Residential Life

Commonly Asked Questions

What Items Should A New Student Bring?

The Residence halls are furnished with the basic necessities. Items brought from home, however, such as a television, computer (each room has cable and internet/network connections), a stereo and carpet will give the room a personal touch. Each room may have one refrigerator that is 4.6 cubic feet or two refrigerators that both combined is 4.6 cubic feet and small microwave ovens up to 750 watts are allowed in the rooms. Linens are not furnished by the University. Students will need to provide sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blankets, towels, etc.

Can A Loft Be Built For My Room?

Yes. The loft must fit the beds it replaces. Most of our beds are standard twin, 76", while a limited number of halls have extra long 80" beds. Please refer to the Residence Hall Info page for what type of beds are in each hall. The size of our rooms are 11' x 14' on south and west campus, and 10'-3" x 13' on north campus. Refer to Loft Specs Web Page.

What Telephone Service Is Available?

Every residence hall room has a telephone. Incoming and local outgoing calls are direct dial. Students are assigned an authorization code to make long distance phone calls and receive a personal billing statement for those calls. Room telephones are not set up to receive collect calls.

Can I Connect My Computer To The Ferris Network?

Computer network connection is available for all students in all residence hall rooms and University apartments, providing 24 hour access to services such as the Internet and the FSU library. For further information regarding recommended microcomputer hardware and software, please call (231) 591-4822.

Do Students Have To Remove All Belongings From The Room During Breaks?

At the end of the fall semester (December), students are required to leave the residence halls, but do not need to remove their belongings unless they are checking out and not returning to the hall spring semester. At the end of spring (May) and summer semester (August), the residence halls close and students must remove everything from their rooms.

Can Students Move Off Campus?

It is the policy of Ferris State University to require all single students, living away from home, to reside in University residence halls. The basis for this policy is that learning is not confined to the classroom. Educational experiences provided by living in the residence halls are important to the personal growth of students.

Students must live on campus unless they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Have reached the age of 20 prior to the 1st day of classes in the semester for which he/she intends to live off campus.
  • Reside in the permanent home of a parent or legal guardian within 50 road miles of the University and wish to commute.

Is The Campus Safe At Night?

Ferris has an escort service provided by Public Safety. Escorts are volunteer students who are available to walk with you anywhere on campus, at anytime. Students just need to call extension 5000 to get an escort. Emergency phones, identified with a blue light, ring directly to public safety are located throughout campus.

What Is My Address For My Hall And How Can I Receive A Care Package From Home?

Packages can be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service or commercial delivery service. Packages and letters should be addressed using the following format:

    Student's Name
    Hall Name & Room Number
    Ferris State University
    (use street address corresponding with the hall)
    Big Rapids, MI 49307-(use extension corresponding with the hall)

Hall Name Address Zip Code Phone Number
Bond Hall 1400 Bond Circle 49307-2734 (231) 591-9580
Brophy Hall 1502 Knollview Dr. 49307-2261 (231) 591-9729
Carlisle Hall 801 Campus Drive 49307-2234 (231) 591-7039
Clark Hall 1002 Campus Drive 49307-2264 (231) 591-9998
Cramer Hall 1325 Cramer Circle 49307-2739 (231) 591-7146
Hallisy Hall 1107 S. State St. 49307-2271 (231) 591-7171
Helen Ferris Hall 809 Campus Dr. 49307-2260 (231) 591-9872
Henderson Hall 1412 S. State St. 49307-2749 (231) 591-6642
Masselink Hall 713 Campus Drive 49307-2233 (231) 591-0498
McNerney Hall 1504 Knollview Dr. 49307-2269 (231) 591-9729
Merrill Hall 1520 Knollview Dr. 49307-2272 (231) 591-4761
Miller Hall 1525 S. State St. 49307-2754 (231) 591-0760
Pickell Hall 202 South St. 49307-2263 (231) 591-0270
Puterbaugh Hall 1312 S. State St. 49307-2757 (231) 591-8465
Taggart Hall 1403 S. State St. 49307-2755 (231) 591-6598
Travis Hall 1524 Knollview Dr. 49307-2268 (231) 591-4761
Vandercook Hall 1009 S. State St. 49307-2270 (231) 591-0889
Ward Hall 1413 S. State St. 49307-2753 (231) 591-0635

Where Does My Dog Live?

Although you may think that Fido may not cause any problems, he must remain at home, but feel free to decorate your room with pictures of his adorable face. If you are lonely though, try getting a fish. These are the only pets allowed in the residence halls.

Can I Have A Friend Visit Or Stay Overnight?

Guests are permitted from the hours of 10 a.m. until midnight, Sunday through Thursday; and from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Guests may stay overnight on Friday and Saturday, but the overnight visitation policy must be followed.

If you are seeking further information please click this link to be directed to more information.

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