Vandal living FAQ

University of Idaho requires all full-time, first year students under 21 years of age to live in organized living groups that are officially recognized by the university for one academic year. You can meet this requirement by living in either the residence halls or by living in-house with Fraternity and Sorority Life. 

We have housing available to every first-year student who would like to live on campus. For the most recent updated housing availability, log in to the housing portal to view available rooms.

If you are unable to see any available rooms in the housing portal, try the following options:

• If you selected a specialized community on the "Choose your community" tab, the spaces may have filled. Navigate back to the "Choose your community" page and select "academic traditional" at the bottom of the page. Then click "save and continue" until you reach the room selection page.
• If you are in a roommate group, there may no longer be spaces available to accommodate the entire group. If you leave the group, you will see additional room options on the room selection page. 

We prioritize housing for all incoming first-year students. If you have completed the housing application and paid the required fees, you are guaranteed a space in on-campus housing.

We do have a housing waitlist for non-first-year students due to the high demand.

Non-first year students are students currently attending U of I and returning for a new semester and those transferring to U of I from another institution.  

The number of non-first year students requesting on-campus housing exceeds the available spaces for non-first-year students. We created a waitlist to manage the remaining applications and offer students a chance to secure a spot if cancellations occur. 

Being on the waitlist means you are in line to receive a housing assignment if space becomes available. We also encourage you to explore off-campus living options. We will contact you if a space opens through your Vandal email address. Checking your Vandal email regularly is very important. Not doing so could result in missing an opportunity to live on campus. 

You will receive an update on the waitlist status every week through your Vandal email account.  We strongly recommend exploring off-campus options in the meantime, as on-campus availability is uncertain. We don't want you to be without housing.

Explore off-campus housing options

Log into the housing portal and cancel your housing application. This will remove you from the waitlist.

You have until July 1 to cancel your housing application without any financial penalties. 

We would encourage you to decline your on-campus assignment. Many times, there are large fees associated with breaking a lease for an off-campus housing option. It would be in your best interest not to break your off-campus lease agreement. 

Housing and Residence Life puts on “Renting 101” events each semester, which provides you with the tools to be successful when renting an off-campus apartment.

The university also maintains a list of local Moscow property managers and apartment complexes to support you in your housing search.

View off-campus housing options

We do not currently offer building-specific waitlists. Assignments are made based on availability. 

If spaces become available, we will do our best to accommodate roommate requests for students on the waitlist. However, we cannot guarantee roommate placements due to the limited availability. 

It's difficult to predict your exact chances as waitlist movement depends on cancellations and other factors. We will be moving through the waitlist as quickly as possible. You can view where you are on the waitlist through the housing portal.

We also encourage you to explore off-campus housing options. 

To address the housing shortage in the long term, the university is undertaking the following strategic actions:

• Renovation of existing facilities: Starting summer 2025, the university will begin renovating the Tower and Wallace to enhance their capacity and quality. These renovations are designed to make older dorms more comfortable and appealing, extending their usability and capacity and ensuring they meet the needs of today’s students.
• Exploration of constructing new residence halls: The university is actively exploring the financial aspects and logistical requirements for constructing new residence halls. This effort aims to significantly increase the number of available on-campus housing units, accommodating the growing student population and relieving pressure on existing facilities.

Additionally, in planning these new constructions and renovations, the university is mindful of the need to adapt to natural fluctuations in enrollment over the lifespan of each building. This involves creating flexible housing solutions that can adjust to varying student numbers, ensuring that facilities remain effective and well-utilized throughout their operational life.

By implementing these strategies, the university aims to create a more sustainable and student-friendly housing system that can effectively support both current and future student populations. 

Current residents who are interested in a room change, including room changes within a suite, must submit a room change request form for consideration. Submitting this request does not guarantee approval, which will be based on housing availability and eligibility requirements.

To request a room change, please log into your Housing Portal and click the “Room Change Request” button on "Forms" page.

If this is an emergency, please contact the Housing and Residence Life office at 208-885-6571.  

Our team puts in a great deal of effort to make sure your room is clean and in good condition. Rooms may have some normal wear from usage over time. Defects such as small paint chips, scratches in wood/painted furniture or pinholes in cork board are considered “normal wear.” Each student is responsible for inspecting their space at move-in and reporting its condition. You can learn more about your responsibilities as a residence hall tenant by reviewing our Responsibility for Room Condition Information document.

