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Living on campus can be a fun and fulfilling experience as a UT student, though it can come with a lot of questions. Read below for the answers to some of the most commonly asked ones.
Table of Contents
General FAQ
The Office of Residence Life’s contact information can be found on the Contact Residence Life page.
Please see housing and meal rates.
Residents are required to participate in the University's meal plan. The 7-meal plan per week option is only available to students living in an apartment with a kitchen, which includes Urso, Palm and Straz halls. Students have the option to choose from four different meal plans and may also purchase Spartan Dollars for use at food establishments on campus. During academic breaks, dining hours and availability are subject to change. For more information, please see Dining Services.
Research in student development indicates that residential living supports student transition to a university. Residential living for new students may ease student transition to the UTampa environment and provide significant support for the inherent challenges of heightened academic rigor and increased independence in the first year of college.
The Office of Residence Life follows a residential curriculum, Spartan Living, which provides learning and social events for residents to “Thrive Where You Reside.” Additional information on curriculum goals can be found on the Spartan Living page.
Housing Agreement start and end dates and the length of the agreement align with the University academic calendar. Residence halls remain open during Thanksgiving and spring break periods.
The residence halls are also open for winter break, but students wishing to remain on campus must sign up and pay an additional charge for winter break housing. Please see the application page for more information.
Coming in as a first-semester student, one application is used to apply for housing. This application does not provide the opportunity to preference certain residence halls due to the high demand for housing from new students. However, continuing students are able to participate in the housing selection process each spring semester to choose their room for the following fall.
A resident assistant (RA) is a student staff member working and living in a residence hall. Resident assistants provide support, guidance and assistance for resident students. RAs also engage residential students in meaningful experiences to learn about themselves, about others and develop skills to become Spartan Ready.
A variety of student employment opportunities are available through the Office of Residence Life. Please refer to the Res Life Student Employment page for employment information. The Resident Assistant application process opens in the fall semester for the upcoming academic year.
An area coordinator (AC) is a professional staff member who oversees a residential community. They are responsible for the supervision and training of resident assistants in addition to communicating with campus partners to provide students with resources based on needs. Area coordinators hold office hours in residential communities and serve on-call to assist students with after-hours emergencies.
An LLC, or Living-Learning Community, is a community building or floor with common coursework or themed experiences for the students living within it. LLCs include faculty and staff programming and engagement opportunities and are no additional cost to participate. For additional information, please visit the LLC webpage.
The Barrymore
The Barrymore Hotel is UTampa’s off-site residence hall. It is considered on-campus housing due to its proximity to campus and the availability of UTampa services to all residents, including Campus Safety patrols, free laundry and Resident Assistant/Area Coordinator presence. Additional information regarding The Barrymore Hotel can be found on The Barrymore Hotel page.
The Barrymore shuttle is a free service to UTampa students that provides drop offs between the Barrymore Hotel and the Vaughn Center 7-days a week throughout the academic year.
The Barrymore shuttles run every 30 minutes between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Meal plans are required for students living at the Barrymore Hotel.
Furniture in the Barrymore includes two queen-sized beds (linens are provided), a private bathroom, a desk, a chair, a dresser (3-4 drawers), a nightstand, a microwave, a mini-fridge and a TV with cable included.
Beds in the Barrymore Hotel are queen size, and linens are provided. If a student prefers to bring their own linens to the Barrymore, we ask that they bring linens that are not solid white.
The Barrymore Hotel includes resident assistants on each residential floor to help provide a traditional residence hall experience.
Room concerns can be reported to the front desk in person or via phone at (813) 223-1351. Students can also report concerns via email at reservations@barrymorehotel.com or can contact the Office of Residence Life via our contact information. We encourage students to report any concerns immediately so that the issue can be addressed as soon as possible.
Yes, housekeeping is provided to Barrymore residents via the housekeeping team. This includes bathroom sanitizing, vacuuming and laundering of hotel-provided linens.
