Housing Services
Housekeeping Services
Housekeeping staff is available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. to clean and maintain our residence hall. To ensure a comfortable and healthy living environment, the housekeeping staff performs the following tasks:
- Cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms, showers, and fixtures
- Removing common area trash and recycling material
- Sweeping and vacuuming lobby areas and hallways
- Cleaning lobby areas
- Repairing and maintaining building system components (as needed)
- Performing other duties as necessary
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for the condition of their residence room, furnishings, and any damages or losses that may occur during occupancy. Students should do their part to keep Orchard Hall clean:
- Dispose of trash in designated areas, making sure everything goes in—not around—the containers. Don't put your personal trash in the bathroom or lobby receptacles.
- Sort recyclable material by following the instructions on the receptacles.
- Clean up after yourself. If you create a mess, clean it up.
- Put what you sweep from your room in the trash can, not the hall.
- Clean your room regularly.
- Never put food down the bathroom sinks.
- Vacuum cleaners are available for student use. See your RA for information.
- Fully-equipped laundry facilities are located in Orchard Hall for use by on-campus residents. The wash cycle is $1.50 per cycle, and drying is $1.50 per cycle, payable exclusively with LionCash. You can deposit funds to your LionCash account online or at the HFS Office.
- Download the free Speed Queen app and quickly determine how many machines are available and when machines currently in use will be finished in order to efficiently plan. This eliminates wasted trips to the laundry room only to find all machines busy. The app also allows students to be notified when machines have become available and when their machines have completed their cycle.
- Report any problems with laundry facilities to your housekeeper or the HFS Office.
Ceiling light out? Window stuck? Don't fret, just FIXIT.
FIXIT, Penn State's routine maintenance request system for on-campus residents, allows convenient and easy online submissions. Simply log in, describe the issue, and select times for an appointment. Our team will contact you within 24 hours to confirm your appointment and keep you updated at every stage of repair.
What is the difference between routine and emergency repairs?
Routine repairs are problems that can be scheduled and do not require immediate attention—even though residents naturally want the issue taken care of as soon as possible. Examples include a burned-out light bulb, problems with the refrigerator/microwave unit, a torn window screen, etc.
Emergencies are identified as anything that needs to be fixed immediately. If it's not remedied, serious injury or damage will result. Emergency repair examples include:
- Loss of hot or cold water
- Loss of heat
- Loss of electricity (beyond normal power outages)
- Electrical hazard
- Flooding or major leak
- Fire
- Gas leak
- Any condition that represents a significant imminent threat or potential hazard to the community
- Glass window breakage that is a potential safety and/or security hazard
- Pest emergencies (bats, bees, etc.)
If you're experiencing an emergency maintenance issue, please contact the Housing and Food Service Office (during normal business hours), the RA on duty (after normal business hours), or Police Services.
- Penn State has taken proactive measures to reduce waste and protect the environment. The residence hall areas have been leaders in Penn State's recycling movement, and all residents are encouraged to participate. Convenient recycling containers are located throughout campus. Cardboard, office paper, aluminum cans, and plastic can be recycled.
- Students who wish to have a vehicle on campus should register online. Visit Police Services in the Commons Building or online for more information.
Fire Safety
- In accordance with state and local fire regulations, fire drills are conducted on a monthly basis in all residence areas. Everyone in the building during an emergency drill must vacate the building according to instructions. Failure to vacate the building will result in disciplinary action.
- Students are responsible for taking precautions to prevent fires. Candles, incense, potpourri, and other flame-emitting articles are prohibited.
- Fire alarms, fire extinguishers, exit signs, and sprinkler systems are located on every floor in Orchard Hall. Students should familiarize themselves with the location of the fire equipment on their floors. In some areas, smoke detectors are provided. Tampering with this equipment will result in severe disciplinary and/or criminal action under federal and state laws.
Card Access System
- Access to Orchard hall is controlled by an electronic card access security system that is maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students need to carry their mobile or physical credential at all times to gain access.
- Students will be able to access their residence hall only during the normal academic year, not during breaks or over the summer. Access to the residence hall is limited to students who reside in that building, or require access for other reasons.
- If your credential doesn't work in the card reader of your building, contact a roommate, Residence Life, or University Police. Then call or email Housing and Food Services so they can identify and fix the problem.
- Report a lost card or mobile device anytime online or at the HFS office during normal business hours. Your access will be suspended to prevent someone else from using your card. If using a physical credential, you'll be issued a new card and charged a replacement fee.
- For the safety of all residents, outside entrance doors are to remain closed at all times. If a door is propped open, an alarm will sound. To shut off the alarm, remove any props and close the door.
Important Safety Tips
Always:
- Keep windows locked.
- Keep room doors closed—including when you're in the bathroom, across the hall visiting a friend, in the laundry room, or sleeping.
- Meet guests/visitors at the entrance door.
- Walk-in groups when traveling outside, especially at night. Call University Police at 610-892-1496 to request an escort at any time.
- Travel in well-lit, heavy traffic areas.
- Know where the emergency phones are located on campus.
- Report suspicious behavior or unauthorized people to University Police at 610-892-1496.
Never:
- Let strangers into buildings or rooms.
- Let people piggyback into the building.
- Tamper with exit alarms.
- Prop open a door.
- Cable television service is provided in common areas only; students can connect to streaming platforms using smart devices connected through the psu-personal network.