OUR MISSION
Gannon University welcomes resident students with the assumption that they are concerned with developing a genuine appreciation of the intellectual, moral and cultural opportunities that are inherent in a college education. We assume a sincere desire to derive the maximum from their educational experience. Since Gannon is a Catholic University, it expects its students, along with faculty and staff, to embrace in attitude and behavior the conduct which is consistent with the Judeo-Christian and intellectual tradition.
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OUR COMMITMENT
We are committed to providing our residents with the following:
- To offering a living experience that will enhance and compliment their collegiate experience.
- To providing the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships.
- To ensure that when they leave Gannon, that they will take with them memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.
- To provide an opportunity to develop the ability to live in community with people of different cultures, backgrounds and ideals.
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HOUSING CRITERIA AND POLICIES
Living Accommodation Philosophy
Gannon University believes that there are important educational and social benefits in the residence halls and on-campus housing program. Because of this conviction, undergraduate students whose home is located outside the 25-mile straight line radius of the University are required to live on campus for the first four semesters of their academic career. This is generally the freshmen and sophomore years and does not count college credits that have been earned while in high school. The housing obligation, semesters one through four, are done in University owned or operated housing units. After the fourth semester, students can opt to live off-campus or can choose to remain in University operated housing units. Transfer students who reside outside the 25-mile straight line radius are also required to live in University operated housing units, unless they have attempted 60 or more credits at a collegiate institution.
As a student progresses through their collegiate studies, housing accommodations and programs widen. The following information describes housing facilities and policies are presented on a semester completed basis as an overview for prospective students and a guide for enrolled students at any point in their years of study while at Gannon.
Residence Hall Accommodations
All students in their first or second semester of study must reside in one of two residence halls, Finegan or Wehrle . Finegan and Wehrle are staffed by Professional Resident Directors (PRDs), a Resident Campus Minister and a group of Resident Assistants (RAs). The PRDs are professionals who have completed and have obtained an undergraduate and a master's degree. The Campus Ministers have completed an undergraduate degree and are working on their master's or have completed a master's degree. The RAs are undergraduates who are in their 3rd semester of residence or above. The RAs live on the floors with the freshmen students. The staff strives to provide for and develop a sense of community among the residents of a particular floor and/or wing of the residence hall. They also try to develop a living/learning environment which espouses the Mission of Gannon University. The Student Living staff tries to contribute to the growth of each student through the implementation of the University's Life Core model. Staff members try to ensure a safe and healthy environment while providing for a host of co-curricular activities.
Students living in the residence halls will enjoy the convenience of study lounges, social lounges, vending machines and laundry facilities. A typical room includes heat and air conditioning, desk, chair, bed, mattress, wardrobe and a dresser per student. The rooms are complete with wall-to-wall carpet, sprinkler and alarm systems and cable and internet connections. Information regarding TV, phone, and network connections can be found at
GUConnect
Double occupancy is the normally accepted room assignment, although there could be the option to purchase a single occupancy room. There are also a limited number of triple and quad arrangements in either hall. Single rooms are based on availability. Housing contracts are for a nine month length and a board contract is mandatory.
Exceptions to the mandatory housing obligation for first through fourth semester students:
1. Married students
2. Veterans
3. Students who are over 21 years of age when classes start.
4. Students who live within a 25-mile radius of the University.
University Operated Housing Units
The mandatory housing obligation continues through the student’s third and fourth semesters. Students may choose from three options that are available to them. One option may be to reside in the residence hall if space is available. A board contract could be deemed mandatory in this situation. The second option would include University operated housing units such as
Crispo
, Freeman
, University
, Lubiak
, 632 Sassafras
, Walker
, Wickford
and
Kenilworth.
The University also leases and operates housing spaces in the Harborview apartments. There are close to 760 bed spaces available in University operated apartment settings. Each of the units is fully carpeted and furnished. Most of the apartments are four-person units. There are a limited number of two, three and five-person units. There are no single person apartments. The apartments have a bath/vanity area, kitchen with eating area, living room and multiple bedrooms. Housing units are all eleven-month contracts, with the exception of 632 Sassafras, the freshmen residence halls and one building per year that is renovated. All of the just mentioned buildings are nine-month buildings. Board plans are available and ranges from full plans to various munch money accounts.
As in the case of the residence halls, the University operated housing units are staffed by a PRD or an Assistant Resident Director (ARD). The ARDs are graduate students who are working on a masters program. Some of the buildings will also have a Campus Minister on site, while some buildings will share the Campus Minister. The entire staffs undergo a highly intense and extensive training session during the summer months, with frequent in-service programs during the school year.
There is a third option that is available that requires paperwork to ensure the safety of the houses that are involved. The housing obligation has been waived for students who wish to reside in an off-campus fraternity or sorority house. This option is reserved for students who are in their third or fourth semesters of attendance. Permission to reside in these houses needs to come from the Office of Student Living and has to be requested by the student. There are some steps that need to be completed to be considered for this exception, one of which includes the procurement of the necessary paperwork, forms and legal documentation from the City of Erie for the proposed house of residence.
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Commonly Asked Residence Hall Questions
How are roommates selected?
A questionnaire is sent to all incoming freshmen that asks various questions. Based on answers, roommates are matched as closely as possible. You may also choose a roommate from a friendship; a person met an Orientation or perhaps a future teammate from athletics.
