Questions about Housing and Meal Plans
-
As a newly admitted student, when will I receive my housing assignment?
All First Year Students will be directed to log in to complete a resident housing application on line. Answers to the housing application will be used to match each student to a compatible roommate. Students will receive their housing assignment and roommate information in early August.
-
Does F&M have a 4 year residency requirement?
Yes. All enrolled students must reside in a college approved housing option all four years. Students choose from the college's portfolio of housing.
-
How do meal plans work?
A set number of meals/flex dollars are added to your ID card for the semester based on the plan you choose (first-year students and sophomores are required to carry the All-Access Meal Plan with $180 Flex). Each time a meal swipe is used, the balance of available meal swipes declines by one swipe.
You may use as many meals in a period as you would like. The All-Access Meal Plan includes unlimited re-entry into the dining hall w/10 meal swipes a week in retail locations. In addition, the All-Access Meal Plan and the block meal plans come with Flex dollars that work the same as debit dollars, but can only be used for dining services.
A student that chooses the All-Access Meal Plan will have their meal plan reset to 10 meal swipes for the week each Friday. The number of meals per week being provided will be prorated for weeks with less than 7 days due to semester and/or holiday breaks.
Junior and senior students that live on campus in a traditional residence hall (excluding apartments with kitchens) are required to carry a minimum of 125 block meal plan.
You can also purchase Ben's Bucks to be used on and around campus. Meal swipes do not carry over from the fall to the spring semester, however, unused flex dollars will carry from the fall to the spring semester if the student has a meal plan in the spring semester. At the end of the spring semester, balances reduce to zero until the start of the new semester. -
Can I bring upholstered furniture to campus for my room?
No. All of our residence hall rooms are fully furnished. There is no need to bring additional furniture. The college does not permit student owned upholstered furniture items in on or off campus spaces. -
How do I sign up for a meal plan as a first-year student?
First-year students will be assigned the All-Access Meal Plan with $180 Flex). Each time a meal swipe is used, the balance of available meal swipes declines by one swipe.
You may use as many meals in a period as you would like. The All-Access Meal Plan includes unlimited re-entry into the dining hall w/10 meal swipes a week in retail locations. In addition, the All-Access Meal Plan and the block meal plans come with Flex dollars that work the same as debit dollars, but can only be used for dining services.
Students on the All-Access Meal Plan will have their meal plan reset to 10 meal swipes for the week each Friday. The number of meals per week being provided will be prorated for weeks with less than 7 days due to semester and/or holiday breaks.
You may also purchase Ben's Bucks to be used on and around campus. Meal swipes do not carry over from the fall to the spring semester, however, unused flex dollars will carry from the fall to the spring semester if the student has a meal plan in the spring semester. At the end of the spring semester, balances reduce to zero until the start of the new semester. -
What is the address for insurance purposes?
The street address is 415 Harrisburg Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603
-
What is my campus mailing address?
Your campus address is:
Student Name, Franklin & Marshall College, PO Box 3220, Lancaster, PA 17604 Your specific F&M box number is assigned approximately one week before you arrive to campus. Mail services will provide you with your number upon your arrival. If you wish to ship items to campus prior to your arrival, please see the shipping and storage section of the website for directions to ship to Groff's Moving & Storage.
-
Does my residence hall room have wifi?
Yes. All residence hall rooms and most common areas on campus have wifi. -
May I smoke in the residence halls?
Franklin & Marshall is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not permitted in any common areas on campus (i.e., bathrooms, lounges, classrooms, stairwells, residence halls, etc.). Students may not smoke in their residence hall rooms or cover a life saving smoke detector. Distance from the building is required when smoking outdoors.
-
What time are the residence halls locked?
The residence halls are locked 24 hours a day to insure the safety of everyone in our community. Residential students are provided with an electronic door FOB for access to the residence halls. Resident students have access to all residential buildings from 7 a.m. to midnight each day.
-
What is an HA?
