Updated July 2026
This Handbook is intended to inform residents about the important aspects of living in our residence halls. One of your first responsibilities as a resident is to read and become familiar with information in this book. All information contained in the Resident Handbook is subject to change as determined by the Office of Housing & Residence Life and Youngstown State University. The most accurate version of the Resident Handbook can be found online at housing.ysu.edu.
For information about living in the University Courtyard Apartments, please visit the UC Youngstown – Resident Handbook.
At YSU, we view every facet of the campus experience as educational. This includes the experience of living in the residence hall community. Our community standards and expectations center around respect and shared responsibilities to build peaceful and positive communities. The Housing & Residence Life staff are here to help you with problems that might interfere with your progress at YSU. Our programs are aimed at assisting you in every area of college life. With a willingness on your part, we feel that a positive residence house experience will add a great deal to the quality of your total education.
The Housing & Residence Life staff would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a safe, enjoyable and successful year.
Our dedicated staff is committed to supporting the mission of Youngstown State University and the Division of Student Affairs by facilitating students’ individual development through creating vibrant, inclusive communities where students can establish a sense of home and succeed academically.
Youngstown State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age, religion, or veteran/military status in its programs or activities. Please visit the Statement on Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination page for contact information for persons designated to handle questions about this policy.
The Housing Coordinator (HC) is a professional, full-time University employee who resides on campus and provides supervision, management, and support for residents and student staff in the residence hall. The HC maintains regular office hours during normal university business hours, and residents should check around their front desk or outside their HC’s office for specific office hours. The HC can also be seen around the residence hall at different times attending hall events, chatting with residents, and following up on student questions. The HC supervises the residence hall’s student staff, including Resident Assistants, Desk Managers, and Desk Attendants. All Housing Coordinators share in an after-hours on-call rotation to provide emergency support for residents and student staff.
The Hall Monitor (HM) is a full-time University employee who is present at each residence hall’s front desk between midnight and 8:00 am. The HM ensures 24/7 continued support for residents and residence hall operations during the late-night hours, and can assist with answering questions, package distribution, guests, and contacting on-call staff for support.
The Associate Director of Residence Life is a professional, full-time University employee who supervises the Housing Coordinators and provides leadership for the student residential experience in the residence halls. The Associate Director guides social and educational programming, advises the YSU Residential Housing Association, student staff recruitment and development, and collaborates with other areas of campus to create a positive campus experience.
The Associate Director of University Housing is a professional, full-time University employee who oversees the business processes surrounding housing contracts and the room assignment process. The Associate Director is also responsible for resident recruitment initiatives, occupancy management, and oversees the residential desk operations and full-time desk staffing group.
The Business Operations Specialist is a professional, full-time University employee who manages and coordinates student billing for the Office of Housing & Residence Life. The Business Operations Specialist works closely with Financial Aid and the University Bursar, and is a resource for students, regularly meeting to inform students and recommend options regarding payment of student accounts
The Director of Housing & Residence Life is responsible for the overall operation of the Office of Housing & Residence Life, including budget and occupancy planning, and providing oversight for daily operations and long-term facilities planning. The Director’s office is located in Kilcawley House.
Contact information for the Office of Housing & Residence professional staff is available on the Contact Us page.
A Resident Assistant, or RA, is a full-time undergraduate student living on an assigned residence hall floor and supporting students living there. As a live-in staff member, the primary role of an RA is to build a welcoming and inclusive community within the residence halls, while encouraging cooperation and consideration within group-living environments. In addition to getting to know each resident in their community, Resident Assistants will organize events in the residence hall or escort residents to campus events. An RA also responds to and assists in managing emergency, crisis, and conflict situations, including those between individuals and with university policies and procedures. Anytime a resident has a question or concern, their RA is a great contact for support, and if a floor’s RA is not available, residents should contact the front desk (by phone or in person) for situations that require immediate assistance.
Similar to a Resident Assistant, a Residential Peer Mentor is a full-time undergraduate student living in an assigned residence hall and supporting students living there. In addition to responsibilities like organizing events, assisting with emergency and conflict situations, and serving as a resource for students, Residential Peer Mentors foster an inclusive and engaging residential experience by supporting essential residence hall functions. These functions include, but are not limited to, developing academic success resources in the residence halls, encouraging digital engagement (through social media, etc.), and monitoring the residence hall facilities. Anytime a resident has a question or concern, a Residential Peer Mentor is a great contact for help with connecting to YSU campus resources or engaging with the residence hall community.
Desk Managers are full-time undergraduate students who provide leadership, supervision, and management of each residence hall’s front desk. As experienced Housing & Residence Life staff, Desk Managers oversee and ensure that a high level of customer service is provided by the front desk to residents and guests, manage the residence hall’s Desk Attendant staff, and assist the Housing Coordinator with the residence hall’s administrative operations.
