Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up for housing?
Returning resident students have the opportunity to select their room/suite and roommates/suitemates for the next academic year by completing the Returning Student Housing Application and going through housing selection. Information is sent to current residents during the month of February each year via email. Incoming resident students will receive a housing application via their Caldwell University email address once they have deposited with the Office of Admissions and indicated their desire to be a resident student. Please note, it may take up to 5 business days for you to receive your application link due to account creation and activation. Emails begin after February 1st of each year. For more information please refer to the becoming a resident page here: Become a resident student
What will Check-In Day be like?
You will be instructed to park your car in front of your residence hall to unload your belongings. If you are an incoming student, there will be a volunteer team there to move your items for you. It is recommended that you label all items and boxes with first and last name. The Residence Life Staff will provide you with a card to put your contact number in case Campus Safety needs to contact you. After unloading, the driver will immediately move the vehicle to the main campus parking lot. We recommend that you bring your own hand truck or dolly. At the Check-In Table, you will meet the Residence Life Staff who will help you get settled in. For more information about dates and times, please refer to the Move in Information page here: Move In Information
How long are the beds? What kind of sheets will I need?
All beds in the residence halls are twin beds and are 80 inches long. You will need extra-long (80’) twin bed sheets, which are available at retail stores.
Do you offer a Linen Program?
In previous years, students have arrived on campus with sheets and bedding that did not fit their bed. To resolve this problem, we have made a special arrangement with a manufacturer that guarantees that their sheets will fit any size mattress in our residence halls.
For more information, please click on the following link: OCM Linen Program
What are the visitation hours?
Visitation hours are Monday – Thursday 11:00am – 1:00am; Friday and Saturday 11:00am – 2:00am.
Can I have an Air Conditioner in my room?
The only building that has air conditioner is Dominican Hall. Both Mother Joseph Residence Hall and Rosary Hall are not equipped with air conditioners. You cannot supply your own air conditioner in your room, and if they are found, the student is subject to proceedings through the conduct system.
How can my room be decorated?
Students are encouraged to decorate their rooms within the guidelines of the University as outlined in the Caldwell University C-Book. For prohibited items please refer to the Fire Marshall’s safety checklist which is located on the Residence Life: My Caldwell Portal for students.
Are Pets allowed?
Fish are the only pets that are permitted to be in the residence halls. It is restricted to 1-2 Fish in 1 tank that does not exceed 1 gallon. If you are inquiring about Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals, you must contact the Office of Accessibility services for the complete application & registration process. June 1st is the priority filing date for these types of requests.
Are lofts allowed?
No. Lofts are not permitted.
Can furniture be removed from the room and replaced with my own?
No, the furniture provided is permanent and may not be removed from the rooms. Non-Caldwell furniture is not permitted due to fire regulations that require specific materials that reduce fire combustion.
Can I bring extension cords?
Recent changes to New Jersey fire cords prohibit students from using extension cords in their residence hall rooms/suites. A power strip with surge protector may be used whenever an extension cord had previously been permitted, but extension cords or additional power strips may not be attached to any power strips with surge protectors plugged into a room’s electrical outlets. For more information please see the Fire Marshall’s fire safety checklist.
How often are rooms cleaned?
Students are responsible for cleaning their own bedrooms/suites. Custodians are responsible for cleaning the public areas (hallways, lounges, common area kitchens, etc.) public restrooms and community restrooms. Although custodians do take care of public areas, students are required to maintain a clean public space and can receive fines associated with negligent behaviors. Students with bathroom facilities in their individual rooms are responsible for cleaning their own bathrooms, and supplying their own hygiene items.
Can students leave belongings in the room during break periods?
Yes. You do not need to move out during breaks unless, you are changing rooms for the next semester. Students may leave their belongings in the room for the winter and spring breaks but not the summer. We encourage students to take valuable items home during times that they are away since Caldwell does not assume any responsibility for missing or damaged items. Students are also not allowed to return to residence during any of the breaks to get items. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain their own insurance. More information about NSSI insurance is located on the Residence Life: My Caldwell Portal.
Is the meal plan available during breaks such as Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break, etc?
No, meals are not provided during the breaks which include Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, Easter and Summer.
Can I stay in the residence halls during breaks?
When the University is closed for breaks (Thanksgiving, Spring break, Easter Break) the residence halls & dining hall are also closed. Please be prepared to vacate during these times. There will be special arrangements made for international students who cannot find other means. There will be a form provided to request a special accommodation during these break periods.
