Housing Applications for 2013-2014

Now that Spring semester is officially under way you and your PLU student are probably talking about the 2013-14 school year. Residential Life would like to remind you that our residence halls are an excellent place to call home. In last month's eNews, we highlighted some of the “value-added” benefits of living on campus, so this month we have provided the steps on how to re-apply to live on campus.

Residency Requirement: the Pacific Lutheran University Residency Requirement states that all single, full-time students must live in university housing unless the student will be living at home with a parent, spouse, or child within 30 driving miles of PLU’s address; or is at least 20 years of age or Junior Status (60 semester hours) on or before September 1st to be exempt for the academic year, or on or before February 1st to be exempt for the spring semester.

Continuing at PLU – Housing Sign-Up Process

If your student is continuing at PLU they may have already participated in the South Hall request process. South Hall is our apartment-style housing for those students who are at least 20 years of age or junior status or higher. While the first round of assignments have been completed, applications are still being accepted.
If your student is not going to live in South Hall, they should participate in the Traditional Hall Housing Sign-up Process in early-April. Below is a brief summary of the steps required to live on campus for the 2013-2014 academic year:

• Submit a PLU Master Housing & Meal Agreement online before 5:00pm, Tuesday, April 2nd. (PLU ePass required)
• Complete a special application if appropriate. Students interested in applying for a single room or residing in one of our living learning communities that requires a separate application (Creative Expression, Global Experience & Study, Social Action & Leadership) must submit the relevant application. These are available online and are due at 5:00pm, Wednesday, March 27th.
• Find a roommate. Most returning students will be assigned a roommate unless they have applied for and been granted a single room, and we encourage your student to find a roommate prior to attending the Housing Sign-up Process.
• Attend the Housing Sign-up Process during their appropriate time slot on April 9th or 10th. Specific dates and times will be emailed to your student after they submit their Master Housing & Meal Agreement.

New to PLU – Residential Life Information Form

New PLU students should submit a Residential Life Information Form when applying for on-campus housing. This application is available online through the Office of Admission (www.plu.edu/BeALute) and is submitted online with their $200 Advance Tuition Payment. If you have already submitted your Advance Tuition Payment then you can apply online at www.plu.edu/applyreslife.

Choosing a Residence Hall

At PLU, we don’t call our living facilities “dorms.” Dorms are a place to stash your gear, study and sleep. Residence halls are much more. All of our residence halls provide quality living and learning environments that both challenge and support the development of your student. Below is brief description of each of these halls, but we encourage you to reference our website for a complete hall description:

Upper Campus

Harstad Hall – is the oldest building on campus.  It is the only single-sex residence hall on campus and the emphasis of this living/learning community is on Women’s Empowerment & Leadership.
Hinderlie Hall – is on the edge of a hill overlooking Foss field.  It is home to our Arts & Creative Expression community.
Hong International Hall (HIH) – is a located in the middle of upper campus.  It is home to a unique living/learning community with an emphasis on Global Experience & Study and consists of six language and culture houses: Chinese, French, German, Norwegian, Spanish, and the International Honors House.
Kreidler Hall – is reserved for our junior, senior or graduate students and, like South Hall, is a community with a focus on Transitioning to the Future/Career Preparation. It consists entirely of single rooms and is also located next to the Mary Baker Russell Music Center.
Ordal Hall –is one of two halls on campus with bay windows in most of the rooms.  Ordal is conveniently located next to Ingram Hall and will be home for the 2013 – 2014 academic year of the Social Action & Leadership community which strives to recognize student voices as leaders and the action they take on our campus and in our greater Tacoma community.

Stuen Hall – is the smallest hall on campus with approximately 100 residents. Stuen will be closed for renovation during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Lower Campus

Foss Hall – residents enjoy the convenience of neighboring athletic facilities and Foss Field.  Foss is centrally located on lower campus. 
Pflueger Hall – is adjacent to the tennis and basketball courts, as well as the only sand volleyball court on campus.
Tingelstad Hall – is the tallest residence hall on campus.  It is situated between the University Center and the Tahoma Bakery & Cafe.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about the housing process or the residence halls please reference the Residential Life website or contact us at rlif@plu.edu or at (253) 535-7200.