Desk Attendants are full-time undergraduate students who provide administrative support at each residence hall’s front desk. An essential part of each residence hall front desk’s 24/7 availability, Desk Attendants are available to answer questions, distribute any received mail or packages, check-in/out residents’ guests, and contact additional Housing and Residence Life staff for support.
Office Assistants are full-time undergraduate students who provide administrative support in the Housing & Residence Life and Division of Student Affairs offices in Kilcawley House. While the Housing & Residence Life Office is open (weekdays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, except for university holidays and closures), Office Assistants are available to answer questions, issue spare room keys for residents locked out of their room, and connect students with essential campus resources.
A Graduate Assistant (GA) is a full-time graduate student who lives on-campus and supports Housing & Residence Life operations and functions, including on-call staff and student support, event management, academic success support, marketing and communications, and campus engagement. Housing and Residence Life is one of many YSU offices that employ Graduate Assistants, and more Graduate Assistant opportunities can be found at Graduate Assistant Postings.
More information about Housing & Residence Life student employment is available at Employment Opportunities.
The Housing Contract details students’ rights and responsibilities while living in University Housing. It is important that students are familiar with this document. There are several housing contract options available to meet students’ needs, including:
Please note that students are responsible for the full term of their signed contract, and the Housing Contract terms, rates, and eligibility are available online at Contract/Rates.
During the first two weeks and the last two weeks of each semester, there is a housing freeze in effect. If a student encounters any issues with their roommate, they should first schedule a meeting with their RA promptly to address the matter. Once a student has discussed the issue with their RA and still finds it necessary to change rooms, they should contact their Housing Coordinator for further assistance. Roompact Roommate Agreements must be completed and signed by both roommates prior to formal mediations or room changes occurring.
Single rooms may be available in some residence halls, depending upon occupancy. There is an additional charge for single rooms. To request a single room, students should contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life. If a student requires a single room for medical reasons, they may request this accommodation through the Office of Accessibility Services.
Students have continued access to their assigned residence hall and room during in-semester breaks (Thanksgiving and Spring). Please note that campus dining services may be limited or unavailable during these breaks.
Students requiring housing during Winter Break must register for break housing through the Housing Contract Extension Request form, available on the Housing and Residence Life website. Requests are due by the Friday two weeks prior to the break. There is a charge for break housing and students may be required to move to a temporary or permanent space during the break. Meal plans are not available during breaks. In addition, restricted guest hours are in effect during breaks, and overnight guest stays are prohibited during this time. At the end of each semester, students are required to leave within 24 hours of their last final exam with Friday evening at 9:00 pm being the latest a student can stay. Contact the University Housing Office if you need an exception to this policy. Any extension request that is granted may result in an additional charge.
At the beginning of Fall Semester, we may experience more students wanting housing than we typically have spaces for. In this situation, these students could be assigned to a private lounge or increased capacity in one of our larger rooms. These students will be reassigned to a regular space as soon as spaces become available.
Each term, several students paying for a double occupancy room end up with no roommate. This usually occurs because of last-minute cancellations by their roommate, but it can occur for other reasons as well. At the University’s discretion, one of three things can occur:
Failure to prepare your room for a roommate or intentional obstruction of receiving a roommate can result in a single room charge and/or referral to the YSU Student Code of Conduct process.
The Housing Contract is for the entire academic year (Fall & Spring semesters). This contract is a legal and binding agreement between the student and YSU. YSU has established a review process for students who have a legitimate need to break their housing contract and remain enrolled at YSU. Application to Terminate Housing Contract forms are available on our website and in the University Housing Office in Kilcawley House. If it is determined that your circumstances do not merit termination of the contract, you will be held accountable for the remainder of your contract term. Students who are no longer enrolled at YSU do not need to be released from their contract, but need to notify University Housing of their change in enrollment status.
More information about Housing Contract review and termination, please visit Residence Hall Contract Termination
Living in campus residence halls is an opportunity to be enjoyed by students at Youngstown State University. As a member of this community, residents will be granted many rights and privileges. In return, residents will be expected to respect the rights and privileges of others. These rules and regulations and the YSU Student Code of Conduct are intended to facilitate a comfortable living environment for all residents. Both of these materials are available to you via the YSU website. It is each resident’s responsibility to become familiar with and observe these rules and regulations. Violation of these rules and regulations constitutes a breach of the Housing Contract and can result in disciplinary action. All residents are expected to cooperate with members of the residence hall staff and to respect their requests.
Any student’s personal property remaining in a residence hall room or residence hall space after the final date of the Housing Contract, or after the date the Housing and Residential Life has confirmed that a student is no longer in occupancy of a residence hall room, will be deemed abandoned property. All abandoned items will be removed at the student’s expense and will be sold, destroyed, discarded, maintained for use by the university, or donated to an appropriate charitable organization, depending on the items and their value.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the use or possession of alcoholic beverages (except as permitted by law and university policy), public intoxication, and the manufacturing or distribution of alcoholic beverages to any person under twenty-one years of age except as permitted by law.
