Frequently Asked Questions
Purdue University Housing and Food Services

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

 

University Residences Housing Contract Process

General Information (University Residences)

Dining Services

Dining Dollars

NetNutrition & Sensible Eating

Helpful Links

University Residences Housing Contract Process

  1. View list of New Resident Contract frequently asked questions on the New Resident Contract Web site.

General Information (University Residences)

  1. What should I bring? View Moving In.
  2. What are the requirements for appliances in my room? Small electrical appliances, such as coffee makers and popcorn poppers, are allowed in student rooms as long as the heating element is completely enclosed. Other appliances, such as microwaves and refrigerators, are allowed if they follow these requirements:
    • Microwave: Only one microwave is allowed in a room. It must not exceed 1,000 watts.
    • Refrigerator: Refrigerators cannot be more than 4 cubic feet and must not exceed 200 watts. It must be noncombustible, nontoxic, and use non corrosive refrigerator compressive gas such as freon.
    • Microwave/Refrigerator Combination: Combination units must not exceed 1200 watts.
    • All appliances must be Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. approved.
  3. Are University Residences co-ed? For traditional undergraduate students, Purdue has one women’s hall, two men’s halls and nine co-ed halls with students in separate living areas.
  4. When do the halls open and close for the year? For the academic year beginning fall 2009, early check-in (for an additional fee) begins Saturday, August 15. Housing contracts begin on Friday, August 21. The halls close on the Monday after finals. Check your contract for other information and exact dates.
  5. When can I move in? Your housing contract begins Friday, August 21, 2009. For an additional fee, early check-in begins Saturday, August 15, 2009. Check contract for exact dates.
  6. When do classes begin? Fall semester classes begin on Monday, August 24, 2009.
  7. Can I move my belongings into my room before I am ready to move in? Early arrival begins at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2009 and continues through Thursday, August 20, 2009 (An additional fee will be charged). Food service begins Monday, August 17, 2009.
    Read more about Moving In.
  8. What are the guest hours for University Residences? First Street Towers, Hillenbrand Hall and Hilltop Apartments (except for freshmen assigned to Hilltop) have 24-hour visitation, 7 days per week. All other halls, including Hilltop North Freshmen, have the following visitation hours:
    • Guest Hours
      • Sunday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
      • Friday 8:00 a.m. through Monday 2:00 a.m.: 24-hour guest hours
  9. Do I have to live in the University Residences? No one is required to live in University housing at any time.
  10. Can I connect to the Internet from my room? All residences will have ResNet service provided at no additional charge starting in the Fall of 2009-2010. Find out more about ResNet.
  11. Are lofts allowed and where can I obtain a loft? View Loft Guidelines and Options
  12. Can I change pay plans at a later time if I need to? Payment plans are established by the University and administered by the Bursar's Office. Any questions regarding payment plans should be addressed to the Bursar's Office.
  13. Can I have a car on campus? Freshmen are not allowed to have cars on campus and depending on the area you live in, some sophomores may not be able to register cars.
  14. How safe are the University Residences? University Residences strive to provide a safe environment. However, as with any community with a large number of people, it’s best to take precautions such as locking doors and making sure your personal items are covered by your parent’s homeowner’s insurance policy. CSI Insurance Agency, Inc. offers a CSI Personal Property Protector Plus plan that provides full replacement cost coverage for less than the cost of a homeowner’s deductible. For more information, contact www.collegestudentinsurance.com
  15. Can I leave things in my room over breaks? Yes, leaving belongings in your room is allowed for all breaks except summer.
  16. Can I stay in my room over breaks? Residents are not allowed to stay in the halls over winter or summer breaks. The halls are open for residents to stay in for all other breaks.
  17. Are there curfews in University Residences? No, there are no curfews. Doors lock at 11:00 p.m. and residents must go through the night-checker (Access Clerk) station to get in, but residents are not required to be in their rooms at any time.
  18. Can I smoke in my room? No. All University Residences are non-smoking.
  19. Where can I do laundry? There is a laundry room in every residence with coin-operated washers and dryers.
  20. What is the standard residence mattress size and are bed linens provided? The standard residence mattress size is 36” x 78”. Bed linens are not provided.
  21. Do I need to clean my room? Your room is your responsibility. You are not required to clean your room except before check-out at the end of the academic year. Mops, brooms, and vacuum cleaners are available at each residence. We encourage students to clean their rooms on a regular basis.
  22. Is there anywhere I can cook? Most residences have kitchenettes available for residents to do limited amounts of cooking.
  23. Can I get a single room? The number of single rooms is very limited and students currently living in University Residences have priority for these rooms. New students should not expect to be assigned to a single room.
  24. What can I do if I have roommate problems? University Residences encourages open communication between residents. If talking it out between the two of you doesn’t work, your floor resident assistant is an excellent resource for assistance.
  25. Who can I contact if I have a specific question regarding my room and/or roommate? Please contact the main office of the residence you are currently assigned for questions regarding your room and/or roommates. Their telephone number is located on your Notice of Assignment and also on each hall's home page under Housing Choices.
  26. Are pets allowed? No pets are allowed in University Residences except fish.
  27. Is there a campus bus service? Yes. Purdue University students may ride CityBus by showing their PUID. Check out the route information.
  28. Is there a campus safety escort program? Yes. Both the Purdue Student Government and Wiley Hall have walking escort services available for students.
  29. Where can I go if I am ill? Purdue has a Purdue Student Health Center. There are also two hospitals in Lafayette.
  30. How is the phone system set up? Long-distance? Private line touch-tone telephones with call waiting are provided. Long-distance calls may be made by use of a personal credit card or by signing up for Purdue Prepaid Long Distance Service. No collect calls may be accepted by a Purdue phone, including those in University Residences. Click here for more information about Purdue Prepaid Long Distance.
  31. What kind of cable TV is in my room? Purdue provides cable TV to each room at no additional charge. It includes our own BTV which shows movies and also announcement of campus happenings. Access the BTV Movie schedule Online.
  32. Which residences have air-conditioning and which residences can provide an air-conditioned room for students who have a medical need for an air-conditioned space?
    • Residences That Are Air-Conditioned:
      • Cary Quadrangle (all units except Southeast and Southwest)
      • Earhart Hall
      • First Street Towers (for upperclass students)
      • Hawkins Hall (for students 20 years of age and older)
      • Hillenbrand Hall
      • Hilltop Apartments (buildings 28-32)
      • McCutcheon Hall
      • Purdue Village (window units for single undergraduate students)
      • Shreve Hall
    • Residences That Can Provide An Air-Conditioned Room for Students Who Have a Medical Need for An Air-Conditioned Space:
      • Harrison Hall
      • Hilltop Apartments (in buildings 1-27, students must pay an installation fee of $40 to have their own air-conditioning unit installed by Hilltop staff)
  33. Do I need to purchase property insurance? The university does not assume responsibility for the loss of money or valuables, damage to property, or injuries on the premises. If you are not covered under your parent/guardian's homeowner's insurance policy, we strongly recommend that you make arrangements for insurance protection against such losses.

