Residential Life

Residential Life

Manchester University was established as a residential college, emphasizing and valuing the total educational experience gained from living in the halls. We encourage all students to get involved in campus life, clubs and organizations. College is like anything else in life; the more you put into it the more you get out of it. Our most successful and satisfied students are those who have engaged in a well-rounded college experience.

Office of Residential Life Mission Statement

The Manchester University Department of Residential Life is committed to fostering a safe, comfortable living/learning environment which supports academic as well as social and community development. The department also supports growth and development through campus and hall involvement, celebrating diversity, and providing the opportunity for responsible decision making.

New Students

Check out our New Student Information page to answer any FAQs you may have about your residence hall room (size, furniture, etc) or what to bring to college.

Important Housing Dates

Plan ahead for when the residence halls open and close as well as other important housing related dates on our Important Housing Dates page.

Housing Initiatives

Gender Inclusive Housing

Gender inclusive housing is an environment where student housing is not restricted to traditional limitations of the gender binary (male/female). MU recognizes that traditional housing options based on assigned biologic sex does not fit the needs of many students. GIH options are meant to provide a safe and supportive space for students to room with others regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

How do I sign up as returning student?

Prior to the start of room renewal, residents are required to submit the Housing Agreement Form. There is a question on this form that asks, “Do you want to participate in gender inclusive housing?” If you would like GIH options to be available to you during the room renewal process, choose, “yes.”

The Room Request Form opens for students based on the number of credit hours they will have earned at the end of the current semester. When the form opens for you, if you have chosen “yes” to the question above, GIH options will show as available to you on a first-come, first-served basis. All other housing options will also show as available. You are welcome to choose a GIH room or a non-GIH room.

How to do I sign up as an incoming student?

Prior to arriving on campus, residents are required to submit the Housing Agreement Form. There is a question on this form that states, “Do you want to participate in gender inclusive housing?” If you are interested GIH options, choose, “yes.” When room assignments are being made by Residential Life, a staff member will reach out to discuss the options.

Do I qualify?

If a student qualifies for University housing, they qualify for gender inclusive housing.

We have made this option available in a way that does not require students to disclose or justify why they would like to live in our gender inclusive housing options. However, students of any gender identity or sexual orientation who are in a relationship are strongly discouraged from rooming together.

What if I try to sign up and there are no rooms available?

Our current GIH options are ground floor Garver Hall and a couple suites in Helman Hall and Oakwood Hall. Based on popularity and need, these options might change in the future.

Will my parents/guardians be notified if I choose to live in a gender inclusive suite or floor?

Residential Life does not notify parents/guardians about a student's choice to live in gender inclusive housing. We encourage all students to discuss their housing and meal plan options with parents/guardians.

On the student’s bill and any communication about housing, there is no special designation for GIH.

Can I purchase a single room in GIH?

Options to buy out single rooms will be made available once the housing renewal process is complete and first-year students have been assigned.

What happens if I do not have a roommate at the end of housing renewal?

If you do not have a roommate, someone could be assigned to you at any point. This could be before move-in or after and could be an upper classman or first-year/incoming student who chose to participate in GIH.

21+ Housing

For the 2022-2023 academic year, East Street Apartments will house only students who are 21+ by Aug. 1, 2022. In East Street only, the responsible consumption of alcohol by students 21 years of age and over will be permitted in University housing. Students in East Street Apartments will be required to complete additional training sessions prior to move-in.

What are the policies?

Personal use in personal space - consumption of alcohol is exclusively permitted within a student’s living space and is barred from being in the common areas outside or between apartments.
Apartment door must be closed when drinking is happening.
We expect you to drink responsibly. That means:

No parties - The maximum occupancy of the apartment should not exceed 8 people.
No kegs of any size or large-scale containers
No binge drinking activities (e.g. drinking games)

Sale and production of alcohol is prohibited.
Empty containers of alcohol must be disposed of properly – littering is prohibited.
If University Safety or another University official knocks on your door and asks for IDs, you must comply.
You are responsible for your guests' behavior.
Residents can have guests who are under 21 provided that the person under 21 does not have alcohol in their system or possession.
If you let someone under 21 drink in your apartment, or you let someone under 21 into your apartment after they have been drinking, you are accepting responsibility for the policy violation(s).
If University Safety or another University official suspects alcohol might have been consumed by someone underage, a breathalyzer may be administered.
If alcohol poisoning is suspected at any point, the breathalyzer may be postponed to prioritize health and safety.
If policies are not followed, students may be removed from East Street Apartments and placed in available housing elsewhere on campus. If this occurs, the student will be prorated the cost of the apartment and their new housing. If the student qualifies for off-campus housing, the student will not be approved to live off campus until the following semester.
Residents must be a student in good standing with campus conduct to live in East Street Apartments.

How do I sign up?

It’s easy! All you need to do is go through the normal housing renewal process. If you will be 21 or over by Aug. 1, apartments available in East Street will show as options for you.

Can I purchase a single room in an apartment?

Options to buy out single rooms will be made available once the housing renewal process is complete.

Will the apartment be furnished?

Partially. The University will provide a refrigerator for the apartment, two dressers (one for each resident) per room, and two bed frames with mattresses per room.

Will the University fulfill work orders?

The University will fulfill work orders, but residents are responsible for damage to the apartment and keeping it in working order.

Where can I find the University's Medical Amnesty Policy?

You can learn more about Manchester's Medical Amnesty Policy using this link.

Contact the Office of Residential Life

The office is located in suite 104 in the lower level of the Chinworth Center, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. You can also contact us by telephone at (260)982-5052 or email at reslife@manchester.edu.

If you need emergency assistance please contact University Safety at 260-982-5999.