The use or possession of alcoholic beverages in the residence halls, regardless of age, and/or disorderly conduct due to consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited. Empty alcohol bottles (including alcohol paraphernalia such as shot glasses, cocktail shakers, flasks, beer bongs, etc.) are also prohibited. Residents are held responsible for any alcohol containers in their room. Please note that residents will be held responsible for the actions of their guests.
Underage drinking is a violation of state laws and will be treated as such by Housing & Residence Life officials and YSU Police. Underage drinking and other criminal violations may be subject to criminal prosecution. Parents of students under 21 will be informed of alcohol violations.
University Housing staff may inspect packages if they suspect that they contain alcohol. Alcoholic beverages will be confiscated and disposed of.
If an individual is so intoxicated that they may be a danger to themselves or others, they will be transported to the hospital for treatment.
Animals, except as permitted by law or approved through official university policies, are prohibited in the residence halls, including the temporary hosting of any animal or a guest’s pet visiting the residence hall.
Information on hosting a service animal or an emotional support animal (ESA) is available from the Office of Accessibility Services. All approved animals that are living in the residence halls must be registered with Housing & Residence Life prior to entering the residential buildings.
Each resident room is equipped with a micro fridge and microwave unit. Additional refrigerators or microwaves are not permitted. Other cooking appliances are prohibited, including air fryers, toasters, and rice cookers. Keurig (or Keurig-like) coffee-brewing systems, which have internal heating elements and automatic shut-offs, are permitted.
Each residence hall has a kitchen with a stove and oven. Residents are responsible for cleaning the kitchen after they finish using it, and failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. If a resident is irresponsible with fire safety (repeated fire alarms caused by burnt food), they may be subject to disciplinary action.
The bathroom facilities located on gender-specific floors or within gender-specific suites may only be used by students of the specified gender (i.e. the bathroom on a female floor will be designated an all-female bathroom). Entering opposite-gendered bathrooms is prohibited.
It is a resident’s responsibility to take care of their room, suite, apartment, and its furnishings. This includes keeping the space clean and refraining from defacing the walls, ceilings, floors, and room doors with paint, nails, tape, glue, screws, or other damaging fasteners. We recommend using blue painters’ tape to hang items as needed. Intentional damage or defacement of university property (i.e., your room or residence hall public areas) will be considered an act of vandalism.
Residents are responsible for leaving their room in the same condition they found it. At check-out, if damage is found in a resident’s assigned room that appears to be significant or intentional, they will be responsible for any applicable charges. If a resident fails to clean their room prior to check-out, they will be charged for cleaning. If the responsible individual cannot be identified, the total amount will be split between all roommates. Items, including posters, signs, etc., that may be harassing, derogatory, or obscene to a reasonable person are not allowed in public areas (suite common area doors and walls, hall walls, and outside of room doors).
Computer Labs are provided in Cafaro House, Kilcawley House, and Lyden House for the convenience of our residents. Color printers are also available for resident use in accordance with YSU policy. These spaces may be reserved by Housing & Residence Life Staff. Housing Coordinators will notify residents of their respective buildings when this occurs.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the failure to comply with directions and/or oral or written instructions which are given by any university official, student, faculty member, or staff who is acting in an official university capacity and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so. Both residents and guests are expected to cooperate with Housing & Residence Life staff. Residents and guests will be expected to show proper identification when requested, if not already obtained by the front desk. The falsification or misrepresentation of any individual, or the refusal to provide such information to staff, is prohibited. Failure to comply with reasonable requests from staff in the performance of their duties may result in disciplinary action against any individual involved. A guest may be required to leave and may not be permitted to visit in the future.
Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, Segways/monorovers/hover boards, hall sports, sports equipment, or using other equipment and engaging in similar behavior that may cause damage or a disturbance to other residents is not permitted in the residence halls.
For security and protection of all residents, exterior doors to the residence halls are locked 24/7. Residents must enter the residence halls through the main lobbies using their issued Y Card. Any individual should be prepared to show valid photo identification if asked by staff. Assisting anyone to enter the residence halls through any other entrance will result in all involved students being subject to disciplinary action.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of marijuana, narcotics, or other controlled substances in either refined or crude form, including the use of drug-related paraphernalia as defined by Chapter 2925 of the Revised Code and 21 U.S.C. Sections 801-971 (Controlled Substances Act). In addition, the misuse of materials as an intoxicant, the use of prescription drugs in any way other than as prescribed, and the distribution of prescription drugs to anyone other than the person to whom they are prescribed are also prohibited.
The use, possession, dispensing, distribution, and/or manufacture of illegal drugs and paraphernalia in the residence halls is strictly prohibited and is a violation of state and federal laws. YSU Police will be notified immediately. Parents of students under 21 will be informed of drug violations.
Depending on usage volume, the elevator may take a few seconds or several minutes to arrive. Nothing an individual can do will make the elevator respond faster. Pulling on doors or bouncing on the elevator floor may damage it and be dangerous. Students are expected to follow all posted elevator guidelines/notifications. Charges to repair the elevator will be borne by the individual(s) who damaged it. If the individual(s) cannot be identified, the cost will be split by all residents.