When inspecting the room, you should look for issues such as: wall damage (holes, large paint chips, etc.), flooring damage (large stains or tears), mattress damage (inspect seams for tears/holes) and broken furniture.

As with any rental, we encourage you to take pictures/video of the space at move-in and keep them for your records.

Our beds are standard deep twin XL size. 

Residence hall rooms are furnished with:

• Mini fridge and microwave (LLC’s have full size fridge and microwave in the common room.)
• Extra-long twin bed
• Bookshelf
• Desk and chair
• Closet
• Dresser or wardrobe (depending on building)
• Garbage bin (recycling bins are available upon request)
• Mirror
• Curtains

All items must remain in your room.

Yes, we provide mini fridges so there is no need to bring one from home. There is one mini fridge provided per room in Wallace, the Tower and McConnell Hall. The LLCs come with a full-size refrigerator and microwave in each suite. 

Lounges, hallways, other common spaces as well as the Tower and McConnell residence hall bathrooms are cleaned daily by our dedicated custodial staff.

Students living in the LLCs and Wallace residence halls are responsible for cleaning their bathrooms. 

The residence hall license agreement is a binding commitment to live on campus for the agreement contract. University of Idaho’s residence hall license agreement includes both room and meals.

Once you check in to your residence hall and accept your room key, the terms of your license agreement and Residence Hall Handbook are in effect. This means that you are committed to paying room and board for the contract period specified in the License Agreement. Additionally, you agree to abide by the Student Code of Conduct and the Housing Handbook.

Housing contract periods are dependent on when you move in: Academic year, spring only or summer session.

2024-25 academic year

• Residence Hall License Agreement
• Residence Hall Handbook 

Students living in the LLCs may continue to be on campus during winter break. Students in our other residence halls with winter break housing needs should work directly with the housing office to make housing arrangements.

Current residence hall students may request a late stay one additional night past the move-out deadline if they are graduating, have an international flight or have another extenuating circumstance.

To request a late stay, please log into your Housing Portal and click the “Late Stay Request” button on "Forms" page.

The Cleaning and Damage Charge Dispute form can be used if you have a charge after checkout that you need to dispute. You have 30 days from the date of your check-out to submit a charge dispute. 

Residence Hall students who have lost their VandalCard can get a temporary key from the Information Desk. The Information Desk is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Absolutely. To room with a friend, you must choose the same room during the housing application process.

Students who would like to live together, but not in the same room, can choose Wallace Residence Center or the Living Learning Communities. Suite style options are a great choice for students wanting to live together but not wanting to share a bedroom. 

We want you to be happy and comfortable living on campus. Talking with your RA is the first step to take if you and your roommate are having a hard time adjusting to living together. If you still feel you must change rooms, please visit the housing office, and we will help you apply for a room change.

There are no room changes during dead week and finals week.

Yes. Single rooms are available in the Living Learning Communities.

You have seven days after your roommate leaves to declare that you would like to buy out the other half of the room. You may also choose to move out and choose a single room if rooms are available.

If you do not declare the desire to purchase the other half of the room, housing will begin the process of moving in another student.

Please note: Housing can’t guarantee single rooms if there is no availability.

Gender-inclusive housing allows for same gender, opposite-gender or gender nonconforming students to live together, regardless of biological sex.

This housing option provides an environment where housing is not restricted by traditional limitations of gender.

To sign up for gender-inclusive housing, select "Gender-Inclusive Housing" on your housing application, agree to the terms and choose from the available gender-inclusive spaces.

All participants living in gender-inclusive housing are expected to adhere to philosophies of respect and inclusion and are expected to be a positive member of the larger campus housing community the same as any other resident.

Gender-inclusive housing for first-year students is offered in Wallace Residence Center.

Non-first-year students, including non-first-year transfers, options are located in the Living Learning Communities and Wallace Residence Center.

All gender-inclusive housing assignments are located in suites with private bathrooms. 

Yes, you can request a room change at any time. There may be limitations to room selection options depending on the time of year and if there is available space. 

No. Students will never be placed in a gender-inclusive suite if they have not selected that option on their application. If not enough students select this option, a student requesting gender-inclusive housing may be placed in a single gender suite. 

For questions about gender-inclusive housing and other accommodations related to gender identity/expression, please contact our student assignments team at housing@uidaho.edu or 208-885-6571.

Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to designate units with openings as single gender at any time if needed.

You can pick up your mail at the LLC Information Desk located in Living Learning Community Building 2.

A VandalCard or other form of identification is required to pick up mail.