Both Campus Safety and private security officers regularly patrol the Barrymore Hotel. Additionally, the front desk is open 24 hours a day and resident assistant team members are available for student calls between the hours of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.
Applying for Housing
UTampa students are not required to live on campus.
In accordance with applicable federal, state and local disability laws, The University of Tampa will make every effort to provide reasonable housing accommodations for students who have a qualifying disability. Any student needing accommodations related to University housing or meal plan options should contact Student Accessibility Services to request appropriate accommodations and provide supporting documentation. Student Accessibility Services and Residence Life work collaboratively in order to provide appropriate housing accommodations for eligible students living on-campus.
Accommodation requests and documentation should be submitted by the deadlines (New fall students – May 1, New spring students – Oct. 1, Continuing students – Feb.1); requests submitted after posted deadlines will still be considered but will be subject to space availability. Student Accessibility Services will notify Residence Life regarding students who are approved for accommodations. Assignments will be made directly by Residence Life based on the approved accommodations.
If reasonable accommodations cannot immediately be satisfied due to capacity/facility design/availability/etc., the student’s request will be given priority over other housing requests. Each student’s request will be reviewed on an individual basis..
Any questions concerning documentation requirements should be directed to Student Accessibility Services at accessibility.services@ut.edu or (813) 257-3266.
Information on the emotional support animal approval process can be found on the Student Accessibility Services website. Animals must be approved by Student Accessibility Services prior to coming to campus.
The University of Tampa welcomes service animals in all of its facilities when the animal is accompanied by a handler and has been individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.
Information on service animals can be found on the Student Accessibility Services website.
The Office of Residence Life is committed to working to meet the housing needs of all students in a welcoming community that values the dignity of all people.
First-year and transfer students are encouraged to contact the Office of Residence Life to discuss housing that best meets the needs of the student.
Continuing students apply with their prospective roommate(s) following the same processes and deadlines of all students entering the housing selection process.
As of Fall 2022, students who live on-campus will have their housing deposit applied to the first semester’s costs.
Students that lived on campus prior to Fall 2022 will be refunded their deposit via the Bursar's office once the student has moved off campus.
Housing applications must be completed in the StarRez software system, which is accessible via the StarRez chiclet in MyUTampa. Due to high demand, students are encouraged to apply for on campus housing as soon as possible.
Additional information can found on the forms page.
The Standby List is intended for continuing students only. New students should apply for housing using the New Student Housing Application.
New students should complete the New Student Housing application through MyUTampa or by clicking the link on the forms page.
New students should indicate roommate preferences on their housing application. Due to the volume of housing requests, requested roommates are not guaranteed.
Fall term students are allowed to request only one or two prospective roommates. Changes to roommate requests and groups can be made through the May 1 deadline. Please note if a student chooses none or only one roommate through our matching process, they may still be placed in a triple room with additional roommate(s). It is also possible that requested roommates be placed in the same suite rather than the same bedroom.
New incoming students (including transfers) cannot request to room with someone who is a current student at UTampa.
Fall room and roommate assignments are released mid-July via the StarRez system. The Office of Residence Life will email students via on their Spartan email account once these assignments are posted.
Transfer students who have not lived on campus at The University of Tampa previously should complete the New Student Housing Application through MyUTampa or by clicking the link on the forms page.
Continuing Students
UTampa students are not required to live on campus.
In accordance with applicable federal, state and local disability laws, The University of Tampa will make every effort to provide reasonable housing accommodations for students who have a qualifying disability. Any student needing accommodations related to University housing or meal plan options should contact Student Accessibility Services to request appropriate accommodations and provide supporting documentation. Student Accessibility Services and Residence Life work collaboratively in order to provide appropriate housing accommodations for eligible students living on-campus.
