Frequently Asked Questions
Office of Residence Life

What will it be like living on campus?
Living on campus will be the experience that you make of it. You have the opportunity to make memories and gain friends that will last a lifetime. Simply have fun, get involved, and respect those around you.

Do I have to live on campus?
Research has shown that students who live on campus are often more likely to succeed in college. Students with 84 or fewer completed credit hours must reside in the residence halls unless he/she meets one of the following qualifications: 1) 22 years or older, 2) Have completed at least 84 credit hours PRIOR to the beginning of the academic year, 3) Married, 4) Military Service Veteran or 5) Live with a parent or legal guardian within a 30-mile radius of the College. You can find out more information on commuter status here.

Will I be able to sleep and study with so many people around?
Yes, the residence halls have 24-hour courtesy hours. Residents are encouraged to ask members of their hall community to lower their voices, radios or televisions in order to optimize study and sleep time. Quiet Hours are in effect in the evenings.  Residential students will have the opportunity at the first Residence Hall Council meeting to vote on quiet hours. During Quiet Hours, everyone must lower the noise levels to be contained within the rooms and doors should be closed.

Can I have a pet?
Due to health and safety concerns no pets are allowed except fish. Fish bowls must be no larger than 10 gallons, are limited to one tank per room.

Can I have a car on campus?
Yes. To register or waive your parking privileges please visit our parking page.

Where do I have my mail sent?
Mailbox numbers are assigned just prior to the beginning of the semester. Upon arrival to the College, you will receive your mailbox number and combination. This is how your mail should be addressed:

• Your Name
  Defiance College
  701 North Clinton Street
  Your Box Number
  Defiance, OH 43512

Where can I do laundry?
Coin operated laundry facilities are located on each floor of the residence halls. Change machines are located in each lobby. The cost is a $1.25 per wash and $1.25 per dry cycle.

What is furnished in my room?
Please see: “Residence Hall Descriptions” for individual furnishings in each building.

What should I bring from home?
Please see: "What to Bring & What to Leave at Home"

What if I lose my room key or access card?
If you lose your room key or access card, you may purchase a new one by filling out a key replacement form with the Office of Residence Life.

Do I need a phone or answering machine?
You must bring a land line phone to campus, but you do not need an answering machine. Our phone system provides free local phone service to all students and a free voice mailbox for each room. There is no service charge or set up fee. Long distance calls can be made by using a calling card.

Can I build a loft in my room?
Unfortunately, no. Whitney Hall, Jacket Suite Apartments and the Grand Avenue apartments have loftable beds provided. McReynolds hall has bunkable beds provided however, students may rent lofts for McReynolds through Bedloft.com, a collaborative rental company that we have worked with for 2 years. Check out the “Loft and Microfridge Rental” page on our website for more information on McReynolds rentals.

Can I have an air conditioner or heater in my room?
Unfortunately, no. Only students that have a medical necessity may be provided permission to have a window air conditioner with the prescription by a doctor. Doctor's notes must be sent to the Office of Residence Life. Air conditioners must be purchased, installed and removed by the student.

May I stay in the residence hall the entire academic year?
You may stay in your room during the entire academic year except during the Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break and Spring Break. During these times, the halls are officially closed. If you need to stay, special arrangements will be possible. We also offer summer housing for student taking classes or working on campus, extra housing costs apply to summer living.

Break housing information can be found here.

Can I have a refrigerator in my room?
Yes. All refrigerators must be 4.2 cubic feet in size or less.  Defiance College partners with Bedloft.com to provide students with the option of a MicroFridge rental program. Check out the "Loft and MicroFridge Rental" page for more information.

Is storage space available?
Sorry, space in the residence hall is limited. Please choose what you are bringing carefully. The College is not able to provide storage and all college provided room furniture must stay in your room throughout the year.

Who cleans the rooms and the buildings?
DC is fortunate to have wonderful custodial and maintenance staffs who maintain the common areas and community bathrooms. Students are responsible for cleaning their rooms and private bathrooms in the apartments. Also, students are responsible for taking the trash from their room to the trash collection area of each building.

What about alcohol?
Students who are 21 years of age or older may possess and consume alcoholic beverages in the privacy of their residence hall rooms in Whitney Hall, the Jacket Suites and Grand Avenue Apartments. McReynolds Hall, our primary freshman residence, is a dry building and alcohol (under any circumstances) is in violation of our student code of conduct. Only beer, wine, malt beverages and alcoholic products that have less than 15% alcohol by volume are permitted (liquor is not permitted on campus). Please see the Student Handbook for the full Alcohol Policy.

Can I smoke in my room?
Due to safety and health concerns, smoking is forbidden in the residence halls. Students who wish to smoke must do so outside of the building in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code. Our campus is a smoke-free campus. We ask all smokers to smoke in our parking lots.

What if I have any other questions?
When you arrive on campus you will meet the members of the Residence Life staff who are here to help you adjust to campus life. Whitney Hall and McReynolds Hall are staffed with eight Resident Assistants, one Senior Resident Assistant and one Graduate Hall Director. The Jacket Suites are supervised by three Resident Assistants and the Whitney Hall Director.

We are here for you and will answer all your questions. For immediate concerns, contact the Office of Residence Life at (419) 783-2563.