Campus Life
Housing & Dining
- What is the "House System"?
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The House System is the residence life program at the University of Chicago. It is the collection of 36 undergraduate Houses in the 10 residence hall buildings. A student’s House serves as a "home base" for them: it’s a place where they can relax, study, and spend time with friends, and helps to create opportunities for students to connect to the large campus community and the city of Chicago. A House consists of a group of 75 students (on average) who live together as neighbors and share common areas within the residence hall where they gather for study breaks, movie nights, discussions and debates. Each House has its own "living room" or House lounge, and in some cases a kitchen, where students gather at all hours to connect with one another. Each House has its own rituals and traditions, a House Council, and a staff made up of a Resident Head or Resident Head couple, and a Resident Assistant(s). Each House also has its own designated "House Tables" in one of the campus dining commons, so House System residents always have a place to sit and dine with friends, if they wish. The House Tables provide a space in which House community members share meals, engage in academic debate, and socialize with friends. Weekly House meetings and active House Councils bring students together for cultural activities, fundraising, intramural sports, and activities downtown and in the various ethnic and cultural neighborhoods. The six largest residence hall communities also have Resident Masters. These are tenured faculty who live in the hall with their families and provide intellectual, cultural, social and recreational programs for the students in their building. In sum, living in the House System advances students’ academic and social adjustment to college and educates students on community living.
- Who is required to live in the House System?
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As a residential college, and in order to help facilitate the best opportunity for transition, all first year students are required to live in the House System at the University of Chicago. While living in the House System is not required beyond the first year, many students elect to return as having a "four class" House System is one of our strengths and a source of pride. Housing is guaranteed for all College students, so even those who move off-campus and later decide to move back on, may do so.
- Who are the resident staff in the House System? What is their role?
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The resident staff for each House or residence hall are all, in their own right, active members of the University community. There are three kinds of resident staff, two of which are in every House.
Resident Heads are advanced graduate students or University administrative staff, most with families (and sometimes with pets), who reside in each of the Houses. They open their homes to House meetings, cheer on the House’s intramural sports teams, host study breaks, and most importantly are available at all hours to help students with anything from accessing emergency health care to finding a student organization of their interest. Resident Heads assume many roles: mentors, role models, social directors, arbitrators. No less important, they offer informal guidance to students who seek or require counsel. Though parents are welcome to contact Resident Heads, the confidential nature of staff-student relationships prevents Resident Heads from sharing information without students’ consent.
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Resident Assistants (RAs) are usually third or fourth year students who also live in each House. Undergraduate students themselves, typically, RAs know the ropes around campus and offer younger students the benefit of their friendship and experience.
In the five largest residence halls, Resident Masters, senior faculty members in the University, host residence hall-wide events to develop hall-wide affinity and relationships. Examples of the kinds of programming they offer include: dinners with faculty guests, receptions, outings to the symphony or the opera, and discussions with luminaries from all corners of University and public life.
- Can my student request special housing based on a medical condition? Disability?
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We understand that some students have chronic conditions such as asthma or allergies. Due to the process that we use to make room assignments (that of using the receipt date of the housing application), it is not possible for us to ensure a request to live in a particular dorm for a health reason such as these, even if provided a physician’s note. If, however, your student has a disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act and your student has requested and received accommodation by the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students in the University, we will have been notified of your students needs so that we could assign accessible housing for your student. Please note that all residence halls, including student rooms are non-smoking.
- When can my student expect to learn their housing assignment?
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Entering students receive housing assignments in the summer before they arrive on campus. They are typically posted on the Class website at the end of the first week of August. Upperclass students select their own rooms in May of each year during a phased "Lottery" process.
- When can my student move into their housing assignment for the Autumn Quarter?
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Entering students move into the residence halls approximately 10 days prior to the first day of classes in order to participate in Orientation Week. Upperclass students returning to live in the House System may move into the residence halls on the weekend prior to the first day of classes for the Autumn Quarter.
- What if my student does not get along with a roommate?
