Housing

On-campus living in Earlham College’s residence halls, apartments, and houses has all you’ll ever need in a college residential experience. 

Here is where you will find all you need to make that decision. Take your time, weigh your options and ask us questions! Whether it is a living-learning community in a traditional residence hall or a room in a college house, we have the living experience you’re looking for in college.

Large group of student singing and laughing in dorm room

Apply for housing

Finding the place you want to live doesn’t need to be difficult! Learn more about our housing application process.

Types of housing

Earlham college residence hall photo

Residence halls

The traditional residence hall experience offers the chance to live in a diverse community of your peers as you learn what it means to live on your own. 

Earlham college residence hall photo

Apartments

These spaces provide upper-level students an opportunity for more independent living while still having the convenience of residing on-campus.

Earlham college residence hall photo

College housing

The college house experience offers the chance to upper-level students to live in a close-knit group of peers who have shared community and educational goals for the academic year. 

I know where I want to live, what’s next?

On behalf of the Office of Residence Life and Earlham College, we are excited to welcome you to your home away from home at Earlham! We know that move-in can be a stressful time, and we want you to feel as confident in the process as possible. Our residence life staff is ready to welcome you and support your transition to Earlham. 

Frequently asked questions

In order to provide prospective and current residential students with as much information as possible, we have attempted to provide some answers to frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not listed or want additional clarification, please feel free to contact our office!

What size are the mattresses?

Most of our beds are twin sized, extra long (the dimensions are 36″ x 80″). We recommend purchasing extra-long twin sheets.

Are bed linens provided?

Residents must provide their own linens.

Can I loft my bed?

Yes! You can loft your bed using a college-provided lofting kit. Lofting kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lofting kits are reservable online each summer, starting in mid-July.

After you’ve checked into your room, you’ll be able to pick up your loft kit from the Warren Hall Loft Storage Room where a member of our staff will assist you.

Learn more information about lofting your bed and fill out your lofting kit reservation form.

Can I build my own loft?

No. You must use a college-provided lofting kit to loft your bed.

What if I decide later that I don’t want to use a lofting kit?

You can return your lofting kit at any time during the semester to the Warren Hall loft room. Loft kits should be returned during RA duty hours (9 p.m.-7 a.m.).

Can I give my loft to my friend/roommate/etc.?

Yes! If you wish to transfer your loft to another student, complete the loft transfer form with the area director for Mills, Warren, & Wilson Halls (the U).

Do I need a lofting kit if my roommate and I want to bunk our beds?

No. You will, however, need bunking pins to ensure your beds are safely bunked. Bunking pins can be picked up from your RA, HD or AD.

Am I allowed to decorate my room?

Yes, we encourage you to decorate your rooms so you feel more comfortable in your space. Decorations should be in line with college policy and reflect Earlham’s Principles & Practices of Respect for Persons, Integrity, Peace & Justice, Simplicity and Community.

Can I paint my room?

No. You are not permitted to paint or wallpaper the walls in campus housing facilities.

Can I use a rug or install carpet in my room?

Most of our student rooms are not carpeted. While you are not permitted to install carpet in your room, you are welcome to use a standard-sized rug to help make your room more comfortable.

Do I need to bring my own furniture?

All college housing facilities are considered fully furnished. Due to limited storage space, provided furniture may not be removed from student rooms, houses or apartments. If you bring additional furniture, you should plan accordingly.

Are shower curtains provided?

A shower liner and hooks are provided in all bathrooms.

Are blinds or curtains provided?

Blinds or curtains are provided for windows in residence hall rooms and apartments. Provided blinds and curtains may not be removed. Additional decorative curtains are allowed if hung using tension rods. Window dimensions can vary slightly from room to room so we recommend waiting until after you move in to measure for decorative curtains.

What can I bring/not bring to campus?

Our team has created a general list of things that you should consider bringing and things you should leave at home. While not all encompassing, it is a great resource that covers the most commonly asked-about items.

Which housing facilities are air-conditioned?

All residence halls except for Bundy Hall and Hoerner Hall are air-conditioned. All campus apartments are air-conditioned.  Most of the campus houses are not air-conditioned. We recommend that those living in a facility without air conditioning bring a fan or purchase one from a local store upon arrival.

Can I bring my own air conditioner if I’m living in a facility without central air?

No, though if you need air conditioning for medical purposes, you should review the accommodation process and policies. Students with approved accommodations for air conditioning will be relocated into appropriate facilities.

How does heating work on-campus?

All of our residence halls have a centrally controlled heating system that is managed by our Facilities Department. Learn more about how to manage heat in your specific residence hall.

Residents in the apartments and houses are able to control their own heating using the thermostat in the common areas of their house/apartment.

I’m locked out of my room. What should I do?

