A Residential Campus

Residential Living Policy

Return to: Student Handbook 2022-2023  

Policy

Andrews University is operated as a residential college on the undergraduate level. This means that the residential environment plays a significant role in the mission of the University and its efforts to foster the holistic development of each student.

Therefore, all single undergraduate students under 22 years of age who are (1) pursuing an on-campus degree and taking seven or more credits (including distance learning courses) or (2) enrolled in full-time language study must live in one of the University residence halls and participate in a meal plan at the University’s cafeteria. Single undergraduate students must be 22 years of age by the first day of a semester in order to be approved to live in the community for that semester.

*Special consideration may be granted for those who turn 22 by September 30 (for fall) and February 10 (for spring).

*Special consideration may be granted for those who are fifth-year seniors (attended four full years—eight fall/spring semesters—at a college/university and have 120+ earned academic credit hours). Students who have served one or two registered semesters as a student missionary or taskforce worker through Andrews University or another Adventist institution may be granted equivalent academic semesters toward fifth-year senior status (with 15 hours of earned academic credit hours per semester) pending recommendation letters from the Center for Faith Engagement as well as the site supervisor.

Costs associated with residence hall living are part of the investment in an Andrews University education, thus the Student Life office does not make exceptions to the Residential Living Policy on the basis of financial need.

The ONLY alternatives to residence hall living are as follows and are at the discretion of the Student Life office:

1. Students may live full-time within the household of a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle or sibling age 22+ within a 45-mile radius of the University under the terms of an approved Community Residential Application.
2. Students may live full-time with a current, full-time Andrews University faculty or staff member (generally a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing) within a 45-mile radius of the University under the terms of an approved Community Residential Application.

A Community Residential Application may be obtained online at andrews.edu/life/housing. The parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling age 22+ or current, full-time faculty/staff member must sign the application and is required to upload a copy of their current Michigan or Indiana driver’s license as proof of local residency. Other supporting documentation may be requested. 

*If applying to live with an aunt/uncle, a student must submit written documentation from a parent to verify that the aunt/uncle is the biological sister/brother of the parent.

Returning residential students under age 22 who meet the criteria for community living must submit applications to the Student Life office for approval prior to the semester of their expected move. Submitting an application before the deadline does not mean it is approved. The associate dean for Student Life will respond to all applications within two weeks of submission or according to the designated timeline (see below).

Please note the additional conditions of this policy:

1. A “parent” is a student’s biological parent, legally adopted parent or legal stepparent. A “grandparent” is a biological parent of a student’s parent. An “aunt” or “uncle” is a biological sister or brother of a student’s parent. While the University understands the custom of addressing a close family friend as “aunt,” “uncle,” etc., the University, as it relates to the Residential Living Policy, only honors biological family relationships.
2. In keeping with the older student community environment, a student under age 22 will not be approved to live with their age 22+ sibling in University Towers.
3. To be eligible for community housing, students must be in good and regular standing and evidence a willingness to abide by the expectations of Andrews University at the time of application.
4. Students living in the community or University Apartments are expected to abide by the standards and codes of conduct outlined in the “Student Handbook.”
5. Under the terms of the Community Residential Application, the parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling age 22+ or faculty/staff member must agree to live on a daily basis in the same household as the student (students must not live in a separate apartment or basement apartment with a different entrance) and to notify Student Life of any changes of address, conduct concerns, irregularities or any concern that impacts the welfare of the student.
6. A parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling age 22+ or faculty/staff member who owns or rents more than one residence may not divide their time between residences during the school year.
7. Application for living in the community must be made each academic year.
8. Students are strongly advised not to make contractual agreements or financial commitments in the community before receiving full approval from Student Life for community living. Student Life is not responsible for these choices or consequences.
9. Students who make false statements to the University on a Community Residential Application jeopardize their student status and ability to reside in the community—additional consequences and/or fines may apply.
10. Students who wish to request alternate housing arrangements due to a disability or to a chronic health condition should contact the disability services coordinator, Kristine Fraser, at Student Success (269-471-3227). All requests for housing accommodations should be made no later than July 1 (for fall semester), November 15 (for spring semester), and March 15 (for summer semester). After these dates, housing accommodations will be granted as space allows or for a future semester. Andrews University will make every attempt to provide reasonable accommodations within on-campus housing facilities for students with documented disabilities or chronic health conditions.

Residence Halls and Housing Accommodations

The University maintains three residence halls: Lamson Hall (for undergraduate women), Meier Hall (for undergraduate men), and University Towers. University Towers is for single, undergraduate age 22+ and graduate students. Double-occupancy rooms are standard. Single occupancy is permitted by special request, if space allows, for an additional fee. Residents are not permitted to sublet their rooms to other individuals.