All students have an assigned MSC number. The MSC number is required for you to receive your mail. Any mail that does not have your name and MSC number will be returned to the sender.

Students with a fall booking will be sent their MSC number for receiving packages in late July. This information will also be provided when you check into your room.

If you wish to have mail sent to be ready for move-in, you can start sending mail to your student mailing address 10 days prior to move-in day.

Student mailing address:
Student Name 
MSC #____ 
901 Paradise Creek Street 
Moscow ID 83843 

Washers and dryers are located in all buildings and are free to use. You will need to provide your own soap and dryer sheets. Ask your RA for information on your nearest laundry room.

Use of our laundry machines is free for all residents. 

Yes. Each residence hall, except for the LLCs, have computer labs with printing capabilities. All students are welcome to use the large public computer lab in the bottom floor of Wallace Residence Center.

All full-time students receive 250 pages of printing per semester.

Many network-compatible devices, such as game consoles and smart TVs, do not work on the main campus networks AirVandalGold and AirVandalHome. Instead, they will need to first be registered at help.uidaho.edu/avsetup, then connected to the AirVandalGuest network.

Connecting a wired device (Ethernet) will also require registration of the device at help.uidaho.edu/avsetup.

For support or questions, contact the Student Technology Center at 208-885-4357 or submit a ticket online at oit.uidaho.edu. 

Wallace and McConnell Hall have kitchens in their basements, while our Living Learning Communities each have a kitchen on the main floor.

Theophilus Tower and North Campus Communities do not have a kitchen in the building. 

If you see an elevator requiring maintenance, please report it to the LLC Information Desk immediately at 208-885-7379. 

Please report microwave/fridge concerns by calling 866-651-5638 to schedule a time to have the unit repaired or replaced.

LLC residents
Please submit a service request using our online service request form. 

Your safety and security are important to us.

Each residence hall is protected by a VandalCard ID reader that unlocks the exterior door for you to enter the building. Exterior doors are locked 24 hours a day. You are encouraged to keep the door to your room locked and follow common sense safety precautions.

Resident Assistants also do nightly rounds of the buildings to ensure safety and enforce quiet hours. Additionally, campus security does two random rounds with RAs per day.

For more information, contact campus-security@uidaho.edu or 208-885-7233 (SAFE). 

Yes. Housing and Residence life works directly with Moscow Police to ensure safety in the residence halls. Campus Security also does nightly rounds of residence hall buildings, student safety checks and offers a 24-hour free campus security walking service.

Learn more about the Safe Walk program

There are several options you can go to for help in emergency situations.

Information Desk
The Information Desk, located in the Living Learning Communities, is available for all students 24/7. Visit the desk for emergencies, room lockouts, lost keys, disturbances, complaints or any other safety needs.

You may also call 208-885-7379.

RAs on call
Each hall has Resident Assistants (RAs) on call from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each night. RAs are there to keep residents safe. Let your RA know of any suspicious people/activities by calling the RA number posted in your hall.

Campus Security
The Campus Security Team is on patrol 24 hours a day, seven days a week—including holidays and academic breaks. You can also contact Campus Security to utilize the safe walk program. This program is free for students and employees.

Campus Security can be reached at 208-885-7233 (SAFE). 

Due to the risk of fire, the following items are prohibited in the Residence Halls: candles, incense, flammable liquids and cooking appliances with open heating elements. All small appliances, like coffee makers, must be equipped with an automatic shut off option. Items are not allowed to be hung on sprinkler heads located in rooms and hallways.

You must accompany your visitors at all times. Staff work to enforce this policy for the safety and comfort of all residents. If you would like an overnight guest, you should communicate with your roommate and suitemates. Guests may not stay for a prolonged time.

Make sure to lock your room door, take your key each time you leave your room and do not leave property unattended. Most on-campus thefts are crimes of opportunity, meaning that they can be prevented by keeping personal property locked up.

Yes, you can cancel your room application prior to move-in. However, you will not receive a refund on your application fee and your room assignment will be released.

You can cancel your room application using the Cancel Application Form located in the Housing Portal.

Yes, you can request to break your agreement after moving in. However, doing so will result in a penalty of up to $1,400. The cancellation policy for students breaking their agreement early can be found in Section 9 and Section 10 of the Residence Hall License Agreement.

If we can do anything to convince you to stay, please contact us at housing@uidaho.edu. Otherwise, complete the Request to Break License Agreement Form located in the Housing Portal.

Once the form is processed you will receive an email with instructions on checking out properly. 

