Residence Life
Living on Campus
Clarkson is a four-year residential campus with living styles built to grow with you throughout your experience. With options including traditional residence halls, apartments and suites, find a place to live with a personality that fits your style and a community that encourages you to strive for your goals. Student housing eligibility is based on the cohort the student enters with, along with the number of semesters a student has lived on campus.
All accommodations are furnished with beds, desks, dressers/chests and closets. Apartments also include a refrigerator, stove and living and dining room furniture. (Students who live in apartments are responsible for providing their own pots, pans and other kitchenware.) Students living anywhere on campus, except in the apartments, are required to be on a full dining plan.
Traditional
Cubley, Reynolds, Ross and Brooks ("The Quad")
Each of these connected halls has four floors, with 12 to 25 rooms per floor (one RA per floor). Rooms accommodate two students. Each building also contains one triple room located on the fourth floor. Bathrooms are located on both ends of every floor. Bathroom cleaning in this area is generally done daily, Monday-Thursday, by Facilities. All first-year students who are not part of The Clarkson School live in these buildings. Student placements align with Living-Learning Communities (LLCs).
Hamlin-Powers
This four-story building houses about 50 students per floor in single- and double-occupancy rooms and co-ed floors (one RA for every two floors). Residents are from all class years, with the primary residents being sophomores. Bathrooms are located on both ends of every floor. Bathroom cleaning in this area is generally done daily, Monday-Thursday, by Facilities.
Price Hall
Each of Price Hall's four separate wings (Newell, Ormsby, Thomas and Farrisee) houses 60 students (20 per floor). Two buildings within the Price complex, Newell and Ormsby, are home to The Clarkson School, with four total House Advisors (HAs) living with the students. Farrisee houses the winners of the First-Year Cup and is supplemented with other upper-class students. Thomas houses upper-class students. Bathrooms are cleaned by facilities once a week in these suite-style rooms with one RA per wing. There are two person rooms with a private bathroom in each. In addition, each floor has its own common lounge, with laundry service located within the Price Hall complex center core.
Accessibility Services, The Honors Program, The Clarkson School. The Dean of Students Office, and Residence Life are located in the center core of the Price Complex.
Suites
Moore House
Choose from traditional and standalone suites in Moore House. Traditional suites are located in the wings on floors one through three, while standalone suites are located in the center core for every floor. The fourth floor has traditional-style suites accommodating up to eight people with both single- and double-occupancy rooms. Most suites are double occupancy, though some are singles. Moore also has lounges on the first and second floors, and a laundry room on each floor. Bathrooms are cleaned by Facilities once a week in these suite-style rooms.
Graham Hall
This residential area mainly houses juniors: four separate wings (Wilson, Van Note, Donahue and Olson) with 60 students each (20 per floor) and one RA per wing. The first floor of Donahue is home to the FIRST Robotics Living-Learning Community, which houses first-year students and upper-class student mentors together. Each suite features two bedrooms with a shared private bathroom. Floors have a common lounge, with laundry services in the basement.
Human Resources, Finance and Environmental Health and Safety are located in the center core of the Graham Complex.
Apartments
Campus apartments are typically for senior students. Apartment cleaning is up to the residents. Additionally, all apartments must follow fire safety regulations regarding approved cooking items, smoking, decorations, etc.
Please note that graduate students can request housing in Clarkson’s apartment-style residences: we have two designated graduate student apartments, one male and one female, located in either Townhouse or Woodstock. Outside of these apartments, we can place graduate students depending on space.
Woodstock Village
Woodstock Village is home to 10 apartment buildings for upper-class students and our International Village Living-Learning Community. Apartments vary from two to seven bedrooms. Most apartments have single rooms, though several have doubles. Communal laundry facilities are located in Buildings 1, 4 and 6.
Riverside Apartments
Each apartment in Riverside houses four upper-class students. All of the 24 apartments here are carpeted; 12 have two bedrooms, and 12 have three. The complex has communal laundry facilities and parking. These apartments have several single-occupancy and double-occupancy rooms.
