Housing and Residence Life FAQ's

Housing

When should I turn in a Housing Application?

New Students

Once you have been accepted to Potomac State College of WVU, you should turn in your housing application and your $200 room reservation fee as soon as possible. Reservations are made in the order that the Office of Residential Education receives them.

 

Returning Students

The Office of Residential Education will be offering housing applications once you return from Thanksgiving Break. To receive priority placement, you should turn in your housing application and your $200 room reservation fee no later than March 1st.

 

Can I sign a housing contract for one semester?

No; unless you are enrolling in campus housing for the spring semester. Housing contracts are binding for the entire academic year.

 

Can my room reservation fee be refunded?

The room reservation fee is fully refundable, if Potomac State College of WVU receives your written cancellation postmarked or emailed by July 1st for fall applicants, and November 1st for spring applicants.

 

Do I have to live on-campus?

All single students are expected to live on campus unless you meet one of the following criteria:

  • ·    21 years old or older
  • ·    Can commute from a family member's home within a 50-mile radius
  • ·    You are a parent of a child

How much does it cost to live on-campus?

 

Residence Hall Expenses per semester:

  • ·    University Place Private Double - $2,270
  • ·    University Place Double Suite - $1,930
  • ·    All Other Hall Doubles - $1,460
  • ·    Reynolds Single- $2,095

(Please Note: These rates are accurate as of 2010-2011 but are subject to change in the upcoming years.)

 

Are meal plans required for all on-campus residents?

Yes; all students residing in residence halls must purchase a campus meal plan. Students purchasing meal plans are given the following options:

 

Meal Plan Expenses per semester:

  • ·    19 Meal Plan (Open access to all offered meals during the week and weekend) - $1,648*
  • ·    15 Meal Plan (Access to breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the weekdays) - $1,539
  • ·    10 Meal Plan (Access to two meals per day during the weekdays) - $1,388

*This is the only meal plan that can be used on weekends for Saturday and Sunday meals.

(Please Note: These rates are accurate as of 2010-2011 but are subject to change in the upcoming years.)

 

Are there any special housing options?

Yes; we offer housing for an Agricultural/Forestry Living Learning Community that is based in Friend Hall. This special option offers study groups, fun activities and in-hall interaction with the faculty of these two departments.

 

Can I choose my own roommate?

Yes; you may choose your own roommate.  Through the Housing Management System (HMS) you will have the opportunity to select your own roommate.  You can send a request to a specific roommate or use the matching system to find a roommate that may be a good fit with you.  All of these options are explained in HMS.  You must apply early to secure a spot and to have an option of choosing your roommate.

 

Are single rooms available?

Yes; Reynolds Hall offers all single rooms for both male and female students.  Again, a limited number of these rooms are available and fill up fast so you must apply and select one of these rooms early.

 

How do I find out where I am being placed?

We will notify you in writing when your original assignment has been made. You may also check your MIX account for updates regarding your housing assignment as well.

 

What does Potomac State College of WVU provide in each room?

Each resident is provided the following items/amenities: bed, dresser, desk, closet space, air conditioning/heat, high-speed Internet, local telephone access, and cable television access.

 

What size are the beds on campus?
 Mattresses in our residence halls are extra-long (36"x80"). We have partnered with Residence Hall Linens to provide our students with a convenient, affordable way to purchase extra-long sheets and bedding items, as well as other campus-living necessities.  Proceeds from this program are used for programming in the residence halls. Please visit the RHL website http://www.rhl.org/pos

 

How safe is Potomac State College of WVU?

We have a University Police Department located on our campus that actively participates in policing the campus community. In addition to University Police, the Office of Residential Education provides night monitors to patrol through the residence halls from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.   The four live-in professionals rotate an on-call duty schedule to respond to all emergencies that occur at Potomac State College of WVU.

 

Does the housekeeping staff clean my room?

The housekeeping staff will not clean your residence hall room. It is expected, based on the health and safety residence hall policy, that each resident keep his or her room in a healthy and safe state. The housekeepers will clean the bathroom areas of University Place Residence Hall rooms twice per month as a touch up to inspect for damages and such. The housekeeping staff will clean the rest rooms in Reynolds, Friend and Memorial Halls on a daily basis. The housekeeping staff will clean the common areas of all residence halls on a daily basis.

 

Can I bring my car to campus?

All students are welcome to bring a vehicle to campus. Parking permits can be purchased during the Student Service Days prior to the beginning of each semester or at the University Police Office during the year. Parking permits cost $40 for the entire academic year. All members of the campus community who plan to park a vehicle on campus must display a valid PSC parking permit. 

 

How do I obtain a guest parking permit when friends or family come to visit?

Guest parking permits can be obtained from the Students Affairs Office or the Service Office (located in the Administration Building), the University Police Office or the Library.

 

 

Can I change rooms?