The residence hall application fee is non-refundable. 

In the case of extreme, unforeseeable and uncontrollable issues, the early cancellation fee may be appealed. Breaking your agreement is your last resort to solve a problem. You must seek assistance from Housing and Residence Life staff to resolve the problem, and you must try all other, less extreme options offered to you before submitting a request to break your agreement. Your other options might include transferring to a different campus housing room, room type, residence hall or apartment for which you are eligible.

To appeal the early cancellation fee, please complete the Housing and Residence Life Agreement Appeal Form within 30 days of your checkout. Appeals submitted after 30 days from your checkout will be automatically denied.

U of I is a beautiful, walkable campus adjacent to downtown Moscow. With free public transportation and nearly 2,500 bicycle rack spaces, your educational experience can be vehicle-free. 

Parking on campus is extremely limited and students outnumber parking spaces. You must purchase a parking permit before you bring your vehicle to campus. Residence hall students are eligible to purchase a Silver or Economy parking permit from Parking and Transportation Services. If you do not purchase a parking permit before you arrive, you should not bring your vehicle to campus. Parking a motorcycle on campus does not require a parking permit.

Designated bike racks are located outside the entrances of Wallace Residence Center, McConnell Hall, the Tower and the Living Learning Communities.

Stop by the Housing Office, located on the second floor of Wallace Residence Center, if you would like to store your bike indoors. We have limited indoor storage spaces available in Wallace, McConnell and the Tower residence halls for bikes.

There is motorcycle parking near the residence halls and no parking permit is necessary. You may not store motorized vehicles inside your room or residence hall at any time.

North Campus Communities, or NCC, is University of Idaho’s latest residence hall option. Close to the main campus, the NCC offers you a more independent living arrangement and is a great next step for when you want more autonomy and the benefits of living in a residence hall. You will still have access to support, campus resources and event programming. 

North Campus Communities are close to the main Moscow campus. Street address:

U of I North Campus Communities 
101 Baker St. 
Moscow, ID 
83843

No. University of Idaho has leased the entire property which was formally known as the FairBridge Inn. All existing buildings have been converted into the North Campus Communities, an official residence hall and part of University of Idaho housing.

This is an exciting opportunity for returning and transfer students to live in a residence hall while retaining a level of independence. The NCC is amongst our most affordable residence hall options. It provides the benefits of residence life and includes additional amenities.

The NCC is part of the U of I Moscow campus. Students living at the NCC will have access to the same activities, services and opportunities as students living in our existing residence halls. This includes having resident assistants living at the NCC and an area coordinator/resident director offering supervision and support to our students. 

Yes, you will have a roommate at the North Campus Communities.

Each room in the NCC will be fully furnished with extra-long twin beds, two wardrobes or one wardrobe and one dresser*, one desk, desk chair, mini fridge and a microwave.

*For rooms with one wardrobe and one dresser, the expectation is that one resident uses the wardrobe and dresser inside the wardrobe while the other student uses the free-standing dresser and the hanging space inside the closet.  

Check-in and check-out will look the same at the NCC as it does for other residence halls. Please visit our move-in page for more information. 

The NCC is open during some academic breaks and closed for others:

• Fall Break: All residence halls remain open during Fall Break.
• Winter Break: NCC is closed during Winter Break. Fill out our request form to stay elsewhere on campus during Winter Break.
• Spring Break: All residence halls remain open during Spring Break.
• Summer Break: NCC is closed during Summer Break. 

You can pick up your mail/packages 24/7 at the Living Learning Communities Information Desk. The LLC Information Desk is located at 901 Paradise Creek Street LLC Building 2.

You will be sent your student mailing address in mid-July.

There is a dumpster located on the northwest corner of the parking lot.

The NCC Information Desk is staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to answer student questions or if they get locked out of their room.

Location: NCC first floor under the "welcome" sign.

Phone: 208-885-8622

If you are locked out of your room after 7 p.m., please contact the RA on-call number located around the NCC.

Yes. NCC residents who wish to park at NCC must request a parking permit online at uidaho.aimsparking.com from U of I’s Parking and Transportation Services.

Absolutely! There are plenty of bike racks at the North Campus Communities as well as around campus and Moscow. You should lock your bike up when not in use.

Students living at NCC are eligible to purchase a Tan parking permit, which is valid for parking 24/7 on site at NCC and is also valid for daytime parking (6 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following day) in Blue commuter lots on campus. The Tan permit is valid for overnight parking (2-6 a.m.) at the NCC lot only.

