Housing Related Services

CABLE TELEVISION

Housing Services and ResNet announced a new cable service on campus as of fall 2008. The cable television system on campus includes a selection of standard broadcast and cable stations. As of fall 2009 changes have been made to the cable channel line-up based on a resident survey conducted the previous year and a committee of student representatives. The Cable Channel Guide now includes the Disney Channel, HGTV, VH1Classic, Oxygen, Lifetime Movie Network, Soap Net, Sleuth, CBS College Sports, and Big 10 Network. More than 75 channels are offered in addition to seven local stations available in HD. Residents should report problems with cable service to ResNet via the Help Desk or 202-319-4357. General comments about cable programming should be directed to Housing Services.

COMPUTER CONNECTIONS

Use of computers has become a critical aspect of student success at CUA. The university has a number of computer labs on campus, some of which are located within the residence halls. Wireless internet access is currently available in Curley Court (wireless access only), Centennial Village, Conaty, Flather, Gibbons, Millennium North, Millennium South, Opus and Spellman with plans to add wireless access to other halls in the future. In recognition of the need to offer computer resources to students, HS provides access to ResNet, the university's high-speed Ethernet network, from individual student rooms. The direct connection to the network allows instant access to the Internet and the university's intranet. All rooms are equipped with one port per bed space, except Curley Court which only offers wireless access. A connection to the campus network requires a computer with an installed network card and a network cable, which can both be purchased at the university bookstore. Installation and configuration of a network card is an additional $25. Network cards may be purchased through the ResNet Web site or when you arrive on campus at the beginning of the semester. ResNet also publishes a Tech Guide that is given to each resident when they check in.

The ResNet Web site provides information about computers and computer support in the residence halls. Personal computers are recommended, but not necessary as the university has several computer labs on campus for student use.

FURNITURE REQUESTS

The Office of Facilities Maintenance and Operations (FMO) provides maintenance, custodial, appliance repair, and pest control services within the residential facilities (see Maintenance and Custodial Requests below). However, HS maintains the furniture and televisions provided within the residence halls. Requests for repairs to furniture or to the televisions located in lounges can be submitted to HS via email at cua-housing@cua.edu or by phone at extension 5615. When sending repair requests, it is important to provide detailed information so the responding staff member is fully prepared to address the problem. Based on the nature of the request, a staff member will generally respond within a few business days. Broken or damaged furniture should remain in the room until a staff member has identified the problem and either repaired or replaced the item.

HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC)

For the comfort of our residents, all residential buildings are air conditioned during the early fall and late spring. Beginning late fall to mid-spring, all residential buildings are heated. Most of the building systems are designed to provide either heating or cooling; these systems cannot provide both at the same time. Consequently, during the transitional weeks in the fall and spring, a building may become uncomfortably warm during the day because heat is still provided for the cooler evening hours. As the law requires a minimum temperature in the residence halls, heating will remain on during transitional periods. The Office of Facilities Maintenance and Operations (FMO) monitors weather projections in order to establish a timeline for transitioning the building systems from cooling to heating and vice versa.

LAUNDRY FACILITIES

During Summer 2009 all washers on campus were replaced with new, energy-efficient, front-load washers! Washers and dryers are available in the halls for residents' personal use only. All laundry facilities on campus offer students washing and drying privileges at no additional charge. Students should report repair needs to Caldwell & Gregory at (800) 927-9274; be prepared to provide the specific location of the machine, the machine number, and the nature of the problem if known. The university is not responsible for the theft or destruction of personal items.

LOUNGE SPACE

Each residence hall is equipped with lounge space that is furnished with chairs and tables for relaxation or study. At least one lounge in each building is equipped with a television set and some are outfitted with billiards or foosball tables that residents may use by checking equipment out from the RHO. Additional lounges may be designated as quiet areas for study purposes. Individuals or groups who would like to reserve a lounge space within the residence halls should contact the Area Coordinator responsible for that neighborhood. Applications for reservations must be received 48 hours in advance of the event. Priority will be given to residents of the hall in which the lounge is located.

MAINTENANCE, CUSTODIAL, APPLIANCE REPAIR, AND PEST CONTROL REQUESTS

The Office of Facilities Maintenance and Operations (FMO) provides custodial, maintenance, appliance repair, and pest control services within the residential facilities. Requests for routine services can be submitted to FMO using the work order request form. When entering requests, it is important to provide detailed information so the maintenance technician is fully prepared to respond to the problem. Residents are encouraged to immediately phone in all emergency requests to the Facilities Service Center at extension 5121 during normal working hours (Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or the Department of Public Safety at extension 5111 after normal working hours. All questions and/or concerns regarding service requests should be directed to the service center at extension 5121 or cua-fmo@cua.edu.