You should first try to locate a staff member (resident assistant, hall director or area director) who can let you back into your room.  If you are unable to find a staff member, you can contact the following:

  • Office of Residence Life – (765) 983-1317: Staff in the Office of Residence Life, located on the first floor of Earlham Hall, are able to issue a loaner key for entry into your room, which must be returned to the office. The Office of Residence Life is open during regular business hours when the college is open.
  • Office of Student Life – (765) 983-1311: Staff in the Office of Student Life office, located on the first floor of Earlham Hall, are able to issue a loaner key for entry into your room, which must be returned to the office. The Office of Student Life is open during regular business hours when the college is open.
  • Public Safety – (765) 983-1400: Staff in Public Safety can contact on-call staff in residence life and student life outside of normal business hours. A staff member will meet you at your room in approximately 15-20 minutes to let you back into your room.

All residents are entitled to one free lockout each academic year. After this first lockout, residents are charged $5 per lockout. This charge will be applied to your student account and can be paid at the cashier’s window in the basement of Carpenter Hall.

I lost my room key. What should I do?

Residents who have lost their room key should immediately contact the Office of Residence Life so a loaner key can be issued until the lock can be changed and new keys can be cut. If you lose your key outside of normal business hours, contact Public Safety, and they can contact the on-call staff member in residence life to assist you.

Once a lost key has been reported, Public Safety will replace the lock and issue all the residents in the room a new key. This process results in a $200 lock and key replacement charge. This charge will be applied to your student account and can be paid at the cashier’s window in the basement of Carpenter Hall.

My roommate lost their key. Will I be charged for a lock change?

If your roommate has lost their key resulting in a need for a lock change, you will not be charged as long as you still have your key. This cost is only applied to the accounts of the students responsible for losing their key. In the event that multiple people in a room have lost their key, the charge may be split among the residents of the room.

I lost my ID access card or my ID card stopped working for my residence hall. What should I do?

Public Safety manages all ID access cards for the campus. Students who have lost their ID card or who have a card that is not working properly should report the issue to Public Safety. Public Safety will be able to work with you to resolve the access issue and/or issue you a new card if needed.

How do students receive mail on campus?

Every Earlham student is assigned a mailbox-we call it a drawer-by our Mail and Distribution Center, located in the basement of the Runyan Student Center. This drawer number will remain assigned to you as long as you are enrolled at Earlham. New students receive unique drawer numbers upon checking in with New Student Orientation staff.

Each student’s mailing address follows the format below:

Student Name
Drawer # XXXX
801 National Rd. West
Richmond, IN 47374
USA

Where I can send things before I move to campus?

Students and families wishing to send mail or packages prior to move-in can address their items using the format below:

Student Name
c/o Earlham College
801 National Rd. West
Richmond, IN 47374
USA

You should also write the following on your package to ensure it is not returned:

“New student, arriving 08/07/2020, hold for arrival”

Will the Mail and Distribution Center be open so I can pick-up packages on move-in day?

Yes! View the Mail and Distribution Center hours.

If you are unable to pick up packages during center hours, you can pick them up when regular business hours resume the following Monday.

You will receive an email in your Earlham student email account letting you know when a package has been received in the mailroom. You can retrieve your packages during normal business hours with a photo ID (e.g. your student ID).

How does the meal plan work?

All new students are required to have a 19-meal plan during their first semester. Returning students can choose which residential meal plan they would like in their housing application (19, 14 or 10). You have until the day before classes start each semester (enrollment confirmation) to decrease your meal plan.  Meal plans can be increased at any time during the semester. The meal plan change form is generally available the month prior to the start of each new semester (July/December).

More information can be found on our Food Services website.

What are “Quaker Points”?

Quaker Points are a declining point balance system that allows you to purchase food and drinks from dining locations beyond your traditional meal plan. They can be used to pick up snacks from Cafe 1847, a coffee from Intermezzo or an extra meal for a guest in the Dining Hall.

When does the meal plan start?

The meal plan starts with dinner on the Sunday prior to classes each semester.

When does the meal plan end?

The meal plan ends with dinner on the last Thursday of each semester.

Can I choose to not have a meal plan?

Students living in the residence halls are required to have a residential meal plan (19, 14 or 10). Students living in the campus apartments and college houses are currently exempt from the meal plan requirement but are able to select a traditional residential meal plan if desired. Students in the apartments and houses are also eligible to select a smaller community meal plan (EC White or EC Maroon). Community meal plans must be requested directly through Food Services.

Can I be exempt from the meal plan while living in the residence halls?

Students living in the residence halls who are interested in pursuing an exemption from the meal plan should complete the meal plan exemption process to request an exemption. Exemption requests and their supporting documentation are reviewed by a team that will decide if an exemption is warranted based on the information provided.

Is there a summer meal plan available?

