Housing Services
Housing Services
On-campus living is fun and convenient. There are many services and features included with your room or apartment.
Housekeeping Services
Housekeeping staff is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. ,to clean and maintain our residence halls. To ensure a comfortable and healthy living environment, the housekeeping staff performs the following tasks:
- Cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms and fixtures
- Traditional and renovated residence hall bathrooms are cleaned on a daily schedule
- North and Nittany Suites are sanitized on a rotating basis; students should clean the bathroom between sanitation visits
- Eastview Terrace, Nittany Apartments, and White Course Apartments residents are required to clean the bathrooms
- Cleaning and disinfecting showers
- 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 the residence halls clean:
- Residents must dispose of trash in designated areas, making sure everything goes in—not around—the containers. Personal trash may not be put 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, cleaning supplies, and tool kits are available to check out from the commons desk.
Fully equipped laundry facilities are located in each building or residence area for use by on-campus residents. LionCash is the only accepted way to pay for laundry. LionCash funds are easily deposited online, or at the id+ Office. The University partners with Caldwell and Gregory to manage laundry machines. They can be contacted if a machine needs to be serviced at 800-927-9274 or service@caldwellandgregory.com
Learn More about Laundry Services, including current wash/dry cycle costs
Learn More about Mail Services and how to properly address mail and packages
Visit transportation.psu.edu to find your way on or off campus.
- Free rides campus wide with shuttles and CATABUS Link or Loop
- Drive on-demand with a Zipcar membership
- Sign up for a Spin electric bike or register your own bike
- Review parking permit eligibility
University housing areas offer outdoor bike racks, and some areas provide limited indoor bike storage space as well. A student may keep their bike in the room, provided that their roommate agrees. Bikes are not permitted in lounges, laundries, hallways, bathrooms, or other public areas in the residence halls. Students are required to register their bicycle per University Policy SY16.
University housing areas feature meeting and recreation rooms that residents can reserve. Registered campus student organizations can also reserve these rooms through Residence Life for meetings and social events.
Ceiling light out? Window stuck? Don’t worry, 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 | Emergency Repairs |
|---|---|
| Problem that can be scheduled and does not require immediate attention | Anything that needs to be fixed immediately and could result in a serious injury or damage |
| Examples of Routine Repairs | Examples of Emergency Repairs |
|---|---|
| Burned-out light bulb | Loss of hot or cold water |
| Refrigerator/microwave malfunction | Loss of heat |
| Torn window screen | loss of electricity |
| Flooding or major leak | |
| Fire | |
| Gas Leak |
Emergency Contacts
If you are experiencing an emergency maintenance issue, please contact the Housing Area Office (during normal business hours), the RA on duty (after normal business hours), or University Police (814-863-1111).
Lockouts
For lockouts or lock problems, contact your Commons Desk.
Students interested in taking an active role in residence hall area government should check out the Association for Residence Hall Students (ARHS)! ARHS is committed to being the voice of residence hall students.
Fire Safety
- In accordance with state and local fire regulations, fire drills are conducted in all residence areas monthly. 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, and other flame-emitting articles are prohibited.
- Fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and exit signs are located on every floor in each building. All residence halls are equipped with sprinkler systems. 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 each residence hall is controlled by an electronic card access security system that is maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You should carry your Penn State id+ card at all times so you can get into your residence hall. Access to your residence hall is enabled during the normal academic year only - access is suspended during breaks and over the summer. Never leave personal valuable items in your room during breaks.
- If your card doesn't work in the card reader of your building, stop by the Commons Desk for assistance.
- Report a lost card anytime online or at the id+ office during normal business hours. Your card access will be suspended to prevent someone else from using your card. 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 locked—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.
- Know where your id+ card and room key is at all times.
- Walk-in groups when traveling outside, especially at night. University Police offers the Safe Walk Service, where a walking accompaniment can assist an individual who may feel unsafe walking late at night. To request a Safe Walk, call 814-865-9255.
- 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 814-863-1111.
- Report stolen keys and id+ cards immediately.
Never:
- Let strangers into buildings or rooms.
- Let people piggyback into the building.
- Tamper with exit alarms.
- Prop open a door.
- Lend your id+ card or room key to others.
Each residence hall has at least one television in a common room. The number of television sets in a residence hall varies according to size and student population. Cable television service is provided in common areas only; students can connect to streaming platforms using smart devices connected through roomgear.
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.
WiFi is available via secured Enterprise wireless networks. Computer labs are available in each residence area for exclusive use by the residents of that building/area.