Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Questions About Housing

Benefits of living on campus

What is the housing policy?

All undergraduate students with fewer than 58 earned credit hours are required to reside in on-campus housing. For first-time freshmen, on-campus housing is defined as residency in Brawley Hall, Bumstead Hall, Holmes Hall, Merner Hall, Pfeiffer Hall, or Ware Hall.

For students that are not first-time freshmen, but have fewer than 58 earned credit hours, on-campus housing is defined as residency in the CAU Suites, Heritage Commons, Residential Apartments, or Beckwith Hall.

Why should I live on campus?

Residence halls offer a great opportunity to meet new friends, get involved, and find other people with common interests. Residence halls are more than just a place to sleep. Residents have access to computer labs, and each room has Internet connections. When you live on campus, you are close to classes and places to eat, like the Student Center and Bumstead/Ware Cafeteria. All halls have coin-operated laundry rooms and vending machines. Trained Residence Life staff members have been specially chosen for their desire and commitment to assist and be accessible to students.

In addition, research shows that students that reside on campus experience a number of benefits compared with students that do not reside on campus. The benefits include:

• Higher GPA
• Higher Retention
• Higher Graduation (within 4 - 6 years)
• More likely to attend graduate or professional school (i.e., law school, medical school, etc.).

What is the difference between a residence hall and off campus?

Clark Atlanta University residence halls offer convenience. Your housing fee is all you pay-- no hook-up or monthly charges for cable TV, local telephone service, water, gas, electricity, or rent. Your contract allows you the flexibility to go home during winter and summer breaks, co-op, or student teach and no hassle with finding someone to sublet your 12-month apartment lease.

What's in my room?

Rooms contain two beds, two desks, two chairs, two closets or wardrobes. Local phone service and Internet access are provided. Some rooms share a living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

Does housing provide linens?

No.

What size sheets do I buy?

Standard twin.

Are the rooms carpeted?

The Residential Apartment rooms are carpeted. The rest of the rooms have tiled floors.

Can I decorate my room?

Your room is your home for nine months, so bring what you need to feel at home - - within reason! Plants, CAU paraphernalia, and matching bedspreads can all add that special touch. Please remember that the room and the furniture must be found in the same condition as when you checked in, or you will be assessed damages for the difference.

Can I bring my own furniture?

Yes and no. You're encouraged to make your room as homey as possible. We've provided you with all the things we think you'll need, but if you have a favorite chair, desk, chest, or whatever, you can bring that, too. Some furniture cannot be removed from a room once placed there. You will be charged for any missing furniture when you check out.

Are any of the halls air-conditioned?

Yes, all the residence halls at Clark Atlanta University are air-conditioned.

Who cleans my room?

You and your roommate (not Mom) are responsible for the cleanliness of your room. Your residence hall custodians are responsible for cleaning hallways, lobbies, community bathrooms, and other community areas.

Can I study in the residence hall?

Studies have consistently shown that freshmen living on campus are more likely to return to the university for their second semester than those living off campus. The Department of Residence Life and the Office of Information Technologies have combined resources to provide extensive services to students in the residence halls, such as expanded computer labs and study rooms.

Can I smoke in my room?

No! All residence halls at Clark Atlanta University are smoke-free.

Is there a telephone in my room?

No. Because students want to use their own personal phones, we no longer provide them. Local phone service is provided free of charge. Students are encouraged to bring phones with a built-in ID server.

Do I get cable TV?

Yes, each student room has a cable TV hook-up that also is paid through your room rent. Showtime, Disney, and Cinemax are extra and can be ordered through the CAU Telecommunications Office. If your television is cable ready, you can pick up channels ranging from your local ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and FOX affiliates to music (MTV, BET, CMT, TNN) to sports (ESPN, SportSouth, ESPN 2) to movies (USA, Lifetime, TNT) and to specialty channels (the Cartoon Network, A&E, Discovery, CNBC, C-Span, CNN, TBS, and many more). Televisions in most lobbies are connected to cable and are available for student use 24 hours a day.

