Living on Campus Frequently Asked Questions

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Commonly asked Student Questions and Answers

The Office of Residential Life has compiled a list of common incoming and current residential student questions and the answers to them. If your concern isn't addressed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Housing FAQs

For additional questions not answered here, policies set forth by the Office of Residential Life and Housing can be found in the Student Handbook. 

First-Year Students

  • Move-In: Friday, August 25, 9am–4pm
  • Floor Meetings: 5–6pm

Upperclass Students

  • Move-In: Saturday, August 26, 9am–4pm
  • Floor meetings: 4–5pm

Move-in instructions and sign-up will be emailed August 4.

To live on campus you must be enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at Rhode Island College. 

Rhode Island College houses up to 1,198 students. 

Students must be an accepted student to Rhode Island College. The student must pay a $200 deposit then sign an electronic version of the Housing contract. If the student is under 18 at the time of signing the contract a legal guardian will be required to sign a copy of the contract.

The Housing deposit is $200 per academic year. The deposit is non-refundable. Students are able to cancel their contract by July 15 without any additional financial responsibility.

Current Residents

Current residents of RIC housing are able to pay their housing deposits to secure a room for the next academic year until April 15th. Residents who pay the deposit by the deadline will be eligible to participate in the first round of room selection. Students who pay their deposit after April 15th will be placed on a first come, first serve basis.

Incoming Freshmen Students 

Incoming freshmen students can pay their deposit until June 15. Incoming first-year students who pay their deposit by June 15th will be guaranteed housing placement. Incoming first-year students can pay a deposit after June 15th; however, they will be placed on a first come first serve basis.

First-year Students

Rooms are assigned based on the criteria received through the survey students fill out over the summer prior to their first semester on-campus. First year students are able to fill out their survey until June 24th.

Upper-Class Students 

Upper-class students who are returning to on-campus living must pay a room deposit. Room deposits can be made until April 15. Students who pay a deposit will be able to select a room assignment between April 26t–28.

First-year students will receive their room assignments after the July 4th weekend.

First-year students will be housed in Sweet Hall and Weber Hall. Upper-class students will be housed in Thorp Hall, Browne Hall, and Penfield Hall.

All students who live on campus are allowed to bring vehicles. Students are asked to register their vehicles at Campus Police located in Browne Hall.

Parking on Campus

Students may have overnight guests in their room. Guests must be signed in at the front desk by 7 pm of every evening. Guests must also be escorted at all times by their resident host. 

In the event that a resident becomes locked out of their room, they can go contact one of the designated services below to be issued a key to access their room. In the event a student loses their keys they will be responsible for the appropriate charges.  

  • Weekdays, 8:30 am–7 pm: Go to the Office of Residential Life & Housing in Penfield Hall
  • Weekdays, 7 pm–8:30 am: Contact the RA on Duty in your building.  
  • 24-hour on the Weekend, Holidays, and Emergency Closings: Contact the RA on Duty in your building. 

Each building is equipped with a laundry facility. The cost to wash is $1.50 and dry is $1.75 each. There is a discounted price for using campus points which can be loaded onto your student ID. Below is a list of laundry facility locations per building.​ 

  • Browne Hall: 1st Floor next to the lower lounge 
  • Penfield Hall: Ground Floor 
  • Sweet Hall: The end cap of every floor 
  • Thorp Hall: 1st Floor next to the main lounge 
  • Weber Hall: Ground floor 
  • Willard Hall: Attached to the Recreation Room

Residents are required to select one of the available meal plans. For more information about meal plans and their costs, please visit Donovan Dining Center​. 

The Residence Halls are closed during school breaks and residents should plan accordingly to vacate during these times. An extended break housing can be offered at an additional cost, housing during breaks periods cannot be guaranteed.