Housing Accommodations. Students who find themselves in a rooming arrangement (in campus residence halls or on trips and tours) with which they are not comfortable for any reason are encouraged to contact a Residence Hall dean, the director of University Apartments, or their trip or tour director. Residential and trip or tour staff will work confidentially and respectfully with students to find appropriate solutions to their housing needs, whether on-campus or traveling off-campus.

Room Search 

The University reserves the right of residence hall deans, authorized representatives or an administrative officer of the University to enter and inspect a student’s room in accordance with this policy.

Partial Room Search

A partial room search may occur at any time (such as during a building closure as a part of securing the premises) and is conducted by building staff including resident advisors. Partial room searches include ensuring windows are closed and locked, refrigerator is not defrosting, lights are turned off, and room door is locked. Partial room searches also may include a brief inspection of the room for weapons, fire hazards, subwoofers or other contraband to ensure community safety and may lead to a further search of the area if a contraband item is found and more are suspected. 

Full Room Search

A full room search may occur if there is reasonable suspicion that a room contains contraband such as, but not limited to, weapons, ammunition, fire hazards, alcohol, marijuana and/or illegal substances. Full room searches are conducted by residence hall staff and/or Campus Safety at the request of building administration and will include all areas on the premises (drawers, boxes, suitcases, containers, etc.) to ensure the room is free from banned/dangerous items. This process includes, but is not limited to, the right to inspect the contents of any locked containers and inspection for illegal substances, firearms, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, fire and safety hazards, cleanliness and orderliness. The student, by accepting a room in one of the residence halls, acknowledges and authorizes this procedure. Materials and decorations, such as pictures or posters not in harmony with the ethical and moral standards of the University, may result in the student being asked to remove them from the campus or may ultimately be removed by University personnel.

University Apartments (and Houses) 

The University owns approximately 300 apartments and 30 houses. The apartments are available to married students, students with children, and single undergraduate age 22+ and graduate students. Accommodations are available only to those who have been officially accepted as University students. Since apartments are limited, applicants are advised to apply six to nine months before their first semester of studies.

Some apartments are furnished. Tenants must supply their own linen, draperies and kitchen utensils. Unfurnished apartments have a stove and refrigerator. Heavy furniture and pianos on the second or third floor may be placed in the apartments only by prior arrangement with the University Apartments director. Pets are not allowed in University apartments or houses. The apartment descriptions, rental rates and application forms are available upon request.

Full-time students living with children, spouse or parents, single graduate students or undergraduate students (22 years of age and older) may qualify for a University apartment. Apartments offered are as follows:

• Beechwood: 1-, 2- and (limited) 3-bedroom furnished or unfurnished; and a very limited number of 4-bedroom unfurnished
• Garland: 1-, 2- or (limited) 3-bedroom furnished or unfurnished; and efficiency furnished apartments for singles
• Maplewood: 1-, 2- or (limited) 3-bedroom furnished with air conditioning; 2-bedroom unfurnished with or without air conditioning; and a limited number of 3-bedroom unfurnished with air conditioning
• A limited number of houses

For floor plans and more information, please visit andrews.edu/apartments.

Other Accommodations

There are other accommodations in the area. You may obtain a list of area landlords at the Office of University Apartments or request a copy via email to universityapartments@andrews.edu.

Community Housing

Return to: Student Handbook 2022-2023  

Non-Residence Hall Housing

Students 22 or older may choose to live in University apartments or in non-University housing in the community. All students in non-University housing are advised to obtain a valid lease or contract from their landlords.

Students living in non-residence hall housing must abide by the Code of Student Conduct and the Residential Living Policy. 

All students living off-campus must maintain high moral standards in their choice of guests and entertainment; otherwise, they could be subject to discipline. Unmarried or unrelated students of the opposite sex or students who are in a romantic relationship may not live or visit overnight in the same shared dwelling.

Campus Curfew and Building Closures

Return to: Student Handbook 2022-2023   

 The University roadways are closed to general access from off-campus starting at 11 p.m. every night except for Saturday which begins at midnight. Residence hall students are expected to abide by the curfew established for their student status. Vehicles entering or departing the campus while the campus is closed are required to enter through the Campus Safety Gatehouse located on J.N. Andrews Blvd. At that time the operator of the vehicle will be required to present either their Andrews University Identification Card or a valid driver’s license. Campus Safety reserves the right to refuse after-hours entry to the campus for non-University students or employees, or otherwise due to safety-related concerns.

University buildings and facilities are also closed to general access at various times. For more information regarding building schedules and closures, please contact Campus Safety at 269-471-3321 or visit andrews.edu/safety.