Facebook icon Twitter icon Forward icon

Making plans: It's time to contact your new roommate

You should take some time to discuss your living situation with your roommate before coming to campus, even if you’ve known one another for years.

Roommates who take the time to listen and get to know one another have a better chance of having a positive on-campus housing experience. Start the conversation by getting to know one another. It’s less combative than beginning with expectations and will help establish a friendly rapport for the rest of the conversation.

If you do not listen and take the time to create a positive partnership with your roommate, the quality of your time at Eastern will be greatly diminished. The success of your new relationship is dependent upon both you and your roommate listening, communicating and being willing to compromise. At Housing and Dining, we challenge our students to learn to be better campus citizens and positive members of our communities.

Your roommate's email address, mailing address and phone number are included in the room assignment letter.

Support RHA while picking up those finishing touches for your room

Eastern’s Residence Hall Association (RHA), a student organization that strives to build community and develop leaders in the residence halls, has teamed up with Residence Hall Linens and Bedloft.com to provide goods and services for the upcoming academic year.

Residence Hall Linens
Outfit the new place from top to bottom at Residence Hall Linens (RHL), the perfect online, one-stop-shop for bedding, bath supplies, decor and countless other accessories.

Bedloft.com
Finish off the room with products and services from bedloft.com.

  • Purchase a futon
  • Rent a MicroFridge® (i.e., combination microwave, refrigerator, freezer)
  • Have the University-provided room set up before coming to campus

Place your orders before July 31 to guarantee delivery and completion of room setup before move-in day.

Popular Links

Items to Complete Before the Big Move

Pay Housing Down Payment
Pay the housing down payment of $250 through the MyEIU Portal or your PAWS account by the due date listed in your room assignment letter to hold your residence hall assignment. The remainder of the fall charges will be billed Aug. 1 and is due Aug. 30. A one percent finance charge will be added to the unpaid balance each billing cycle. Call 217-581-3715 for more information.

Update Your Medical Records
Mail a copy of your immunization records (Child Health Certificate) and medical history forms to:

     HUMAN SERVICES CENTER
     600 LINCOLN AVENUE
     CHARLESTON, IL 61920-3099

Call 217-581-3013 for more information.

Make a Shopping List
Check out our list of things you should and shouldn't bring to campus . Be sure to contact your new roommates. Find out what they plan on bringing to prevent “doubling up” on items like televisions, refrigerators, gaming consoles etc.

Purchase Personal Property or Renter Insurance
Contact your insurance provider to see if you're already covered. Eastern Illinois University and University Housing & Dining Services assume no responsibility for theft or damage to personal property, or loss of money, valuables, or personal effects of any student or guest.

Purchase a Computer
It's recommended that you purchase a Wi-Fi compatible computer that meets the specifications outlined on the ITS web site. Wi-Fi is available in the residence halls, Greek Court and University Court.

Non-Wi-Fi compatible computers and residents of University Apartments will need a 10’ Category-6 Cable (CAT-6) to connect to the Ethernet ports in their residence. Cables will be available for purchase at the front desks of the residence halls and Greek Court, and at the on-site office in University Court. Residents of University Apartments are asked purchase cables at the Lawson Hall front desk.

Confirm Your TV has QAM Tuner
In order to take advantage of Eastern’s digital cable service they must provide a 10’ coaxial cable and a digital HD TV with a QAM tuner. While digital tuners are required in all TVs built after 2006, not all TVs include a QAM tuner. A quick review of the TV’s specifications is suggested. Check out our television compatibility specifications page for more details.

Plan Ahead: Setting Up Your Residence Hall Room

Need a little inspiration? Check out our Flickr page to see examples of how some of our current and past students have set up their residence hall rooms.

Housing Assignments: Thinking about requesting a change?

When asked what residence hall is the best, we always respond that it's the people that make the experience, not the building. But if you're looking for something a little more specific, these options may just fit the bill.

Requests for changes to housing or roommate assignments must be made in writing by July 21, 2017. Requests may be emailed to housing@eiu.edu or faxed to 217-581-6489. Call 217-581-5111 for more information.

Past Issues Don't Disappear When Students Move to Campus

Incoming students and their parents often look upon college as a new beginning, and hope that past issues and problems will disappear with the move to campus.

Experience suggests that the opposite is more likely to be true. Luckily, there are a number of steps that students with past or existing personal problems can take to improve their adjustment to college life and increase their chances for success.

Continue reading . . .

EIU360: EIU in the World