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We ask students to first communicate directly with one another to work towards a solution that is amenable for all residents of the room. If this strategy does not work, or a roommate is unwilling to compromise, then students are asked to seek out the counsel and assistance of their Resident Heads. The intervention from a Resident Head can range from a conversation with the concerned student, to a mediated discussion with the roommates involved. Students are permitted to place themselves on a waitlist requesting a room change throughout most of the academic year. This waitlist is known as the "General Waitlist" and students are attended to on a first come-first serve basis, except for Orientation Week each year when first year student requests are randomized in order to permit first year students the ability to attend to their first priority that week – attending all their required appointments and meetings. There are periods in each quarter when no room changes are permitted.
- If my student changes rooms, will we have to pay a different room rate?
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All first year students, regardless of the location of their room assignment, or room type, are assessed the same House System room rate. Upperclass and transfer students’ room rates vary, depending on the type of room they are assigned (single, double, or unit with kitchen). Upperclass and transfer students with aid should consult with the Office of College Aid for additional information on the impact changing rooms has on a student’s financial aid.
- Why does my student have to have a meal plan?
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Participation in community based dining is one of the fundamental cornerstones of community development in our House System program. Each House has House Tables in one of the three dining commons. House Tables and the dining program are an important part of assisting students to connect with their community at large, but also individually with other students. Every time a student eats a meal, they will have a Housemate or resident staff member with whom to eat and visit. The dining commons offer continuous dining, made to order menu items allowing students to come and go as often as they wish. Students may elect to study, socialize with friends, debate whether ancient philosophies are applicable in a modern world, or just eat a quick snack in the middle of the afternoon at the House Table before they are off to another class. In addition, while most halls have some kind of kitchen facility as an amenity, most are not equipped to permit every student sufficient space for the storage of food and the preparation of food for every meal.
- How do the dining commons operate?
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Each dining commons offers all-you-care-to-eat, continuous, dining. Continuous dining means that students may come and go all day long to get food, from the time the dining commons opens to the time that it closes. A student’s meal plan is accessed by the swiping of their Chicago ID card at the entrance to the dining commons each time they enter. The food is freshly prepared, and finished to order in front of the student, incorporating a student’s preference for seasoning and flavor. The menu varies from meal to meal and includes vegan and vegetarian dishes at every meal. Students may take up to 5 guests to a meal in a given quarter. Otherwise, guests may pay a reasonable cash price at the entrance and have access to our all-you-care-to-eat menu.
- Since it is 'continuous dining' will all the menu items be available throughout the entire day?
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During short periods of time between the traditional meal times, there will be a "modified service" which will include service at many stations, at times including the deli, salad bar, pizza, dessert, and grill. Modified service hours will be: Mid-morning: 10:30AM to 11:00AM, Mid-afternoon 2:00PM to 4:45PM.
- What are Flex Dollars?
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Flex Dollars are a type of currency that students may use to purchase meals and a la carte items in various locations on campus. The Unlimited Residential Meal Plan includes Flex Dollars, and students may also purchase additional Flex Dollars. Additional Flex Dollars may be purchased by completing a form at the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing (the charges are added to the Bursar bill), or by using a credit card on-line (www.uchicago.campusdish.com). Flex dollars work like a debit card; each time a purchase is made, the money is subtracted from the student’s Flex Dollar account. One flex Dollar has the buying power of $1. Flex Dollar balances remaining at the end of each quarter roll over to the next quarter; however, all Flex Dollars expire at the end of the academic year, and any remaining balances is not refundable. Additionally, if a student’s status changes to that of being on a leave of absence or withdrawing from the University, the student will not be able to access the Flex Dollars on their account, and any balance at that time is also not refundable.
- Who should I contact with questions about charges on my student’s Bursar bill?
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If the charges are related to your student’s room assignment, meal plan or Flex Dollars, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing (773-702-7366) and we will assist you. If you have questions about any other charges or fees, please contact the Office of the Bursar (773-702-8000).
- Does the University carry personal property insurance for students?