Weston's Apartments
The Weston's Apartments are located above the University Bookstore downtown. These apartments accommodate one to four people, all with single-bedroom rooms. Laundry facilities are located within the complex, as well as trash and recycling. Residents of this area must abide by all village parking ordinances. There is an RA for these apartments.
Townhouse Apartments
The Townhouse Apartments community has 52 two-bedroom units that house four upper-class students per unit. This complex has communal laundry facilities and parking. All beds within the Townhouse Apartments are lofted above a built in desk.
Begin to build lifelong bonds that support your endeavors and challenge you to grow. Our first-year students live with other students who share similar interests in 19 Living-Learning Communities. Located in “The Quad,” these communities help you transition to life at Clarkson and cultivate connections through special programming that addresses your academic, social and personal needs.
All of the Living-Learning Communities compete alongside each other throughout the first semester in the Clarkson First-Year Cup challenge. This initiative serves as an incentive for students to get to know one another along with their classmates, integrate into the campus community and utilize its resources. Students gain points toward their floor for attending certain University events organized by Residence Life. Some of the incentivized events include the Career Fair, campus speakers and sporting events. The floor with the most points at the end of the semester has dinner hosted by the president of the University, receives personalized floor/Clarkson swag and the option to move into Farrisee House in the Price complex during their second year.
Explore all Living-Learning Communities:
Solinsky: Students who earn the Solinsky Scholarship can live here, where you can immerse yourself in everything related to engineering and manufacturing. You also get to meet with the Dean of the Coulter School of Engineering regularly, receiving individualized academic and career mentoring, and gain priority access to Clarkson's Makerspace.
Go Knights!: Live with other big-time athletics fans as you focus on building Clarkson spirit at games and across campus. Programs address teamwork, work ethic, healthy living and academic excellence.
The Golden Gamers Floor (GGF): Board games, card games, video games — if you like games, this floor is for you.
Creative Minds: The arts and literature are keys to understanding the world around us. If you have talents in music, visual arts, theater, writing or any other media, bring your passion here. Look for ways to use creativity to improve your academic experience and the Clarkson community.
Outdoor Enthusiast: Love the outdoors and sustainable living? Join the Outdoor Enthusiast floor, where you can use the Potsdam campus as a launchpad to explore the North Country beyond and share your love of nature with others.
ROTC Floor: Live with other students who are interested in military service. Meet current members of the Clarkson University ROTC programs while learning their traditions and customs.
Movie Fanatics: Meet other cinephiles on this floor and bond over your shared love. Connect with the Clarkson Film Club, and participate in programs centered around having fun, meeting new people and analyzing the impact of film on our community. Popcorn included.
STEM Ed: Work with K-12 students in nearby school districts to cultivate a love of science, technology, engineering and math. Lead hands-on workshops, provide tutoring and even coach students in engineering challenges.
F1RST CONNECTION: If you're the first in your family to get a bachelor's degree, you're not alone: one in four Clarkson students are considered first-generation. Find the support you need to thrive in this new environment by meeting other students who also identify as first-gen.
WiSE: Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) provides extra support to women in these fields, where they're often outnumbered. Meet women professors and staff who can support you with everyday challenges. (Programming for WiSE is open to students who are living in MiSE.)
MiSE: Men in Science and Engineering (MiSE) supports men through everyday challenges. Meet upperclassmen and staff members who serve as mentors. (Programming for MiSE is open to students who are living in WiSE.)
FIRST Robotics: This 40-student community is comprised of first-year students and sophomores who live in Graham Hall, typically reserved for upperclassmen. Conduct robotics outreach on and off campus and participate in special activities. For more information: usfirst.org.
Knight Speed: Every year, Clarkson students build better robots, hybrid snowmobiles, race cars and other machines through our SPEED teams. If you're interested in automobiles, mechanical engineering or any of those engineering challenges, consider this LLC.
Honors Program: Foster your curiosity and build connections over discovery and research in this LLC open to first-year students accepted into the Honors Program at Clarkson University.
Gender Inclusive: An affirming, safe and welcoming community for students who are genderqueer, transgender, currently transitioning, discovering their gender identity, gender fluid, nonbinary or anyone who respects and appreciates students with these identities and lived experiences. This community shares a single gender-inclusive restroom.
