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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 90 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) Completed at least 90 credit hours PRIOR to the beginning of the academic year, 3) Married, 4) Military Service Veteran, or 5) Lives with a parent or legal guardian within a 30-mile radius of the College.
Find out more information on commuter status.

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. You will receive parking registration forms through AdobeSign in the summer.

Where do I have my mail sent?
Mailbox numbers are assigned just prior to the beginning of the semester. Upon arrival to campus, 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?
Free laundry facilities are located on each floor of the residence halls.

What is furnished in my room?
Please see: Residence Hall Descriptions.

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, you may purchase a new one by filling out a key replacement form with the Office of Residence Life. If you lose your access card, you may purchase a new one by contacting the Office of Student Life.

Can I build a loft in my room?
No. However, Whitney Hall, Jacket Suite Apartments, and the Grand Avenue apartments have loftable beds provided.

Can I have an air conditioner in my room?
Yes! Students living in McReynolds or Whitney Hall may bring a small, window air conditioner unit no larger than 5000 BTUs.

May I stay in the residence hall the entire academic year?
You may stay in your room during the entire academic year except during 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 students taking classes or working on campus. Extra housing costs apply to summer living.

Can I have a refrigerator in my room?
Yes. All refrigerators must be 4.2 cubic feet in size or less.

Is storage space available?
Space in residence halls 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 staff 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 circumstance - 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 - including vaping - is not permitted 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 Assistant Hall Director, and one Hall Director. The Jacket Suites are supervised by three Resident Assistants and the Whitney Hall Director.

We are here to answer all of your questions. For immediate concerns, contact the Office of Residence Life at 419-783-2563.