After-hours emergencies involving heating, lighting, plumbing, electricity or other vital services can be immediately reported to an RA or the RA on duty. Students should contact their RHO with on-going concerns, repeated maintenance requests and any difficulties in having issues addressed. If students do not report facility concerns in the room when they occur, they may be billed for damaged or broken items at checkout.

In the event that snow removal is necessary, FMO will normally focus removal efforts to allow access to the dining halls from the residence halls. Residents of Curley Court are responsible for the removal of snow from their porches. Students who are experiencing mobility difficulty due to the snow should contact FMO.

Custodial staff performs routine cleaning of public areas. Residents are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, suites, and apartments including kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING SERVICES

Although CUA is a residential campus, most graduate students live off-campus, as do a number juniors and seniors. CUA students seeking off-campus housing should visit the Off-Campus Housing Web site. While CUA does not own, operate or endorse any off-campus residence facilities, the Office of Housing Services has compiled a list of resources to benefit CUA students as they conduct their housing search, including a Web site of local rental listings, a guide to finding off-campus accommodations called The Cardinal Commuter, and an off-campus research center (located in the Housing Services main office). Our goal is to educate students about off-campus living and to assist students as they branch out from campus and into the Brookland community and other parts of the metropolitan D.C. area.

STORAGE

During Residency Period

Storage space for personal possessions or large, bulky items is not available in the residence halls. Personal belongings (including sporting equipment) should not be stored in common spaces such as lounges or hallways. Additionally, storage is not available on campus for excess residence hall furniture. Bed frames, desks, chairs, dressers, wardrobes, mattresses and other items may not be removed from rooms, apartments, or suites. They may not be placed in storage during the academic year or during the summer months and must be present in the room upon check-out; students will be charged the full replacement cost of any missing item(s).

During Non- Residency Period

College Boxes is the authorized storage company for Catholic University residents. CollegeBoxes provides shipping to CUA for the Fall semester through their Ship to School program as well as storage for students over the summer and semesters abroad. The Ship to School program allows you to easily ship items via UPS to CUA where they will be conveniently waiting in your room when you arrive in August. No worrying about fitting everything into your car or carrying boxes up stairs! The summer or semester storage program offers discounted packing supplies, free insurance, and free pick-up from your spring room and delivery directly to your new room when you return in August. The benefits of having College Boxes as the authorized storage and shipping vendor on campus include: direct pickup and delivery in student rooms by appointment, shipment tracking, online registration, flexible scheduling, and shipping options. College Boxes has exclusive rights to provide storage of residential items; other companies will not be authorized to market, solicit, or provide this service on campus. For more information please visit College Boxes at www.collegeboxes.com or (866) BOX-IT-UP or contact Housing Services.

TELEPHONE SERVICE

All residents are provided with an active phone line in their room upon arrival. New students are charged a $50 one-time telephone initiation fee. While supplying a telephone is the resident's responsibility, residents are highly encouraged to connect a phone to this line for several reasons. The primary reason is for the safety and security of our community. Should the university experience an event that could disrupt cell phone service, our residents should have access to a land line for communication. Although safety and security is our primary reason, land line phones also offer a level of convenience that differs from cell phones. The land lines in the residence halls are connected to the University phone system and provide access to services and offices on campus by simply dialing the four digit campus extension. Guests and visitors may use the call boxes at the entrance to the residence halls to call their host in order to be escorted into the building. In the interiors of a few buildings, cell phone service may not be as reliable as a student may want while land lines provide reliable access. Finally, campus extensions allow CUA staff and officials to contact residents without incurring long distance charges associated with personal cell phones.

Long Distance Service

ResNet is the group within the Center for Planning and Information Technology (CPIT) dedicated to providing high speed network, satellite television and telephone services to residents. Information on phone service is available on the ResNet Web site.

The university-approved vendor, PAETEC, is the only direct-dial long distance company on campus. Information regarding PAETEC is available on their Web site. To use another carrier, students must dial that carrier's toll free or local access number and use a calling card, travel card, prepaid card or charge the call to another source, such as a collect call or to a major credit card.

VENDING MACHINES

Vending machines are conveniently located in most residence hall lobbies and/or common areas across campus. Questions or concerns regarding vending machines as well as requests for Pepsi beverage vending refunds should be directed to Campus Services at the Pryzbyla Information Desk or (202) 319-5200. Requests for Aramark snack vending refunds should be made in person at the C-Store in the lower level of the Pryzbyla Center.