a computer lab, and laundry facilities. Apartment living provides older students with independence and the opportunity to live in a small-group atmosphere.

The University, through the West Chester University Foundation, also offers other housing options on campus that are referred to as affiliated housing. University Hall, a suite-style residence hall on North Campus, and The Village at West Chester University, an apartment complex on the South Campus, are available to current students beyond their first year and incoming transfer students on a space-available basis. These facilities offer all the same opportunities found in University-owned housing, but are managed through an arrangement with a private corporation.

Leave the Cooking to Us

Campus Dining Services offers a variety of meals daily. At the Lawrence Center Dining Hall, you can choose from a pasta, deli, or salad bar, as well as a variety of hot entrees. Also located in the Lawrence Center are a late-night diner, new convenience store, and an Einstein Bagels. The menu in the Sykes Student Union Ram's Head Food Court includes a deli menu, pizza, pasta, a grilled menu, and a selection of hot entrees. As a resident student, you may dine at either facility using your 19, 14, or 10 meals-a-week plan or the 225-block plan or 175-block plan. Although a meal plan is not required, South Campus residents may select from six different meal plan options (19, 14, 10 meals-a-week plan or the 225-block, 175-block, or 75-block plans).

Communicate with the World

All student rooms on campus have Local Area Network (LAN) connections. This connection allows you to bring your own computer and have direct access to the University network. If you do not own a computer, each residence hall has a computer lab for use by residents only. Both of these services allow access to University software, e-mail, Internet, and scheduling information.

It's More Affordable Than You Think

Living on campus is much more affordable than you think. The hidden costs of commuting can be high, while the cost of living at West Chester University is economical. The University provides many necessities and meals at a low cost and utilities at no extra charge. Living on campus is an easy way to save money and have time for other things. How can you afford not to live at West Chester University?

Now Is Your Chance to Make College Count

Living on campus is the best way to explore the college experience. Choose to make your future one of academics, recreation, diversity, and culture by living at the center of tradition and activity at West Chester University. It is all yours for the asking.

For More Information

West Chester University
Office of Residence Life and Housing Services
238 Sykes Student Union
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-3307
http://www.wcupa.edu/_services/stu.lif/