Skip to main content

Residence Life

Living on a college campus is an exciting aspect of higher education. Many people have fond memories of their college years — from late night philosophical discussions with roommates to spontaneous outbursts of music and singing to that last study session with your best friends. By cultivating and encouraging active participation in this close-knit, intentionally Christian community, Spring Arbor University is committed to providing you with the best possible residence life experience, but we can’t do it alone. Your contribution to campus culture and community is just what we’ve been waiting for.

For more information regarding housing, call 517-750-6330 or email housing@arbor.edu.

Below are all the housing options available to students at Spring Arbor University. Traditional residence halls are typically reserved for underclassmen. This type of housing encourages the formation of a strong community. These buildings range from two to four floors with each floor sharing common bathroom facilities.

Women’s Halls

Lowell Hall

Year Built: 1970
Capacity: All-female residence hall; 96 residents
Features: Laundry facilities, two lounges, kitchen, computer lab, study rooms, chapel, fitness room and theater room
Resident Director: There is a graduate assistant RD who collaborates with Housing and Resident Life.
About Lowell: Lowell Hall features our Delta suite style living – each suite includes two rooms with a shared bathroom & study space. With a mix of new and returning students, this is a great place to make friends and memories.
Lowell Events: One of Lowell’s featured favorite event is a mystery clue night where residents work together to solve the mystery!

Gainey Hall

Year Built: 2006
Capacity: All-female residence hall; 210 residents
Features: Laundry facilities, two lounges, kitchen, a grand entryway, computer labs, a study room and an elevator
Resident Director: Rachel Chalfant
About Gainey: Gainey Hall is a residence hall for women at the corner of College and Second Street. Gainey’s residence life staff is eager to explore new and creative ways to encourage community among all six floors, so each month something new is happening.
Gainey Events: Gainey is known on campus for hosting Gaineyoke, a fun night of campus karaoke!

Room Floor Plan:

Gainey Hall room floor plan

Men’s Hall

Andrews Hall

Exterior photo of Andrew's Hall - an all-male residence hall at SAU

Year Built: 2010
Capacity: All-male residence hall; 214 residents
Features: Laundry facilities, lounge, kitchen, computer lab, study rooms, chapel, fitness room and theater room
Resident Director: David Breyette
About Andrews: Andrews Hall houses two men per room. Students are greeted by a large, open lounge that spans two stories. Andrews Hall has kitchen and laundry facilities for the residents, a fitness room located on the first floor, a large theater-style media room and den located on the third floor, as well as a computer lounge and game room on the fourth floor.

Room Floor Plan:

Andrews Hall room floor plan

Alternative Housing

The Villages and Koinonia Houses (K-Houses) are generally reserved for upperclassmen.

The Villages

The Villages

Year Built: Post Village, 2001; Ogle Village, 2003-2005
Capacity: 36 residents per village house
Female Villages: A, B, C, E, F
Male Villages: D, G
Features: Laundry facilities, lounge, kitchen, study room, outdoor grill and deck
Resident Director: Grace Heumann
About the Villages: Ogle and Post Villages are a wonderful place to live. The lobby in each house is a beautiful place to socialize with friends, play shuffleboard, have a Bible study or watch TV. It is often a place to cook and eat dinner, meet friends to head to the dining commons or rally for intramural sports. With a park-like setting outside, Ogle Village is relaxed and off the beaten path. Each Village contains a central living room for students to enjoy with comfortable couches, a game (dome hockey, foosball, etc.) and television. Students often cook their own meals in the kitchen area provided for them just off the lounge. The kitchen includes a large refrigerator and freezer for residents, microwave, plenty of cupboard space, oven and stove top. From early morning to late at night, you can find students using the study loft that is found on the second floor, which overlooks the lounge below. All of the village rooms are organized as suites that are joined by the bathroom.
Village Events: Ogle Village hosts Choptoberfest every fall. It is a plaid-clad festival with music, mechanical bull riding, doughnuts on a string and cider chug competitions. Throughout the semester, residents project movies on the wall in the lounge, have birthday parties, watch games and engage in casual conversation.

Room Floor Plan:

Floor layout sample of a Village room

Koinonia Houses

Koinonia houses, or “K-Houses,” are residential homes around campus available for students to enjoy a deeper community atmosphere. Koinonia means “Christian fellowship” or “communion” with God or with fellow Christians.