Any elevator malfunctions, including situations where an individual is present in a malfunctioning elevator, should be reported to the residence hall’s front desk immediately.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits individuals from reporting false fire alarms, bomb threats, or tampering with fire extinguishers, alarms, smoke detectors, or other safety equipment.
All suspected or confirmed fires must be reported to YSU Police by calling (330) 941-3527 or Housing & Residence Life staff. The fire alarm should be sounded regardless of the nature or size of the fire. The building will be evacuated each time an alarm sounds, even if a false alarm is suspected, and all occupants are required to evacuate to the designated gathering space. Residents will not be permitted to return to the building until an authorized all-clear signal is given by university emergency staff.
If an individual uses a fire extinguisher for any purpose, they must report it to Housing & Residence Life Staff so that the extinguisher can be refilled. Residents should familiarize themselves with all building exits so that they can quickly vacate the building through the nearest exit.
Two fire drills will be conducted each semester. Each student is expected to treat all fire alarms as real situations and exit the building each time one occurs. Failure to evacuate the building during a fire alarm or drill may result in disciplinary action.
Students are prohibited from burning or igniting any object in or around the residence halls; there are absolutely no exceptions to this policy. The following items are prohibited in the residence halls:
Residents are prohibited from modifying residence hall furniture (beds, dressers, etc.) in any way. Existing bedroom furniture must remain in bedrooms, including all pieces of loft kits, guardrails, and ladders. Furniture and equipment should not be taken from public areas of the building to a resident’s room without prior consent of the Housing & Residence Life staff.
Non-university lofts, loft kits, bed risers, and bed extensions are strictly prohibited. No additional beds/furniture may be added to rooms/suites without permission from the residence hall’s Housing Coordinator. Students must contact housing@ysu.edu to request furniture adjustments.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits gambling or wagering of any form except as expressly permitted by law and/or university policy.
Gambling of any kind is prohibited in the residence halls. Wagering activities including, but not limited to betting on poker, card games, sports pools, or any wagering where money or something of value is risked upon the uncertain outcome of a contest or future contingent event, may not be held or advertised within any public space in the residence halls or any residence hall room.
A guest is defined as any individual who visits a residence hall to which they are not assigned. Parents are expected to sign in as guests.
Guests must
Residents hosting guests must
Hosts will be held accountable for the conduct of their guests, and guests are expected to abide by all Housing & Residence Life and University policies. Any non-resident guest unaccompanied by a resident host should be reported to the front desk or an RA immediately. Furthermore, guests who are involved in or contribute to conflicts, disruptive behavior, or policy violations during their visit may be directed to leave the residence halls by Housing & Residence Life staff at any time. Residents and their guests are expected to comply promptly with any such directive. Failure to do so may result in conduct action and/or restrictions on future guest visitation privileges.
In the interest of the rights of roommates and other hall residents, there are limits to the frequency and duration of guests.
Guest policy is in effect at all times; however, guests must also adhere to overnight restrictions. In a shared bedroom, permission from all roommates must be gained before a guest may stay overnight. Overnight hours are defined as 12:00 am to 8:00 am. For guests who are visiting but not remaining overnight, care must be taken to allow for the rights of all roommates to enjoy the privacy of their shared room. Students are expected to respect the rights of their roommates and/or suitemates whenever present. The privilege to host a guest does not supersede the rights of the assigned roommates.
During University breaks, no overnight guests are permitted. Housing & Residence Life officials reserve the right to deny any individual the right to visit or be removed from the residence halls. Housing & Residence Life does not provide a bed or bedding for guests in residence halls.
Access to a student’s assigned residence hall is programmed onto their student ID card (Y Card). In order for residence hall access to be added to a student’s Y Card, all residents should receive a residential student Y Card through the Y Card Office. This door access is for main entry doors only, and students will only receive access to their assigned residence hall. Y Cards should never be loaned or given to another person to use.
If a student loses their Y Card, they are expected to replace it as soon as possible. A replacement Y Card can be obtained by visiting Y Card Guest Services in the South Lobby of Beeghly Center, during regular university business hours (weekdays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm). Students must show a valid photo ID, and a replacement Y Card can be purchased for $25. After receiving a new Y Card, a student’s residence hall access will automatically transfer to their new Y Card within one regular university business day. Outside normal university business hours or during extenuating circumstances, residents should go to their residence hall’s front desk for assistance.
More information about managing a student’s Y Card is available at https://ycard.ysu.edu (in the Penguin Portal under “Student Services”).
To maintain the safety and security for residents, each residence hall (except for Weller House) has a front desk that is always staffed by either a student or full-time staff member when the halls are occupied. Residence hall front desk staff can assist residents
Residence Hall Phone Numbers:
Residents of Weller House should contact the Cafaro House front desk for assistance.