Dining Services

  1. What is included in the meal plans? Beginning students can choose a traditional plan that includes 10-, 12, 15-, or 20-meal swipes each week. Meal swipes must be used during the week in which they are valid or they will expire.
    • The 10-Meal Plan includes ten meal swipes per week plus $125 Dining Dollars per semester
    • The 12-Meal Plan includes twelve meal swipes per week plus $225 Dining Dollars per semester
    • The 15-Meal Plan includes fifteen meal swipes per week plus $175 Dining Dollars per semester
    • The 20-Meal Plan includes twenty meal swipes per week plus $125 Dining Dollars per semester

    If you are an upperclass student, you may choose the Boiler Block Plan instead of a traditional 10-, 12-, 15-, or 20-Meal Plan. The Boiler Block Plan contains blocks of meals, 246 per year that can be used for you and/or your guests at anytime during the semester. Dining Dollars are also included in these plans. The meals and the Dining Dollars are distributed by semester, half in the fall and half in the spring. Unused meals and Dining Dollars will carry over from fall to spring semester and will expire when the meal contract ends. Check out Menus Online.

  2. Can I change my meal plan? You may choose to increase the number of meal swipes you receive within the traditional 10-, 12-, 15-, and 20-Meal Plans any time during the semester. You can only reduce the number of meal swipes in your meal plan or switch between the traditional and block plan prior to the first day of the semester’s board contract meal service—August 20, 2009 and January 11, 2010.