Yes; you can place a request for a room change. However, we do not engage in any room changes for the first two to three weeks of the semester. At the conclusion of the time period, we will initiate a two-week process known as "The Friendly Room Change Process." You will need to pick up a form from the Office of Residential Education and complete it for review. All requests that come in after "The Friendly Room Change" period must be reviewed by the professional staff and alternative means of solving roommate conflicts must be considered first.

 

Where do I get my mail?

The mailboxes for all on-campus residents are located on the top floor of the Student Union. During the move-in process, each resident will be assigned an individual mailbox. Below is the mailing address for students:

Name

Mailbox #

105 Fort Avenue

Keyser, WV  26726

 

When can I pick up my mail?

Mail will be placed in student mailboxes on a daily basis. If you receive a package that is too large to fit in your mailbox, it can be picked up between the hours of 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. in the student mailroom, which is located next to the student mailbox area on the top floor of the Student Union.

 

Residential Education

 

Where is the office located?

The office is located on the main floor of University Place across from the Potomac Commons.

 

Who works within the Office Residential Education?

Professional Staff

  • Aaron Edwards, Director of Residential Education
  • Shawn Twigg, Residence Hall Coordinator of Academic Programming
  • Kate Goff, Residence Hall Coordinator of Human Resources
  • Marie Post, Housing Specialist
  • Eric Adkins, Residential Life Specialist

Night Monitor Staff

  • Roger Miller
  • Robert Smith

Student Staff  

  • We have 30 Resident Assistants located throughout each residence hall at Potomac State College. Their door areas will have signage notifying residents that they are a Resident Assistant assigned to that floor.

 

What is a Residence Hall Coordinator?

Residence Hall Coordinators are full-time professional staff that lives in the residence halls. They focus on the daily operations of our residence halls and student activities while supervising the student staff within the Office of Residential Education.

 

What is a Resident Assistant?

Resident Assistants are students who are employed by the Office of Residential Education to manage the floors of our residence halls. Resident Assistants provide assistance by enforcing campus policies and providing fun social activities.

 

How do I become a Resident Assistant?

The Office of Residential Education hires new additions to the RA staff on a semester basis. All registered students are welcome to apply within the Office of Residential Education. The hiring process will be facilitated by the RHC of Human Resources. The requirements to qualify as an RA candidate are:

  • A minimum of a 2.5 GPA (Grade Point Average which applies to high school applicants as well)
  • Be in good conduct standing with Potomac State College of WVU

How do I get something fixed in my room?  

If you notice damage in your room, please notify the Office of Residential Education between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or contact your Resident Assistant.

 

What happens if I lose my key?

The Office of Residential Education will request that the locks on your door be changed. In the meantime, you will receive a replacement key at the cost of $25 for a lock change.

 

What is the campus visitation policy?

Guests who do not reside in your residence hall are not permitted in the residence halls after 12 a.m. on weekdays or after 2 a.m. on weekends. You must go to the Office of Residential Education and fill out an overnight visitation pass for guests of the same sex. Guests of the opposite sex may not stay overnight in the residence halls.

 

What do I do if I am struggling academically?

We highly recommend that you stop by our office and allow our staff to assist you. We will describe all the resources that Potomac State College has to offer you as a student. Also, our office provides a drop-in tutoring program for all students in the University Place study lounge.

 

Activities

What types of activities are offered on a regular basis at Potomac State College of WVU?

The Office of Residential Education and the Office of Student Activities regularly work together to ensure that each student has a fun experience while attending Potomac State College of WVU. We offer the following programs on a weekly basis:

  • ·    Movie Nights in the University Place Theatre
  • ·    Monday Night Football/Monday Night Raw in the University Theatre
  • ·    Late Nights on Wednesday and Thursday nights, where free food is served in the Potomac Commons
  • ·    Intramural Sports

What intramural sports/activities are offered at Potomac State College of WVU?

  • ·                Flag Football
  • ·                Volleyball
  • ·                Softball
  • ·                Basketball
  • ·                Cards
  • ·                Soccer
  • ·                Ping Pong
  • ·                Pool
  • ·                Bocce Ball
  • ·                Video Games

Can I suggest ideas and help plan events?
 All students are invited to suggest ideas. In fact, Potomac State College has a student organization whose main focus is to provide student activities to our campus. The Catamount Activities Board is a student-run organization that spends approximately $10,000 to $15,000 on programs each year.

Are trips offered to students?

The Office of Residential Education and the Office of Student Activities plan several trips each year. Some of the destinations that were offered at a discount rate to students in the past included:

  •  New York City
  •  Baltimore Harbor
  •  Kings Dominion
  •  Washington, DC
  •   Baltimore Orioles Games

How many activities are provided for students at Potomac State College of WVU?

During a typical academic year, the Office of Residential Education and the Office of Student Activities facilitates approximately 400 programs for students to attend.

Are there employment opportunities with Student Activities?

Yes; the Office of Student Activities is always looking for dedicated students who have an interest in planning, promoting and facilitating fun activities for our students. If you qualify for work-study, please let the Office of Enrollment Services know that you are interested in working with Student Activities.