Department ofResidential Life

Personal Fit

There’s a reason why living on campus is so important at PLU – it's fun.   Living on campus is so much more than a roof over your head; it's a lifestyle.

The basics

• PLU has a residency requirement (see below).
• All first-years are guaranteed housing.
• Limited number of single rooms--usually assigned to second year or above residents.
• People – not computers, match roommates.
• There is no Greek system at PLU.
• Space is reserved in each hall for new students to help create a more diverse community each year. This does not apply to South Hall.
• Each hall is staffed by a professional-level Resident Director, and between 2 – 16 student-level Resident or Community Assistants.

Residency Requirement

Pacific Lutheran University requires that all single, full-time students live in university housing unless:

• Living at home with parent, spouse, or child within 30 driving miles of PLU's address.  (Notarized/Certified documentation required).
• 20 years of age or Junior Status (60 semester hours) on or before September 1 to be exempt for the academic year, or on or before February 1 to be exempt for the spring semester.

Minimum Age Requirement

Students must be a minimum of 17 years of age on or before September 1st to be eligible for on campus housing for the academic year, or on or before February 1st to be eligible for spring semester.

Meal Plan Requirement

Students residing in traditional residence halls (all halls but South Hall) must sign-up for a meal plan.  South Hall residents are not required to have a meal plan.  Information on the Meal Plan Options and rates can be found at the Dining and Culinary Services website.

Roommate / Community Living Experience

PLU believes in the valuable experience gained by sharing a room with a roommate, as well as living in a larger wing/floor community with others.  Residential Life works to actively support students in this valuable life experience. Click here for more information on the following resources …

•  Living in Community Learning Outcomes
•  Contacting Roommates Before Arriving
•  Creating a Positive Roommate Relationship
•  Identifying Roommate / Floor Conflicts
•  Managing Conflicts

Married/Domestic Partner Student Housing

Our apartment style residence hall, South Hall, offers housing for students who are married or in a domestic partnership.  Family student housing is unfortunately not available. Assignments are made in February for the following Academic Year.  If you are either married or in a domestic partnership, take a look at our Married/Domestic Partnership Contract.

Need-Based Special Housing

We encourage all students with special needs to contact Residential Life prior to their hall assignment to discuss how their specific needs can best be met.

• PLU has modified several rooms and residence halls to better meet the needs of students with physical needs or disabilities.

• An application process has been established for students who wish to apply for a single room based on medical, physical, or psychological needs: Need for Special Housing Application

Off-Campus Housing Options

Residential Life maintains an on line list of off-campus housing options.  Please see our Living Off-Campus page to check out our resources.

On-Campus vs. Off-Campus

Choosing where to live is a big decision and should not be made lightly.  The Office of Residential Life has put together a comparison sheet for students to consider when deciding whether to live off-campus is the right decision for him/her.