Rules for Living in College Dorms

There are a few rules students in dorms need to heed.

College dorms bring an unbridled sense of freedom to students. Released from parental rule, students can have a great time and socialize with new people without mom or dad looming. However, dorms have rules students must follow. Some dorms may have limits on how long guests can stay, offer meal plans for food and mandate residency for freshmen. These rules are designed to maintain order in a place where debauchery rules more often than not.

Meal Plans

Many dorms have meal plans in place to accommodate students' food needs. These plans offer a set number of meals to students every week for the semester. Many colleges mandate that students be on a meal plan. Students can purchase food on a plan using a special card filled with money; some campuses allow students to use cash or credit cards. Plan costs vary by college.

Decorations

Dorms usually have strict rules as to how students may decorate their room walls. Most only allow removable plastic adhesives to attach decorations to walls. Decals and contact paper are usually not permitted on walls, doors, windows or ceilings. Nails and tape are also not allowed. These rules are set in place to ensure no permanent marks are left behind once you leave the dorm. Many dorms also provide furniture for students, helping them save money.

Co-Ed Dorms

Dorms may be single-gender or co-ed. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Single-gender dorms are suitable for students who may have strong views against premarital sex, which is very common in co-ed dorms. For students who like interacting with the opposite sex, however, a single-gender dorm may not be the best thing. A co-ed living situation allows both genders to interact and helps foster romantic relationships. However, these dorms are known for their wild parties, a potential issue for a student who prefers a quiet night to beer pong.

First-Years

Many schools mandate that incoming freshmen students live on campus for their first year. This is done to encourage them to interact with fellow students and get a good feel for campus life. Some colleges may make exceptions for students who will be 21 by the time they become freshmen or who live with a parent or legal guardian within a specific county.

References

• Rental Decorating Digest; Student Rules
• Andrews University; Meal Plan
• UGA Housing; First-Year Live-On Requirement Guidelines