Undergraduate Studies Housing
What type of housing is available?
Most of us are at ease in smaller groups, so we’ve created a series of interlocking “neighborhoods” (your wing, your floor, your hall, and the KU campus) that offer the chance to find your place. Grouped with others who share similar interests, you’ll find yourself in the midst of a discussion, a group on the way to lunch or dinner, or a late-night run to a local coffee shop before you know it. You’ll grow together as a group and individually by sharing experiences in and out of the classroom.
For complete information, visit KU's Department of Student Housing.
Honors Program Residence (in both McCollum and Templin Halls)
High-ability students enjoy residential environments where academic achievement and faculty-student interaction are emphasized. Women and men live on separate wings of the same floor, study facilities are located in the floor lobby, and the nearby Nunemaker Center houses the KU Honors Program.
You’ll be eligible for the Honors Program Residence if you’re invited to join the KU Honors Program or are a U.S. or international scholar. You must maintain a competitive GPA to continue to live in these academic residential environments.
Email the KU Honors Program with questions.
Scholarship Halls
The “Schol Halls” at KU are a unique living option – residents selected to live in the 12 scholarship halls pay about $1,600 less each year (a form of “scholarship”) than their residence hall counterparts. In these small cooperative houses, residents complete 4-6 hours of household tasks like cooking or cleaning each week, and they’re also self-governing – involvement is a strong tradition in the Schol Halls.
Current scholarship hall residents will show you KU's unique Scholarship Halls, grounded in a rich history of student leadership. No reservations necessary when classes are in session – tours begin in the Crawford Community Center at 14th and Louisiana, each Monday through Friday afternoon, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and also Saturdays, noon to 2:00 p.m. We're anxious to meet you!
The application process is competitive. Each prospective resident’s materials are reviewed and ranked based on academic achievement (GPA and test scores), financial need, and involvement in school or community activities. A special scholarship hall application process is described on the housing application form.
3E (Experience Excellence in Elsworth Hall)
Get a great start on college with 3E. This is a building-wide career exploration program that partners new students with upperclass residents as they investigate career options in “excellence teams” which focus on career fields. All Ellsworth residents complete the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and are assisted by staff of the University Career Center in interpreting their results.
Residence Center for the Creative Arts (Hashinger Hall)
Create, observe, participate. Nearly 400 women and men focus their creative energies on a variety of art forms, resulting in a closely-knit living group. From special guests like the internationally-known earth artist, Stan Herd, to open mic nights, and coffee house performances featuring music, poetry and comedy, Hashinger offers something for anyone who likes to explore possibilities in the arts.
Additional residential communities are being planned and developed all the time. Possibilities include environmental awareness, engineering, marching band, architecture, or health sciences. If YOU have an interest you think may work well in an organized living environment, please contact DSH.
Is student housing guaranteed for four years ?
As long as the student wishes to live on campus, student housing will be available to them. There is also a new 2 year housing contract program. Given recent experience and the continued volatility of energy and food prices, we believe students and their families might appreciate the option to choose a rate that would remain constant. As a planning tool, this 2-year housing contract offers a stable foundation on which to help build a college budget.
Would I have a roommate or live alone, how will roommates be selected?
Students at KU have the flexibility of selecting from a few different housing options that will dicate their roommate situation on their specific housing application form. Residents may request a roommate by name on the housing application form. The request must be mutual and the applications must be received early in order for both residents to be assigned to the same room/suite/apartment. An effort will be made to place residents with the roommate(s) of their choice.
Whether you live with a roommate you've known for years or take "the luck of the draw," learning about each other and living with your differences can benefit you both. The best suggestion we can offer to help roommates get along is for all to be courteous, thoughtful, and considerate. If things don't go well, there are staff members who can help. In the residence halls and apartment communities, Resident Assistants (RAs) are available. In scholarship halls, the Scholarship Hall Director (SHD) and Proctor are available to offer guidance and helpful suggestions. Staff members can help you work out those stresses that may arise between individuals who have different schedules, habits, and lifestyles. Every now and then a problem may arise that can only be resolved through a change of rooms. If this is the case, please contact your RA or SHD for correct procedures. Most of the time significant roommate problems don't occur. Consideration and effective communication help prevent the most common problems. You will be asked by your RA or Proctor to complete a Roommate Agreement during one of your first meetings to help you and your roommate talk about issues that will be important to your ability to get along.
