Move-in Information

The Resident shall be responsible for maintaining such renter’s liability insurance as the Resident chooses. The University shall have no responsibility for the personal possessions of the Resident (per the contract). Residents may want to check personal home insurance providers for additional coverage. 

At SVSU, the safety of our campus community is always our priority. We strongly encourage all students to enroll in Campus Alert— SVSU's Emergency Notification System. Enrollees receive official notifications via cell phone, text messaging, landlines and email, in the event of a critical incident or campus closing due to adverse weather. Enrollment takes just a few minutes and can be completed online by.  Parents, if you choose to have your student register your contact information, please be advised that you will also receive notification of campus closures due to adverse weather, which are often issued early in the morning. 

We highly recommend students download the SVSU SAFE app to their cell phones. The app features emergency contacts, crisis alerts, location services features, in-app tip reporting, and much more! More information can be found here.

What to Bring:

• blankets, pillows, linens and mattress pad (mattress size 36"x 80" also called extra-long twin)    
• cleaning equipment and supplies (mop, bucket, broom, and trash bags)
• desk supplies
• extension cord and surge protector
• flashlight(s)
• small tool kit
• First Aid kit
• kitchen supplies (cookware, plate/utensils, cups, etc.)
• laundry detergent, softener and laundry basket
• lamp (halogen bulbs are prohibited)
• toiletries including toilet paper
• vacuum cleaner (campus vacuums provided at front desks of Living Centers)

What the University Provides:

Review the list of amenities provided. University furnishings are not allowed to be removed from the room. Residents interested in bringing additional or larger items (i.e. furniture) are encouraged to wait until after check-in and move-in to receive consent from roommates due to space limitations.

What to Leave at Home:

Be aware of items on the university's Prohibited/Monitored Items List. Students are not allowed to have pets (except non-carnivorous fish), halogen lamps, spider lamps, open element appliances (George Foreman grills, heating plates, toaster ovens, etc.), open flames (candles, incense, etc.), weapons, firecrackers, and metal-tipped or plastic-tipped darts and dartboard. Possession of items on the prohibited list will result in fines and possible disciplinary actions. 

Mattresses are 36" x 80" and are also called extra-long twin.

In an effort to protect our residents and comply with FERPA, Housing Operations will not disclose directory information. Students may also elect to remain unlisted by contacting the Registrar’s Office.

Residents are instructed to provide the following contact information to family members and friends in cases of emergency or concern.

Emergency Situations – contact University Police at (989) 964-4141

Non-Emergency Situations during normal business hours contact:

Housing Operations
(989) 964-4255

Monday – Friday 
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The RA on Duty phone number for each community can be found in the housing portal.

Desk operations are located in the lobbies of Living Center South, Living Center Southwest and MJ Brandimore House. Desk staff can assist with contacting on-duty staff and local phone numbers. Any customer service issue can be reported to the desk operations staff. Residents may check out vacuum cleaners, mallets, carts, and various games through the Front Desk Operations.

MJB Front Desk is open 10am-10pm daily during the Fall/Winter semesters.

LCS/LCSW Front Desks are open 4-10pm Sunday-Thursday during the Fall/Winter semesters.

Mail and packages are delivered daily Monday – Friday.  The University does not participate in Saturday or Sunday delivery. 

Mail and packages may take extra delivery time as SVSU participates in a central mailing operation with Delta College using the “48710” zip code. Hence, express shipping of packages is not recommended, as express shipping only guarantees to drop shipments at the university and not to the end recipient. Once a package has been received and is processed, students will receive an email with instructions on how the package can be picked up. The package will either be in a locker in the MJ Brandimore House lobby or able to be picked up at the front desk of MJ Brandimore House during open desk hours.

Packages that are obviously marked as perishable will be processed as quickly as possible and available for pick up at the front desk of MJ Brandimore House during open desk hours. Students will receive several emails to pick up as quickly as possible as we do not have cold storage available. SVSU is not responsible for damaged or spoiled packages. 

It is important to update your mailing address with businesses and other important individuals, as Housing Operations does not forward mail or packages upon your departure and they will be returned to the sender. Students are responsible for providing their permanent and current mailing address to the SVSU Office of the Registrar.

Occasionally packages will not be delivered properly to campus via our central mailing operation (Logistics) and our office will not receive the package in a timely fashion or at all. We ask that when emailing our department in search of a missing package that students include the tracking number to expedite our investigation. 

Any mail received without the student's first and last name on file with the university runs the risk of being returned to sender.

Name
Complex, Building and Room Number (*see below)
7400 Bay Road
University Center, MI 48710 

*Example of how to address:
First Year Suites A-1A
Merry Jo Brandimore House 101A
Living Center South 1101A
Living Center Southwest 2101A
University Village 405-1A
Pine Grove 7570-1A

SVSU has SpectrumU streaming TV.  Login credentials required and SpectrumU only works on campus using our network.  Coaxial service is no longer supported on our campus, however you may still see the ports in your unit.

Any problems experienced with SpectrumU streaming television service should be reported by submitting an IT Support ticket.  

Wireless access is available in all housing areas and on campus. Information regarding access can be found at www.svsu.edu/its. Questions can be directed to IT Support Center at (989) 964-4225 or via email at support@svsu.edu.

Students must comply with the technology use policy.

Computer labs are also available for students who do not wish to bring systems.

The university recognizes that cellular coverage may be inconsistent within the freshman residential facilities. Courtesy telephones are located in the corridors of freshman residential facilities. Local telephone service is provided at these courtesy phones.

