Student Life
Residence Life > Frequently Asked Questions > New Incoming Students
Is a deposit required with my New Student Housing Application?
For newly-admitted students who are submitting their housing applications for Fall 2008, a deposit for housing is not required. However, in order for your housing application to be processed, you must submit payment of your $300 Enrollment Deposit to the Office of Admission.
When can I move into my room?
Move-In Day for all *NEW* students for the Fall 2008 semester is Saturday, August 23 beginning at 9:00 a.m. All residence halls will be open, and Residence Life staff (Resident Assistants and Residence Directors) and Orientation staff will be available to assist new students with the check-in process. We ask that you arrive and check-in between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23.
My parents can't bring me that day. Can I move in early?
Unfortunately, new students may not move in early. If you plan to be in the Chicago area prior to Opening Day, you should make arrangements at local hotels so that you have a place to stay and you are able to check-in at Lake Forest College. Here is a listing of area hotels.
I don't like my room assignment. How can I get it changed?
Lake Forest College has experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment. Our residence halls are at full capacity, so room changes for new students are not an option before the start of the semester. However, Room Change Applications will be available after the academic add/drop period for the Fall semester on Thursday, September 11, 2008. They will be available for the Spring semester on Tuesday, January 27, 2009. Submitting a Room Change Application does not guarantee a room change since room changes are based on space availability. Students are encouraged to work with Residence Life Staff (Resident Assistants, Residence Directors) to discuss addressing roommate issues and determining alternatives to a room change.
I was assigned to a quad-occupancy room. Are there any double-occupancy rooms available?
The majority of our incoming students live in quadruple-occupancy rooms (otherwise known as "quads"). Most of our "quad" rooms are located on South Campus (in Roberts, McClure, and Gregory Halls). In these halls, quads are actually two double rooms that are connected by closet spaces and a private bathroom for the four residents of the room. Students can choose to set the room up like two doubles, or they may choose to have all four students sleep in one room and use the other room as a study area. Quads in Lois, Blackstone, and Harlan are extremely large rooms that can accommodate four students.
What if I have health or physical challenges that would be affected by my living situation? What are Special Needs Accommodations?
The Office of Residence Life recognizes that some students have disabilities or special needs that may require special attention when determining residential living options. If you require special accommodations, please indicate this information on your New Student Housing Application. Students who need such accommodations must also contact Health and/or Counseling Services to discuss their circumstances and provide supporting documentation from your current physician, psychiatrist, etc. The Office of Residence Life will consult with the Health Services, Counseling Services, and/or the Office of Student Affairs and review all documentation for consideration. If approved, the student will be notified and assigned accordingly. Because space is limited, single-occupancy room assignments are not guaranteed and are based on demonstrated need. New students who are assigned to special accommodations for the 2008-2009 academic year will not have to resubmit medical documentation in the future, but must submit (in the Spring of their first year) a Special Needs Accommodation Application process for reconsideration for following academic year. New students who are not assigned to special accommodations and wish to be considered for a different room should contact the Office of Residence Life.
Pillows, sheets and blankets, a small fan, telephone, toiletries, school supplies, an alarm clock, and a reading lamp. Other popular items on campus include coffee makers, stereos (except large speakers/sub-woofers), headphones, computer or laptop, mini-refrigerators (click here to rent a refrigerator), posters (and blue painters' tape), stacking crates, and small bookshelves. Click here for a more detailed suggested list of things to bring.
What can’t I bring with me to Lake Forest College?
The following are prohibited in the residence halls: oversized refrigerators, large speakers/sub-woofers, microwaves, air-conditioners, hot plates, halogen lamps, candles, incense. Click here for a list of what NOT to bring.
What about telephone service?
Local telephone service has been connected in each room. Your phone number will be available from your RA. You and your roommates will need to provide one phone for the room, so please contact your roommates to decide and bring whatever phone equipment you wish to use (e.g., cordless phone). Local phone service (for on-campus and Lake Forest area calls) is provided by the College. For long-distance calls, information from Resicom, our long-distance carrier, will be sent to you via campus mail. You may choose this long-distance carrier or use your own long-distance carrier via telephone card.
Each student is assigned a campus voice mailbox, so you do not need to bring an answering machine. Instructions on how to set-up and access your voice mailbox will be distributed to students on Opening Day.
Are pets allowed in the residence halls?
Pets are not permitted within the residence halls.
Are microwaves allowed in students’ rooms?
Individual microwave units are not permitted. Microwaves attached to the “MicroFridge” Rental unit are permitted in Deerpath, Cleveland-Young, Harlan, Blackstone Academic, and Nollen Halls. Information on how to rent a MircroFridge can be found here.
What type of surge protectors should I bring?
Surge protector power strips should be equipped with a 15-amp resettable circuit breaker and have a cord that is no longer than six feet in length. All multiple-outlet devices and other surge protectors that do not meet these requirements will be removed from the room.
What size are the rooms?
Room size varies in each residence hall. We recommend waiting to buy carpeting or additional furniture for your room until you arrive on campus. Floor plans are available here
What size are the beds?
Each student is provided with an extra long twin mattress and bed frame. Special package deals for linen purchases can be found here. Furniture must not be removed from the room.
What is provided in each room?
The College provides a bed with an extra long mattress, mini-blinds, a chest of drawers, a desk and chair, a mirror, a wastebasket, and a wardrobe or closet space. Furniture must not be removed from the room.
Am I allowed to remove the College’s furniture from my room?
All furniture must remain in the student rooms. A room inventory will be done at the check-in and check-out times for each student.
What about housekeeping services?
Students living in residence halls with community bathrooms will have the facilities cleaned daily, Monday through Friday. Residents are responsible for the upkeep and cleaning of their own rooms and private bathrooms. Students are also responsible for taking out their own trash to the dumpsters and recyclying bins located outside the residence halls. Each residence hall has a vacuum that may be checked out through the Residence Life staff.
What does “alcohol-free" housing mean?
Alcohol-free housing is designed to provide an alcohol-free living environment. Moore Wellness Hall has been designated as the alcohol-free residence hall for the 2008-2009 academic year. Students must indicate their interest in living in that community on their housing application
What are "quiet hours" and "courtesy hours"?
Quiet hours are designated times in the residence halls when noise is confined to rooms.These hours promote an environment that is conducive for students to study and sleep. Courtesy hours are always in effect in every residence hall. This requires all members of the Lake Forest community to be cooperative and respectful of each other to create a quiet and courteous environment.
How do I get a single-occupancy room?
Single-occupancy rooms are assigned on the basis of seniority within the housing system. First-year students and transfer students may submit a Room Change Application (with a single-room as their preference) at the Office of Residence Life after the drop/add period on September 11, 2008. The availability of single-occupancy rooms is not guaranteed.
Where do I go if I am locked out of my room?
Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. you may go to Facilities Management to request a temporary key. Between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. please see the Residence Life staff member on duty. Be prepared to show identification. Between 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. call Public Safety at 847-735-5555 (or if on campus, extension 5555) to key you into your room. For each lock-out, a student is charged $5.00.
What do I do if I lose my key?
There is a $50.00 charge for key replacement that must be paid to the Business Office prior to obtaining a new key from Facilities Management.
Where do I go if I have lost my Lake Forest College student identification card?
Department of Public Safety is located on the second floor of the Commons Building.
How much does it cost for the laundry machines?
Each wash load costs $1.00 and each dryer load costs $1.00. Laundry rooms are located in the lower levels or ground floor of each building. You can check availability of machines from your computer by using Laundryview. Click here for information.