Accommodation requests and documentation should be submitted by the deadlines (New fall students – May 1, New spring students – Oct. 1, Continuing students – Feb.1); requests submitted after posted deadlines will still be considered but will be subject to space availability. Student Accessibility Services will notify Residence Life regarding students who are approved for accommodations. Assignments will be made directly by Residence Life based on the approved accommodations.
If reasonable accommodations cannot immediately be satisfied due to capacity/facility design/availability/etc., the student’s request will be given priority over other housing requests. Each student’s request will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Any questions concerning documentation requirements should be directed to Student Accessibility Services at accessibility.services@ut.edu or (813) 257-3266.
Information on the emotional support animal approval process can be found on the Student Accessibility Services webpage. Animals must be approved by Student Accessibility Services prior to coming to campus.
The University of Tampa welcomes service animals in all of its facilities when the animal is accompanied by a handler and has been individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.
Information on service animals can be found on the Student Accessibility Services webpage
The Office of Residence Life is committed to working to meet the housing needs of all students in a welcoming community that values the dignity of all people.
First-year and transfer students are encouraged to contact the Office of Residence Life to discuss housing that best meets the needs of the student.
Continuing students apply with their prospective roommate(s) following the same processes and deadlines of all students entering the housing selection process.
As of Fall 2022, students who live on-campus will have their housing deposit applied to the first semester’s costs.
Students that lived on campus prior to Fall 2022 will be refunded their deposit via the Bursar's office once the student has moved off campus.
Continuing student housing applications open each December for the upcoming academic year. Additional information on the process can be found on the Continuing Student Housing Selection page.
The StandbyList is for continuing students who were unable to select a room during the room selection process. Vacancies will be filled from this list only if spaces become available at a later date. There is no guarantee that students will receive an assignment on campus by being on the list.
Room availability for those on the Standby List is difficult to predict as it based on vacancies. Due to cancellations, openings often become available in the summer months. There is no guarantee that students will receive an assignment on campus if they are on the list.
If a student has not lived on campus previously, they should complete the New Student Application form located on the forms page.
Continuing students are able to create roommate groups after they complete their continuing student housing application. Roommates will pick their own rooms as a group during the online housing selection process. Please see the Continuing Student Housing Selection page for more information.
Transfer students who have not lived on campus at The University of Tampa previously should complete the New Student Housing Application through MyUTampa or by clicking the link on the forms page.
On Campus Services
The University employs custodial workers to sanitize bathroom areas, lounges, lobbies, hallways, laundry rooms, study and TV lounges.
Residents are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, including bathrooms and should clear spaces of personal belongings prior to weekly staff cleanings.
Maintenance problems in student rooms should be reported promptly by contacting Facilities Management. Maintenance personnel respond in the order that maintenance requests are received. They are unable to predict the exact day and time the repair will be done, but usually complete the work within 24-48 hours of the request, depending on time of the semester. They work Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except in cases of emergencies.
The housekeeping team prioritizes the cleaning and sanitizing of common areas, such as bathrooms, lounges, lobbies, hallways, laundry rooms and community lounges. These cleaning are scheduled throughout the week, with a daily emphasis on common-touch locations such as door handles. Specific schedule and/or product questions can be directed to the Facilities Management Department.
Work/repair requests should be reported promptly by contacting Facilities Management. Unless there is an emergency, requests are completed in the order they are received. In most cases, work is done within 24-48 hours of the request during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Residents must immediately report lost keys or missing keys at the Vaughn Information Desk. Loan keys can be also issued at the Information Desk for temporary needs. If a loan key is not returned within the designated time frame, the student will automatically be charged for a lock change. There is a charge of $150 for lock and key replacements and the total amount will be billed to the resident's student account. New keys are issued within two to three business days.
Laundry facilities are located in each residence hall. For your convenience, the campus laundry rooms are equipped with High-Efficiency (HE) washers and dryers free of charge. For best results, use HE detergent. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions on the detergent bottle label, since it’s specially formulated for HE machines. With HE washers, less detergent is recommended to get the cleanest clothes. Pre-measured HE liquid packets are also recommended. Laundry machine issues should be reported via the CSC Serviceworks Repair app, which can be downloaded by using one of the following links: CSC Service Repair app for Apple or CSC Service Repair app for Android.
