Residence Life

Catawba is a residential college. Living in a residence hall is part of the educational experience, and ours represent the heart of the student experience. You’ll meet new people, share new ideas, overcome differences, and develop life-long friendships. Each hall has its own unique community, but every hall is “home.”

All full-time students (enrolled for 12 or more semester hours) who are not 21-years of age or older, and who do not live at home with their parents, guardians, or spouses, are required to live on-campus unless you have been granted an exception by the Director of Housing and Residence Life.

Residence Halls 

Housing Contract

Visitation Policies & Guest Registration 

Campus Safety 

Find out when you can move into campus housing, when Catawba closes for breaks, and when you must vacate your room at the end of academic semesters.

Fall 2023

Aug

• 7: Freshman Retreat Move In between 8am-10am
• 12: First Year Student/Transfer Move In starts at 9am
• 14: Returning students move in starts at 9am
• 23-30: Room Change Request Period

October

• 7-10: Fall Break (Halls are open)

Nov

• 1: Spring Off Campus Request Deadline
• 1: New/Transfer Student Applications open
• 22-26: Thanksgiving Break (Halls are open)
• 30: 24 Hour Quiet Hours begin

Dec

• 1-6: Final Exams
• 6: Halls close for students 24 hours after their last final or December 7 at 7:00pm, whichever comes first (not including approved late stays by the Director of Housing and Residence Life)

Spring 2024

Jan

• 5: Residence Halls open at 12pm
• 19: New RA/Returners applications open
• 16-19: Room Change Request Period

Feb

• 2: New/Returner Resident Assistant Applications close

Mar

• 1: Fall Off-Campus Request Deadline
• 2-10: Spring Break (Halls are open)
• 11: Returners Housing Applications open
• 29: Returner Housing Application closes
• 29-31: Easter Break (Halls are open)

Apr

• 1-5: Housing Selection Information Goes Out
• 8: Housing Selection begins at 8:00pm
• 15: Summer Housing Application opens
• 23: Study Day
• 24-29: Final Exams
• 30: Halls close at NOON for Non-Graduating Seniors

May

• 4: Graduation + Halls close at 3pm for all students
• 10: Halls open for Summer Session I

June

• 13: Halls close at 12pm for Summer Session I
• 17: Halls open for Summer Session II

July

• 18: Halls close for Summer Session at 12pm

Students needing to stay beyond Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. must complete the late stay request. Please note that all students must complete this form on their own – housing and residence life cannot accept forms submitted by coaches, parents, or on a student’s behalf. Please note that this form is a request and is subject to denial.

You will receive information from your RA on how to prepare your room for the semester break. Here are some important reminders for all residents:

• Take home all valuable items including jewelry, medication, identification, electronic devices, or anything you may need during the break.
• Close and lock all windows (if applicable). Leave blind slats closed, tightly close all faucets, and turn off all lights.
• Set your thermostat to Auto, 72 degrees (if applicable).
• Clean room/apartment and remove all trash including, common/kitchen area, bedroom, and bathroom to the exterior dumpsters.
• Ensure common spaces are clean and free of any obstructions.
• Refrigerators (including minifridges) should remain plugged in, however, all perishables should be disposed of and refrigerators should be completely cleaned out.
• Unplug all electronic devices with the exception of refrigerators (regardless of size).

If you are moving to a different room for Spring 2024 or do not have a housing assignment for Spring 2024, you must complete the move-out process by 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

If you have already been approved to move to a new room or off campus for spring semester you must move out before going home for the break. Failure to move out of your Fall 2023 room may result in the room change/off campus approval being revoked.

All personal belongings including trash, food items, bathroom amenities, equipment and technology need to be removed from personal and/or common spaces prior to check-out. Before departing, your thermostat should be set to 72 degrees on Auto. Failure to do so may result in improper check-out fees.

If you are leaving and have roommates remaining in the same apartment for the next semester:

You will receive information from your RA during your community meeting on preparing to move out. Here are some important reminders for all residents:

• Make your space “Welcome Ready”: You are responsible for returning your space to the condition it was in when you moved in.
• Communicate with your roommates: Who will be responsible for ensuring each portion of your space is clean? When are each of you leaving?
• Plan and make a list: Don’t wait to decide when you are checking out. What do you need to accomplish before the end of the semester?
• Communicate with friends/family: Do you need a ride home? Who is taking which shared items? Does anyone need to help you move out? Can you start to move things home early?  Make sure you confirm these details early.
• Report facility issues (and missing keys) in advance: To simplify your checkout process, report any maintenance issues or lost keys to your RA immediately.
• Consider donating: Rather than throwing away unwanted items, consider donating them to a local charity.
• Ask for help: If you have any questions about the checkout process or need any assistance before the end of the semester, don’t hesitate to contact your RA or the housing and residence life office.