House Advisers (HAs) are upper-class students employed by the Office of the Dean of the College. Each floor has an HA who is available to assist students in their transition to college life. They facilitate floor decision-making, serve as a resource for information about the College, enforce College policies, plan programs to bring the residents of a floor together, help to foster a sense of community among residents and much more. You will find your HA to be an invaluable resource at F&M.
-
Where do first-year students live?
First-year students live in one of the five college houses on floors with other first-year students. If you have a special medical need for a single room as a first-year student, Dr. Alison Hobbs, will need to evaluate documentation from a healthcare professional to determine the student's particular housing need. Please see the form at the link provided.
-
Can I change roommates?
Roommates are carefully matched according to the living habits and answers to personal questions prior to arrival. That said, we do realize that not all roommates are destined to become the best of friends. We encourage students to speak with their House Adviser (HA) if they have concerns. HAs are carefully trained to handle roommate concerns of all types. If, after trying to work through a roommate issue, a student still wants to change rooms, the House Dean will work closely with the student to find a suitable and compatible match.
-
Can I bring a car to campus as a first-year student?
No. First-year students are not permitted to bring a car to campus. They may not register their car or park on or around campus. Exceptions are granted for local commuting students or students with a medical need.
-
Can I take a tour of my room in the summer?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer tours of individual rooms during the summer. We simply cannot accommodate these requests. Our residence hall rooms are occupied by camps and events over the summer months.
-
Should I bring a fan?
Students often choose to bring a fan to circulate air in their rooms, but it is not required or necessary. It is a personal choice.
-
Is there a trash can in my room?
Each room comes with a trash can for each student.
-
Is there a mirror in my room?
There is a full length mirror behind each entry door in every residence hall room.
-
Are there screens on the windows?
Our windows do not have screens. If you'd like the option of opening your window, you may purchase an expandable screen at a home improvement store. We do, however, recommend the windows remain closed to keep humidity out of the building especially in the spring and summer months.
-
Are the rooms air conditioned?
Yes, every residence hall room on campus is centrally air conditioned.
-
Do residence halls rooms have window blinds?
Yes. Each room is equipped with mini-blinds on the windows.
-
What type of flooring can I expect?
It varies by building and by room. It can be wall-to-wall carpeting or VCT (Quartz) tile.
-
Is there lighting in each room?
All rooms are equipped with lighting. There is overhead lighting in each room. Students often choose to bring a lamp in the event they do not wish to use the overhead lighting.
-
Can I bring an electric blanket?
No. Electric blankets are not permitted. They present a safety risk. They also may cause electrical breakers to trip in the residence halls.
-
Can I bring a stand alone microwave?
No. Stand along microwaves are not permitted in the residence halls. We've found if students bring their own microwaves they can cause circuit outages in the residential halls. Microwave/refrigerator combination units are available for rental. The units provided by the suggested rental company meet all voltage requirements.
-
Should I bring my own desk chair?
Each desk comes with a chair, so you do not need to bring your own. If you elect to bring your own chair, that's OK, but we ask the college-issued desk chair stay in your room as well.
-
Is there enough room for two refrigerators or two TVs?
You may bring a 1.8 cu ft up to a 4 cu ft refrigerator (no larger than 4 cu ft). Two 1.8 cu ft. refrigerators could fit in most rooms, but the majority of students share one TV and one refrigerator per room. Cable TV is not provided in the residence hall rooms.
-
Can I hang things on the walls?
The walls are made with cinder block construction, so we ask that you not drill into the walls. Most student find that poster putty or COMMAND removable hooks work well for the purpose of hanging things on the walls.
-
What color is my room?
All rooms are neutral in decor. Most rooms have white walls. Carpet remnants and accessories can be used to bring color to the room.
-
Can we loft our beds?
The College prefers students do not loft their beds as this can become a potential hazard. Many residence hall rooms have beds that can be adjusted to many different heights to allow storage under the beds.