To provide a hassle-free laundry service option to its students, The University of Tampa has partnered with Tampa Laundry Company, a family-owned Tampa business known for its fresh approach to pick-up and delivery laundry services. There is a laundry list of things to do as a college student. Unfortunately, laundry does not always fit on that list! Leave the laundry to Tampa Laundry Company. They will wash, dry and fold your laundry, all semester long. All you have to do is put your laundry in your Tampa Laundry Company laundry bag, and they will pick it up once a week and drop it off two days later – clean, folded and ready to put away. To sign up or for more information, visit tampalaundry.com.
All student addresses are "401 W. Kennedy Blvd.; Campus Box #___; Tampa , FL 33606." Please inform those sending you mail and packages of the correct address. With the proper address, your mail will arrive faster and be distributed efficiently.
Mail Services is located in the Southard Family Building. Packages may be sent to students at their post office box. Residential students living on campus with properly addressed packages and first-class mail will receive an email notification from mail services indicating they have items to pick up. The email will direct students as to what type of item they have and where to pick up the item.
Residents receiving deliveries of perishable items such as flowers and/or food will not be delivered to their room or box number directly, but to the Information Desk at the Vaughn Center, where they will be contacted to pick up their item(s). A picture ID is required to retrieve deliveries.
The Vaughn Center Information Desk serves as a hub for general campus services information, residential loan key checkouts, small item lost and found, and special deliveries. More information on the Vaughn Information Desk can be found on their Vaughn webpage.
The Residence Life staff are available to assist students 24 hours a day through community desks, the Vaughn Information Desk and the resident assistant on-call team. Additionally, the Department of Campus Safety patrols campus 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For more detailed information, please review the Department of Campus Safety’s webpage.
Yes, refrigerators and microwaves are welcome on-campus, provided the restrictions below are met:
- With the exception of Urso Hall, Palm Apartments and Straz Hall apartments (which already have full-size refrigerators), refrigerators should be no larger than 4.4 cubic feet, 36 inches high, 24 inches wide, 26 inches deep, 1.8 amps, 110 volts. In the interest of fire prevention, electrical outlets must not be overloaded.
- No devices for the purpose of cooking are allowed in residence hall rooms, with the exception of the following: blenders, can openers, and coffee makers. Microwave ovens are permitted in student rooms provided the microwave oven has been UL approved and does not exceed 700 watts.
- Residents in communities with provided appliances are responsible for cleaning their own stoves and refrigerators. Appliances are expected to be clean at checkout time.
The Office of Residence Life also partners with Campus Specialties Inc for an optional Microfridge rental program. Microfridge units are perfect for any room or suite and are equipped with a microwave, freezer, and refrigerator all in one attached unit. Roommates also have the option to share the Microfridge unit and split the cost. Before move in, Microfridges are delivered to student rooms and are picked up at the end of the school year, after students move out. Microfridge units can be rented through the Campus Specialties website www.mymicrofridge.com, or by phone at 1-800-525-7307.
The Urso Hall, Palm Apartments and Straz Hall communities have refrigerators and stoves in the room for resident use.
For student convenience, we have partnered with a reputable vendor to service your MicroFridge needs, Campus Specialties, inc. MicroFridge units are perfect for any residence hall and are equipped with a microwave, freezer and refrigerator all in one attached unit. Before you move in, your MicroFridge will be delivered to your room so you can avoid the hassle of transporting your unit. They will also pick up the MicroFridge unit at the end of the year once you are moved out. All MicroFridge units must be purchased through the Campus Specialties website, www.mymicrofridge.com, or by phone at (800) 525-7307.
Linens are not provided to students, with the exception of those at the Barrymore Hotel. All residence hall mattresses are extra-long twins, measuring 80" x 36". This is longer than the average 76 inches.
