RESIDENTIAL LIFE AND HOUSING

Mail and Package Center Hours

Academic Year Hours (The Central Package Center located at 207 N. Laurel Street begins its Academic Year hours on Aug. 1. Summer hours are extended in all other Mail and Package Centers until Aug 20.)

• Monday – Friday: noon – 7 p.m.
• Saturday: noon – 3 p.m.

Summer Hours (now through Aug. 20)

• Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
• Wednesday and Friday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

All Mail and Package Centers are closed during university holidays and university inclement weather closings. Hours may vary during breaks.

More mail information

For detailed inforamtion on how to address mail, where to pick up mail and packages and other mail questions visit the Residence Hall Mail & Packages page. 

From time to time, items break in residence hall rooms. From burned out light bulbs and squeaky door hinges to dripping faucets and faulty HVAC units, VCU Residential Life & Housing and Facilities Management are dedicated to quickly solving your issue so you can get back to living your normal day to day life. You can alert Maintenance to any issues in your residence hall space by following the below instructions:

• LOGIN to https://quikfm.vcu.edu/
• Select "For students" to proceed. Sign in using your eID and password
• Click on "New Work Order"
• Fill in all appropriate information listed in the pop up box, making sure that you include your room number and letter and the exact location and purpose of the maintenance request in the problem details text box
• Once complete click "Submit Order." A pop up should appear with confirmation of your request
• If you have multiple maintenance issues of different types please separate them into different requests. Electrical issues and plumbing issues should be submitted in different work order requests

What is a maintenance emergency?
When a repair is needed immediately to protect the safety of students or the facility, call (804) 828-9444 to report the issue and receive immediate assistance. Emergencies may include active leaks or water running where it shouldn’t; climate control issues, particularly on very hot or very cold days/nights; power outages; broken keys/locks; or broken windows. 

How much does laundry cost?
Washing machines and dryers are located within each apartment in Ackell Residence Center, Broad & Belvidere Apartments, Cary & Belvidere Apartments, Grace & Broad Residence Center, West Grace North Student Housing, and West Grace South Student Housing. All other residence halls have laundry rooms within each building for residents to utilize for their laundry needs, at no cost to them. Each laundry machine is operated with a swipe of the VCUCard, which Residential Life & Housing loads with money at the beginning of each semester, and is reloaded as it is depleted.

Reserve a washing machine in Honors, Brandt, Rhoads, Johnson, Gladding Residence Center and Cabaniss

• Go to ramslaundry.vcd.vcu.edu/login and sign in using your VCU eID and password.
• Click on “Rams Laundry” in the left menu.
• Click on “Room Status” in the left menu to view the status of the laundry machines on campus.
• Click on the laundry room you want to see. (Tip: clicking “Favorite” beside your laundry room will redirect you to that laundry room when you return in the future).
• Scroll to the bottom to see the laundry machines in the laundry room you chose.
• Click “Hold” to hold a laundry machine for five minutes.
• You can choose to have an alert sent to you via email or text when your laundry is complete, or choose not to be notified.
• Click "Hold" again to confirm your hold. You will receive an email to confirm your laundry machine hold.
  
  

Need help doing laundry?
It's ok. Many students come to campus not knowing the difference between laundry detergent and fabric softener. Check out Laundry Tips on how to use the front-load washing machines and dryers in the residence halls.

Select the VCU SafeNet wireless network when setting up your computer and mobile devices. Benefits of the VCU SafeNet include:

• One time log in (Until your eID password changes)
• Easy access to all VCU online resources
• A more secure wireless environment to better protect your private information

Please visit VCU SafeNet Wireless for instructions on how to set up your computer or mobile device. This is an easy, one-time process. For additional assistance visit go.vcu.edu/wireless or contact the VCU helpIT Center (828-2227, helpIT@vcu.edu) with any questions.