-
What size is the mattress?
All mattresses in the residence halls on campus are twin XL. Regular twin sheets will not fit. You can purchase twin XL sheets at most bedding and bath stores or retail discount stores.
-
What type of furniture is provided?
Each room contains a desk, a chair, a dresser, a wardrobe and a twin XL bed for each student. Furniture types vary from building to building. Because all housing options are furnished, the College does not permit students to bring upholstered furniture to campus residence halls, theme houses or apartment spaces.
-
Where do students pick up their keys on move in?
First year students pick up their keys at the key stations outside their residence hall building on move in day.Upper Class students pick up their keys at the key station just off the Williamson Lot near the Sustainability Center. After move in day, students that live in a residence hall on campus may pick up their keys at the Key Shop located at 415 Harrisburg Avenue between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Special hours may exist if official move in occurs on a Saturday or a Sunday. Please check website for dates and times of operation for the Key Shop.If a student leases a College Row apartment they pick up their keys at the College Row leasing office on Harrisburg Pike located in the College Row facility. The phone number is 717.291.9333. Please call ahead for hours of operation.
If a student leases a College Hill apartment they would pick up their keys at the Susquehanna Realty Office at the corner of Mulberry and W. James (first floor). The phone number is 717.393.8400. Please call ahead for hours of operation.
If a student rents a James Street Property (JSP) they pick up their keys at the JSP office at 448 W. James Street. The phone number is 717.947.7453. Please call ahead for hours of operation.
-
Where do students return keys?
For an on campus or theme house space, please return keys to the F&M Key Shop located at 415 Harrisburg Avenue. A key drop box is also available around the rear in the wall next to the blue awning with "415".
For College Row, please return keys to the College Row office on Harrisburg Avenue.
For College Hill, please return keys to the College Hill property management office, Susuehanna Realty Management at the corner of W. James and Mulberry Streets.
For James Street Properties, please return keys to the property manager at 448 W. James Street.
-
Condition of move in - what is normal?
All apartment units are inspected and maintenance occurs in mid May. Lease terms begin June 1st. If your roommate moves in on June 1st and you do not move in until August 1st the unit will not be revisited or cleaned by the property manager. It is up to the roommate to keep the unit tidy or clean prior to your arrival. Please complete the move in condition form within 72 hours of move in. Turn the form in to the property manager noting any deficiencies in your unit or bedroom. This move in condition form is a very important tool when damages are assessed on move out. -
When do the off campus apartment leases begin?
Off campus apartment leases begin June 1st and run through mid May of the following year. Since the Arts House is a theme house the occupancy begins on the same move in day of the residence halls on campus. -
Are all off campus housing choices a 12-month lease commitment?
No. If a student chooses to live in an off campus theme house they commit to a 9-month housing commitment. The housing occupancy dates in theme housing are the same as the residence halls on campus. All utilities are included in theme house living. -
If I am on leave of absence in the Spring do I participate in the Fall housing lottery?
If a student on leave of absence plans to return to campus for the Fall semester they may participate in the housing lottery. It is recommended that the returning student choose an on campus housing space until their return is finalized. NOTE: if the returning student chooses independently owned and operated College Row or College Hill they may be bound to a one year lease term even if they are not permitted to return. -
Are rising juniors guaranteed apartment spaces off campus?
No. A percentage of junior students will not be able to select an off campus apartment space based on housing availability and their lottery number. Those remaining students will select an on campus space. If off campus spaces become available prior to the start of the Fall semester, students on the off campus waiting list are permitted to switch to an off campus apartment space. -
If I go/plan to go abroad in the Fall, do I participate in the Fall housing lottery?
No. Students that go abroad in the Fall do not participate in the housing lottery even if they have not been accepted to their program at the time of the lottery. If, for some reason, the student does not go abroad in the Fall as expected, we will work with the student to secure housing for Fall. -
If I am abroad during the housing lottery, how will I participate?