Beds in the Barrymore Hotel are queen size, and linens are provided. If a student prefers to bring their own linens to the Barrymore, we ask that they bring linens that are not solid white.
For student comfort, all residence hall mattresses are extra-long twins, measuring 80" x 36". This is longer than the average 76 inches.
Beds in the Barrymore Hotel are queen size, and linens are provided. If a student prefers to bring their own linens to the Barrymore, we ask that they bring linens that are not solid white.
Each student gets a desk, desk chair, bed, dresser and closet space/wardrobe.
Resident rooms are carpeted in the Barrymore Hotel. All other residence halls do not have carpet in bedrooms.
All residential students have the ability to connect to the University Wi-Fi using their student credentials. Information on setting up connections, including placing work/support tickets can be found on the Information Technology webpage.
With a computer equipped with an Ethernet or wireless card, students can enjoy free, direct, unlimited access to email and the Internet from any residence hall room. Wireless networking is also available throughout much of campus. Students without their own computer can use the conveniently located computer labs in the Vaughn Center and Plant Hall. Visit the Incoming Student ITS Checklist page for more tips on-campus technology.
Living On Campus
Please see the Packing List for information on what to bring to campus.
A detailed list of items to leave at home can also be found on the Packing List website. We also encourage students to review the Campus Living Policies page to ensure that prohibited items are not brought to campus.
Throughout the academic year, social events and learning opportunities will be provided to on-campus students within the Spartan Living Residential Curriculum. For more information, please refer to the Spartan Living webpage. Residence Life staff plan and participate in the programs offered and can provide additional information on events.
Adjusting to life with a roommate can be a challenging transition for students. To support students, it is encouraged that roommates address issues as they arise.
When roommates are experiencing concerns, resident assistants (RA) can mediate student conflict or refer them to the Area Coordinator of the community.
Residents are permitted to change rooms on a voluntary basis during the open room change period that will occur during the third week of classes each semester. Information on the process can be found on the Room Change website.
Students may have fish as pets with the consent of their roommate(s). Each room/apartment may have one 10-gallon aquarium. Students who have fish should arrange for someone off-campus to care for them during holidays and breaks. No other pets are permitted with the exception of service animals. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are only permitted in the student's room if accommodations have been given to the student by the UT Student Accessibility Services Office for an ESA. Animals are not permitted to visit in the residence halls including interior and exterior hallways.
Find policies on the Campus Living Policies webpage.
Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. At no time should the noise coming from a room or apartment significantly disrupt the community. Quiet hours are in effect from 10 p.m.-10 a.m. on weeknights (Sunday- Thursday) and 1 a.m. -10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. As determined by the Office of Residence Life, 24-hour quiet periods are in effect during the examination period of each term and at other times as announced. Any student has the right (at any time of day or night) to request that other students reduce their noise level.
Renters/property insurance is not currently required but is strongly recommended to all on campus residents. Students and families are encouraged to determine if personal belongings are also covered under their family's homeowner's insurance policy, if applicable.
For more information on rental insurance, please visit www.nssi.com/.
The University of Tampa is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property from any cause.
Soliciting is not permitted in the residence halls. Students should ask salespersons to leave the building if they are approached. If they refuse, please contact the Office of Campus Safety at 813-257-7777 or inform a Residence Life staff member.
Residential Guests are defined as any persons who are not affiliated but invited to The University of Tampa by a resident assigned to on-campus housing. Residents may have guests (including overnight) with authorization from their roommate(s). This authorization may be in the form of verbal or written consent.
Guests in the residence halls are not a right but a privilege granted with the agreement of the roommate(s). Guests are not permitted in a room unless all occupants of that room are in agreement; consent to a guest may be withdrawn by a resident or roommate at any time. Guests are subject to University regulations and residence hall policies and must be escorted by their resident host at all times.