VCU guests are encouraged to select VCU Guest Wireless from the list of available networks for Internet access while on the VCU campus. This service does require a login each time you attach to the service and does not allow access to all VCU online resources. However, VCU Guest Wireless does provide a more secure environment and access to the Internet.

Printers
VCU has an extensive wireless network that uses particular frequencies and channels to function. Unfortunately, most wireless printers broadcast the same frequencies and channels, and disrupt our signal when their wireless function is turned on. If you have a printer that has wireless capabilities, please turn the printer's wifi off. Wireless printers, when the wifi is enabled, will cause mobile devices such as your laptop and cellphone to disconnect from VCU's wireless network. The printer's signal can also travel through floors and walls and cause your neighbors' devices to lose their wireless connections as well. If you are not sure how to turn off your printer's wireless signal, please call ResNet Student Support for assistance at (804) 828-8943.

Residents of Gladding Residence Center
Gladding Residence Center has coax cable television service, augmented by internet streaming capabilities on the Gladding Residence Center wireless network. Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Alexa, Google, and gaming systems will all function on the Gladding Residence Centerwireless network. 

Residents of Ackell, Gladding Residence Center III, Broad & Belvidere, Grace & Broad, The Honors College, Johnson, Brandt, Rhoads, Cary & Belvidere,  Cabaniss, West Grace North and West Grace South
Can stream TV through Philo. Philo allows students to watch live television on their own terms – on laptops and other devices anywhere on campus. All Rokus and other entertainment devices must be connected via wired Internet connection. They will not work on the wireless network. With a stellar channel lineup, the ability to pause and rewind live TV, and 20 hours of your own DVR space, Philo gives you the flexibility and control you need to stay up-to-date on sports, current events, and the shows that matter to you most. 

Watch Philo on a computer:

1. Go to watch.philo.com and select "log in"
2. Enter your eID and password
3. Start watching live TV or record some for later

Watch Philo on an iOS device:

1. Download the Philo app from the App Store
2. Enter your eID and password
3. Start watching live TV or record some for later 

Watch Philo on an Android device:

1. Download the Philo app from Google Play
2. Enter your eID and password
3. Start watching live TV or record some for later 

To watch Philo on a TV you will need a Roku or Roku TV or a laptop (with HDMI out) connected by HDMI cable to a TV (see supported devices).

Watch Philo on a Roku:

1. Connect your Roku to your TV via an HDMI cable
2. Connect your Roku to the Internet via an ethernet cable
3. Connect your Roku’s power cord to an outlet
4. Follow the Philo-on-Roku setup instructions found here
5. Select the Philo channel to watch TV on your Roku 

Supported Devices

• Roku 2- Must have a wired internet connection
• Roku Premiere+
• Roku Ultra device

Any Rokus or other entertainment devices that you wish to connect to the network must have a wired internet connection. They will not work on the wireless network.

Channel Lineup: Channel Listings

Support

• Having trouble with Philo? Visit support.philo.com to submit a support request to Philo.
• Having trouble connecting to the VCU Network or setting up your device? Visit https://quikfm.vcu.edu and submit a work ticket. 

Stream Movies and TV shows
Residence Hall Association (RHA) is pleased to offer Residence Life Cinema, a streaming service that contains hundreds of streaming movies and popular TV shows. 

To watch from a computer

1. Make sure you are connected to the SafeNet wifi or a hardwire connection in your room
2. Go to Movies.vcu.edu 
3. Select the movie or tv show you'd like to watch

To watch on a mobile device

1. Make sure you are connected to the SafeNet wifi
2. Go to Movies.vcu.edu 
3. Select the movie or tv show you'd like to watch
4. First time users will need to download the Swank Media App
5. After the download is complete go back to Movies.vcu.edu and select the movie or show you want to watch, and it will play from the app

As the year progresses hundreds of movies and shows will be added. If you have specific titles you want to see added or see options in a genre, just let your Hall Council representative know. They will make sure to consider it when making our next selections.