Yes. Students living with us during the summer are not required to have a meal plan. However, Food Services offers blocks of meals available for students to purchase and use throughout the summer.  Learn more about living and eating on-campus over the summer.

When is new student move-in?

View our academic calendar.

When is returning student move-in?

View our academic calendar.

When do students move-out in the winter?

Students should leave their rooms 24 hours after their last exam OR by 3 p.m. Tuesday, whichever comes first. You may leave your things in your room if you are planning to return for the spring semester.  Students not returning for spring will need to check-out with a staff member.

More information about staying during the break will be shared with students through their Earlham email in November.

When do students move in for the spring?

View our academic calendar.

When do students move-out in the spring?

Students who are not participating in Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises must move out of their room within 24 hours after their last exam.

Students participating in Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises should check out by 5 p.m.

Students who are transitioning to summer housing are able to stay in their room until their summer assignment is ready.

Students who need to check out after their check-out date need to submit a late stay request.

More information about summer housing and late stay requests will be shared with students through their Earlham email in April.

Are there be staff available to assist with loading/unloading?

During new student move-in, we have volunteers available to assist with unloading vehicles and moving items into rooms. There are no volunteers or staff available to assist with loading or unloading vehicles during any other time.

Are there carts available to assist with moving boxes to/from my room or my vehicle?

Public Safety has carts available year-round for check-out to assist with loading/unloading items.

Can I bring a vehicle to campus?

Yes. All students are permitted to bring a vehicle to campus and are able to park on campus.

Do I need to register my vehicle?

All students are required to register their vehicles with the Public Safety each year. You can register your vehicle once you arrive on campus.

How much does it cost to register my vehicle?

The annual registration fee for students is $95.00 per academic year. This fee is billed directly to your student account.

Can I live off-campus and commute?

Earlham is a residential campus, and all undergraduate students are required to live on-campus as part of the College’s residency requirement. Only students who submit an exemption request and receive approval from the Office of Residence Life are released from the residency requirement. Learn more about the exemption request process and the reasons we approve exemption requests.

Can I have guests stay with me on-campus?

Yes. Students are permitted to have a guest visit and stay with them on-campus for up to three days.  Students who wish to host guests are expected to get permission from their roommate(s) prior to the arrival of guests.

Is smoking permitted in college housing?

No. Earlham is a smoke-free campus. Learn more about our smoking and tobacco policy.

Is alcohol permitted on-campus?

Yes. Students who are 21 years of age are permitted to possess and consume alcohol responsibly within the expectations and guidelines of the college’s alcohol policy. Learn more about our campus approach to alcohol.

How does laundry work?

Laundry is available in all residence halls, apartments and residential houses on campus. Students pay a laundry fee each semester for open access to laundry machines in their community. Students need to provide their own detergent.

How does cable work in the residence halls?

Xfinity On-Campus web viewing is available for students connected to the campus network. Students can stream over 100+ live channels, shows and movies on demand and will have access to Cloud DVR. There are also a limited number of channels available when not connected to the Earlham network through TV GO. Learn more about the new Xfinity On-Campus service.

Is there WiFi in residence halls?

Yes, all of our residence halls, houses and apartments are connected to a secure WiFi network that can be accessed using a student’s Earlham username and password.  Learn more about network and Wifi access.

Do I have access to a printer?

Yes, there are printers available in each residence hall lobby and across campus in academic buildings for student use.  Learn more about printing on-campus.

What can I bring/not bring to campus?

Our team has created a general list of things that you should consider bringing and things you should leave at home. While not all-encompassing, it is a great resource that covers the most commonly asked-about items.  You can review this list here.

What are the dimensions of my room?

Room dimensions vary considerably across campus. As such, general dimensions for rooms and floor plans can be found for most of our facilities on the residence halls and apartment pages.

At this time, our team is unable to provide specific dimensions of individual rooms to students and families.

There’s a problem with my room.  What should I do?

Students should submit a work order request so a member of our facilities team can inspect and address the concern. You will receive an email to your Earlham account letting you know each time the status of your work order changes, including when it has been completed.

If you believe your issue is an emergency, you should immediately contact an RA or Public Safety.

What kind of cleaning services are provided in campus housing facilities?

Public areas in residence halls (lounges, hallways, kitchens and communal bathrooms) are cleaned daily (Monday through Friday). Private areas (houses, apartments, private bathrooms, adjoining bathrooms, common areas of a private room or suite) are the responsibility of the residents of the room. Residents of the houses and apartments are responsible for keeping their spaces clean.

How do I sign up for emergency notifications?

Community members automatically enrolled in our Emergency Notification System will receive emergency alerts for events that threaten the life of safety of students, staff and faculty on campus (e.g. tornado, fire, gas leak, violent person on campus, etc.).  When such an event occurs, emergency messages are sent out via landline, cell phone, SMS text messages and email messages. The ENS is only activated during emergency or crisis situations. These alerts are usually in the earliest moments of a crisis or emergency and may contain very brief concise information and directions.  Learn more about our emergency alert notification system and how to update your information.

