Welcome to the Office of Housing & Residence Life!

The Office of Housing and Residence Life at Ferris State University is committed to establishing inclusive and educational communities of citizen scholars which support the Mission and Core Values of the University.

 

Hello Bulldogs!

I am proud to announce a number of great changes in Ferris State Housing and Dining for the 2012-13 academic year.

First and foremost we are very pleased to announce that room and board rates will not increase for the 2012-13 academic year. We are very aware of the rising costs of higher education and we constantly strive to keep your costs as low as possible while providing an ever increasingly great place to live and learn.

The 2012-13 academic year will find a new age limit for on-campus residency as we relax the requirement by one full semester. All students born before January 1, 1993 may choose whether or not they wish to live on campus, however, students electing to live on campus will still contract for both fall and spring semesters.  Please be sure to familiarize yourself will all of the exciting changes before choosing where you’ll live next year. As you decide, remember that “on-campus,” in the middle of it all, is always the best student housing option. We are certain sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students and families will find our halls, suites and apartments the preferred choice for their home away from home.

Returning students are probably familiar with the “Junior/Senior Incentive” (Jr/Sr Incentive) program. Residents having earned 56 credit hours (or more) by the end of the spring semester may contract for a private room at the double room rate; we waive the additional private room charge! Eligible students have already been contacted with instructions on how to apply. If you have not received an invitation to partake in the Jr/Sr incentive and you feel you qualify, please let us know. Unfortunately, not all junior and senior students will qualify and the incentive is aimed at current residents returning to the residence halls next year.

Similarly, we are pleased to announce the creation of the “Sophomore Incentive.” With this program, students born before January 1, 1993, but who have not yet achieved junior status, qualify for a private room at the double rate plus only half the additional private room charge. Contracting for a private room typically increases the room rate by $968 per semester. With the Sophomore incentive, the additional private room charge is only $484 per semester. Students eligible for the Sophomore Incentive have already been contacted with instructions on how to apply. If you have not received an invitation to partake in the Sophomore incentive and feel you qualify (you were born before Jan 1, 1993), please let us know. Unfortunately, not all Sophomore students will qualify and the incentive is aimed at current residents returning to the residence halls next year.

On-campus students will find some exciting changes in Dining plans for 2012-13. All students born before January 1, 1993 have a choice of selecting any available meal plan, including those traditionally associated with commuter students, or to elect to have no meal plan at all.  This option was typically only available to residents of Bond hall in previous years, however, starting this fall (2012), any student meeting the birth date criteria may select a traditional anytime dining meal plan, Big Dog and express meal plan, or no meal plan at all. Students who enjoy preparing their own meals in the residence halls will be pleased to find upgraded kitchen facilities for Fall 2012. Currently in the planning stages, the Office of Housing and Residence Life will upgrade kitchen facilities in six locations, one in each of six residence halls on South and West campus. Stay tuned for further details.

As you know, students born before January 1, 1993 are not required to live in residence halls. However, living on campus is always a great choice. We are very pleased to make University Apartments and the East Campus Suites available to any student eligible to live off-campus. That’s right, the new eligibility for our apartments and suites is to have been born prior to January 1, 1993. For information on living in the only “on-campus” apartments, or in the beautiful new East Campus Suites, please check them out online at www.Ferris.edu/Housing.

The Honors Program will find some changes for 2012-13 as well. New for fall (2012) will be the transition of Miller Hall to an all Honors Hall. Similarly, Pickell Hall, formerly just 2 floors of Honors Housing, will now be an exclusive Honors Hall across all four floors.  Helen Ferris, our oldest residence hall in use, will bid farewell to its final residents with the close of the Spring 2012 semester. Helen Ferris will no longer house students as it is prepped for the arrival of displaced offices during the upcoming Rankin Student Center renovation. Stay tuned for further announcements concerning the location of the Honors Offices, Rankin renovation, etc.

The “Substance Free” living environment, formally of Miller Hall, will be relocated to Taggart Hall third floor and will still welcome any student wishing to live in an environment free from the presence of alcohol or other drugs.  Other themed living communities include the First Year Experience, Sophomore Leadership Experience, Honors Halls, International Hall, Multinational House, All Female house, Health & Wellness, 12 Month/Break Housing, 24 Hour Quiet House, Private Rooms, Meal Plan Optional Hall, Graphic Design community, the 20 and older living environment. Check out all of our themed living environments online at www.Ferris.edu/Housing.

Did you know that returning on-campus residents receive priority parking? Residents who choose to register for parking on July 1 have priority for the lot closest to their on-campus room assignment. All you need to do is be aware of the date parking registration opens (generally July 1) and be among the first to reserve your space.  

Similarly, did you know that the residents of the various Houses in the Residence Halls set some of their own rules? Quiet Hours are at the discretion of the House as are many other aspects governing community living. Get involved in the leadership of your House and Hall and have a voice in the community code of conduct.

I am most pleased to announce all of these great changes for the coming academic year. As you can see, we’ve been very busy striving to create the ultimate student living experience and are willing to not only Imagine More but Do More with less of your room and board dollars. Check us out on line and let us know of questions. We stand ready to help you choose the best student housing around.

Go Bulldogs!


Dr. Jon L. Shaffer
Director of Housing & Residence Life

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Help us celebrate the first LEED buildings on campus!

The three East Campus  Suites buildings have received a LEED Gold designation demonstrating our commitment to providing the best and most environmentally friendly student housing option in town.