For additional questions, please contact the Housing and Residence Life Office via email at Housing@Catawba.edu.

For Emergencies & Fixing Things

• First-aid kit
• Flashlight
• Small tool kit (screwdriver, hammer, pliers, etc.)

Health Care Items

• Face Coverings (cloth masks, reusable masks, etc.)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Disinfectant wipes for personal spaces
• Digital thermometer
• Prescription medications
• Cleaning supplies

For Getting Around

• Umbrella/rain gear and boots for wet weather
• Backpack
• Good walking shoes
• Sunglasses/sunscreen

For Relaxing

• TV and cables (HDMI, power cord, etc.)
• DVD player, Blu-ray player, video game console, or streaming device

For Showering & Getting Ready

• Towels and washcloths
• Shower shoes and shower caddy
• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, shaving cream, hand lotion, toothbrush, etc.)
• Hair dryer

For Sleeping

• Extra-long twin sheet set (or two for when one is in the laundry)
• Pillow(s) and pillow case(s)
• Comforter or bedspread and blanket
• Window fan

For Studying

• Computer
• Computer power cord and accessories.
• Calculator
• Supplies: pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, highlighters, stapler, scissors, tape, ruler, thumbtacks

For Your Room

• Area rug
• Earbuds/headphones
• Non-halogen desk, floor or bedside lamp
• UL-listed surge protector
• Plates, cups, bowls, utensils
• Microwave (750 watts or less)*
• Mini fridge (4.5 cubic feet or less)*
• Garbage can
  *Microfridges are available for rent.

For Your Wardrobe

• Clothing for warm and cold weather (storing seasonal clothing at home, if an option, is recommended)
• Athletic clothing
• Hangers
• Laundry basket or bag (and detergent)
• Under-the-bed storage boxes and bed risers
• Iron and ironing board

• Air conditioner
• Candles (even if only used for decoration or if the wick has been removed)
• Blender
• George Foreman Grill
• Halogen lamp
• Electric frying pans
• Hot plate
• Hot pot
• Incense
• Extension cords without a surge protector
• Microwave over 750 watts*
• Oil popcorn popper*
• Panini press
• Personal cooking appliances over 600 watts (except microwaves)
• Pets (non-carnivorous fish are OK in an aquarium 10 gallons or less)
• Rice cooker
• Space heater
• Toaster/toaster oven
• Weapons of any kind (including, but not limited to firearms, ammunition, bow and arrow, swords, knives and paint ball/pellet guns)

*Microfridges are available for rent.

Appliances and Cooking

The College has approved only a limited number of appliances that may be used in the residence halls. The following appliances are strictly prohibited: Open coil burners (hot plates), griddles or grills, regular toasters, electric hamburger or hotdog cookers (including George Foreman grills/Air fryers), indoor/outdoor grills or hibachis, and any high heat appliance capable of heating cooking oil to the boiling point. First violation of this policy will result in a fine of $50 per violation and immediate confiscation of banned items. Repeat offenses will be subject to additional disciplinary action.

Decorations

The College strictly prohibits LIVE Christmas trees. Also, holiday and decorative lighting that are not battery-operated is prohibited as decoration in the room as this does not comply with fire safety regulations. First violation will result in a fine of $50 per violation and immediate confiscation of banned items. Repeat offenses will be subject to additional disciplinary action.

Director/Assistant Directors are professional staff members of the College. They supervise RAs, respond to emergencies, counsel students, enforce College and residence hall regulations, help students adjust to college life, and much more.

Resident Assistants (RAs) are available in each living area or section of a residence hall. The RA is a current Catawba College student who is a liaison between the Office of Residence Life and students living on-campus. They help build community, advise and counsel students, coordinate hall activities, report conduct violations, help students adjust, and much more.

Catawba College has a four-year residency requirement which means you are expected to live on-campus for your four years. Each year, a limited number of students are granted an exception to live off-campus. In order to live off-campus, you must apply and be granted approval by the Director of Housing and Residence Life.

Applications to live off-campus must be received by March 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. Failure to obtain approval to reside off-campus may result in having to pay housing fees.

Off-campus exceptions are not required for:

• Graduate students
• Non-traditional students
• Catawba Online students
• New students who are 21 years of age and older
• Students who are living with family and commuting within 25 miles
• Students who are married and/or have children

Contact

Questions? Contact us!