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Graduate Housing Policies and Procedures
General Housing Policies and Procedures are listed below.Air Conditioning and Heating
Air conditioning and heating for apartments in Engelhart are provided through window and baseboard units. Controls for each are available to regulate apartment temperature. If you are in need of assistance with either unit, please submit a maintenance request.
Air conditioning for apartments in McManus is supplied through window units. Heat is supplied through radiators. Controls for each are available to regulate apartment temperature. If you are in need of assistance with either unit, please submit a maintenance request.
Window AC units are intended to only be used in outside temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 13 degrees Celsius. Using the air conditioner in colder temperatures will cause the unit to freeze up and malfunction. Window units should be run with the windows closed to avoid moisture buildup and humidity.
Appliances
Small appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, rice cookers, and blenders are allowed in the kitchen and microwaves are provided in each apartment. Large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers are prohibited.
Children
Graduate housing is pleased to be able to provide housing for students with children or who are expecting children. We offer one-bedroom apartments for couples as well as families with a small child. Two-bedroom apartments are available for couples with one or two children.
Graduate Resident Assistants
Graduate Resident Assistants (GRAs) work with the diverse populations of residents that have come from all over the world and live in graduate housing. In addition to Northwestern students, many residents of graduate housing are the partners, spouses, children, and dependents of students. The role of the GRA is to:
- Facilitate educational and social programming
- Serve as campus resources by answering questions and assisting residents
- Promote safety and responsibility by monitoring the facilities
- Respond to resident concerns during the evenings and weekends
- Assist students during emergencies and crises
GRA duty schedules and contact information are posted throughout graduate housing, and GRAs may also be contacted via the McManus and Engelhart front desks.
Contract Renewal
Housing contracts are written for either 9 or 12 months, with an option to renew for the summer and/or a second nine months corresponding with the academic calendar. Current residents are given an option to renew contracts before assignments are offered to new students. It is the resident's responsibility to file a request for a contract renewal.
Cots
A limited number of cots are available for loan to residents. Residents may make cot requests through the front desk.
Maintenance/Pest Control
Requests for maintenance services should be made through the Housing Portal. Typically most work tickets can be addressed within 48 hours. Residential Services is not able to remove University provided furniture and will not make cosmetic upgrades while apartments are occupied. There is a regular schedule for pest control services in the buildings.
Deposit
Once you receive an apartment assignment, a $300 room deposit must be paid to secure your apartment assignment.
Dining Services
Each apartment has its own kitchen. Communal dining facilities and food services are not offered within the graduate buildings. Graduate students who wish to pursue a meal plan option should visit https://dineoncampus.com/northwestern/meal-plan-purchase
Electrical Service
In the United States standard electrical service is 110 volts, 60 cycles. Light bulbs are provided by maintenance for University-owned fixtures and lamps only. Students are responsible for providing light bulbs for personal lamps.
Firearms & Weapons
The possession or use of firearms, firecrackers, explosives, or other weapons of any kind for any purpose is prohibited.
Garbage/Recycling
There is a garbage room located on each floor of the residence halls. Please take your trash to the garbage room in tightly tied bags for disposal. There are also recycling stations on each floor of the residence halls. Recycling bins are for paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic only.
Guests
Guests are welcome for short stays. However, the normal occupancy of the apartment is restricted by the signed lease agreement. See the front desk for details.
Housekeeping Services
Hallways and commons areas (including washrooms) are cleaned daily. Maintenance Techs are not permitted to clean occupied apartments unless it is a part of room preparation for move-in.
Laundry Rooms
The laundry room in Engelhart Hall is located in the basement. The laundry rooms in McManus are located on the first floor, one on the north end of the building and the other on the south end. Laundry is free and can be used at any time during the day. If there are issues with the laundry machines, please place a work ticket through our laundry provider CSC. Instructions are posted in each laundry room.
Lockouts
Residents in graduate housing can visit their building's front desk for assistance with lockouts while the desk is open. Garrett Place residents should visit the Engelhart Front Desk. At times when the desk is closed residents can reach out to a GRA or the GRA on duty (8pm-8am) for assistance.
Desk hours can be found here: https://www.northwestern.edu/living/graduate-housing/graduate-front-desks.html
Lost Keys
Residents who lose their keys should report the loss to the front desk as soon as possible. While there is a $106 fee assessed for replacement, this ensures the safety of all residents. Contact your assigned front desk for further information should you lose your keys.
Mail and Delivery
Mail is delivered Monday through Saturday, except on national and University holidays, and is placed in resident mailboxes. Packages are logged on a daily basis and notification emails are sent from our package system.
For mail forwarding instructions, please visit https://www.northwestern.edu/living/graduate-housing/graduate-housing-services/
Occupancy
Apartment occupancy is limited to one person per bedroom in single housing three people in the one-bedroom family apartments and four people in two bedroom family-style apartments.
Parking
For a quarterly fee underground parking is available to Engelhart & McManus residents. To request an underground space at Engelhart or McManus, please visit https://www.northwestern.edu/living/graduate-housing/graduate-housing-services/graduate-parking-space-request-form.html.
Surface lot parking is available at Engelhart & Garrett Place apartments (a Northwestern parking permit is required). Please visit https://www.northwestern.edu/transportation-parking/evanston-parking/ for information about NU parking permits.
Pets
Animals and pets cannot be kept in University Housing. Violators may be asked to leave university housing.
Property Insurance
The University is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal property in graduate housing. Valuable items such as camera equipment, stereos or recording equipment should not be kept in the building’s storage areas.
Flammable items such as paint, paint thinner, or empty boxes may not be stored.
For your protection, renter's insurance is highly recommended. Contact your insurance representative for more information. Lost or stolen property should be reported to the University Police at 847-491-3456.
Rent Payment
The Division of Student Accounts bills rental charges on a quarterly basis. The fees are due by the first day of the quarter and a late fee will be assessed if they are not paid in a timely manner. Any resident two months behind in rent will be asked to vacate his/her apartment immediately and university records will be withheld until such rent is paid.
Rent Proration
Rent will be prorated on a nightly basis. Rent begins on the day terms and conditions begins. Residents are responsible for the rental fees of the entire term stated within the terms and conditions contract term regardless of whether they occupy the apartment for the entirety of the contract. Any requests to alter either the start date or end date of terms and conditions must be made immediately.
Security
The exterior doors of graduate residence halls are locked at all times. This is for the safety and security of our residents. Don't allow persons you don't know to enter the building either by opening the doors or by allowing them to follow you through the doors. It is very important that the exterior doors (including fire escape doors) not be propped open at any time. Lock your apartment door whenever you leave no matter for how short a time. It is also a good idea to lock your room door when you are sleeping or napping.
Report any suspicious person or activity immediately to NUPD at 847-491-3456. Common sense and a willingness to help with these basic safety precautions will go a long way in preventing crimes of opportunity against you and your fellow residents.
Smoking
In conjunction with Student Code of Conduct, smoking, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and hookas, is prohibited in all areas of all residence halls, including but not limited to sleeping rooms, lounges, suite living rooms, dining rooms, corridors, stairwells, courtyards, washrooms, and within 25 feet of any entrance, open window, ventilation intake, or similar feature of a University building.
Study Rooms
The first-floor lounge in Engelhart Hall includes a pair of study rooms that may be used by residents. McManus features a number of group study rooms, which may be reserved online through the Kellogg website.
Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners may be borrowed from both front desks. Residents are required to sign out the vacuums from the front desk. Be sure to check if the bag needs to be emptied before using the vacuum cleaner. If there are any problems with the machine, please report it to the front desk when you return it.