Can I have a car on campus?

Yes, but you must buy a parking decal. Parking is only permitted in specific areas designated by your decal, and you will get a ticket if you are caught parking out of zone, and your car will be towed. Good spaces are limited, so you're encouraged to walk, ride a bike, or use the shuttle. To purchase your parking decal, you must register your vehicle with the LAZ Parking (located behind the Student Center).

Finding a roommate

Will my best friend and I be able to live together?

We will make every effort to assign you and your best friend to the same room if you request each other. Again, the earlier you both complete your applications, the better your chances will be for you to be assigned as roommates. Many lasting and rewarding friendships have resulted from meeting and living with a new person.

How will you assign me to a room?

Rooms are assigned on a first-come first-served basis. Yet, there are other factors that are taken into consideration. They are not limited to class status, age, medical conditions (allergies, disabilities, etc.). Make sure that you state any conditions on your application.

What happens if I cannot get along with my roommate?

We strongly encourage you to speak with your roommate and strive to come to an agreement that will work out best for both of you. Please utilize the roommate agreement contract that you will both have to sign. In the event you feel you need more assistance, contact your Resident Assistant.

Housing contract

What is my housing contract?

Your housing contract is a legally binding, nine-month contract similar to one you would sign if you rented an apartment. You will not be assigned a room until you have completed your application. A contract is offered once an assignment can be made. Housing contracts are valid for one nine-month school year (2 Semesters) and may be terminated only because of marriage, co-op, transferring schools, extreme illness, or death. If you are enrolled at Clark Atlanta University and you have signed a housing contract, you will be responsible for all housing fees for each semester of your contract.

Security and card readers

What is visitation?

Visitation hours are 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

How do you keep unwanted visitors out?

All halls have state-of-the-art security systems. Outside doors are locked 24 hours a day and can be accessed only by card readers. Your Student Identification card is how you enter the halls so be very careful with this card.

Do I have a curfew at night?

No. As an adult in college, you are responsible for your actions. It is a good idea to let your roommate know where you are going and when you'll be back, so you can be found if an emergency comes up. Also, your roommate can alert the staff if he or she becomes concerned about your return.

Will friends from off-campus have access to my building?

No. Friends (or parents or solicitors for that matter) from off campus will not be programmed to have access through the card accessible door. All guests should use the front entrance to the building. Limiting access to only certain people is the heart of our intentions to make our halls as secure as possible.

What if I lose my ID card?

You should call the Panther Paw Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to cancel your lost ID card so it cannot be used by anyone else for building access or Flexdollars. After hours, you should report a lost card to the Campus Safety. You may purchase a new ID card for $25 in the Panther Paw Office during business hours.

What if my ID card does not work?

If your card does not work, then get a residence hall staff member to check to see whether you are using the card correctly. The staff member can help you determine what the problem is and how to correct it.

Between semesters

Do I have to take my stuff home between semesters or during school breaks?

No. If you are returning to the same room after the Christmas Holiday break, you may leave your things. The halls will be locked during the holidays, but you are advised to take all valuable items home with you.

What if I can't go home; can I stay in my room?

No. All residence halls will be closed between semesters.

Connectivity

Do the halls have Ethernet connections?

Yes, all the residence halls have Ethernet connections. Contact the OITC Help Desk for more information at (404) 880-6482.

Are there Internet connections in the hall computer labs?

Yes, there are computer labs in Brawley Hall, Beckwith Hall, Bumstead Hall, Pfeiffer Hall, Ware Hall and the Residential Apartments.

How do I get an E-mail account?

To obtain an account on Clark Atlanta's server, go to the Help Desk at Harkness Hall or call the OITC Help Desk at (404) 880-6482.

Fees

How much does it cost to live on campus?

Check with the Department of Housing and Residence Life at (404) 880-8074 for more information. Costs vary.