If, for any reason, staff are not present at the front desk when you need assistance, please use the phone number posted at the front desk to contact an available staff member.
YSU is not responsible for damage and/or loss of possessions. Each resident, at their own discretion, should have renter’s insurance to cover any losses or damage that may occur. Many students are covered at school by their parents/guardians’ insurance policy. Students should ask their parent(s)/guardian(s) about this.
Each resident is strongly encouraged to have health insurance coverage. Health insurance policies may be available through Wick Primary Care or the International Programs Office.
Each residence hall has wireless access points throughout the building. In addition, residents have wired accessibility in residence hall rooms. Tampering with the wireless access point/ports is prohibited and may result in fines for damage to these ports. For more information about connecting to YSU networks – including how to connect devices like smart TVs, video game systems, Amazon Fire Sticks, Fireboxes, Meta Products, and Roku or other streaming devices – please visit YSU Network Access: Assess and Connect to the YSU_NonStandard Network.
Any networking, Internet, or connectivity issues can be reported directly to the IT Service Desk.
All students are expected to familiarize themselves and adhere to the YSU Acceptable Use of Technology Resources policy and the Information Technology section of the YSU Student Code of Conduct.
At check-in, each resident will receive one key to their assigned residence hall room. Taking possession of the issued room key means that the student has taken occupancy of their assigned residence hall room. The physical key is required for room entry (and suite entry if applicable). The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any university premises, including transferring possession of a key to another individual. Residents are prohibited from altering the room lock or door, or manipulating the room door to open without using the assigned key. Housing & Residence Life reserves the right to document a resident and notify student conduct if keys are loaned to another person or if an individual tampers with university property.
To ensure the safety of a residence hall room, residents should deadbolt lock their door whenever they leave. Residents are advised not to leave their doors open and to report any unauthorized persons found in their rooms.
If a resident locks themselves out of their room, they are advised to first make efforts to contact their roommate to coordinate re-entry to the room with the roommate’s assistance. If this is not possible, during regular university business hours (weekdays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm), residents should go to the central Housing office in Kilcawley House to check out a spare room key. Outside normal university business hours or during extenuating circumstances, residents should go to their residence hall’s front desk for assistance. All lockouts requiring staff assistance for entry are recorded, and beginning with the fifth recorded lockout, residents will be charged a $25 fine for each subsequent lockout.
If a resident loses their assigned residence hall room key, they should follow the above lockout procedure to report the lost key as soon as possible. To ensure the safety of the resident’s room, the room’s door lock will be changed as soon as possible, and the resident may be provided with a temporary room key until the lock change is completed. All residents of a room will be notified when their room door lock has been changed, and they will need to follow the directions to pick up a new room key as soon as possible. Following a lock change, the resident who lost the key will be charged $55.
A laundry room is provided in each residence hall for residents’ use. Washers & dryers are available 24 hours a day. There is no charge to residents for laundry. Non-residents are not permitted to use these areas. Clothes in washers or dryers should not be left unattended. Housing is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged clothing items. Belongings left unattended in the laundry room for more than 48 hours will be bagged and discarded or donated at the discretion of the Office of Housing & Residence Life and our contracted janitorial partner at a minimum of once per week. Machines requiring service should be reported immediately to the front desk or via a student’s cell phone. Follow the instructions posted in each laundry room. In addition, YSU participates in the Laundry View program, allowing students to view the status of all washing and drying machines in the residence hall laundry rooms. Signs for this service are also posted in the laundry rooms.
YOUR ADDRESS IS:
Your Name
________________________ House
Room #_______________________
Street Address
Youngstown, OH Your Zip
Cafaro House
205 Madison Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44504-1611
Kilcawley House
117 University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44502-1208
Lyden House
251 Madison Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44504-1611
Weller House
658 Wick Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44502-1215
Wick House
656 Wick Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44502
All resident U.S. and campus mail is delivered to each residence hall’s front desk daily from Monday through Saturday, excluding designated national holidays. Residence Hall front desks accept deliveries from major carriers such as FedEx, USPS, UPS, Amazon, etc. Perishable deliveries from services such as DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub, Edible Arrangements, Walmart+ Deliveries, etc., are securely held at our front desk and released only upon presentation of valid identification and proof of purchase.
Upon arrival, our front desk staff receives and records mail and packages, and residents will be notified via their YSU email of any mail or packages received. Residents will be required to show a valid photo ID and can sign for and collect their items at the designated front desk. Perishable food items, including fast food or restaurant deliveries, will be discarded by our staff if left unclaimed for more than three hours. Please be aware that Housing & Residence Life cannot assume responsibility for items not processed through our front desk or for their condition upon pickup.
Housing & Residence Life reserves the right to have any staff or front desk attendant search any items/packages/bags that enter the residence halls, if safety concerns exist. This applies to guests as well as residents.