They are located around the perimeter of campus within walking distance to classes, the library and the dining commons. Students seeking to live in a K-House must submit a spiritual mission statement. Current sophomores, juniors and seniors may apply to live in the Koinonia Houses. This space is allotted by total credit hours earned at the discretion of the Residence Life Staff. Generally, more groups apply than there are available houses. Students in these housing types are not required to be on a meal plan, but may choose any meal plan they would like. K-Houses have a phone provided as well as Internet service.

Male K-Houses

Cryderman

Male Housing
Total Capacity: 4 people
Bedrooms: 2
Features: 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen, 1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Fairbairn

Male Housing
Total Capacity: 4 people
Bedrooms: 2
Features: 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Trevan

Male Housing
Total Capacity: 7 people
Bedrooms: 5
Features: 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Wesley

Male Housing
Total Capacity: 5 people
Bedrooms: 3
Features: 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen,
1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Sydow

Reserved for Khouse RA
Male Housing
Total Capacity: 6 people
Bedrooms: 4
Features: 2.5 bathrooms, 1 kitchen,
1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Female K-Houses

Maddox

Female Housing
Total Capacity: 10 people
Bedrooms: 5
Features: 3 bathrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Gregory

Female Housing
Total Capacity: 4 people
Bedrooms: 3
Features: 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen, 1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Gallagher

Female Housing
Total Capacity: 6 people
Bedrooms: 4
Features: 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Taylor

Female Housing
Total Capacity: 6 people
Bedrooms: 5
Features: 2.5 bathrooms, 1 kitchen,
1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Warner

Reserved for Khouse RA
Female Housing
Total Capacity: 7 people
Bedrooms: 5
Features: 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen,
1 living room, washer/dryer hookups

Family Housing

West Arbor Apartments, located off of Chapel Rd. on Park Dr., are available for specific groups of people – married students*, students with families* and select employees.

*The occupant must be carrying enough hours to total 26 semester hours or more during three consecutive semesters plus the intervening summer session. Any time it is determined that a normal full-time load for the remainder of this period cannot meet this requirement, the apartment occupant may be required to move.

Family Housing

Each apartment includes:

  • Apartments are unfurnished.
  • Kitchen – Ceiling light, plus light over sink and light in range hood. Refrigerator and range furnished.
  • Closets – One is located just inside the main door. Each bedroom has one, except the three-bedroom unit, which has three closets in the main bedroom.
  • Bath – Tub with shower.
  • Laundry – Mobile App and Coin-operated washers and dryers are located in each building basement.
  • Storage – Unit for each apartment located in basement. G & H buildings each have a key lock which matches that of the apartment. All other residents must furnish their own padlock.

Responsibilities:

SAU pays:

  • Heat (gas – forced air)
  • Hot water
  • Water (township water system)
  • Sewer
  • Trash pick-up (three times weekly)
  • Telephone – phones are part of the campus phone/Internet system and will be installed within 1-2 days of moving into the apartment. Questions on phone service should be directed to ext. 1650.

You pay:

  • Electricity
  • Cable TV

Rent and Living Options

To review apartment rates or to apply to live in the apartments, please contact Dawn Hatch at 517.750.6646.

Personalizing your room

Students are welcome to personalize their residence within certain limits as outlined here. The goal is to create an enjoyable living environment that is consistent with the philosophy of the Spring Arbor University community.

  • Occupants are expected to keep their rooms clean.
  • Items, signs and posters not keeping with the character of the University are not to be displayed in student rooms or on University property. These include items that involve nudity or are otherwise morally objectionable or socially offensive, containers for alcoholic beverages and other alcohol and drug related paraphernalia (e.g., signs, posters, etc.).
  • Images displayed should adhere to the modesty guidelines referenced in community standards.
  • Outward facing objects (e.g., flags, posters, signs), with pictures or symbols that are visible in the window from the outside, are prohibited.
  • Nails, screws, duct tape or other adhesives that cause damage or leave sticky residue on the walls or surface may not be used. Double sided sponge tape is not allowed. White poster putty and masking tape are acceptable methods to hang things.
  • Candles, including candle warmers, and incense are not permitted, lit or unlit.
  • Halogen lamps are not permitted.
  • University supplied furniture must remain in the campus residence at all times.
  • Pets, with the exception of fish, are not permitted. Fish tanks must be 20 gallons or less.
  • Painting rooms is not allowed.
  • Use of wallpaper or contact paper is not allowed.
  • The possession of property owned by private agencies such as realtors and contractors, or the property of public agencies or utilities is appropriate only when used with their expressed permission.
  • The use of personal electrical appliances is limited because of the safety and sanitation needs created by living in a community. Consequently, cooking appliances are not permitted in rooms, with the exception of coffee makers, and hot pots. Enclosed cooking devices may only be used in kitchen areas. Microwaves, hot plates, toaster ovens and electric space heaters are not permitted in residence halls.
  • Students may have small refrigerators in their rooms (six cubic feet or smaller).
  • Electrical wiring, switches, outlets or fixtures must not be tampered with.
  • Only one extension cord per outlet is acceptable. No multi-plug receptacles or adapters may be attached unless they contain an internal fuse or circuit breaker with a maximum rating of 15 amps.

