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Three students standing on the steps outside one of our residence halls

Welcome Home

Welcome to the Laker community! Living on-campus you will be surrounded by students experiencing similar journeys and have support where and when you need it. There’s nothing like bonding with your floormates and creating lifelong friendships and memories while living on campus.

Close-up of a green "Welcome Home" shirt

While first and second year students are required to live on campus, over 3,300 students call one of our 11 Residential communities home. Each hall comes with everything you need to be comfortable, productive and close to all the action on campus.

Living with a Roommate

At SUNY Oswego, we believe the roommate experience is crucial to each student's learning experience in college. The idea of sharing a relatively small living space with someone else is probably a little bit unsettling to some. However, living with a roommate can be one of the most significant experiences of college!

Getting to know your roommate

Communicate with your roommate prior to coming to school. Coordinating the furnishings and arrangements for your room is a good opportunity to become better acquainted with your new roommate(s). It also helps to break the ice so that that first meeting on opening day can be more comfortable. Some things you may want to discuss are: 

  • Sharing belongings
  • Social and academic expectations and desires 
  • Study and sleep habits 
  • Who is bringing a TV, electronic equipment, etc. 

You and your roommate may share some commonalities; you will also learn that you are different from each other in many ways. All residents are required to complete the Roommate Agreement (PDF) within the first days after moving in. This is a great time to get to know your roommate and have a discussion about how you want to use your space. Although it may be challenging to have a roommate for the first time, we are confident it will be a learning experience.

Resolving roommate conflicts

Roommates don't always agree on everything. That's OK. But if you and your roommate are having difficulties living together, there are ways to work it out. Moving to a different room without first trying to work things out with your roommate is not an option! So, here's what you need to do to begin to work out those differences: 

  1. Talk with your roommate! Let them know what's on your mind. Roommates aren't mind readers. Maybe they have no idea that you would like something to change! 
  2. If you talk with your roommate and aren't able to work out the issues, talk with your resident assistant (RA). They are available to help you and they've been trained to help people work out conflicts. 
  3. So, you've tried talking with your roommate, AND you've received some help from your RA, but you still have some concerns ... now it's time to get the residence hall director (RHD) involved. In some cases, the RHD may coach you a little on how to approach your roommate differently; in other cases, they may meet with the two of you together to help you communicate with one another. 

More often than not, roommate conflicts can be resolved by using these approaches. If your situation isn't resolved by using these methods, your hall director can advise you regarding the next step(s) to take.

Community Living Agreements

Each residence hall floor or quad participates in the development of its own Community Living Agreement or CLA. The CLA defines goals and standards for the community that are determined by consensus. This process allows residents the opportunity to discuss with each other the environment in which they would like to live and assume responsibility for establishing guidelines within that environment. During the first floor meeting of the semester, the RA will discuss University policies and introduce the process for developing the CLA.

A student at her desk in a residence hall room

Your Room

Students are encouraged to create their own “look” for their rooms with personal belongings and decorations so they feel comfortable in their space. However, students should take caution to avoid causing damage. Any alteration to the room that causes damage to the room is the responsibility of the occupants of that room and students will incur charges.

Residence hall mattresses measure 80 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 6.5 inches deep and require extra long twin sheets. The Village beds require full bedsheets.

Visit the Residential Communities page and select your residence hall to see additional measurements for your room and furnishings.

Furnishings

Each residence hall room is furnished with:

  • Floor lamp
  • Wastebaskets
  • Mirror
  • Window blinds
  • Bed for each student
  • Dresser for each student
  • Desk and chair for each student
  • Closet for each student

Clothing and Other Items

It is not necessary to bring your entire wardrobe when you first move in. Given that dresser and closet space are limited, bring what is needed most immediately and consider university breaks as opportunities to change your seasonal wardrobes.

Your residence hall will be your home for an extended period of time. Consider bringing items you use on a daily basis. Some of these might include:

Electronics

All electrical appliances must be UL-approved and in good working order.