VCU recognizes the importance of sustainability for our quality of life today and for future generations, and protecting the limits of natural systems. In April 2008, VCU’s President Emeritus Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, joining more than 600 college and university presidents in a commitment to neutralize greenhouse gases emitted on their campuses. As a signatory, VCU is working to reduce emissions in all areas of campus life — from educational programs and facilities to dining and residential life — as part of its plan to become climate-neutral by 2050. Read the University’s Statement of Sustainability and see how the University as a whole is working toward its goal at sustainability.vcu.edu.

How Can I Be More Sustainable As I Prepare To Come To Campus?

• Put CFL or LED light bulbs into desk, table, and floor lamps. One CFL or LED bulb should be able to last you throughout your college career, provided you turn it off when you leave the room.
• Pack as much as possible into suitcases when you’re packing for your new hall, instead of using plastic bags or cardboard boxes. When you’re done unpacking, send all suitcases back home with Mom & Dad, with the exception of one suitcase for your trips home.
• Ask for used cardboard boxes at your area grocery store, instead of purchasing new.
• Check out area thrift stores for décor for your new room, like lamps, posters, picture frames, throw pillows, or even rugs.
• Check with roommates before buying appliances and electronics so you don’t purchase multiples, and consider renting your microfridge from Melvin Corporation, instead of purchasing appliances you won’t need after move out.
• Borrow a vacuum cleaner from the Housing office in your hall, instead of purchasing your own.

If you see a pest in your building, please report it via the work order system at Quikfm.vcu.edu. Be as specific as possible when completing the work order, with the location, type of pest, and how many were noticed. Our pest control contractor will respond within 1 business day to inspect the area and treat as needed. If a more intensive treatment is necessary, instructions will be provided on how to properly prepare your living space for treatment, and the treatment will be scheduled to coincide with that preparation.

If you are locked out of your room during office hours (Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm), visit your hall’s Housing Office to borrow a key for a maximum of 30 minutes. If you are locked out after hours or on weekends, visit the information desk in your hall, and the desk assistants will contact the RA on call to meet you in the lobby and escort you to your room to unlock the door. Please note that the first two lockouts after hours are free. The third lockout of the semester results in a charge of $30 being placed on your student account.

Keys
Residence hall keys are the sole property of VCU and may not be duplicated under any circumstances. Possession of residence hall keys is limited to students with valid housing contracts. Room and mailbox keys are issued directly to the student assigned to a room, and are not transferrable. Roommates cannot pick up keys for one another.

Lost Keys
If you have lost your keys, you may borrow a long-term loaner key for a maximum of 3 days. If you have not found your keys and returned the loaner key by the end of the loan period, your room will be rekeyed, you will be issued a new room key, and your student account will be charged $65 for a room key. If you have also lost your mailbox key, you will be charged an additional $20 for a new mailbox key

Many students wonder if they can change their unit from AC to heat. The answer is yes, but only in some buildings. Rhoads, Cabaniss, and Johnson were built with a two-pipe HVAC system, meaning that the building can either run heat or air conditioning, but not both. In Brandt Hall and the Honors College, while the buildings allow for heat and air conditioning simultaneously, it is necessary for the boilers to be taken out of service in the summer and the chiller to be taken out of service in the winter, in order to be more sustainable, and to provide routine maintenance to the systems. Facilities Management and Residential Life & Housing staffs pay close attention to the changes in the weather, and using forecasts, determine the best date to switch from one system to the other. Students will be notified ahead of time when the change over is going to occur.

HVAC filters are changed at each unit on a quarterly basis. Depending on your building, filter changes may happen during breaks when your building is closed, or they may happen during the semester.

For information on the Guest Policy, guest access and hosting minor guests visit the Guest Policy page. 

For questions and concerns about moving out/in during the semester, please see your hall staff. 

Students graduating in fall 2018 will need to vacate their rooms by Dec. 20. Students in 12-month halls graduating in spring do not need to vacate after graduation; their contract will continue until July 15. 

