University Housing

Residence Halls | Learning Communities | University Apartments

University housing is available through the University Housing Office, which administers housing in seven residence halls located on campus and five apartment complexes located within walking distance from campus. This chapter describes the university housing available at Boise State University, provides cost information for the residence halls and university apartments.

Fair-Housing Policy

Boise State University is an equal-opportunity institution and offers its living accommodations and makes housing assignments without regard to race, color, national origin, or handicap (as provided for in Title VI and Title IX and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).

Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations governing university housing are defined generally in this chapter and more specifically in the Residence Hall & Dining Agreement, Student Code of Conduct, and online at http://housing.boisestate.edu.

Residence Halls

Residence Life staff creates inclusive, safe, and caring communities where residents make deep connections with each other and the University. With numerous leadership and employment opportunities, you can find your home in University Housing.

Living in a vibrant and diverse community, you will make a variety of friendships while you learn more about different cultures and ideas. Live-in faculty and student staff will challenge you to learn about yourself and others.

Altogether, the seven on campus residence halls accommodate approximately 1,500 students. All residence halls have computer Internet access through direct Ethernet connection and are equipped with cable television jacks.

Chaffee Hall is available to traditional first year students and is divided into three 3-story wings; enclosed corridors connect the units to a common area containing a lounge. Each floor has a small informal lounge, study room, bathrooms, and card operated laundry facilities. Typically, two students occupy each double room, although the building does have a handful of singles. The D wing of Chaffee Hall has double rooms with connecting semi-private bathrooms. The building is air-conditioned and has a large lounge/recreation room just off the main lobby as well as a separate classroom available for study groups and programs.

John B. Barnes Towers Hall is available to traditional first year students and consists of six coed residential floors. This air-conditioned residence hall is equipped with study lounges and card operated laundry facilities on each floor. Four students occupy each suite and share a bathroom between them. The entry level of the building features a computer lab, classroom/study space, a lounge/recreation room, a community kitchen and a basketball court just outside.

Morrison Hall and Driscoll Hall are available to traditional first year students and are both coed and nearly identical in design. Each hall contains single and double rooms, arranged into suites of 8 to 12 students, which share a community bathroom. This air-conditioned residence hall is equipped with study lounges, card operated laundry facilities and a community kitchen. Preference for Driscoll Hall will be given to students participating in the Honors College.

Keiser Hall and Taylor Hall are available to traditional first year students and are suite-style. These residence halls accommodate students in mostly single rooms, arranged in suites of four to eight people that include living rooms and semi-private bathrooms. There are a handful of double rooms available to students. Both halls are air-conditioned, feature centrally located card operated laundry facilities as well as community lounges. A computer lab and two classrooms in Keiser Hall are available to all residence hall students.

University Suites are available to second year residential students and are specifically designed for single students. This complex features furnished suites, each of which include a living room, shared bathrooms, modern kitchen, dishwasher, washer/dryer and four single rooms. High-speed Internet, cable TV, and utilities are provided. All buildings are air-conditioned and have access to the community center lounge located in Building C. Meal plans are optional and are not added unless requested. Residents must be at least 20 years of age, or have upper-division status, or have one year of residence hall experience without conduct issues to be eligible to live here.

If you wish to stay in a residence hall during semester break, the cost will be in addition to the charges covered by your Residence Hall & Dining Agreement. Meal service is suspended during these times.

How to Apply for Residence Hall Housing

Apply online at http://housing.boisestate.edu. In the application you will be directed to pay a $225 deposit and a $25 processing fee through the Touchnet System. The deposit charge must be paid before the application can be processed and a room can be assigned.

Note: The application process to live with University Housing is a separate process from the one to apply for admission to the University. If you apply for housing, it does not constitute acceptance or approval for admission to the University. Nor does being accepted for admission to the University signify that your application for housing had been accepted and approved.

Housing Preferences

If your application for residence hall housing is accepted, University Housing will assign you to a room in one of seven residence halls. In doing so, University Housing will make every effort to accommodate the preferences you have indicated on the application. Room assignment and accommodation of preferences are based on the date your Residence Hall & Dining Agreement is received (including the payment of the $250 application fee/security deposit). Finally, please note that the preferences you indicate on the Residence Hall & Dining Agreement are not themselves contractually binding, though they will be honored whenever possible.