Men In Business: Men interested in professional development should consider the MiB floor. Students in the Reh School of Business or Engineering & Management program benefit from workshops on résumé-building, job-searching and applications, presentation skills and more.
Ignite Innovation: Think. Make. Ignite. This community is built for students with a passion for innovating on a global scale. Gain access to maker resources while you sharpen your creative skills, dreaming up ways to solve tomorrow's challenges.
Pre-Health Professionals: For students considering a career as a physical therapist, physician assistant, doctor of medicine or veterinary physician. Meet professionals in these fields, as well as other students on a similar path.
Central Cuisine: Learn to make foods from around the world as you gain direct access to the two student kitchens in the Quad. Meet campus diversity and inclusion clubs and societies such as SHPE, NSBE, SASE, SWE and more.
There are four theme houses on campus that are home to four of our fraternities: Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kapa Epsilon and Delta Upsilon. These houses are occupied by academically approved students from the organizations.
Vending Machines: Located in some residence halls.
Mail: All students receive a campus mailbox. Mail is delivered directly to the campus mailroom in the Student Center.
Direct Delivery: Students must arrange pick-up of food or other deliveries not made through the postal service, UPS or similar services. Delivery staff are not allowed into residential buildings.
Network Access: All residence hall rooms have access to the University's high-speed wired and wireless network. Learn more about services offered by the Office of Information Technology.
Parking: On-campus parking is provided in certain lots. Learn more here.
Bicycle Racks: Located outside each residence hall.
Air Conditioning: There is no air conditioning in the Residential buildings or provided by the University. Window air conditioning units are not permitted in any University housing. Students are allowed to use floor units that do not exhaust through a window. One unit per room is permitted.
Storage on Campus: The University is unable to store personal belongings. Residents are expected to remove all personal belongings when vacating campus housing.
Pack This, Leave That
Planning your first dorm room is almost as much fun as moving in. Take some friendly advice: You can't bring everything with you. (Some items are prohibited for fire safety and other reasons.) Here's a list of things you definitely want, as well as some you can leave behind.
Room essentials
- Bed sheets and blankets (twin extra-long sheets — each mattress is 36" x 80", pillow).
- Trash can (we provide the recycling bin).
- Bath towels and hand towels (let's reduce paper towel use).
- Toiletries (shower sandals and supplies, health products, bathroom caddy).
- Clothes and hangers, hanging closet organizer.
- Personal fan (optional).
Things to help you work
- Desk lamp with LED light bulb
- Desk organizer
- General school supplies
- Headphones to enjoy your music
Electronics and related
- Energy Star appliances – wait until you get your roommate assignments to coordinate these! (See "MicroFridges" below.)
- Entertainment (books, music, games).
- EPEAT-certified computer and flash drive. A laptop computer is recommended (it takes less space in your dorm and provides a mobile work environment).
- Ethernet cable (we provide the jack in the wall).
- Smart power strip (shuts off power when you aren’t using your electronics).
Miscellaneous
- Clarkson does not provide bed-lofting supplies, but students may bring their own. Traditional campus beds can be lifted between floor level and approximately four feet high.
- Laundry bag and laundry detergent for cold-water washing, small dish soap.
- Reusable bowl/plate and utensils for any in-room eating.
- Reusable coffee/travel mug and water bottle.
- Sewing kit.
- Storage containers. A student suggests: pack your clothes in one or two large solid plastic bins. The bins can be used for storage and as a laundry hamper once you get here, and you will not have to find space for empty suitcases.
- String lights. Installation should avoid pinch hazards, cannot be over entrances/doorways, cannot be in contact with combustible materials and cannot be attached to the ceiling.
MicroFridges (microwave/freezer/refrigerators) are available for annual rental. The unit gets delivered to your room before you arrive and is big enough for two roommates to share. You can save 20 percent by ordering before July 15.
Review the video below to learn more about renting a MicroFridge on campus:
- Air conditioner
- Candles, incense
- Charcoal/gas grill
- Extension cords
- Full-size refrigerator*
- Halogen lamp
- Space heater
- Toaster oven
- Waterbed
- Wireless access points or routers
- Zip cord
*Students have the option to rent a MicroFridge on campus.
