Upper-Division Housing FAQ

When can I move into my Fall term room assignment?

Residence Halls Dates

Can I get mail at my Village or Woods Creek unit?

No. There is no mail delivery to the Village or Woods Creek. Students can receive packages shipped through FedEx, UPS, etc., at Mail Services using the W&L primary mailing address (204 W. Washington Street). Mail shipped via the United States Postal Service (lettered mail, magazines, newspapers, etc.) must be received through a PO Box at the Lexington Post Office.

Where can I do my laundry?

See Laundry Services for more information.

Are all Upper-Division halls/houses air conditioned?

No. Theme houses and Fraternity houses do not have air conditioning.  All Woods Creek apartments, Village units and sorority houses are equipped with central air conditioning.

Can I install an AIR CONDITIONER in my fraternity or theme house room?

No. Window air conditioners are only permitted upon approval by the Student Health Center (SHC) for medical reasons, or if approved as an accommodation for a documented disability through the disability accommodation process. Please Note: Floor air conditioners are prohibited at all times with or without an A/C approval from the SHC or the Title IX Coordinator and Director of Disability Resources.

If applying for disability accommodations, please follow the process outlined on the Disability Accommodations website.

If not applying for disability accommodations, your health care provider must complete the Medical Documentation for Special Housing Request Form and submit it to the SHC for consideration. If approved, you will be notified via email by the Office of Housing & Residence Life and provided the following installation instructions:

• Air Conditioners are not provided by the University (unless provided as an accommodation for a qualifying disability) - you must provide your own A/C unit if approved for medical reasons by the SHC.
• A/C specifications: Window unit using no more than 120 volts/5,000 BTUs with an E Star energy use rating.
• When you arrive on campus, you will need to:
  1. Pick up your room key
  2. Carry the A/C unit to your room BEFORE calling University Facilities at 540-458-8490 and ask to place a work order for A/C installation. Please do not unpack the unit from the original packaging.
  3. Installation is required to be performed by University Facilities staff in order to ensure:
     • the unit is secured in the window properly to avoid damage to University property and/or others;
     • approval from the Student Health Center has been granted;
     • the unit meets University specifications. For certain windows, plexiglass is used to fill the space between the unit and window frame in order to seal the opening.
  4. In the event a Window unit is installed by someone other than Facilities staff with or without approval from the SHC, the Office of Residential Life is notified and the unit will be removed by Facilities staff and reinstalled if approval is granted by the SHC.
  5. The standard installation fee is $50.00* and includes removal of the unit at the end of the academic year. Student accounts are billed for the installation fee. Work Orders must be submitted for both installation and removal.
     • The installation charge for several of the Fraternity/Theme Houses with roll out windows is $250*, which includes removing the roll out window, installing and securing the A/C unit and framing it in with a piece of plywood and then upon leaving, removing and reinstalling the roll out window. If you are unsure of the window type/cost, please ask when placing the Work Order. Certain rooms cannot accommodate window A/C units. For Fraternity houses, chapter leadership is reminded of specific rooms not eligible for window A/C units prior to making room assignments during Winter term.
     • *These fees will be waived in an air conditioner is approved as an accommodation for a qualifying disability.

Our University Facilities staff will have a list of approved installations and do their best to get them all installed in a timely fashion in the order requests are received. University Facilities will not be available to install A/C units on Saturdays and Sundays or after 3pm on weekdays. EXCEPTION: For Saturday 9/1 move-in, all Facilities staff will be on hand 9am - Noon in Washington Street Park (beside Gaines) assisting with FY move-in and will not be monitoring phone lines. In order to potentially have your A/C installed on 9/1, you will need to call Facilities in advance to place the work order (provide your move-in date) and then check-in at the Facilities tent in Washington Street Park on Saturday morning to let them know you are on campus and ready for the install. The closer to 9am you check-in, the more likely they will get to your install on Saturday.

Can I paint my room?

No.

How do I hang curtains in my room/apartment/townhouse?

We suggest using tension rods to hang curtains if desired. They are widely available at home stores. You are NOT permitted to nail/drill anything into the walls.

Can I use nails/screws to hang items in my room/apartment/townhouse?

No. You will be charged for the repainting of entire walls at check-out for any paint chips or other damages caused by the use of nails, adhesive strips, or tape.

Can I rent a MicroFridge as an Upper Division student?