  • Coffee maker/Keurig
  • Compact refrigerator (must not exceed 6 cubic feet and operate on no more than 2.0 amps)
  • Computer
  • Ethernet cable
  • Headphones
  • Power strip

Household items

  • Area rug 
  • Boot tray 
  • Clothes hangers
  • Crates/storage bins
  • Dishware/utensils
  • Iron
  • Laundry supplies
  • Recreational equipment

Linens

  • Bedspread
  • Blankets
  • Mattress pad
  • Pillows
  • Pillowcases
  • Sheets
  • Towels (hand and shower)
  • Washcloths

Additional Information

Fire Safety

SUNY Oswego prioritizes fire safety in the residence halls through fire protection systems, fire safety policies, staff training, and enforcement of safety procedures. When an alarm sounds, all students and guests are required to exit the building immediately and remain outside to receive further instructions. Alternative shelters will be provided as needed should inclement weather and/or prolonged evacuation. Fire safety information including evacuation procedures, fire safety equipment, a list of prohibited items, and more can be found in the Resident Student Handbook (PDF).

Overloading of electrical circuits is a common cause of electrical fires. In order to ensure a safe environment, the use of electrical extension cords is strictly prohibited in residence halls and academic buildings on campus. However, circuit-breaker-protected multi-outlet power strips that are UL or ETL approved can be used. Connecting one or more of these power strips to each other, or “daisy chaining," is not permitted. 

Furniture, decorations, and other items which increase the flammability or combustibility of the room is prohibited. Window curtains must meet NFPA standard code 701.

Guests

Off-campus students and all other guests from outside the institution are required to create a guest registration within the visitor pass system, by registering via their cell phone. Their mobile phone number is their primary identifier. Additional information about the Guest Policy can be found in the Resident Student Handbook (PDF).

Hall Security

In order to assure reasonable security, there are policies and procedures in place which govern the locking and unlocking of building doors, management of keys, and monitoring of visitors and guests. 

All exterior doors to residence halls are locked 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Only students assigned to a specific residence hall will have access to the residence hall community. Students can enter their residence hall at designated entrances using their ID card, 24 hours a day when the university is in session. 

Lost keys are to be reported to the hall director by the residents of the room as soon as possible after the loss is detected. A charge for the costs involved is assessed to the individual who lost the key(s).

MicroFridge©

Residence Life and Housing has partnered with Campus Specialties to offer MicroFridge© rentals to our residents at SUNY Oswego. Use the button below to order online or call 1-800-525-7307.

MicroFridge©

MicroFridge unit

The MicroFridge© is an energy efficient, 3-in-1 combination appliance that features a refrigerator, a separate zero-degree freezer, and a microwave oven. The unit also comes with two USB ports and one traditional outlet, and their patented internal smoke sensor will automatically shut off the microwave if smoke is detected.

Your MicroFridge© unit will be delivered directly to your room, and will be picked up from your room once you have moved out. All MicroFridge© orders placed by August 1st will be delivered to your room before you move in. Delivery for orders placed after August 1st may be delayed, and your unit may not be available prior to your move-in date.

The MicroFridge© unit is the only type of microwave permitted in the residence halls, and only 1 MicroFridge© unit will be allowed per room. 

For each MicroFridge© rented, Residence Life and Housing will donate $10 to the Student Emergency Fund which is overseen by the Dean of Students Office and will go to help on-campus students in need of housing and/or dining during breaks.

Pets

Residence Life and Housing prohibits residents or their guests to bring pets into the residence halls. The only pets allowed in campus residential facilities are fish in aquariums up to 20 gallons. 

Students requesting service or emotional support animals should contact our office for more information.

Protecting Your Belongings

If you are wondering if you should insure your belongings, the answer is definitely yes! It is important to make sure all of the valuable items you bring to campus are protected from loss or damage. The University assumes no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to personal property, even if that loss was caused by the failure of a University mechanical system such as a pipe bursting. We strongly encourage you to have insurance coverage before you begin residency.

Typically, such coverage may be provided by extension of a homeowner’s policy, renter’s insurance or insurance specifically for university students. National Student Services Inc. (NSSI) offers options for personal property insurance as well as renters insurance for university students to protect your possessions from theft, fire, flood, vandalism, natural disasters and accidental damage.

Service Request

Students requiring routine maintenance or repairs in their assigned space should submit a work request through the Ready Request System

In the event of an emergency (i.e. major leaks, threats to personal safety, major electrical issues, major plumbing issues etc) please call 315-312-3200 during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 7:00 am-3:00 pm) or 315-312-3117 after hours, on weekends or holidays. 

For questions about what types of services are provided, please see our Facilities Wrok Request page.

Summer storage

The University Store offers 3 different summer storage packages as well as a la carte options to meet your needs no matter how much you wish to store.