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The University of Chicago does not insure the personal belongings of its residents, and will not compensate for losses due to theft, fire, water damage, etc. Students and parents are urged to review the coverage of the family’s existing homeowners’ policy to see what coverage is, or may be, available to the student while living in the residence halls. CSI Insurance Agency is a private company not affiliated with the University which provides personal property protection. For information please call 1-888-411-4911 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, or go to their website, www.collegestudentinsurance.com.
- We live a long distance away from Chicago, can my student store their belongings during the summer months?
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A reasonable amount of personal property may be kept in the storage areas of each residence hall for students who live in the House System and who have reserved a room in the House System for the following academic year. The University will not assume liability for personal property placed in the storage areas, and discourages the storage of electronics or other valuables. Please note that the University reserves the right to limit the amount of stored items – the standard is 5 boxes. All items must be boxed and labeled. Large pieces of furniture cannot be accommodated.
- How do I send my student a package or postal mail?
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Letters, magazines, and packages sent to students at the University should be addressed to the street address of the residence hall in which they reside. Building names or simply "University of Chicago" are not sufficient for the US Post Office, and mail addressed in this manner will be returned to sender. An address should read:
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Student Name
Residence Hall Name, Room Number
Street Address
City, State Zip Code - What is expected of students during the break periods?
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Only residents of South Campus Residence Hall may occupy their rooms during break periods (except summer). Students who live in any other hall have to leave by 12:00PM noon on the Saturday of Finals Week when all the other halls close to residents for the break period. However, non-South Campus Residence Hall residents may receive permission from South Campus Residence Hall residents to reside in their South Campus Residence Hall room during the interim periods while they are away. Resident Heads will announce the timeline/deadline for submitting the associated form several weeks prior to the end of each quarter.
- When can my student plan to make travel arrangements to return home during breaks?
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Students should take care to not make end-of-quarter travel arrangements that conflict with final exams. Those who have to make reservations before exam schedules become available at the start of each quarter should plan to travel on the Saturday of Finals Week. The residence halls remain open until 12:00PM noon on that Saturday. Travel plans for the return to campus should not conflict with the first class of the following quarter. Many courses require attendance at the first class to confirm enrollment. The residence halls re-open at 8:00AM on the day before classes resume for the Winter and Spring Quarters.
- Can my student live off campus as an upperclass student?
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After the first year, some students choose to live off campus. If living off campus will lower housing expenses, a financial aid award may be reduced. The total family contribution usually remains the same. Please consult with the Office of College Aid for additional information on the impact living off campus has on a student’s financial aid.
- Can my student bring a car to campus?
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First-year students are not permitted to have cars, and upperclass students are strongly discouraged from bringing cars to campus. Street parking is scarce and University parking facilities charge fees during weekday business hours.
- How will my student get around campus and the city?
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Many students choose to bring or buy a bicycle, which is a convenient mode of transportation. It is strongly recommended that a bicycle always be secured with a U-shaped lock and that students register their bike with the University Police. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses travel throughout campus and the surrounding Hyde Park–South Kenwood neighborhoods during the day and evening. The University provides free neighborhood transportation on designated CTA routes, and free night-time shuttles. Students have to show their Chicago card ID card in order to ride these routes for free. Buses and trains make other parts of the city easily accessible.
- How does my student sign up for a room in the House System for future years?
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In May of every Spring Quarter, the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing runs a three-phase Lottery process whereby current residents may select their own rooms for the following academic year. The three phases honor the connection that students typically have to their community – the In-House Lottery is first, followed by the Hall Lottery, and the final phase is the General Lottery where remaining spaces are made available to students who wish to move around the House System. In addition to selecting their own rooms, students may also select their roommate(s). The majority - 70% - of the first year class returns to live in the House System for their second year in the College.
- If I have any additional questions, who may I contact?
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You are welcome to email the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing at housesystem@uchicago.edu or call us at 773-702-7366 with any questions or concerns. Our regular office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM, CST. For urgent or emergency situations, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing first at the phone number listed above during office hours, or after hours, please contact the University Dean-On-Call by calling the University Police at 773-702-8181.
