Please contact the Department of Residence if you have questions about dining and housing options. The telephone number is (319) 273-2333 or 866-207-9411 (toll free).
The dining services e-mail address is eat@uni.edu
The housing e-mail address is residence@uni.edu
Yes! Living on-campus isn't a requirement for new students, but the vast majority of new students do because it's so convenient for meeting people, attending classes, participating in activities and accessing campus resources.
Most rooms are approximately 12 feet by 12 feet, with an 8 foot high ceiling. However, there are many variations from hall to hall and sometimes within the same hall. You can view your exact room's layout and dimensions on your online contract.
A full-time, live-in Residence Life Coordinator is responsible for each hall. Also, a student staff member, called an RA (Resident Assistant), lives with about 50 residents in each community ("house") within each residence hall.
No. Students enjoy the convenience of having a computer connected to ResNet in the residence hall room, but computers are plentiful in labs in halls across campus.
UNI hall rooms have one ResNet port per resident as well as wireless Internet access. Students who have computers use them daily to check e-mail from family and friends, communicate with professors and do online research to meet class requirements.
Technical requirements for ResNet connection are listed in Department of Residence publications and at the ResNet website.
The concern for the safety and security of our residents is shared by all segments of the university. Residence halls are locked each night at 9 p.m. Residents gain access with their outside door keys. Guests in the halls after that time should be escorted by a hall resident. The university also has a full-time professional police department.
As soon as you are notified that you have been admitted to UNI, we urge you to contract on-line for housing. Contract early. The sooner you submit a contract, the more likely you will be to get the preferences you indicate.
The residence hall and dining contract describes that commitment you made to the university and that we make to you regarding your on-campus housing and dining arrangements for the full academic year. The 2-Year Advantage Plan with the rate freeze covers two academic years. Besides choices of residence hall and meal plan, you may also indicate preferences related to various Community Living Options.
Housing and dining rates for the University of Northern Iowa are among the lowest in Iowa, which includes over two dozen four-year colleges and universities. The Financial Aid Office estimates that the average cost of living on campus at UNI is approximately $800 LESS per academic year than living off campus. Students who select the 2-Year Advantage Plan reserve access to first year rates for two academic years. Click here to view the current rates.
A meal plan is part of the housing and dining contract at the University of Northern Iowa. The meal plan gives students freedom from grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning up and provides good daily nutrition.
Social interaction in the dining centers is also a reason to have a meal plan. Special events help celebrate the seasons of the year and bring something new to students' routines.
No, but we require a prepayment. This means that you send us the first $200 of your annual room and meal contract rate, so we know you definitely want a space reserved. That amount is subtracted from the total amount of your housing and meal contract. Refer to contract Terms & Conditions for the refund schedule
The residence application fee is $25. This is a one-time fee that covers the entire time you live in the residence halls. The contract prepayment of $200 is a separate commitment.
Room assignments are mailed in June. The assignment letter will also include tips for moving in and your roommate's name and address.
Room assignments are made according to the date you submit your housing contract, prepayment and application fee; the earlier the better! We make assignments based on the options you request on the housing preference section of your contract application. We can only use the information you provide us, so be sure to indicate your preferences such as smoking, community living options, etc.