Technology

All residential communities are part of the SUNY Oswego Wireless Network. In addition, all resident bedrooms have ResNet, SUNY Oswego's residential network. ResNet provides a dedicated wired connection to the campus network (and the Internet) right from your residence hall room. At least one 10Mbps data connection is provided in each resident bedroom on campus. More specific information regarding ResNet can be found on the CTS website. 

Students who would like to have a television in their room may bring one and stream content using their subscribed streaming service(s).

Prohibited items

The following items are prohibited.  Disciplinary action may be taken if a student is found to possess a prohibited item in their room, suite, or townhouse. Please note this is not a comprehensive list. 

For more information, refer to the Resident Student Handbook.

  • Air conditioners
  • Candles
  • Cinder blocks
  • Extension cords
  • Hoverboards
  • Electric Scooters
  • Incense
  • Microwave ovens
  • Oil burning, halogen, torchiere, octopus/tree-style, and lava lamps
  • Toasters/toaster ovens
  • Other cooking appliances, such as:
    • Sandwich makers
    • Grilling machines
    • Hot plates
    • Slow cookers
    • Crockpots
    • Rice cookers
    • Instant pots

Residence Hall Services

A student working at the front desk of a residence hall

Each residence hall has a front desk located in the main lobby, staffed by student Desk Attendants. Desk Attendants can provide temporary keys if students are locked out of their rooms. Scheduled hours are maintained during the fall and spring academic semesters.

  • Sunday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
  • Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. 
  • Saturday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. 

Cooking facilities are located in each residence hall. Some halls have kitchens on each residence floor; other halls offer a single kitchen facility located in the basement of the building. Each hall also has a microwave oven for resident use.

Items that can be loaned out from the front desk include:

  • Board games
  • Brooms and dustpans
  • Cooking supplies
  • Snow shovels
  • Sports equipment (pool cues, ping-pong paddles, etc.)
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Video game systems (not available in all halls)
Computer Labs/Rooms

Hart, Scales and Waterbury Halls have a computer lab that is open to residents of the hall. This in-hall facility allows ready access to computers, printers, and the campus network. All other halls have a printer available at the front desk.

Laundry

Each residence hall is equipped with laundry facilities. Cost for use is pre-paid as a fee on the student's university bill.

Recycling

Oswego State participates in the mandatory Oswego County recycling program. All students are required to routinely bring all recyclables and trash to a Recycling Room located in the basement of each residence hall. Hours are posted on the door of each recycling room.

Mail and Packages

Students living in residence halls will be assigned a mailbox, located near the front desk. Mail is received and sorted at the front desk, Monday through Friday. Mail sorting is most efficient if mail is addressed in the following manner:

Student first and last name
Name of building, Mailbox or room #
Street Address of building (see below)
Oswego, NY 13126

It’s very important to include all of this information in your address! The University cannot be responsible for cash or valuables sent through the mail.

In the following halls, the mailbox number is different from the room number. To send mail to students in these halls, be sure to include both the name of the building and the student's mailbox number in the address.

  • Cayuga
  • Hart
  • Johnson
  • Riggs
  • Scales
  • Waterbury
  • The Village

Packages sent to residents are received at the front desk of each residence hall. If a package comes for you, you’ll receive an email, instructing you to pick up your package at the desk or to go to the parcel lockers located in your building.

For parcel locker pickups you will receive a code and instructions via email to receive your package at the designated lockers. Shipping via US Postal Service is available at the Oswego Post Office, however prepaid USPS mail may be sent out at the front desk of your building.

Early shipment of belongings

Residence Life and Housing does not accept shipments prior to our announced arrival date for residents. If you must make shipments to campus, please plan accordingly and include your full university address.

Residence Hall Addresses

The current 911 Street addresses for each of the Residence Halls on campus is as follows:

  • Cayuga Hall: 20 Cayuga Circle
  • Funnelle Hall: 25 Union Road
  • Hart Hall: 15 Union Road
  • Johnson Hall: 20 Rudolph Road
  • Oneida Hall: 10 Onondaga Circle
  • Onondaga Hall: 20 Onondaga Circle
  • Riggs Hall: 28 Rudolph Road
  • Scales Hall: 34 Rudolph Road
  • Seneca Hall: 47 Cayuga Circle
  • Waterbury Hall: 30 Rudolph Road
  • The Village: A-F: 90 Iroquois Trail
  • The Village: G-L: 80 Iroquois Trail

Contact Us

303 Culkin Hall

315-312-2246

[email protected]