Cost Information

When the University Housing office accepts your application for housing in one of the residence halls, your contract covers room and board for the full academic year*, as well as the costs of cable TV service, Internet, dining plan (where required), and state sales tax. Housing prices also include a nonrefundable processing fee of $25. Current rates for housing in the residence halls, along with meal plan options, are available by checking http://housing.boisestate.edu or calling (208) 447-1001.

*If you wish to stay in a residence hall during Thanksgiving break, winter break, spring break or summer break, the cost will be in addition to the charges covered by your Residence Hall & Dining Agreement and requires a separate application. Meal service is limited if not suspended during these times.

Note: Students occasionally ask if they can pay a reduced rate for housing if they omit the meal plan option from the housing contract. However, the economics of on-campus housing require Boise State University to base its charges on both room and board (with the exception of the University Suites).

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Learning Communities at Boise State

Living-Learning Communities provide unique environments where select groups of students share common residential and learning experiences. Based on disciplinary and interdisciplinary themes, Living-Learning Communities create intentional links between academic, social, and residential experiences.

The Residential College Program — founded in 2004, the Residential College program provides Boise State students a unique and special opportunity to live and learn with students who share similar academic interests and majors. Each community is facilitated by a faculty member who lives within the residence hall, planning learning outcomes and activities that will benefit a student’s overall academic experience, including earning academic credit for participating. There are five communities with faculty-in-residence: Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Engineering, Health Professions and 2nd Year Living Learning.

First Year Focus — first year students will live together in designated areas of three different residence halls. Students will be enrolled in UNIV 101, SOC 101, and HIST 101. Residency in these communities is based upon enrollment in these courses and completion of the housing application.

Global Village — the Global Village Community is a living-learning community that is available to 2nd year or above students who are interested in a multicultural experience, regardless of cross-cultural or travel experience. Students will participate in activities to learn more about intercultural communication and other skills. Students earn academic credit for participating.

There is an additional $50 per semester programming fee associated with Living-Learning Communities. Students in Living-Learning Communities get to know professors and develop strong friendships with other students. Spaces are limited. Apply online at http://housing.boisestate.edu/.

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University Apartments

University Housing provides on campus housing for students enrolled at Boise State University. University Housing manages apartment communities that are conducive to meeting the demands of undergraduate students over age 20, families, and graduate students. The University Apartments provide an independent lifestyle with a broad range of options and amenities. University Housing employs a dedicated team to manage, offer programming, and support appropriate to our residents’ desire for autonomy.

There are approximately 300 unfurnished apartments all conveniently located within walking distance of campus. All apartment complexes have on-site parking (one pass may be purchased through Parking and Transportation Services), playgrounds, and barbecue facilities.

University Heights and University Manor consist of one and two bedroom apartments. Each unit has a wall-unit air conditioning/heating system, stove, and refrigerator. Card operated laundry facilities are located on-site. Tenants are responsible for the cost of electricity. Water, sewer, trash, and Internet are provided.

University Park consists of two and three bedroom apartments. Each unit has a wall-unit air conditioning/heating system, stove, and refrigerator. Card operated laundry facilities are located on-site. Tenants are responsible for the cost of electricity. Water, sewer, trash, and Internet are provided.

University Square consists of two bedroom apartments. Each unit has central air conditioning/heating, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and washer/dryer. Tenants are responsible for the cost of electricity and gas. Water, sewer, trash, basic cable TV, and Internet are provided.

University Village consists of two bedroom apartments. Each unit has central air conditioning/heating, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Card operated laundry facilities are located on-site. Tenants are responsible for the cost of electricity and gas. Water, sewer, trash, and Internet are provided.

Applying to Rent an Apartment

Apply online at http://housing.boisestate.edu. The application requires a $25 nonrefundable processing fee. Once an apartment offer has been made and accepted, a $225 nonrefundable reservation fee will need to be paid within 72 hours. The reservation fee will be converted to the security deposit at the lease signing.

Eligibility

Boise State University apartments are reserved for undergraduate students enrolled in 8 credits or more and graduate students enrolled in 6 credits or more. In addition, students must meet one of the following requirements: be at least 20 years of age, have sophomore status, have prior Boise State residence hall experience (two consecutive semesters), or be a head of household with dependents.

Cost Information

Current rates for University Apartments are available at http://housing.boisestate.edu or by calling the Apartment Office at (208) 447-1002.

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