Upon vacating University Housing, students must update their address with all services to ensure uninterrupted mail delivery. Please remember that magazines are not forwarded by the U.S. Post Office, so updating a mailing address with subscription services directly is essential. Mail will not be held for non-residents, any mail received for individuals who are not currently residential students will be returned to the sender at the discretion and timeliness of our staff.
Kindly note that mail forwarding services are suspended during Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks. Should you have any questions or encounter special circumstances, please contact your respective Housing Coordinator.
Our helpful maintenance staff is ready to assist as soon as they’re notified of any issues affecting a student’s residence hall room or apartment. Any maintenance issues or concerns with a student’s residence hall room should be reported as soon as possible; most requests are resolved within 48 hours.
More information about submitting a maintenance request is available at https://ysu.edu/housing-and-residence-life/request-maintenance.
Any emergency maintenance concerns should be reported immediately to the residence hall’s front desk.
Each resident of University Housing (excluding Weller residents) is provided with a meal plan as part of their room & board. Pete’s Points/Flex Dollars are provided with each resident’s meal plan. These points may not be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, or other designated non-food items. A meal plan may only be used by the student it is assigned to, and students may not give their student ID card (Y Card) to anyone with the purpose of having them use their meal plan. Residents have two weeks at the beginning of each semester to change their meal plan. Students can visit https://ycard.ysu.edu (in the Penguin Portal under “Student Services”) to manage their Y Card and meal plan.
More information about campus dining, including daily menus and meal plan options, is available at https://aviserves.com/ysu/index.html.
A list of local restaurants and other locations that accept Flex Dollars and Pete’s Points is available at https://ysu.edu/kilcawley-center/dining-locations-where-you-can-pay-your-y-card.
Any student on a meal plan who is permitted to leave University Housing (whether remaining a student at YSU or not) is responsible for the cost of Pete’s Points and Flex Dollars used that goes beyond the prorated weekly allotment. Unused Pete’s Points and Flex Dollars are not refunded.
There are four parking lots located near the residence halls:
Residents of University Housing are allowed to purchase a parking pass that will allow them access to residence hall-only lots, in addition to other parking lots/decks on campus. More information about parking policies and permits is available at Parking Services.
The Office of the Dean of Students, along with the YSU CARE Team (Concern – Assessment – Referral – Education), addresses concerns that may negatively affect the campus learning environment or potentially harm the health, welfare, and/or safety of members of the University community or the individual(s) exhibiting such behaviors.
The Penguin of Concern form can be used by any member of the YSU community (students themselves, their families, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community) to report any concerning student behavior, including, but not limited to, non-emergent mental/physical health issues (including hospitalizations), concerning behavior, food/housing/financial insecurity, relationship issues, or personal/social issues. The goal of soliciting such referrals is to provide timely outreach, guidance, and assistance to students dealing with a variety of issues. The Penguin of Concern form may be submitted with the referrer's identification information attached or anonymously. Generally, once a referral is made, staff from the Office of the Dean of Students connect with the student to schedule a meeting. During this meeting, the student will learn about campus and community resources specifically tailored to their needs and situation.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the unauthorized use of electronic or other devices to make an audio or video record or photograph of any person while on university premises without their prior knowledge or without their effective consent when such a recording or photograph is likely to cause injury or distress, except as otherwise permitted by law. In addition, the YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the unauthorized distribution or dissemination of an audio or video recording or photograph of any person without their prior knowledge or consent, even if the recording or photograph originally had been produced with the person’s consent, when such a recording or photograph is likely to cause injury or distress, except as otherwise permitted by law.
The unauthorized use of video, photographic, listening device, and recording equipment (including, but not limited to web cameras, cell phones, and audio recorders) in common areas (including, but not limited to hallways, lounges, stairwells, and restrooms) of residence halls is prohibited. University-installed and monitored cameras located throughout the halls are used to promote safety and for the investigation of policy violations.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits physically or verbally assaulting others, including, but not limited to, bullying, harassment, hazing, endangering behavior, and sexual harassment (sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual misconduct). Slurs regarding a person’s identity are considered verbal abuse. All forms of physical or verbal abuse are prohibited, including over the phone or via the internet/social media.
Any individual is prohibited from possessing any of the following items within the residence halls:
Quiet hours are in effect Sunday–Thursday from 11:00 pm–9:00 am. On Friday and Saturday, quiet hours are from midnight to 10:00 am in all residence halls. During final exam weeks, 24-hour quiet hours apply.
The following regulations are in effect during quiet hours:
Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Courtesy hours mean that individuals will respect the rights and privileges of other residents. The noise level must not interfere with those students who want and need to study at any given time. If someone is asked to be quiet, they are expected to respond promptly and courteously. If a speaker, alarm, or television is left on at a high volume and the resident is not present in the room, Housing & Residence Life reserves the right to enter the room and turn off the item.
It is our goal to ensure that your room is comfortable, clean, and in great condition. When students move into their residence hall, they should promptly inform their Housing Coordinator of any facilities-related concerns or issues. The Housing Coordinator will coordinate the necessary steps to address and resolve any issues with your new space.