Students select housing on line and can participate from anywhere that has an internet connection. Students may also elect to choose a student proxy to participate for them if they are without internet access. Please notify The Housing Office at housing@fandm.edu prior to your lottery participation time to appoint a proxy. -
Are the apartment utilities in the student's name?
In College Row and the James Street Properties all utilities are in the student names. In College Hill, the property manager bills students monthly for utility usage.College Row includes basic cable and internet in the monthly rent, but electric is additional. Students share in the cost of electric and it is based on usage.College Hill includes the internet in the monthly rent but cable, electric and gas are additional. Students share in the cost of utilities and it is based on usage.In a James Street Property, all unit utilities (gas, electric, cable and internet) are in addition to the rent and are in the student names. -
May a student with an off campus lease sublet their apartment in the summer?
Yes, students may sublet their space to another F&M student in the summer months, if they desire. Please remember the lease holder is responsible for any and all damages to the unit. If you decide to sublet, it is suggested to require a security deposit from the sublet student in the event of damage. The property manager must be notified if a sublet student is living in an apartment in the event of an emergency. -
Are security deposits required in off campus apartments?
Yes, College Row, College Hill and the James Street Properties all require a security deposit to be held for the entire lease term for potential damages to the unit. -
If I plan to go abroad what happens to my 12 month lease?
If you sign a one year lease agreement for the Fall and plan to go abroad in the Spring, you must notify the property manager of your plans. Once you have been approved to go abroad, please forward your acceptance to the program to The Housing Office at housing@fandm.edu and copy the property manager. Your lease will be terminated at the end of the Fall semester. You may also pre-arrange with one of your friends to swap your space for the spring semester. The Housing Office will also work with roommates to match a replacement for a vacant space. The new student joining the space will sign their own spring only lease at that time. -
If I want to live in an off campus apartment, do I need to sign a 12 month lease?
Most off campus apartment spaces require the student to sign a 12 month lease agreement. College Row and College Hill are independently owned and operated. They both require a 12 month lease commitment. Monthly rent is paid directly to the property manager and not to the college. JSP (James Street Properties) apartment housing is billed by the college and students sign a 12 month occupancy agreement. Utilities in College Row and James Street Properties are based on usage and bills are paid directly to the utility companies. Utilities in College Hill are based on usage and paid to the property manager, Susquehanna Realty Management. -
Are juniors and seniors required to carry a meal plan?
Junior and senior students living on campus in a traditional residence hall (except apartments with kitchens) are required to carry a minimum of the 125 block plan or the 14 meals per week. Juniors and senior students living off campus in apartments with kitchens are not required to carry a meal plan. They may select from any of the five available plans or may opt out altogether. They may also choose to add Ben's Bucks to their F&M ID card at the Business Office or Auxiliary Services. -
Are sophomores required to carry a meal plan?
Presently, all sophomore students are required to carry either the 225 or the 180 block meal plan. Sophomores may also add dollars to Ben's Bucks on their F&M ID card at the Business Office or Auxiliary Services. -
Will my financial aid cover the costs of my off campus lease?
Your financial aid package is budgeted for the 9-month academic semester of expenses and most off campus spaces have a 12-month commitment. Students on financial aid are responsible for the three summer months plus any utilities and security deposit during that time. Food is also additional. -
As a sophomore, may my son or daughter choose their roommate?
Sophomore students may choose their roommate when they participate in the annual housing lottery. There are specific identified spaces for sophomores in the college houses, in annex locations in Thomas or Schnader Halls or in themed housing where spaces are available. -
May a junior or senior student choose housing on campus?
Yes, junior and senior students may choose from available on campus spaces in the housing lottery based on their college house affiliation. -
Are sophomores required to live on campus?
Yes, sophomore students typically reside in their college house, a theme house or one of the two annex locations, Schnader or Thomas Hall. -
When do students select housing for the Fall semester?
Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors participate annually in the housing lottery scheduled in late March/early April.