Rockhurst University | Learning, Leadership and Service in the Jesuit Tradition

Move-in Process

When is move-in?

The dates for move in are as follows:

• Fall Opening Day for Freshmen and returning students is Saturday, August 17, (8 a.m. –4 p.m.)
• For other important dates please see Opening & Closing Dates

Move in day is an exciting time: you will be among approximately 850 other students moving into Rockhurst residential communities. Residence Life staff works hard to organize the move in process by having keys and move in materials sorted and ready to go for each individual student. Please also be mindful that parking in front of our halls is very limited. Please plan to unload and then move your car so other students and their families can also unload close to the building. Freshmen Move-in Volunteers will be present to assist you and your parents with your move. Each community has Resident Assistant staff available to direct you and assist you in your transition into campus life at Rockhurst University.

I am a new incoming student. When will I find out my housing assignment?

Housing assignment letters are mailed to the student’s permanent address by the beginning of July. We will also inform you via mail/email if there are any changes necessary to your assignment. You will receive your roommate's contact information so you can make arrangements about furniture, and other room topics as well as have the opportunity to share information about yourself before the start of the new year.

I am with a student organization that needs to move in early. How do I get approval?

Student organization advisors provide a list to the Office of Residence Life naming all students approved to move in early. Students moving in early will receive a letter from the Office of Residence Life notifying them of the early check-in process. If you do not receive information from our office you may contact us to see if you are on the list. If you are not on the list, you will need to contact the advisor of your organization. Only students included in an organization's early move-in list will be allowed to move in early.

Can I change my assignment on move-in day?

No, all students will need to move into their assigned space on move-in day. No room changes are possible until open room change period begins, which opens a few weeks after the start of school. Please see Important Dates for more information.

Should I bring a handcart or do you provide them?

Rockhurst University does not provide handcarts for families. It is highly recommended to bring a cart for move in. McGee Hall is the only facility with an elevator. All other buildings have stairwell access to upper level floors.

Are there events for my parents on move-in weekend?

Yes! We have many events through our orientation program and Campus Ministry office for both you and your parents. Students will receive information in the mail over the summer about all of the Rockhurst Community events! 

Housing Assignments

I would like to see my room for the fall. How do I do that?

We are happy to show students one of the tour rooms in our halls. All residence hall tours are scheduled through the Admissions' Ambassadors office Please contact the Admissions office at 816-501-4172 to schedule a tour.  It is usually not possible to show students their particular room. Rockhurst University hosts many summer conferences so many of our residence hall rooms are occupied throughout the year. 

Why didn’t I get my roommate preference?

Rockhurst University works hard to place students together when there is a mutual roommate preference. You may not have received your first choice if your intended roommate either did not preference you or did not submit the housing application by the priority deadline date. Applications that come in after the priority deadline may not receive their preferred roommate since roommate assignments will be completed shortly after that date. We always try to do our best to assign preferred roommates together but it is not always possible.

I received my housing assignment and there is no roommate listed. Does this mean I have a single room?

If you applied for a double room, but did not receive a roommate in your initial assignment letter, you may still be assigned a roommate over the course of the summer. As we continue to receive housing applications we will try to place a roommate with you.  When this is done you will receive written notification along with appropriate contact information.  Students who begin the fall semester without an assigned roommate will not be charged for a single room but may still receive a roommate during the Open Room Change period.

Can I change my roommate/hall assignment?

No roommate changes may be made before the beginning of the year.  There is a Room Change Freeze in effect from the date of the assignment until after the first few weeks of the semester.  The dates for Open Room Change can be seen on our Important Dates page. Students must come to the Office of Residence Life to start the room change process.  The room change process is free; however, students changing rooms without permission will be fined.

Room Consolidation Policy:  When the room change process results in multiple empty room spaces on the same floor, students who are left without roommates may then be asked to consolidate rooms with other residents on their floor, or pay a prorated single room rate for the remainder of  the semester. 

Can I get my roommate’s phone number?

Your roommate's phone number or other contact information will be included in your housing assignment letter. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life.

What if my roommate and I do not get along?

At the beginning of each new year Residence Life asks all campus residents to complete a roommate agreement. This agreement enables new roommates to establish the "rules of the room", which is a valuable tool to help students live in close quarters with a roommate. If after completing this agreement, you encounter roommate conflicts, you may meet with your RA or Resident Director. They will provide additional help in resolving the issues between you and your roommate. If the issues cannot be resolved, then students are free to pursue room/roommate changes. The room change process is free of charge, and is completed in the Residence Life office. 

Why didn’t I receive my housing deposit back after leaving the Townhouse Village or On Campus Housing?

Residents who cancel any housing contract during the middle of the academic year are not eligible to receive their security deposit refund and will be charged a $300 housing cancellation fee. Due to the competitive assignment process of the THV and OCH assignments the $300 cancellation fee will be charged for the cancellation of either a THV or OCH contract effective the date the THV/OCH award is made. Students apply for THV/OCH units in groups and are awarded a unit based on the total score of the group application. The cancellation fee is designed to discourage students from initially adding their points to help a group obtain a THV or OCH award, and then cancelling their housing contract. Students cancelling a THV or OCH contract are subject to the $300 cancellation fee immediately after the group award notification date.  Any student who has fulfilled a complete year's contract is eligible to receive the security deposit refund as long as they have not re-applied for the upcoming year's housing.  To request this refund, please submit the Security Deposit Refund Request (PDF)  to the Residence Life office.

How do I receive my housing deposit back?