    New students assigned to Hilltop Apartments and the Purdue Village Apartments for single undergraduate students who wish to change to a room-only option must do so prior to the start of the fall contract. Current residents assigned to Hilltop Apartments and Purdue Village who selected a meal plan will be required to keep their meal plan after March 31, 2009. Current residents of non-apartment halls who transfer to Hilltop Apartments or the Purdue Village Apartments for single undergraduate students may select a room-only option when they are initially assigned to Hilltop or Purdue Village.
  3. How do I request a change to my meal plan? If you want to change your meal plan, please contact the main office of the residence you are currently assigned to make this request. Their telephone number is located on your Notice of Assignment and also on each hall's home page under Housing Choices.
  4. Do I have to get a meal plan? Students who choose to live in the undergraduate residence halls are required to purchase a meal plan as part of the housing contract. Students who live in Hilltop Apartments or the Purdue Village Apartments for single undergraduate students may select a meal plan when they sign their housing contract but are not required to do so. (Note:  Students living at Hilltop Apartments and the Purdue Village Apartments for single undergraduate students who have selected a meal plan are not eligible to change to a room-only option during the term of the housing contract.)  Hawkins Hall residents or off-campus students may purchase Open Dining Cards or use BoilerExpress for dining in University Residences Dining facilities.
  5. What locations accept a meal plan?The meals may be used in any of the All-You-Care-to-Eat locations or On the Go! dining facilities. Dining Dollars may be used to purchase extra meals, snacks, and mini-mart items. Dining Dollars roll over from first to second semester, but expire when your meal contract ends. Meal plans may be changed prior to the effective contract start date of each semester, August 20, 2009 and January 11, 2010. You can increase your meal plan within the traditional 10-, 12-, 15-, or 20-meal plans any time during the semester. You can only reduce your meal plan or switch between the traditional and Boiler Block Plan plan prior to the first day of the semester's board contract, August 20, 2009 and January 11, 2010.
  6. Where can I eat? The meal portion of the board plan can be used in any University Residence dining location and according to the posted schedule of service times and days. Dining Dollars can also be used in the dining locations as well as retail operations that include three restaurants and two mini-marts. Check out Campus Dining.
  7. What are Dining Dollars and where can I use them? Dining Dollars are dollar amounts that can be used to buy additional meals for students and their guests, snacks, and mini-mart items in any of the retail operations of University Residences. They are automatically part of the meal plan in addition to the meals. Unused Dining Dollars roll over from fall to spring semester but expire when the meal contract ends.
  8. What is BoilerExpress? A BoilerExpress debit account provides a way of making cash-free purchases at University Residences dining and retail locations and the Purdue Memorial Union. It can also be used in vending machines, copy machines and for doing laundry. BoilerExpress account information is accessed through each student’s University ID card. To open a BoilerExpress account, an application and a minimum deposit of $25 is required. There is no minimum balance to maintain, and any balance remaining at the end of the year will roll to the next year as long as you remain a Purdue student.
  9. I have a special diet. Can you help? The variety of menu items available accommodates most special diet needs. If you are on a specific diet prescribed by a physician, you may request assistance from a dining services manager or one of the registered dietitians on staff. For additional information, contact the Director of Dining Services. You will be asked to provide a copy of the diet prescription from your doctor.
  10. Can I purchase meals if I live off campus? BoilerExpress can be used as a meal plan. Students can deposit money into their accounts in convenient amounts and use it to buy meals and snacks when and where their schedules permit. BoilerExpress accounts can be closed at any time and the account balance will be refunded, minus a $10 closing fee. The Open Dining Card may be purchased by faculty, staff, off-campus students, University Residences students who have purchased a standard meal plan made available to them, and University Residences students who have not been offered a meal plan. The card can be presented at any University Residences dining facility!
  11. What forms of payment do the dining courts accept and how much does a meal cost for a guest? The dining courts accept Dining Dollars, BoilerExpress, cash, Visa, and Mastercard. View Guest Meal Prices.
  12. Are there opportunities for employment? There are many opportunities for students to work at convenient locations in or near their residence hall. Contact any dining services manager or follow this link to fill out an application online.
  13. How can I purchase a dining card? You can purchase an Open Dining Card that offers meal swipes in blocks or units of 25 meals for $200.00. The Open Dining Card may be purchased by faculty, staff, off-campus students, University Residences students who have purchased a standard meal plan made available to them, and University Residences students who have not been offered a meal plan. The card can be presented at any University Residences dining facility!

