During the fall of 2019, over 1300 (5%) residential students participated in our Perception of Housing Assessment and 81% of those students wanted a 21 and older residence hall where they could consume alcohol within their apartment. Starting in the fall of 2020, the University created a 21 and older residence hall where students who are 21 and older can responsibly consume alcohol.

Please see below for some Frequently Asked Questions and click here for the brochure.

Why is there a 21 and older hall?
We surveyed students who left housing at the end of the spring, 2019 semester to see why they left, and alcohol was a factor for many of those students. Students 21 or older feel they should be able to consume alcohol on campus, and for some of them, it may have kept them from leaving campus. We use those surveys to try to make programmatic and policy changes in order to increase student satisfaction and retention within the residence halls. Keeping students on campus is beneficial for both students and the University, and if this pilot program increases the retention of students in the hall, and keeps them from moving off campus because of the alcohol policy, the University has decided that a pilot program is the best way to test and see if this is what students want and if it will work.

Which residence hall will be the 21 and older hall?
High Rise Apartments (194 students).

Why was this hall selected?
High Rise was selected based on the most recent survey we sent to students about the 21 and older hall. Of the 311 students who responded that they would live on campus in the fall, 146 of those said that they would select High Rise if it were the 21 and older hall, 121 said they would not and 27 said they were not interested in living in a 21 and older hall. Of the students under 21 who responded to the survey (295), 171 of them said they will choose High Rise when they can in order to live in the 21 and older hall. If students didn't’t want to live in High Rise as that hall, they then wanted it to be Nutmeg or Laurel Hall. Those halls are the two most popular halls and taking away one of those two halls would not go over well with students since that is where many students aspire to move into for future years.

What students are eligible to live in this hall?
Students 21 and older by September 1, 2023 are eligible to live in High Rise.

What if I am not 21 years old by move-in day?
If you turn 21 prior to September 1, 2023, you will be eligible to live in High Rise. Students who turn 21 after that date can try to room change into the hall after they are 21 and, on a space, available basis.

Can athletes live in this hall?
Any student who will be 21 and older as of September 1, 2023 can live in High Rise.

Will there be Theme Housing in this hall?
No, there will be no theme housing communities in High Rise.

How will Housing Selection work for this hall?
Housing selection for High Rise will take place prior to the housing selection process for other residential students. All students who will be 21 by September 1st, have paid the non-refundable $250 housing deposit by March 31st and have completed the fall housing application and answered "yes" to the "21+ process" on the application will be entered into this process.

If I am 21 and older, am I automatically a part of this process?
All students who have paid the $25 non-refundable deposit and completed a housing application by the deadline are eligible for this process.  If a student does not answer "yes" to the application question about the process, they will not be included in the 21 and older process and will participate in the regular housing selection process.

Can I participate in this process if I am a current commuter?
Yes. Current commuters can participate in this process if they meet the deadline for the non-refundable $250 housing deposit and complete the housing application.

How is my pick time determined?
Current residential students will have their pick time based on their Priority Points they have earned. Current commuters points will be based on their GPA and earned credits.

If I am a current commuter and I do not get to assign myself to this hall, will I get my deposit back?
No. Per Board of Regent policy, the housing deposit is non-refundable. Students would go on a wait list to fill any vacancies that may occur after the process has ended and over the summer. If placement cannot be made in the 21 and older hall, students will be assigned to any hall with an open spot. If a student is not able to get into the 21 and older hall by June 30th, they can request to be removed from the wait list so they are not assigned to another hall (June 30th is the deadline to cancel housing to be released from the contract).

What happens if I cannot get into this hall?
Students who are not able to assign themselves to High Rise during the process will then be entered into the housing selection process. Their order is based on the same Priority Points earned for the first process. If a student is not able to get into the 21 and older hall by June 30th, they can request to be removed from the wait list so they are not assigned to another hall (June 30th is the deadline to cancel housing to be released from the contract).

Does my past judicial history affect my ability to live in this hall?
Only in terms of the number of Priority Points earned for your judicial history. Students with past judicial history are eligible for this hall if they are eligible to live on campus.

Are there additional fees to live in this hall?
No. However, there may be additional damage billing for High Rise depending on student behavior/damage caused by students in the hall, same as all other halls.

How does the housing contract cover this hall?
The housing contract remains in effect for High Rise, as well as a required supplemental contract for the 21 and older hall.

Will there be an additional contract for students in this hall?
Yes. Students will be required to complete a supplemental contract that covers topics/concerns specifically for High Rise.

Are there additional requirements for living in this hall (training, education, etc.)?
Yes. The additional contract requires on-line educational training on subjects like social host laws, binge drinking, responsible alcohol consumption, etc.

Is there a guest policy for this hall? If so, are there any restrictions?
The guest policy for High Rise is the same as all other halls. Guests must be escorted at all times and when a minor is present in a room/apartment, there can be no alcohol present.

What happens if I am drinking and a roommate brings in someone under 21?
You will need to immediately put away any alcohol or risk being in violation of the contract and may face removal. Communication with roommates will be key to ensure that no alcohol will be present while minors are visiting.

What will happen if I am found responsible for an alcohol violation of the Student Code of Conduct?
Students found responsible for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, or Housing Contract(s) may be removed from the hall, depending on the specific violation.

How are students removed from the hall?
Students are removed for violating the terms of the housing contract and/or the supplemental contract required for this hall. This can include, but is not limited to, providing alcohol to minors, having alcohol present when minors are in the room/apartment, bringing in more than the allowed amount of alcohol per person, etc.

If I am removed from this hall for violating the contract, can I go back to the hall if an opening exists?
If a student is removed from this hall, they must wait a full semester before they will be permitted to attempt to move back into the hall.

Can students drink alcoholic beverages in common spaces?
Alcohol can be consumed within the student's bedroom and apartment common spaces. Alcohol cannot be consumed in common lounges, game rooms, hallways, etc.

Are there limits to how much alcohol we can have in the apartment?
Yes. Students are limited to the following alcohol per person in the graph below. Common source alcohol containers, such as, but no limited to kegs, beer/party balls and boxed wine are not permitted. Alcohol infused food is not permitted. Limits are listed below:
Beer, 1 six-pack of beer/malt liquor (72 oz.), OR Liquor, 16 oz. (473mL or 1 pint), OR Wine, bottle of wine, 28 oz. (828mL or 1.75 pints).

Do I need to check in my alcohol when I bring it into the building?
No. Students are required to follow the limits per person when bringing alcohol into the building.

What does Health and Safety criteria entail for residents who are 21+?
Health and Safety Inspections will continue with no changes for this hall.

Can I have alcohol in my room/apartment all semester/year?
Yes. Alcohol is permitted to be in your room/apartment from the time you move into the hall and must be removed at spring closing.

Are alcohol containers permitted to be kept as decorations?
No. The housing contract does not allow for alcohol containers to be kept after consumption. Bottles and cans must be disposed of immediately in the proper receptacles. If found in your apartment and they are over the allowed amount, students will be documented and risk removal from the hall.

Are drinking games allowed?
No. The housing contract does not allow for drinking games.

Are we able to make food with alcohol in this hall?
No. Alcohol infused food, such as, but not limited to Jell-O shots, vodka infused gummies, etc. are not permitted.