Hot Topics - University Housing

• COVID-19 Housing & Dining Information
• New/Re-Admitted Students Instructions for Applying for Housing
• University Housing Calendar
• "Residence" login (Housing Software)
• Residence Hall Handbook (pdf)
• Roommate Resources

Virtual Housing Office Hours

You may connect with a Housing staff member during designated office hours by calling 503.352.3179 or you may e-mail us at housing@pacificu.edu with your question or to request a Zoom appointment.

Monday | 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Wednesday | 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday | 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

COVID-19 Housing Information

If I decide to study remotely for the Fall Semester, do I cancel my Fall housing assignment or can I keep it? Where would I live for the Winter and/or Spring Semester?

If you want to keep the same room for the Fall, you can choose to pay 50% of the Fall housing charge (room type you are currently assigned) to guarantee that you get the same room in the Spring. This is a fee to hold the room during the Fall Semester and is non-refundable. If you want to do this, you would need to e-mail housing@pacificu.edu to make this request. Note: If you have a Fall meal plan, it would be cancelled.

If you decide to cancel your Fall housing assignment (there is no cost involved), you will reapply for housing for the Winter and/or Spring Semester. You may reapply between late October and early December and can e-mail room and/or roommate preferences to the Housing Office after submitting your application. Housing staff will do their best to give you your preferred assignment depending on room availability. Housing applications will be processed in December for students coming for Winter term and in January for students coming for Spring Semester.

If I decide to study remotely and cancel my Fall housing but had requested the Spring 2020 COVID refund to go towards Fall Semester, will the credit carry to the Spring 2021?

If you lived on-campus during the 2020 Spring Semester and had requested your COVID refund to go to the Fall Semester, the credit will still be placed on your student account for the Fall Semester and will reduce your balance owed.

If I live on-campus in the Fall and the University decides to go fully remote during the term, will I receive a room and board refund?

Students would receive a room and/or board refund per normal policy for the number of weeks remaining in the semester. The credit would be applied to their student account by the Housing Office.

If I check-in to housing in the Fall and then decide that I want to check-out of housing, can I break my contract?

Students who want to break their Housing Contract during a term may check-out with no penalty, as long as they report their request to the Housing Office and follow a simple reporting procedure that will be developed at a later date. Students would be charged for room and/or board for the number of weeks they were in housing per the normal prorating policy.

If I live on-campus in the Fall and the University decides to go fully remote during the term, can I still remain in housing?

We recognize that some students rely on campus housing as their primary place of residence, therefore we would offer limited campus housing, if allowable under state guidance. Students would need to be approved and their housing charges would remain in effect as usual and meal services would shift to a pickup process.

What if I cancel my housing and then decide that I want to live on-campus during the Fall Semester?

You can apply to move-in during the Fall Semester by contacting the Housing Office. However, since the Residence Halls close on November 25, we would not assign or check-in any new applicants after October. This is subject to change due to COVID-19. 

What do I do if I am worried about getting a roommate I don’t know and am concerned about what their COVID self-practices are?

When you move into your room, you and your roommate(s) will complete your Roommate Success Plan. This will include COVID discussions, so all roommates can agree on the expectations for your living environment.

Will we only be able to have two people in a room next year?

At this time, housing assignments are being done following the normal process. Rooms will be treated as “family” units and you will be encouraged to complete your Roommate Success Plan when you arrive on-campus. This will include COVID discussions, so all roommates can agree on the expectations for your living environment.

Will we be allowed to visit other student rooms?

We will start the semester off with limiting guests to only those that live in the same residence halls. These standards may be relaxed if it is determined to be safe to make a change.

Will we be allowed to have visitors?

We will start the semester off with limiting guests to only those that live in the same residence halls. Therefore we will not be able to permit day or overnight visitors into your residence hall. These standards may be relaxed if it is determined to be safe to make a change.

What policies & procedures will be different next year for students living on-campus?

There will likely be many changes to “normal” policies and procedures to stay in compliance with COVID recommendations. However, standards may be relaxed during the semester and that would be communicated to students prior to implementation. The main goal is to follow standards for social distancing and sanitization in order to increase everyone’s safety but also give students the opportunity to be on-campus and engaging with faculty and friends.

Will we be allowed to change rooms rooms?

Room changes are limited beginning Fall 2020 in order to reduce the transmission of COVID -19. If you are experiencing roommate challenges please contact your RA or reference the Roommate Resources Webpage. Moves will be made at the discretion of the professional staff member that supervises the building and will occur only within your current residence hall, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Can we use the lounges and community kitchens?

Yes, you will be able to use common area spaces but there will be signs indicating how many people can be in each location based on the square footage requirement for each person. You are also encouraged to take your food back to their room to eat. All residents need to wear a facial covering over their nose and mouth at all times in the residence hall unless they are in their assigned room or apartment, brushing their teeth or showering in a communal restroom.

Will I have to wear a facial covering in the residence halls?

All residents need to wear a facial covering over their nose and mouth at all times in the residence hall unless they are in their assigned room or apartment, brushing their teeth or showering in a communal restroom.

How will Dining work?

Students will enter and exit the University Center using different access points. The Café will have grab and go options and will be a “take all you care to eat” approach. There will be limited seating available due to social distancing requirements, so eating in your room may be necessary. Listen to Ethan Davidsohn, Dining General Manager share more helpful information.

What happens if my roommate or I get sick?

If you or your roommates is symptomatic or tests positive for COVID, the sick person will be encouraged to go home if local or will be isolated in a private room. The room will be set-up with a pillow, blanket, towels, sheets, garbage can, microwave and mini fridge and dining staff will drop off meals. The roommate that was exposed to the sick person, will self-quarantine in their current room and self-monitor for 14-days. 

If I live on-campus for the Fall, when do the residence halls close? Can I apply to stay longer?

If you live on-campus for the Fall, you would need to leave the residence halls by November 25 at 7pm. If you want to remain on-campus through the end of Finals, you would have to apply for Finals Housing (more information will be available in October). Students staying on-campus through finals would pay an additional two-weeks of room and board. If you need to stay on-campus through the holiday break, you would also need to apply for Holiday Housing (more information will be available in October). There is no additional cost for Holiday Housing but Dining Services is closed.

Will there be fun things to do in the Residence Halls?

Absolutely! The Residence Life team is working to prepare ways for students to connect in small groups and virtually, all while following social distancing and safety guidelines according to the Oregon phases. Even though using our facilities will look different, we will be continuously working to create new ways for you to connect with your neighbors. This year, our emphasis will be on creating community within your residence hall and we can’t wait for you to return!

Our Mission

The departments of Housing and Residence Life share a joint mission to provide Pacific University students a safe, inclusive, and inviting residential experience that fosters student success, community engagement, and personal growth.

To support this mission, the departments of Housing and Residence Life believe in:

• fostering an inclusive environment for students of all races, nationalities, ethnicities, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic circumstances, abilities, ages, political viewpoints, veteran statuses, religious/spiritual, and/or philosophical beliefs;
• providing students with residential communities which are reasonably priced (see a comparison of university housing costs), clean, well-maintained, comfortable, attractive, sustainable, and secure;
• offering students a wide range of quality opportunities to learn and grow holistically, in alignment with the university mission of inspiring students to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world; and
• encouraging students to develop social and civic responsibility to support them in becoming future leaders and sound citizens.