What you can bring/What you should leave home

If you’re thinking about what should be on your packing list for college, consider our list of dos and don’ts regarding what should be on that list. For additional information, please consult the Student Handbook.

Included in your room:

  • Bookshelf
  • Bed/mattress
  • Desk/lamp hutch
  • Dresser
  • Phone – rooms are network accessible

For personalizing your room:

  • Bedspread or comforter
  • Posters, pictures, plants
  • Memo board
  • Lamp
  • Couch/chair
  • Sticky tack for posters

For snacks:

  • Air Fryer
  • Hot pot
  • Mug (coffee, tea, soup)
  • Bowl and silverware
  • Mini refrigerators – 6 cubic ft. or less

For wearing:

  • Casual clothing (pants/skirts, jeans, shirts/blouses, dresses, sweaters, shorts, sweats, hats)
  • Raincoat, winter coat, boots, gloves, scarves, hat
  • Bathrobe, slippers, flip-flops
  • Shoes (dress, casual, sandals, athletic)

For recreation:

  • Camera
  • Frisbee
  • TV/DVD/Blu-Ray
  • Football
  • Golf clubs
  • Bicycle
  • Tennis racket/balls
  • Swimming suit
  • Baseball glove

For everyday use:

  • Alarm clock
  • Extension cords/power strip with circuit
  • Hangers
  • Pillows, sheets, blankets (Mattresses are not standard size; extra long sheets fit best)
  • Towels, washcloths
  • Bathroom caddy (for carrying essentials to bath)
  • Laundry detergent, fabric softener, laundry basket, quarters for operating washers and dryers
  • Shampoo, toothpaste, soap, Kleenex, etc.
  • Health insurance card
  • Social Security card
  • Window fan
  • Backpack
  • Lamp
  • Crates for storage
  • Computer

For occasional use:

  • Umbrella
  • Iron
  • Sewing kit
  • First-aid kit (Band-aids, aspirin, etc.)

What to leave at home:

  • Pets
  • Microwave
  • Hot plate
  • Toaster oven
  • Telephone answering machine (provided)
  • Candles, incense, halogen lamp

Housing FAQs

What furniture is provided for each student in campus housing?

Desk, desk chair, bed, extra long twin mattress, hutch, bookcase and a dresser.

Do I have Internet access in my room?

Yes, students who live in the residence halls, village houses and apartments have RES Net (our high speed connection) in their rooms.

Does my room have a phone?

You may request a phone. Each phone has a voice mail and an individual PIN for long distance calling.

What size sheets do I need to bring?

Extra long twin.

Where is the nearest laundry facility?

Each of the living areas has laundry facilities on-site.

Do students have to live on campus?

Spring Arbor University was established as a residential university. It subscribes to the living/learning experience as a vital part of whole–person Christian education.
 
In keeping with this philosophy, all full-time, traditional-aged students enrolled in the traditional campus offered program are required to live in the campus residences. Students in violation of this policy will be fined $100 and required to move on campus immediately. Exceptions may be granted to those who meet one of the following criteria and complete a Housing Exemption Application:
– 22 years of age by the first day of the semester
– Living with parents (including grandparents) or legal guardian over the age of 22 (NOTE: A student’s off-campus residence may not be more than 60 miles from campus and must be the primary address of the parent, grandparent, or guardian.)
– Married or possessing of independent status as defined by the Office of Financial Aid (NOTE: Married students are not permitted to live in traditional campus housing.)
– Student who has custodial care of legal dependent(s)
– Students involved in a 12-credit hour or more internship or a student teaching semester more than 30 miles from campus

What is an Residence Director (RD)?

A Residence Hall Director is a professional staff member who supervises, manages and directs the residence hall and staff. SAU RDs live in the resident halls and are all college graduates.

What is a Resident Assistant (RA)?

A Resident Assistant is a fellow student living on your floor or in your building who provides leadership to his or her particular living area. RAs receive professional training and provide guidance to students from a peer perspective.

For more information regarding housing, call 517-750-6330 or email housing@arbor.edu.