Frequently-Asked Questions

Q. What are my housing choices?
A. Seattle Pacific has four residence halls and 13 apartment buildings. Together, they house almost 1,700 students.

Ashton, Hill and Moyer are "traditional" residence halls, consisting of two- and three-person rooms. Emerson features suite-style rooms. A description of each hall and layouts of typical rooms can be viewed here.

Our campus apartments offer a typical setting of bedroom(s), kitchen, living room and bathroom, and accommodate two or more residents, depending on size. Campus apartments are reserved for continuing students and transfer students.

Q. What are "suite-style" rooms?
A. Suites are two rooms that share one bathroom. Emerson is the only residence hall with suite-style rooms. The most common configuration is a double room on either side of a connecting bathroom; however in some suites, two rooms off of a community lounge may share a bathroom. Emerson also has a limited number of rooms with private bathrooms (i.e., shared with only the residents of that room). Regardless of configuration, no more than five students share any one bathroom in the hall.

Q. What are triple rooms? How are students assigned to them?
A. Approximately 90 triple rooms are available in Ashton, Hill, Moyer and Emerson Halls at a discounted rate. The majority of triples are standard doubles with lofted beds and a change in floor plan to accommodate three residents. These rooms are typically assigned to first-time students.

Q. How do I apply for housing?
A. You must submit an online Campus Housing Application and a $300 deposit to be assigned to campus housing. Click here for more details. If you are applying for Autumn Quarter, you must submit both the application and deposit by June 1 to receive your room and roommate assignment by August.

Q. How are assignments made?
A. Room and roommate assignments are made based on your student type (first-time freshman or transfer student) and your priority (the date your admissions application was received) and your preferences (listed on your Campus Housing Application). See Room Assignments and Roommate Matching for more information.

Q. When will my housing contract and assignment be mailed?
A. Your housing contract, room assignment and roommate information is mailed in early August, provided we receive your Campus Housing Application and $300 room deposit by May 30. If your application and deposit are received between May 31 and August 15, you will receive your assignment mid-September. Applications and deposits received after August 15 will be processed as space permits (see Deadlines).

Q. Is my room deposit refundable?
A. A refund of your $300 room deposit is available if you cancel your housing application by June 30 for Autumn Quarter, December 12 for Winter Quarter or March 20 for Spring Quarter. Once you move into your room, your deposit will remain on your student account until you withdraw from housing. At that time, the deposit will be refunded if you have completed your contract obligation, met withdrawal deadlines and not damaged your room.

Q. What about housing and food service during holiday breaks?
A. Residence halls close during Christmas and Spring breaks. Residents will need to vacate the hall, but they may leave personal property in their rooms. Students occupying the campus apartments may remain on campus during breaks. Food service is not available in Gwinn Commons during Thanksgiving, Christmas or Spring Breaks.

Q. What can I bring with me?
A. We want you to be comfortable in your new home away from home, but you may want to consider prioritizing what you'll really need. Space will be limited. When you receive your roommate's name(s), you may want to call him or her to decide who will bring what items; you probably won't need or have room for two televisions, two stereos, etc. A checklist of suggested items to bring is available here.

Q. May I have a car on campus?
A. Parking spaces on campus are limited, and there is a quarterly fee. You may park your car on the street, but SPU is located in a residential area and those spaces are very limited. The Office of Safety and Security manages campus parking and encourages you to consider leaving your car at home and using Seattle buses that stop near campus for transportation.

Q. What if I want to live off campus?
A. If you are not eligible to live off campus according to the criteria outlined under the Residential Living Requirement, but you believe you have extenuating circumstances that warrant special consideration, you may petition Residence Life for an exemption. Approval is granted only for exceptional need or hardship. Any student living off campus without the approval of Residence Life will not be permitted to register until he or she is in compliance.