Dining Dollars

  1. What is the difference between Dining Dollars and debit dollars (BoilerExpress account)? Dining Dollars are a part of your meal plan and can be used to buy additional meals, snacks, or mini mart items in University Residences. They are not refundable and expire at the end of the contract. Your BoilerExpress account is one that you open (with an initial deposit of $25) which allows you to use your debit card instead of cash at any participating food or nonfood location on campus.
  2. Can I only use Dining Dollars during meal periods? Dining dollars can be used at any time University Residences food operations are open. They can be used to buy additional meals in dining locations or make purchases in retail operations.
  3. How will I know how many Dining Dollars and debit dollars I have left in my accounts? An account balance and printed receipt will be available at the time of your purchase or transaction. Without a transaction, you can get a balance at your residence main office or at a reader in any food service location. Monthly account statements will also be mailed to students who have BoilerExpress debit accounts.
  4. If I run out of Dining Dollars, can I add money to this account? You will not be able to add money to your Dining Dollars account. You can open a BoilerExpress account, with an initial deposit of $25. This account serves as a debit account and can be used the same as cash anywhere that is equipped to use the BoilerExpress debit card. These places include: dining rooms, mini marts, retail operations, vending and laundry machines in the University Residences as well as Purdue Memorial Union food locations.
  5. What happens if I don’t use up all of my Dining Dollars or all of the money in my BoilerExpress account by the end of the semester? Unused Dining Dollars are not refundable, as they are a part of your contract meal plan and expire at the end of the contract. Dining Dollars will be carried over from fall to spring semester. Unused BoilerExpress funds can be refunded at the end of the school year or whenever the student withdraws from school. A fee of $10 will be charged to close a debit account.
  6. Can I use dining dollars to buy school supplies and laundry detergent in the mini marts? Yes. Dining Dollars may be used for purchases in any University Residences retail operation.
  7. Will I be able to pay for a guest by swiping my card and using my Dining Dollars? Yes, you will be able to have a guest eat a meal with you and pay with your Dining Dollars. The first swipe of your card will be for yourself, taking away one meal from the total you have for the week. The second one will be for your guest and will come from your Dining Dollar account.

NetNutrition & Sensible Eating

  1. Where can I find nutritional information about food served at the dining courts? NetNutrition and Sensible Eating
  2. How far in advance and how far back can I view nutritional information that is based on items that are being served at the dining courts? You can view one week’s menus at any time.
  3. I am searching for an entree from Heartland Classics. Why can’t I find it? Not all item data has been verified that it is correct to show on NetNutrition. A team is continuing to work on this data, and it will show under the title of Daily Feature as items and recipes are coded.
  4. How do I figure how many calories I need? NetNutrition and Sensible Eating
    MyPyramid.gov
  5. How can I estimate the measurement of the portions I eat at the dining courts? Computer Mouse = ¾ Cup
    Pair of Dice = About 1 Tablespoon
    Cheese Slice = 1 Ounce
    Whole Tennis Ball = About 1/2 Cup
    Golf Ball = ¼ Cup
    Deck of Cards = 3 oz Portion of Meat
    Postage Stamp = 1 Teaspoon
  6. How do I identify vegan and vegetarian items within NetNutrition? Vegan items can be identified if Vegan appears in the name of the item. Vegetarian items will be denoted with an asterisk.
  7. Can I look up On the Go! items in NetNutrition? No, this information is currently not available. It will be a future enhancement.
  8. I am concerned about food safety, what types of precautions can I take? There are Use by dates on various On the Go! items. Potentially hazardous foods should be refrigerated or eaten within 4 hours.
  9. Where can I find more information on food allergies? Visit Dining Services Food Allergies
  10. What kind of oil is used for frying foods? Trans Fat Free oil is used for French frying all products.
  11. Are the fat calories in French fried products accurate? The data used for French fried products does include absorption of fat from frying.