Tips for What Not to Bring and Fire Safety for Apartments
Tips for What Not to Bring and Fire Safety for Residence Hall Rooms
The transition to college is as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. Everybody goes through their own process of easing into college life, but we've put together some resources to make your own introduction to your new home as easy as possible.
The University does not carry insurance of any kind on the property of students and accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to such property. Students are encouraged to carry their own personal proper insuance. Students are expected to keep access doors to residence halls closed and locked at all times. Residents are financially liable for damages to rooms, apartments, furnishings, and common area facilities. Fees for unclaimed or common area damages will be shared jointly by the residing students.
Personal property insurance is recommended for all students.
Q: Is my student required to have a meal plan?
A: Anyone who lives in a traditional and suite-style housing must be on a meal plan. Students who live in apartments, theme houses, or off-campus can be exempt from meal plan.
Q: How do students change their meal plan?
A: Students have the first two weeks of the semester to change their meal plan by emailing reslife@litpliant.net or stopping by the Residence Life office. All meal plans carry the same fee.
Q: Do students have a choice in selecting their roommate?
A: First-year students are asked to fill out a "Roommate Survey" form so that Clarkson is able to match students with the appropriate roommate. However, if students want to request another Clarkson first-year student, they can write each other's names on their survey and the Residence Life staff will consider their request.
Q: Are there any single rooms available to students?
A: Yes, there are single rooms available for upper-class students. Single occupancy rooms are available through the Housing Lottery held in the spring of each year.
Q: Are pets allowed in the residence halls or apartments?
A: No, pets are strictly forbidden in any residence hall or apartment at Clarkson University with the exception of service animals. Learn moe about our service animal policies and procedures here.
Q: If I lose my student ID card, what should I do?
A: Students must report their lost or stolen card immediately to Campus Safety & Security. The University, Residence Life, and Clarkson Dining are not responsible for unauthorized usage of student ID cards.
Q: If I lost the key to my room, what should I do?
A: Students should report a lost key immediately to Campus Safety & Security and then visit the Director of Residence Life for a key replacement. Their student account will be charged accordingly. Key duplication is strictly prohibited.
Q: If there is something broken or damaged in my residential space, what should I do?
A: Students should go to this website and complete a work request so that Facilities and Services may address the issue. Students will receive automatic emails from Facilities and Services when the work request has been received, issued, and completed.
Q: What happens if my residential space has open beds in it?
A: The Residence Life Office reserves the right to make changes to residential assignments at any time, with little or no notice, in response to facility limitations, changes in enrollment, conflict resolution, etc., or to address the needs of the overall residential community. This includes reassigning students to any vacant spaces.
Campus Breaks
While most residents look forward to campus breaks, they must keep in mind some regulations before leaving campus.
October & February Break
A four-day break during which the university remains open. Students do not need to vacate the campus or request to stay. Dining options will be limited and meal swipes will not be usable during this time.
November & Spring Break
The university is closed during this time. All students must vacate campus. Students who would like to request to stay or return early for any portion of the break must do so through the Office of Residence Life. If a student needs to stay as part of a university organization, group, or department, the coach/manager or advisor for the group must contact Residence Life to confirm the request. There is no food on campus during this break.
Winter Break
Non-graduating students must vacate campus within 24 hours of their last exam. Students who are graduating in December must vacate their campus housing by the day following December Commencement. Students who would like to request to stay or return early for any portion of the break must do so through the Office of Residence Life. If a student needs to stay as part of a university organization, group, or department, the coach/manager or advisor for the group must contact Residence Life to confirm the request. There is no food on campus during this break.
Summer Break
Non-graduating students must vacate campus within 24 hours of their last exam. Students who are graduating in May must vacate their campus housing by the day following May Commencement and must follow all closing procedures. Clarkson will not store any student items for the break. Students who would like to request to stay or return early for any portion of the break must do so through the Office of Residence Life. If a student needs to stay as part of a university organization, group, or department, the coach/manager or advisor for the group must contact Residence Life to confirm the request. There is no food on campus during this break.
Your New Home Awaits
Have more questions about moving on campus? Let us know — we're happy to help.