Yes. In order to satisfy the demand for refrigerators and microwave ovens, Washington and Lee University has approved the MicroFridge rental program. The MicroFridge unit consists of a microwave oven and a refrigerator with separate freezer in an integrated unit. The MicroFridge is the only cooking appliance allowed in students' rooms.

Can I have a microwave in my room?

No. The MicroFridge is the only cooking appliance allowed in residence hall rooms (including Greek and theme houses). Students may bring their own small refrigerator as long as it follows the same or smaller specifications as a MicroFridge. Microwaves are prohibited in residence hall rooms unless part of a MicroFridge unit.

What does my kitchen come with?

It depends on your housing situation.

• Village Townhouses
• Village Apartments
• Woods Creek
• Theme Houses: Some theme houses come equipped with kitchen appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, oven, and microwave as well as kitchen utensils, plates, pots, pans, etc.  However, this can vary from house to house. Check with your RA over the summer if you have specific questions regarding your theme house.
• Greek Houses: Kitchen access in Greek houses varies from house to house. Sorority houses have a small kitchenette equipped with a fridge and a microwave for their residents.

What size is my bed?

• Village beds are extra-long fulls with adjustable height to a maximum of 30" to comfortably accommodate dresser drawers (furnished by University) under the bed. Village and Woods Creek beds do not have the capacity to be lofted.
• Woods Creek beds are extra-long full beds.
• All Theme House beds are extra-long twins, with the exception of the ARC and Sustainability Houses which have extra-long full beds.
• All Sorority beds are extra-long twins.
• Most Fraternity beds are extra-long full beds. This could vary from house to house, so please contact your House Director or Chapter President for specific questions.

Bed Sizes:

• Twin XL
  38"W x 80"L (Mattress dimension)
  85"L x "36"H (Including headboard, footboard, and overall length)
  Height space under beds can be as low as 16" or as high as 32" depending upon the setting, this does not take into consideration if the bed is lofted.
• Full XL
  These mattresses are the same size as regular Full beds with an extra 5" of length (53"x 80"). You can do queen-size sheets in lieu of Full XL. This creates an extra 7 inches in give on the width, which can help if using a mattress topper. The bed can be raised to up to 30" of height underneath.

The Office of Housing & Residence Life has partnered with Residence Hall Linens to provide Washington & Lee students and families with a convenient, affordable way to ensure you have sheets that will fit the extra-long mattresses in our residence halls. Proceeds from this program are used for programming in the residence halls. Shipping is free for all Value Pak orders, and there are more than 26 color combinations available. Plus, linens are delivered to your home during the summer so you don't have to worry about waiting in line at the store. Order now for the best selection - popular colors can sell out quickly! Please visit the RHL website for more information.

Do I need renter's insurance?

It is recommended that students obtain renter's insurance. The University assumes no liability for personal property lost through theft, fire or water damage, or other acts of God. All students are strongly encouraged to secure renters insurance while living in on-campus housing. Contact a local insurance agency to get a quote and begin a rental insurance policy. These are usually inexpensive and protect your property against damages which the University does not. Learn more about rental insurance.

How do I register my vehicle and where can I park?

Visit the Public Safety website for answers to all of your parking questions.

What items are prohibited in the residence halls (including Greek and theme houses)?

Prohibited items include:

• hand guns, rifles, shotguns, blow guns, stun weapons, paintball guns, other weapons,
• use or storage of self-balancing two-wheel motorized boards, self-propelled electric scooters and similar devices, also known as Hover boards, swagways, IO Hawks, Skywalkers, etc.,
• fireworks,
• funnelators,
• cooking appliances,
• water beds, non-approved loft beds,
• 3D printers,
• air conditioners, space heaters,
• extension cords and multi-prong adapters except power strips with circuit breakers that are UL 1363,
• ceiling fans,
• candles, incense, halogen lamps,
• cinder blocks,
• alcohol for all students under age 21,
• all drugs as defined as "controlled substances" under Virginia state law, and
• refrigerators of more than 2.5 cubic feet capacity

The only cooking appliance allowed in the dorms is a MicroFridge unit which contains a microwave oven, refrigerator and freezer.

Pets are not permitted in the residence halls. Service animals are allowed on campus and in housing as an accommodation for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and University policy. Emotional assistance animals are allowed in housing if approved in advance as an accommodation for a documented disability in accordance with the Fair Housing Act, Virginia Fair Housing Law, and University policy and protocol.

All on campus residents are required to comply with the policies, guidelines, and expectations for students outlined in the Washington and Lee Student Handbook.