Am I required to live on campus?
As a part of the strategy to facilitate student success, students are required to live on campus for their first two years at Seattle Pacific.
Students will be given a housing assignment unless they graduated from high school two or more years before the start of the current academic year, or unless their registration drops below eight credits for the quarter.
Students may petition to live at home, but will need to have completed the housing registration first.
Read more about the Residential Living Requirement
here.
When will I receive my housing assignment?
Three items are needed to get a housing assignment: a housing application, $300 room deposit, and $200 enrollment deposit. If these three items were received by June 1, you will get your assignment on July 15. If received between June 2 and August 15, you will get your assignment on September 1. If received after August 15, your application will be processed as space permits.
How do you make room assignments?
Room and roommate assignments are made based on the preferences you provide on your Housing Application. See Room Assignments and Roommate Matching for more information.
When can I move in?
Spring Quarter 2025
Date: Tuesday, March 25
Time: 1–4 p.m.
More information will be available on the Orientation website.
Autumn Quarter 2025
Date: Friday, September 26
Winter Quarter 2026
Date: Sunday, January 4
Spring Quarter 2026
Date: Tuesday, March 24
Staff will be unavailable outside of these times, so please plan your arrival accordingly. If you arrive earlier than the scheduled check-in day, you should find arrangements off campus. Details about where to check in will be included with your assignment.
May I see my room before I move in?
Residence halls are used for conferences during the summer and are closed during Christmas and Spring breaks; therefore, rooms are not available for viewing. However, room layouts are available on the residence hall webpages.
What can I bring with me?
We want you to be comfortable in your new home, but you may want to prioritize what you’ll really need; space will be limited. A What-to-Bring Checklist is available on our Resources page. You may want to contact your roommate(s) to decide who will bring which items.
What furniture is provided?
All students are provided with an extra-long twin bed, dresser, desk, and chair. Apartment residents are also provided with living room and dining room furniture. Furniture may be reconfigured, but it may not be removed from the room.
What laundry facilities are available?
Residence halls have laundry rooms with washers and dryers that accept cashless payment by Falcon Funds from your Falcon Card. Campus-apartment residents have laundry facilities in their building that accept cashless payment by vendor mobile app. The Wesley Apartments have in-unit laundry machines (no payment needed).
What about housing and food service during holiday breaks?
Residence halls close during Christmas and Spring breaks. Residents must vacate the hall, but may leave personal property in their rooms. Students occupying the campus apartments may remain on campus during breaks. Food service is not available in Gwinn Commons during Thanksgiving, Christmas or Spring breaks.
Is my room deposit refundable?
Deposit refund guidelines are listed
here.
May I have a car on campus?
Parking spaces are available to residents for a quarterly rate. You may park your car on the street, but SPU is in a residential area and space is limited. More information can be found on the Office of Safety and Security website.
What should I know about connecting to the Internet?
Wireless network access is available throughout residence halls, campus apartments, and study/meeting areas. For more information about getting connected, visit the Computer and Information Systems website.
What’s my mailing address?
Residence hall students are assigned a mailstop (the term used for your mailbox). Mailboxes are located outside the Student Union Building. Campus apartment residents either receive a mailstop or, for specific buildings, have mail delivered directly to a mailbox at their residence. Mailing Services will provide your mailing address to you a couple of week before you arrive on campus.
Who is able to live off campus?
All SPU students are given housing assignments and live on campus during their first and second years. This makes a big difference in creating a thriving, close-knit campus community where students have unique opportunities to learn, grow, forge life-long friendships, and pursue their callings alongside one another.
Exceptions to the Residential Living Requirement are rare and granted only if:
- You are a graduate student.
- You are enrolled for eight or fewer credits.
- You graduated from high school two or more years before the start of the academic year. For Fall of 2025, students who graduated in the Spring/Summer of 2023 or earlier are exempt and do not need to request an exemption.
- You have a documented medical/health related issue and have received an approved accommodation from Disability Support Services.
- You will be living at home with your spouse, or dependent children.
- You will be living with your parent/guardian within a limited radius of the SPU campus.
Students living with spouses, children, or parent/guardian will need to complete the Residential Living Exemption form (available on the Housing Portal) after they've completed their Housing Registration.
Students living at home within approximately 10 miles of campus will most likely be approved. Students living within 10 to 20 miles (approximately) will be approved if there is also evidence of significant financial need.