On-Campus Calls: Dial the Last Four Digits

Example: Housing extension 4255

Off-Campus Calls (Saginaw, Bay City, Midland):  Dial Nine First and you must now include the area code and a preceding "1"

Example: 9–1-989-964–4255

Damages: Residents are provided with a Room Condition Report [2024 RCR (73KB)] to document room and furnishing conditions at move-in. Room condition forms should be submitted within seven days of occupancy to any unit. Residents are liable for missing items or actual damage to the unit or any ancillary facility (hallways, stairwells, lobbies, study lounges, laundry rooms, etc.), including furniture, appliances, equipment and for maintaining the unit in a safe and sanitary manner. In the event of such damage, the university will hold all residents of a unit jointly liable for damage charges, and resident(s) will be billed accordingly. Please report any damages immediately so that responsibility can be determined while occupants are still residing. The list of damage fines are below:

Bathroom Ceiling ($50) 

Bathroom Countertop ($125+) 

Bathroom Door Damage ($75) 

Bathroom Door Replacement ($400+) 

Bathroom Floor ($200) 

Bathroom Shower Head ($25) 

Bathroom Sink ($50) 

Bathroom Toilet ($75) 

Bathroom Towel Rack ($25) 

Bathroom Wall Damage ($50) 

Bedroom Blinds ($35) 

Bedroom Carpet Stain/Damage ($100+) 

Bedroom Chair ($150) 

Bedroom Closet Door Damage ($75) 

Bedroom Closet Door Replacement ($100) 

Bedroom Desk ($75) 

Bedroom Door Damage ($75) 

Bedroom Door Replacement & Labor ($400+)

Bedroom Drawer ($75) 

Bedroom Lamp ($50) 

Bedroom Light Globe ($75) 

Bedroom Mattress Damage ($150) 

Bedroom Smoke Detector ($100) 

Bedroom Wall ($50) 

Bedroom Window Screen ($60) 

Bedroom Window Sill ($100) 

Carbon Monoxide Detector ($50) 

Door Adhesive ($40) 

Door Frame Damage ($150) 

Door Repaint ($60) 

Exterior Grease Stain ($75) 

Fire Extinguisher Missing ($100) 

Furnace Door & Labor ($1000+)

Improper Checkout ($100) 

Kitchen Bulletin Board ($50) 

Kitchen Counter Damage ($125) 

Kitchen Dining Chair Damage/Missing ($150) 

Kitchen Dining Table ($250) 

Kitchen Drawer Damage ($60) 

Kitchen Floor ($150+) 

Kitchen Microwave ($50) 

Kitchen Refrigerator Dents ($100) 

Kitchen Refrigerator ($500) 

Kitchen Stove ($500) 

Living Room Carpet ($100+) 

Living Room Chair ($400) 

Living Room Coffee Table ($200) 

Living Room End Table ($75) 

Living Room Entertainment Center ($150) 

Living Room Lamp ($100) 

Living Room Sliding Door Blinds ($100)

Living Room Sliding Door Screen ($100) 

Living Room Sofa ($800) 

Lost Key ($50) 

General Cleaning ($100+)

Patio ($100) 

Public Area Damage ($50+) 

Thermostat ($150) 

Wall Adhesive Removal ($40+) 

Wall Repaint ($50/wall)

Wall Vent Damage ($50) 

Every attempt is made to determine parties responsible for any and all damages that occur. In the instance where responsibility cannot be determined, the charge, including labor, will be distributed among all residents of the facility.

University property, other than furnishings assigned to the licensed premises, is not allowed in student rooms. Such items will be removed and a charge will be levied to the occupants.

By signing the Housing Contract, students agree to make payment(s) according to the payment schedule. If students plan to utilize scholarships, student loans or any other student financial aid, they must submit the appropriate materials to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in a timely manner to ensure adequate time to complete any required review processes and their ability to meet payment deadlines. Failure to meet payment deadlines will result in the student's removal from registered classes and university housing. Students are not released from their Housing Contract if they re-enroll during the contract period.

A limited number of loft kits are available for university housing bed furniture, with the exception of First Year Suites A-C Houses. Only university-provided lofts are permitted. The fee associated with the loft kit request is non-refundable once delivered. Students are responsible for loft kit assembly and tear down.  

Loft kits can be requested by completing the Loft Kit Request Form in the housing portal.

A $50 fee will be assessed to the student account once delivered. The fee is subject to change.

Please access room assignments through the housing portal.  SVSU login name and password required. To engage with your roommates before coming to campus you can contact them via email using the SVSU email system. We suggest that you not purchase belongings with roommates in case changes are made before you move in.

We want to ensure that students have the meal plan that best supports their needs. To make any changes, please fill out the meal plan change form in the housing portal anytime through the first week of classes. 

Your ID card can be picked up at the Campus Financial Service Center if you did not receive it at our SOAR or TOP orientations. You’ll need it for identification and to access meal plans and building entrances. 

All University housing facilities are furnished. Some shared bedrooms have been converted to singles and have an extra set of furniture which must stay, as we do not have additional storage on campus. While it isn’t necessary for you to bring furniture, we do encourage you to personalize your room, as long as the furniture is approved by roommates and maintains fire egress.  Please do not put holes in any surfaces. Also, the Housing Operations Office does not endorse any adhesive product for hanging items on walls. 

Students who will be keeping a vehicle on campus will have the opportunity to register their vehicles with Parking Services in advance by going online to www.svsu.edu/universitypolice and clicking on Parking Services. Permits will also be available at Parking Services on check-in day for all pre-registered individuals. In alignment with our commitment to affordability, permits are free of charge to students. Students are required to provide their driver’s license and valid vehicle registration in order to register vehicles. Parking lot assignments will be provided when you register your vehicle. Students who will be keeping a vehicle on campus need to park their vehicles in a residential lot by midnight when checking in. You may not drive on sidewalks or grass under any circumstances.