Your housing agreement must be completed in order to be eligible to purchase a permit.

You can purchase your permit online at uidaho.aimsparking.com from U of I’s Parking and Transportation Services. 

Yes. The approximate walking time to The Eatery is about 15 minutes. 

Yes. A convenient SMART Transit stop is located just feet away from the North Campus Communities. SMART Transit buses can take you all over Moscow including campus, downtown and retail areas.

For more information on SMART Transit please visit the SMART Transit webpage.

No. Silver parking permits are reserved for residents in Wallace, Tower, LLCs and McConnell.

Only individuals with an NCC parking permit can park in the NCC parking lot. Street parking is available for guests.

Yes. As part of U of I Moscow campus, all NCC residents will have access to the free PIT Crew Services.

The NCC is a part of U of I’s campus. Therefore, security at the NCC will function as it does for all of campus.

Yes. Because the NCC is a part of U of I’s campus, SafeWalk is provided by Campus Security to all U of I students and employees.

Learn more about the SafeWalk Program

Yes. Student safety is our highest priority on the U of I campus. A variety of security services will patrol the NCC, including campus security, the Moscow Police and private security firms.

You can pick up your mail at the LLC Information Desk located in Living Learning Community Building 2.

A VandalCard or other form of identification is required to pick up mail.

You will have an assigned MSC number which is unique to you. Your MSC number is required for you to receive mail. Any mail that does not have your name and MSC number will be returned to the sender. Students with a fall booking will be sent their MSC number for receiving packages in late July. This information will also be provided when you check into your room.

If you wish to have mail sent to be ready for move-in, you can start sending mail to your student mailing address 10 days prior to move-in day.

Student Mailing Address: 
Student Name 
MSC #____
901 Paradise Creek Street 
Moscow ID 83843 

Yes. Every room features a private bathroom for roommates to share. Residents will be responsible for cleaning and providing toiletries such as soap, shampoo and toilet paper.

Yes. Laundry facilities can be found onsite and are free for NCC residents. You are required to provide your own laundry detergent.

As part of U of I Moscow campus, all NCC residents will have access to the university’s Wi-Fi networks. 

No, the swimming pool can not be utilized at this time. 

Exclusive to the NCC, breakfast will include an assortment of grab-n-go items such as bagels, pastries, cereal, yogurt, fruit, milk, juice and more. While residents of North Campus Communities may still choose to dine at The Eatery or elsewhere for breakfast, the continental breakfast provides students with a quick and convenient breakfast option.

Continental breakfast will be available in the NCC lobby seven days a week from 7-9:30 a.m. 

Once you pay the $500 deposit, the terms of the License Agreement are in effect. Additionally, you must agree to abide by the Student Code of Conduct and the Apartment Handbook guidelines and regulations. It is highly recommended that you read the Apartment Handbook, as it will answer many of your questions.

• 2024-25 Apartment Handbook
• 2024-25 Apartment License Agreement

Please be sure to follow the Apartment Checklist to make sure you have taken care of everything you need to do when you move into your new apartment.

Read through and become familiar with the University Apartment Guidebook. The Guidebook will contain all of the information you need to know about making your apartment your home 

Your mailbox location and number can be found in your welcome email, with your address. Our mailbox location map will show you where each of the mailboxes are located for each apartment complex.

If you have any questions, contact our Apartment Coordinator at 208-885-6573 or apartments@uidaho.edu. 

After you have checked your apartment, please complete the apartment move-in condition form and return it to the information desk located in Housing’s Living Learning Community building #2. Please do this within 72 hours of your check in. If there are items needing repair at any time during your stay, please submit a service request.

Any damages not recorded on this inventory at the beginning of your occupancy and found when you check out can be attributed to you, so please be descriptive and thorough.

You are required to complete an Intent to Vacate form 60 days prior to moving out. A $100 fee applies if less than 60 days' notice is given.

You can change your meal plan through the first week of classes each semester.

To change your meal plan please log into your Housing Portal and click the “Change Meal Plan” button on "Forms" page.

View dining and meal plan options

We strive to accommodate the full spectrum of dietary needs and restrictions by providing daily rotating vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options as well as an allergen friendly station that is dedicated to menu options prepared without eggs, wheat, peanuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, sesame, soy, milk, tree nuts and gluten. We offer an allergen self-identification tool and an allergen-free station at the Eatery.

If you have a dietary accommodation you feel cannot be met in the dining hall, please complete our Dietary Accommodation Form.