2018-19 12-month hall schedule
Aug 1: Move-in
July 15: Move-out

2018-19 9-month hall schedule
Aug 18: Move-in
Nov 21: Close for Thanksgiving Break at 1:00 p.m. (all 9 month halls except GRC and C&B)
Nov 25: Reopen from Thanksgiving Break at 10:00 a.m.
Dec 19: Close for Winter Break at 10:00 a.m. (all 9 month halls except GRC and C&B)
Jan 11: Reopen from Winter Break at 10:00 a.m.
March 2: Close for Spring Break at 10:00 a.m. (all 9 month halls except GRC and C&B)
March 10: Reopen from Spring Break at 10:00 a.m.
May 11: Halls close at 10:00 a.m.

Fire/Safety inspections are performed in all residence halls during the Fall and Spring semesters by the Virginia State Fire Marshall’s Office and the VCU Office of Environmental Health & Safety. Resident rooms are inspected to ensure compliance of State Fire Code, as well as compliance with VCU and Residential Life & Housing (RLH) Fire/Safety policies, for the safety of all residents living on campus. During each visit, necessary corrections are made by Fire officials and RLH staff, including confiscation of prohibited Fire/Safety items. Residents found in violation of the Fire/Safety policies may face judicial action. A full list of prohibited items can be found 2018-19 Guide to Residential Living (Housing Policies) .

Students interested in seeking a change in room assignment should seek out the Hall Director of their current building. Typically, the Hall Director's office is located on the first floor of the building and, except in emergencies, students will be required to make an appointment. Most Hall Directors will want to discuss with you reasons for your desired room change. If a roommate conflict is taking place, he/she may offer mediation assistance or other guidance to assist you. When a room change seems appropriate for any reason, the Hall Director is able to go on-line and view available vacancies across campus, which he/she will discuss with you. Once a new room has been selected, you will receive an official room change email from the Housing Office, confirming the change and giving you a time frame (typically three (3) days) to complete your move. Room changes will be processed based on space availability.

Our goal is for students to be happy and comfortable in their residence hall assignment and we understand a variety of reasons may warrant consideration of a room change. While we may offer assistance with solving a current roommate problem or direct you to campus resources for other types of support, our goal will always be to help you create or seek a safe, supportive and comfortable living environment.

Please note that room rates vary depending on the specific residence hall, suite, or apartment. Differences between housing rates will be prorated, effective on the date the new assignment is made. Room changes can also result in changes in dining plan status. Please be sure to request information regarding the impact a room change may have on your housing rate or meal plan requirements. 

Any questions regarding your move should be directed to the appropriate area office or our central Housing Office.

Students graduating in the fall semester will need to vacate their space by December 19. Students living in 12-month halls graduating in spring do not need to vacate after graduation. They may stay until the end of their contract.

Students who withdraw or terminate their enrollment during the academic year, or have their enrollment terminated by VCU, must vacate and return keys and/or notify Residential Life and Housing of their departure within 48 hours. Residents must contact the hall staff of their hall office to coordinate check-out. 

Housing Rates & Contract Information

• 2018-19 Housing Contract
• 2018-19 Request to Cancel Form
• 2018-19 First-Year Student Housing Rates
• 2018-19 Upperclass Students Housing Rates

Parents

• Help Your New College Student Succeed

Prospective Students

• NSO Housing Presentation
• Welcome to the RAMily (First-year book)
• RoomSync Directions - Prospective Students
• Prepayment Form
• Gender Inclusive Housing

Current Students

• 2018-19 Guide to Residential Living (Housing Policies)
• Unlofting a bed
• Laundry Tips
• Channel listings
• Tips for a Great Roommate Relationship
• RoomSync Directions - Current Students
• Forward Mail

Student Housing Accommodations

If you require specific housing accommodations due to a documented medical issue, please visit VCU Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO) website and click “Forms." There you will see a Housing Accommodations Request Form. 

General Resources

• Housing Master Plan‌