During “soft closings” which are Labor Day, Columbus Break, and President’s break, the halls will also close and operate on a limited meal schedule. Students are encouraged to go home during these breaks but may stay.
Should students get insurance for belongings brought to campus?
Caldwell University is not liable for loss of or damage to personal belongings. We suggest that you check with your parents’ homeowners or apartment insurance carrier to make sure you have protection against loss or damage. Should you choose, you are allowed to bring a personal safe to secure personal items and valuables such as laptops, camera’s, etc. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain their own insurance. More information about NSSI insurance is located on the Residence Life: My Caldwell Portal
Where can students do their laundry when living on campus?
Each on-campus residence hall is equipped with washers and dryers. The facilities are included in your fees, but students are responsible for supplying their own washing detergent and cleaning up after themselves.
Are the Residence Halls secured?
All residence hall exterior doors are locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The only students who have access to the building are those who live in the building. We expect the residents of each building to assist in making it safe by not propping doors or giving access to non-residents. If a student is found to be doing this, they will go through the conduct system and receive sanctions.
Are there staff who live in the residence halls?
Yes. All Caldwell Housing has Resident Assistants (RAs) living in the buildings. An RA is a trained upper-class student advisor and role model. RAs help students adapt to their living environment and support the mission of the Office of Residence Life. RA’s are on duty daily, based on a rotation basis to address student issues & concerns after the offices are closed. RAs are supervised by professional staff member who also live in Caldwell Housing and are accessible through the area offices. There are Graduate Resident Directors who also reside on campus and are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency purposes. The Associate Director of Residence Life, who is a professional also resides on campus as well as the Assistant Dean who resides within Caldwell, NJ.
Are students allowed to have a refrigerator and microwave in the room?
Students are only allowed to bring a compact refrigerator 3.5 cubic feet.
Microwaves are only permitted if obtained through the Micro Fridge program.
Units are at an additional rental cost on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested in having a Micro Fridge in your room, visit the My Microfridge or call 1-800-525-7307.
What do I do if there’s something broken in my room?
Students have access to the process of submitting a non-emergent facilities request via form located on the Residential Portal page. Each student can log in by using their NET ID and password. Once a request has been sent to the Operations Assistants, they will enter a work order for the student. It typically will take 1-4 business days to complete, depending on priority and the nature of the work to be completed. If it is an emergency, the front desk can contact the RA/GRD on duty to relay the information to facilities.
What happens if I get locked out of my room/suite or lose my keys?
Depending on the time of day an RA will let you into your room/suite. Go to the reception desk of your residence hall and the RA on duty will be notified. You will be charged a lockout fee of $5 during the day and $10 after the office is closed. You be billed monthly of these charges.
If you lose your ID, you should report it immediately to the Office of Campus Safety. There is a $10
replacement fee for a new ID. If you live in Dominican and lose your hard key. A fee of $85 will be added to your account for a replacement key and lock.
What are the penalties and sanctions for violating the Caldwell student policy?
Students who fail to obey the Code of Conduct policies found in the C Book may be subject to disciplinary action. For more information please see the university cbook here: C-Book
Are rooms inspected for damage?
Prior to check-in, RAs complete a Room Condition Report (RCR) for each room detailing the condition of the room/suite. You will have a chance to review the RCR and you and your RA will sign indicating that you agree with the condition of the room/suite. At check-out the RA and your RA will over the condition of the room/suite and indicate the condition of the room. If there are any damages, the resident(s) of the room will be responsible for them and a bill will be sent. Damage Bills are sent by June 30, of each year and place onto the Fall bill. You can pay them directly to bursar’s office. To appeal, you can fill out the form which is located in the damage bill email.
Do you need to be a full time student to live in the residence halls?
Yes. A traditional undergraduate and an adult undergraduate must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit courses and 9 credit courses as a graduate student.
Can freshmen have cars on campus?
Yes. Freshmen can have cars on campus. You must register your car via the Campus Safety website and then obtain a parking sticker from the Campus Safety Office located in the Student Center Building.
What is the smoking policy?
Smoking is prohibited by law anywhere inside the residence halls. The campus is currently in the process of becoming smoke and tobacco free, as of now, any campus community member can smoke in designated smoking areas. This is to include vaping as well. Medical Marijuana cannot be smoked or possessed on campus property.