Frequently Asked Questions
Residence Hall Related FAQ
- What are the dimensions of the dorm room?
- When can I move into my room?
- What items should I not bring for my room?
- Are all rooms or apartments fully carpeted?
- Am I allowed to bring a car, motorcycle or bicycle to campus?
- Do I need to bring my own telephone and television set?
- Do I have to pay separately for the cable or internet?
- Do I have a choice in selecting my roommate?
- Are there any single rooms available to students?
- If I live in an apartment, is there a kitchen available?
- Are pets allowed in the room or apartment?
On-campus Dining Related FAQ
- Can I take food from the dining hall back to my room for a midnight snack?
- $2,947 per semester is a lot of money for food - where does all that money go?
- Why can't my friend use my ID for dining hall meals when I'm out of town?
- Why do I have to present my ID every time I enter the dining room?
- If I use all my declining balance, can I purchase more?
- Can I purchase declining balance if I am not on a meal plan?
- If I lose my ID Card, what do I do?
- What happens if I don't use all my meals?
- Is a detailed statement of my account available?
- Is my declining balance account refundable or transferable?
What are the dimensions of the dorm room?
The dimensions of the dorm room depend on which room you are assigned. If you live in the Quad (Cubley, Reynolds, Ross or Brooks), the dimensions are approximately 15'10" x 11'8". Hamlin-Powers rooms are approximately 16' x 11'8". Moore House rooms are approximately 11'8" x 18' with a height of approximately 8'3 1/2". Graham Hall, which consists of Wilson, VanNote, Donahue and Olson, have room dimensions approximately 12' x 14'. Finally, a room in Price Hall, which consists of Farrisee, Newell, Ormsby and Thomas, have room dimensions that are approximately 12' x 14'.
When can I move into my room?
All new students can move in the Friday before classes start.
What items should I not bring for my room?
Clarkson University's primary concern is that you do not bring stoves, halogen lamps, hot plates, air conditioners, incense or candles. For a list of items you should consider bringing to campus, please review the checklist
Are all rooms or apartments fully carpeted?
No, As new residence hall rooms are being added, students can expect to find attractive tiled floors in several locations in the quad.
Am I allowed to bring a car, motorcycle or bicycle to campus?
Vehicles are allowed at Clarkson University. However, you are required to register and obtain a sticker in order for you to park your vehicle on campus. All vehicles are the owner's responsibility.
Do I need to bring my own television set?
Yes. All rooms and apartments are equipped with cable and internet access; however, you need to bring your own ethernet cable to connect and television set.
Do I have to pay separately for the cable? No, cable and internet are included in room charge.
Do I have a choice in selecting my roommate?
As first-year students, you are asked to fill out a "Roommate Survey" form so that Clarkson is able to match you with the appropriate roommate. However, if you are requesting another Clarkson first-year student, state each others name on the housing contract and the Residence Life staff will consider your request.
Are there any single rooms available to students?
Yes, there are single rooms available for upper class students. These rooms are located in the Graham Complex residence hall and consist of 24 single rooms. Single occupancy rooms are available through the Housing Lottery held in the spring of each year.
If I live in an apartment, is there a kitchen available?
There is a kitchen available. However, these apartments are only open for upper classmen and can be chosen through the Housing Lottery.
Are pets allowed in the residence halls or apartments?
No, pets are strictly forbidden in any residence hall or apartment at Clarkson University.
Can I take food from the dining hall back to my room for a midnight snack?
Because we offer unlimited seconds in our dining halls and offer continuous service, it is necessary that all food be eaten within the dining hall. You may take a piece of fruit or ice cream with you on your way out. If we allowed food to be taken from the dining rooms, the cost of food consumed would increase which would result in an increased cost to students.
$2,947 per semester is a lot of money for food - where does all that money go?
If all $2,947 were just spent on food, you would be dining on lobster, caviar and champagne. As you are aware, we're not that extravagant. Here's how your money is spent: Historically, the University uses about one-third of the money to pay for costs associated with operating the two dining halls, the food court, and the cart locations - heat, hot water, lights, custodial, physical improvements, maintenance care, replacement of equipment, etc. The remaining funds are divided among three major cost categories: food, labor and direct. In an average year, we spend 44% of our expenses on food, 46% on labor and 10% on direct (phone, laundry, china replacement, insurance, soaps, etc.).
Why can't my friend use my ID for dining hall meals when I'm out of town? Someone might as well use it since the meals are paid for.
Clarkson board rates are based on actual meals served rather on the number of outstanding contracts. By looking at our past experience with Clarkson students, we estimate the average number of meals each student will attend according to his or her meal plan each week. In other words, they are based on the fact that the average student will attend only a certain percentage of the meals served. If contracts were transferrable, we would have to increase the cost of the meal contract to cover the increased attendance.
Why do I have to present my ID every time I enter the dining room?
Your validated college ID is encoded to identify you and your appropriate meal plan. It is your authorization to enter the dining hall. You must present it each time, for two reasons: it provides us with statistical information used to determine future rates and track popular menu items.
If I use all my declining balance, can I purchase more?
Yes, you can. Just stop by the Clarkson Dining Services Office on the main floor of Cheel or any cashier and purchase the extra credit. You may use cash, check (made payable to Clarkson University), Debit, MasterCard or VISA. You may also use eCommerce via www.clarkson.campusdish.com or via the link on our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/ClarksonDining .
Can I purchase declining balance if I am not on a meal plan?
Anyone is welcome to take advantage of having a declining balance account and receive the value-added bonus!
If I lose my ID Card, what do I do?
Report your lost or stolen card immediately to the Campus Safety Office. The credit on your card is like a wallet, so be careful! Neither Clarkson or Campus Dining is responsible for unauthorized usage of your card!
What happens if I don't use all my meals?
Unused board meals do not carry over from week to week. The meal plan week begins on Saturday and continues through Friday dinner. Block meals can be used throughout the semester until they run out. An Aramark cashier can tell you how many meals you have left at any time.
Is a detailed statement of my account available?
All of your meal plan activity is downloaded into Aramark's computer system. Stop by the Aramark office, which is located on the main floor of the Cheel Campus Center, if you would like a printout.
Is my declining balance account refundable or transferable?
Unused declining balance from a formal meal plan (The Golden Knight, The All Northern, Platinum Dining, The Sandstoner, Emerald Dining and The Pioneer) does carry over from semester to semester but not from year to year. Any declining balance that is purchased above the price of a formal meal plan does carry over semester to semester (thru May), not year to year. It is nonrefundable and not transferable due to federal and state tax laws. This applies only to tax exempt (student) accounts.
Basic cable is included in the room charge.