What fire safety precautions are in place in campus housing?

Rooms, hallways and public areas are equipped with smoke detectors and other fire safety equipment. Fire extinguishers are available in common spaces (kitchens, lounges, etc.).  We do not allow candles or incense in student housing and smoking is not permitted anywhere on the Earlham College campus.

Do I need to purchase renter’s insurance for my belongings?

While not required, we strongly encourage students to consider purchasing some kind of insurance coverage for their personal belongings. If your family has personal property insurance at home, check to see if the policy covers your belongings while you are at school. If it does not, consider purchasing renter’s insurance. Earlham College is not responsible for the loss of or damage to personal property of students.

Is there a campus safety escort program?

Yes. Officers with Earlham Public Safety are available to walk with students across campus when requested.

What is a Resident Assistant?

Resident assistants (RAs) are undergraduate student-staff members who live in the residence halls and are primarily tasked with working to facilitate the development of a safe, supportive and affirming community among the residents living within their assigned floor and building. RAs plan programs and activities for residents in addition to responding to maintenance concerns, helping students navigate conflict, connecting residents to campus resources, handling emergencies and identifying behaviors that are incongruent with Earlham’s values and policies.

We generally have around 35 RAs serving in our eight residence halls. RAs receive free housing and a stipend in exchange for their work in the halls. Applications are typically available beginning late fall each year with interviews and hiring decisions occurring in the spring.

Learn more about our resident assistant position and application process.

What is an Apartment Resident Assistant?

Apartment resident assistants (apartment RAs) are undergraduate student-staff members who live in the campus apartments who are primarily tasked with ensuring a safe community for students choosing to live more independently in our Campus Village apartments. Apartment RAs are tasked with serving as a point of contact for apartment residents in addition to responding to maintenance concerns, helping students navigate conflict, connecting residents to campus resources, handling emergencies and identifying behaviors that are incongruent with Earlham’s values and policies.

We generally have around four apartment RAs serving within the Campus Village apartments.  Apartment RAs receive free housing and a stipend in exchange for their work in the apartments. Applications are typically available beginning late fall each year with interviews and hiring decisions occurring in the spring.

Learn more about our Apartment Resident Assistant position and application process.

What is a Hall Director?

Hall directors (HDs) are undergraduate student-staff members who live in and lead the staff teams within some of our residence halls. Hall directors have previously served as RAs and are tasked with leading a team of four to six RAs in their assigned residence hall community. HDs are responsible for the day-to-day management of their residence hall community and take on additional responsibilities co-convening department committees and leading departmental processes within their community,

We generally have around four HDs – one each in Hoerner Hall, Bundy Hall, Earlham Hall and Olvey-Andis Hall. HDs receive free housing, a small meal plan and a stipend in exchange for their work in the halls. Applications are typically available beginning late fall each year with interviews and hiring decisions occurring in the spring.

Learn more about our Hall Director position and application process.

Is storage available for students?

Yes, we offer the ability to store up to six items in our campus storage rooms during the summer or while you are participating in an off-campus program as an alternative option if you are unable to take everything home with you each year upon move-out. Storage space is limited, and access is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more about student storage.

Can I store my things over the summer in the room I will be living in next fall?

No. You are not permitted to store any items in student rooms during the summer. Items found in rooms following check-out may be discarded by college staff, and you will be billed for any associated costs. If you are hoping to store personal belongings on campus, you must store them in one of our official storage rooms located in the residence halls.

I live in a college house and will be returning to the same house next fall. Can I store things in the basement over the summer?

No. You are not permitted to store any items in the basements of the college houses. Items found in the basements may be discarded by college staff, and you will be billed for any associated costs. If you are hoping to store personal belongings on campus, you must store them in one of our official storage rooms located in the residence halls. Common items that belong to the house (i.e. kitchen supplies such as cookware, plates, cups, etc.) must be stored in the common storage bins provided to the house, and bins should be labeled and left in the main living space of the house unless otherwise directed by residence life staff.

How much does it cost to store items?

Currently, there is no charge for student storage on-campus.

Can I store items during a Leave of Absence or Medical Leave of Absence?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide storage to students who are on or planning to take a Leave of Absence or Medical Leave of Absence.

More information and resources

The Office of Residence Life supports and encourages students by providing guidance in contemplative inquiry, opportunities for dialogue, sponsoring celebratory communal events, and supporting opportunities that enable students to put their most cherished beliefs into daily practice.

Next steps

EARLHAM ALERT:
We continue to monitor the effects of an industrial fire 1.1 miles from campus.
EARLHAM ALERT:
We continue to monitor the effects of an industrial fire 1.1 miles from campus.