The Residential Housing Association (RHA) is the student voice between Housing & Residence Life and the students residing in YSU-affiliated housing. RHA seeks to inspire growth, leadership, and involvement of YSU students through the development and utilization of advocacy, programming, and campus pride and spirit. More information about RHA is available at https://ysu.edu/housing-and-residence-life/residential-housing-association.
Students residing on campus with minor dependents are expected to help maintain a safe, respectful, and community‑oriented living environment. The following guidelines apply:
Eligibility & Request Process
Students seeking to live on campus with a minor dependent must submit a formal request to the YSU Office of Housing & Residence Life. Requests are reviewed individually and are contingent upon apartment availability, occupancy-appropriate floor plans, and the needs identified in the student’s family housing application.
Supervision
Residents are fully responsible for the supervision, care, and conduct of their minor dependents at all times. Minor dependents may not be left unattended in residence halls, campus apartments, or any common areas. Housing & Residence Life staff may request—and review at any time—a resident’s care plan for dependent children.
Community Considerations
Residents with dependents are expected to be considerate of their neighbors and shared community spaces. All community standards, including quiet hours and guest policies, apply equally to residents and their guests, including minor dependents.
Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Residents must ensure their minor dependents are familiar with fundamental safety procedures, including fire evacuation routes and designated assembly points. In an emergency, residents are responsible for the safe evacuation and well‑being of their dependents.
Use of Facilities
Minor dependents may access common areas (e.g., lounges, laundry rooms) only when accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Access to certain facilities—such as fitness centers or computer labs—may be restricted based on age or university policy.
Residents must properly manage household waste, including securely bagging and disposing of soiled diapers and baby wipes directly in designated outdoor dumpsters. Baby wipes and similar products must not be flushed, as they may cause plumbing damage. Residents are responsible for any damage to Housing facilities caused by improper disposal or misuse.
Additional keys and access cards are not issued to minor dependents of residents, regardless of age.
Support & Resources
YSU is committed to supporting student‑parents. Residents are encouraged to engage with campus resources such as the Dean of Students Office, Student Counseling Services, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, and Wee Care Day Care. Residents should also refer to YSU’s Minors on Campus policy for additional guidance and expectations.
Policy Violations
Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in a review of housing eligibility and may lead to disciplinary action, including potential revocation of housing privileges and/or housing contract cancelation.
Bedding/Linens
Toiletry Items
Things to Make Your Room More Comfortable
Miscellaneous
Please note: A micro/fridge unit is provided in each room, which is to be shared by the occupants of the room. No additional mini-fridge or microwave units are permitted.
For health and safety reasons, no more than 5 individuals are permitted in a residence hall room at one time. Housing & Residence Life staff have the right to monitor the number of guests and room capacity at any given time.
Residents are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their room/suite/apartment. Food must be kept in refrigerators or closed containers. Regular inspections of residents’ rooms will be conducted to ensure safe and healthy conditions. Should a room develop a problem with insects or other pests, the RA or Housing Coordinator should be notified immediately so appropriate measures can be taken to correct the problem. The university reserves the right of entry into any room for the purpose of inspection, cleaning, repair, or emergency.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the unauthorized entry to or use of university premises, including access to residential spaces other than one’s own assigned space (i.e., residence hall maintenance rooms).
Entering a room other than a student’s assigned residence hall room without the permission of a resident assigned to that room is prohibited. When present in another student’s room, a student assigned to that room must be present. No RA is authorized to let an individual enter any room other than their assigned residence hall room.
The University reserves the right to enter any residence hall room for purposes including inspection, cleaning, maintenance, repairs, and the investigation of potential violations of University or Housing policies. Health and Safety Inspections will be conducted at least once per semester and, for residents approved to have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), at least once per month. Additional inspections may be conducted as needed.
Whenever possible, University Housing and Residence Life staff will provide residents with at least 24 hours’ advance notice prior to conducting a room inspection. However, the University reserves the right to enter a room without prior notice when there is reasonable suspicion of a policy violation, a health or safety concern, or a belief that emergency intervention is necessary to protect property or the well-being of an individual.
All inspections are conducted by two Housing and Residence Life staff members and consist of a visual assessment of the room and its condition. Inspections are intended to evaluate compliance with housing policies, identify potential health and safety concerns, and assess the condition of University facilities and furnishings.
If anyone sees something that is a concern, they should contact an RA, Housing Coordinator, the front desk, or University Police at 330-941-3527. Residence hall public areas (including corridors) are equipped with video cameras to deter criminal or problem behavior. All fire exit doors are alarmed and should only be used for exiting the building in case of emergency. It is strictly prohibited to allow entrance to other residents or visitors through these doors. Each room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Students are strongly encouraged to keep their doors locked at all times.
Residence hall public areas (including corridors) and exterior areas are equipped with security cameras. Security cameras may never be covered or turned off for any reason. Tampering with security cameras and/or interfering with security camera equipment’s normal operating function in any way is prohibited.