Students who have completed the terms of the housing contract and do not plan to return to campus for the upcoming year may request the return of their housing deposit by printing the Security Deposit Refund Request (PDF) and submitting the form to the Office of Residence Life in Massman 3.  New and returning students who have completed an application/contract for the upcoming year but wish to cancel, should use the Housing Contract Cancellation Form (PDF)   Please note: no security deposit refund will be made on cancellations of housing applications/contracts that have been submitted for the upcoming year.   Once a housing application is completed, the security deposit is non-refundable unless/until the terms of the contract have been fulfilled.

Room Accommodations

What items should I bring? What items should I not bring?

Residence Hall rooms have two beds, two desks, wall mirror, and two closet/dresser units. Students should bring linens for extra long twin beds, lamps (non-halogen), area rugs, posters, towels, bathroom items, night light, computers, electronic equipment, surge protector power strips, wastebasket, and other items to create your home away from home.

In order to ensure safety and security, use the  Suggested Packing List (PDF)  to ensure you are bringing everything you need and nothing that isn't allowed.

Do you provide a linen service?

No. Students will need to provide all of their own bed and bath linens.

Do you rent refrigerators or microwaves?

No, you may bring your own small refrigerator and/or microwave for use in your room.  Refrigerators must be no larger than 2.5 cu ft or taller than 32" high.

Are pets permitted in the residence halls?

The only pets allowed in university housing are fish. Tanks must be 10 gallons or smaller. Students found with any other type of pet will be documented for a health and safety violation and adjudicated through the Student Code of Conduct. Residents must immediately remove any animal which does not adhere to the Code of Conduct. 

I want to bring my own furniture. Is that allowed?

Rockhurst does not restrict residents from bringing additional furniture items. However, existing furniture cannot be removed from resident rooms, so make sure you have enough room for all your belongings. Also, it is encouraged to discuss any furniture purchases or thoughts on bringing additional furniture with your roommate. Remember, both of you have to share the space!

What are the dimensions of my room?

Am I permitted to bring a loft?

No.  All Residence Halls are already provided with loftable beds, which are adjustable from 36" to 60". Rockhurst does not allow any other homemade or store bought wooden or metal lofts; residents are not allowed to set up any other structure that “lofts the bed” in the air. 

Can I request a certain type of bed?

No. Rockhurst has a number of different types of beds on campus. We do not move beds to different rooms based on student preferences.

Services Provided

How do I make long-distance telephone calls?

Rockhurst does not provide long distance service. It is recommended students use their cell phones or purchase long distance calling cards.

What if I have a maintenance concern regarding my room or building?

Intranet electronic reporting (preferred method as you can check on the status of your work order at any time via computer) using a computer on main campus (computer labs, Rock Room, etc.)

E-mail TMA@rockhurst.edu. Include your name, your room number, your telephone number, and a detailed description of your work request. 

Am I required to have a meal plan?

Students living in our three residence halls (McGee, Corcoran, or X-L) are required to have a full meal plan. Rockhurst meals are on a declining meal-point basis, meaning students are not limited to a certain number of meals per week, but may purchase food at any time from any of the 3 food court areas on campus. Each food item is priced a la carte and the student's mealpoints will decline with each purchase. Students living in a residence hall are required to purchase a full meal plan for both fall and spring semester. Meal points will carry over from fall to spring semester. Unused meal points at the end of the spring semester will be forfeited.

How do I add additional money to my declining balance?

Students can go the cashier’s office in Massman Hall to add points to their cards at any time. Commuter students or students living in THV and OCH are also allowed to purchase meal points to use in all food areas on campus.

Am I permitted to have a car on campus?

Yes. All students are allowed to have their cars on campus. All cars must be registered with Campus security. 

Can I stay on campus during holiday breaks?

Residence Halls close for all breaks except Fall Break, and the residents must move out.  Residents living in THV or OCH campus housing may remain in their housing over all breaks.  Fall break is the only break when Residence Hall students may remain on campus. 

What will my mailing address be?

Your name
Campus Box number
1411 Rockhurst Road
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO 64110

You will receive your box number and mailbox combination in your housing assignment letter. During orientation you will receive your mailbox lock combination from the Mail Center. If you have any questions or problems with your mailbox, please contact the Office of Residence Life.

How do I forward my mail if I am not returning to campus?

Since campus mailboxes are for current campus residents only, students not returning to campus at the end of the semester or academic year will have their campus mailbox inactivated.  To ensure all future mail will be received, these students will need to complete a change of address form with the local US Post Office before leaving campus.  

What address should I use for deliveries?

Students will use their campus mailbox address for all mail. The Mail Center will receive all packages, certified mail, FedEX packages.  To pick up any mail that requires signature, students will be asked to present valid identification to the Mail Center.

Whom do I contact for help with my Internet connection?

If you are having trouble connecting to the Rockhurst network contact xHELP (x4357) or go to the Help Desk located on the 4th floor on Conway hall.

Eligible for On-campus Housing

Am I required to live on campus?

Rockhurst University has a residence requirement that requires all full-time students to live with their parents or on campus. Please visit Housing Requirements for more information.

I am a graduate student. Can I live on campus?

Rockhurst provides housing for single graduate students. Please contact the Office of Residence Life at 816.501.4663 or housing@rockhurst.edu if you would like further information.

Who is eligible to live in the Townhouse Villages or On Campus Houses?

The Townhouse Villages and On Campus Houses are available for current students to apply in groups during the spring semester. Incoming freshman are not eligible to live in the Townhouse Village or On Campus Houses during their first year on campus. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible to live in the Townhouse Village apartments.  Only Juniors and Seniors are eligible to live in the On-Campus Houses.