Resident hosts are responsible for the actions of their guests and may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for the actions of their guests or any violations of the residential guest policy. Students are not permitted to give their Spartan Cards or room keys for a guest to access the residence hall or room under any circumstances.
Residential Guests may stay a maximum of three consecutive nights and 15 total nights per semester in the residence halls. Cohabitation by anyone other than the individual assigned to that room is prohibited.
Residential Guests may stay in a room overnight with a maximum of two overnight guests per host at a time. Gatherings with more than three times the designated occupancy of a residence hall room/apartment is prohibited. For example, an apartment with four residents cannot exceed twelve occupants at any time, a room with two residents cannot exceed six occupants at any time, etc.
If a student feels their roommate(s) are not abiding by this policy, it is the responsibility of the student to notify an Office of Residence Life or Campus Safety staff member.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact 911 or visit the nearest hospital/urgent care center.
It is recommended that students experiencing an illness contact Medical Services via the Dickey Health and Wellness Center for support.
Students experiencing illnesses are encouraged to speak with a medical provider and follow their advice on next steps. Students can also contact us at reslife@ut.edu or visit the Dickey Health and Wellness Center for assistance.
Students experiencing illnesses may arrange meal pick-ups by emailing reslife@ut.edu. In the email, the student must specify the name of the person(s) assisting them with meal pick-up. Meal pick-ups are limited to those experiencing illness and have been working with a medical provider.
Students unable to attend classes due to illness should contact their instructors for additional information. Please see the UTampa Attendance Policy for additional information.
It is also recommended that students experiencing an illness contact Medical Services via the Dickey Health and Wellness Center for support.
Transportation
Sophomores, juniors and seniors are permitted to bring cars to campus. Learn more about vehicle registration and parking regulations.
Bicycles may be kept in rooms as long as both roommates agree. Bike racks are also located outside residence halls. All students bringing bicycles to campus are asked to register their bicycle with Campus Safety.
Motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds and other fuel or electric-powered vehicles are prohibited in residence halls (unless approved as a medical device), and must be parked in accordance with University parking regulations.
Devices or other equipment intended for the moving of persons medically issued, including but not limited to Segways and self-balancing scooters, must be approved by Student Accessibility Services. Approved medical devices or equipment must adhere to a respectable and reasonable speed limit when operated indoors. Skateboards, bicycles and approved medical devices or equipment may be stored in rooms as long as a clear exit emergency path is maintained.
Currently, shuttle services are provided to residents of the Barrymore, the Henry and 220 Madison. For off-campus resources and information, please refer to the Off-Campus Housing page.
Please refer to the transportation resources page through the Office of Campus Safety.
The University of Tampa welcomes outside storage and moving companies and their box trucks on campus to assist students and their families with their move-in and move-out process with the exception of designated University move-in and move-out days. Box trucks will not be permitted on campus from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on university designated move-in days.typically held in August and January as well as designated move-out days in December and May.
Students must be checked into their residence hall assignment, present on campus, and must escort the representative from their chosen storage or moving company at all times inside the residence hall. Storage and moving companies cannot be scheduled prior to a student’s arrival to or after their departure from campus. The Office of Residence Life cannot give storage and moving companies access to any residential facility on campus. Any box truck blocking campus or city traffic will be required to move regardless of whether their move is complete.
The Office of Residence Life is partnered with Collegeboxes, powered by U-Haul. The Collegeboxes program is the only UTampa-approved move-in and storage program that offers in-room pre-arrival deliveries, allowing students to have their items placed in their Fall room assignments prior to move-in day.
Current on-campus residents will be able to sign up with Collegeboxes for select dates this spring to drop off items on campus, which the company can store over the summer months. Current on-campus residents who are planning to live off-campus may also have the items shipped to their off-campus residences.
Incoming residents can also utilize the service to direct ship their items from home, including international locations as an affordable and convenient way for students to get their items shipped and delivered to school. Additional information is available at https://www.collegeboxes.com.