Can we request a roommate?
Yes. If you now another freshman who will be attending Gannon in the fall or you meet someone at Orientation, you may request that person as a roommate. However, roommate requests are not guaranteed.
Can I bring a PC?
You may bring a desktop or a laptop. The laptop will provide you with more versatility. All housing unit rooms will provide you with your own internet connection. You will be connected to the internet through the University’s server.
Am I allowed to have friends stay overnight?
Friends of the same gender may stay overnight. There is a two day consecutive time period. You should let your RA or RD know in advance. If the friend is of the opposite sex, let your RA know and they may be able to find a suitable place for the individual to stay.
Am I allowed to have opposite sex visitation?
You are allowed to have opposite sex visitors, provided they are signed in and follow the established visitation hours.
Is there parking for freshmen students?
Freshmen students are allowed to have a vehicle, but they will not be allowed to apply for a parking permit for a University operated parking lot. There is the option to park on the streets or try and obtain a monthly parking permit from one of the City of Erie’s parking ramps. There are a limited number of parking spaces available for upperclassmen resident students.
Is alcohol allowed in the residence halls?
No. The University does not allow for the use of alcohol by minors or in the residence halls. There are some Over-21 units available for upperclassmen that are of age. These units must follow the policies that are prescribed for Over-21 units.
Who is responsible for cleaning?
The student is responsible for cleaning their room or apartment. University staff will clean common areas in the residence halls or apartment buildings. Vacuums are available from the RD or RA on a limited basis.
How do we eat?
All students living in the residence halls are obligated to a mandatory board contract. The board contract is for 15 or 19 meals. Saturday and Sunday breakfasts are combined into a brunch. Microwaves are located on each floor of the residence hall. In addition each resident hall resident has the option to rent a Microfridge for their room. All apartment residents have fully equipped kitchens, but they do have the option to purchase any of the numerous meal plans that are available.
Are we allowed electrical appliances?
A list of acceptable appliances can be found in the Student Handbook. The list of do’s or don’ts will also be mailed to each individual living in housing during the summer. In general, any appliance that has an open coil is not permitted. Washers, dryers and dishwashers are not permitted in University owned housing.
What are freshmen hours?
Freshmen hours are the University’s method of trying to ensure that students can get off to a good start in their academic career. There are no freshmen hours on Friday or Saturday nights. Sunday through Thursday, all freshmen must be in their rooms by 11:30pm. After a four week period, freshmen grades are reported. If the student has a 2.0 or better at that time, the student will be taken off freshmen hours. If they do not have a 2.0 they will remain on freshmen hours.
What furniture do I need?
Residence hall residents will not need any furniture except lamps. All other furniture is provided. Those residents of the apartments will be supplied the same furniture, plus they will have a furnished kitchen as well. Obviously, there will be more room to bring additional things while residing in the apartments. The apartments do not have microwaves.
Do I need insurance?
The University is not responsible for damaged or lost property. Please check with your parent’s homeowner’s insurance to make sure your belongings are covered. If they are not it is suggested that you purchase renter’s insurance.
Are there laundry facilities?
There are laundry facilities in each University owned building. Each student is charged a nominal fee. The student will have access to unlimited laundry use within their own building. Sanctions can be applied to those students who abuse the privilege by allowing friends access.
Where will my mail go?
You will be assigned a mailbox in the Waldron Center.
Are we allowed pets?
No. Due to health, allergy and damage concerns, pets are not allowed. The only pets allowed are fish and the restriction on tanks is ten gallon. Dogs, cats, mice, gerbils, snakes, birds and turtles are a few of the pets that are not allowed but the list mentioned is by no means all-inclusive. If there are questions, check with the Office of Student Living or your RD.
What are quiet hours?
All residents must observe quiet and courtesy hours. The hours between 8pm and 8am are reserved for sleep and study in the apartments and residence halls and are regarded as quiet hours. These are observed from Sunday through Thursday. In general, if you can hear noise or music outside the room or apartment, it is too loud.
What are allowable room decorations?
You are requested to use non-stick tape in your room. Offensive signs (which do not support the mission of the University), such as beer signs are allowed if they can not be seen from the outside. If you wouldn’t want your mother or father to see it, it should not be up. The University reserves the right to have questionable material be taken down.
Do we need telephones?
There is an extension per room. Phones are not provided. Each extension has voice mail. Portable phones are not as practical in residence halls because of the number of phones and channels being used. It is important to stay active with your room/apartment phone as messages are left that will be of importance to you during the school year. With increasing cell phone use it is becoming problematic in terms of getting messages to residents. Students are responsible for checking their voice mail for messages.
What about visitation?
Parents are welcome at any time. Sisters and brothers must be accompanied by parent or yourself while in the building. Brothers and sisters, if not with parents must follow visitation rules. The regulations are necessary because of restroom and showering needs of other residents on the floor in the residence halls. There are no visitation regulations in the apartments, other than the consecutive day rule. The biggest concern with guests is to remember the rights and privileges of your roommate(s) and other floor mates.
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VIRTUAL TOURS
FINEGAN ROOM TOUR
WEHRLE ROOM TOUR
CRISPO ROOM TOUR
Comparison of Residence Halls and Apartments