In the event of severe weather watches/warnings, YSU Police communicate with Housing & Residence Life staff. If a tornado is reported, YSU Police will sound the residence hall tornado alarm, and residents should immediately report to the lowest level or tornado shelter and wait for the all clear signal from YSU Police. All tornado shelters are located in the basements of their respective buildings.
The YSU Smoke-Free Environment Policy prohibits smoking within the residence halls and in all residence hall adjacent public spaces. Smoking means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated tobacco product or plant product intended for inhalation in any manner or in any form. “Smoking” also includes the use of an electronic smoking device and a vapor product.
Door-to-door selling or other solicitation, and advertising non-university events, is prohibited in the residence halls and the Christman Dining Commons. Student organizations that wish to promote their group or event in residence halls must obtain permission from the Housing and Residence Life Office in Kilcawley House by emailing housing@ysu.edu. Providing personal services, including but not limited to tattoos, piercings, and haircuts, is not permitted in the residence halls.
To hang up flyers or advertisements for student organizations or other university-affiliated events within the residence halls, please go to the Housing and Residence Life Office in Kilcawley House to have your flyers reviewed and approved. If approved, fliers should be left at the Housing and Residence Life Office, and the fliers will be distributed to the residence halls for the residence hall staff to post in approved spaces.
Valuable items should be kept in a secure place. Student rooms should be deadbolt locked at all times. Textbooks and technology are particularly susceptible to theft; students should not leave textbooks unattended. YSU is not responsible for damage and/or loss of possessions. Each resident is advised to have renter’s insurance to cover any losses or damage that may occur.
If theft/damage occurs, please report immediately to an RA or the front desk. They will contact University Police to take a statement and begin an investigation.
Each residence hall room includes a trash container. Room trash from a resident’s room container should be dumped in the trash containers in the hallway. Items that do not fit in the hallway trash container must be taken by residents to the nearest dumpster. Weller residents must take their trash to the dumpster, as hallway trash containers are not available. Recycling is encouraged when possible.
Unauthorized possession or use of university property, or property of a member of the university community or property of a campus visitor, is prohibited. The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the unauthorized entry to or use of university premises, including access to residential spaces other than one’s own assigned space (i.e., residence hall maintenance rooms).
Residents are responsible for damages to or loss of university property in their room, suite, and/or apartment. In addition, residents are expected to report stolen or damaged property. In the event of damage to hallways or other public areas of the building, charges will be assessed to those responsible. If it is impossible to determine responsibility, the charges may be divided equally among all residents. Requests for maintenance or repair should be reported immediately to an RA or the front desk.
Vending machines are conveniently located in each residence hall. If you notice that a machine is out of stock, please email housing@ysu.edu. Any concerns or issues with payment for any vending machine items should be reported directly to the contact information listed on the vending machine.
The YSU Student Code of Conduct prohibits the illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, fireworks, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on university premises or use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens, or causes fear to others.
The possession or use of firearms, ammunition, knives (with the exception of a foldable pocket knife with a blade less than 2 inches or a kitchen knife used expressly for preparing and consuming food), swords, explosives (e.g., fireworks), or other dangerous weapons or the use/storage of hazardous or combustible materials is prohibited in the residence halls. In addition, paintball guns, pellet/BB guns, handcuffs, stun guns/Tasers, or any similar objects that may be used to do harm are not permitted in the residence halls. Toy guns, water guns, and other gun-like items are also prohibited from the residence halls. Pepper spray or similar items should be used for emergencies only.
Housing & Residence Life reserves the right to confiscate any object that may be used inappropriately to harm/disrupt other students.
Windows and screens are important to building security and appearance. Tampering with windows and screens will not be tolerated. Screens may not be removed from windows for any reason. Any damage to windows or screens should be reported immediately. Nothing should ever be thrown from your windows or brought in through them.
All YSU students are expected to model community standards of ethical conduct while enrolled at YSU. Standards for conduct are outlined in the YSU Student Code of Conduct, which is available via the Dean of Students website.
Students residing in or visiting the residence halls are additionally responsible for adhering to the Residence Hall Handbook, which identifies expectations specific to the residential environment. Any student action or behavior that violates the YSU Student Code of Conduct, including the guidelines promulgated in the Residence Hall Handbook, may be subject to the procedures outlined in the YSU Student Code of Conduct.
Unless otherwise prescribed in the YSU Student Code of Conduct or other campus policies, all standards of student conduct outlined in the Resident Handbook are under the authority of Article III, Section 17 of the YSU Student Code of Conduct. The Residence Hall Handbook includes additional violations, which include but are not limited to the following:
Any suspected or observed conflicts with YSU policies can be reported to any Housing & Residence Life staff member or by completing the YSU Incident Reporting Form.
The resolution of any suspected prohibited conduct is subject to the rights and procedures detailed in Article IV of the YSU Student Code of Conduct, including sanctions for any findings of responsibility detailed in Article IV, Sections 8 and 9.
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