Prospective Student Information

Welcome to Residence Life

Opening the Door to Living and Learning

As a residential college, SUNY Geneseo believes that living on campus is integral to the educational experience. Connection with your peers and the campus, support from Residence Life staff, and opportunities to meet and live with others are how the experience of living in the residence halls contributes to your academic success. SUNY Geneseo has a four (4) semester residency requirement for all incoming first-year college students and transfer students with fewer than 30 credits upon admission.

Where do incoming students live?

Our incoming students live throughout the residential campus (North, Central, and South Villages), and all areas provide a variety of offerings. Most students live in double rooms in corridor communities. About half of our incoming students live in Living Learning Communities (LLCs)! We have a number of single rooms available for first-year students who deposit and apply early.

An LLC is a floor or building where those of similar academic fields, interests, hobbies, or identities come together to live. A few of our LLCs involve courses, others have specialized programming, and some are cohort communities—where people of similar interests live together. LLCs can be a great way to meet people in your first year!

Please visit the LLC website for more information.

How does roommate selection work?

While a small number of students prefer a specific person they would like to live with, most incoming students are assigned to a room with a roommate by Residence Life. While this can be stressful for some students, living with and being open to living with new people is one of the great experiences of college. Our housing software system asks basic lifestyle questions that are used to match you with your future roommate. You can expect questions about cleanliness, guests, and other lifestyle questions. The top predictor of success in a roommate group is the willingness to communicate and compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is all this information the same for transfer students? 

Not necessarily! Incoming transfer students are generally placed with upper-level students as they are not first-time college students. Transfer students will complete the new student application for housing at the same time as incoming freshmen, however, their placements will likely be in different locations. Roommate matching will also be similar! We also have a Transfer Student Experience LLC. For more information please visit the Incoming Transfer Students page! 

What if I want to commute?

SUNY Geneseo believes in the on-campus living experience as a component of the college's educational mission. However, we allow students who reside with their parents or guardians to commute for the residency requirement period, provided they live within 35 miles of campus. Students must decide to commute before completing the housing application. Once completed, students cannot break a housing contract. If interested, commute-eligible students are always welcomed to live on campus and should complete the appropriate housing application. 

Residence Life provides commuter services, including a Commuter Lounge in Erie Hall that commuters can sign up to have access to and assigns floors and RAs to commuter students during Orientation to allow commuting students to connect with the majority residential students who are going through Orientation activities with their hallmates. 

Can I have a car on campus?

Yes, students are permitted to have vehicles on campus. Parking permits can be obtained from the Parking Office website.

All students should park in student-designated lots. Please refer to the campus parking map.

What housing style is available for new students?

First-year students will live in suite or corridor-style housing. However, there are a limited number of suites for those who deposit early. We also have limited singles for students who deposit early. 

Freshman typically live in freshman housing areas. Transfer students typically live in upper-level housing areas.

What housing is available for upper level students?

Some incoming students may be interested in housing options after their first year. Most of our housing selection occurs in April for the following year for returning students. We do have an early access process for rising juniors and seniors for townhouse and deluxe singles areas. Most upper-level students live in suites and singles, with some corridor options available. 

What is the residency requirement?

SUNY Geneseo believes on-campus living is a key component of the educational experience. Therefore, there is a residency requirement.

All first-year, first-time students at Geneseo are required to live on-campus through the spring semester of their sophomore year (2 years or 4 semesters). 

Fall transfer students admitted with fewer than 30 credits (exclusive of AP credits or credits obtained by testing), must live on campus for two academic years (4 semester). Spring transfer students admitted with fewer than 30 credits (exclusive of AP credits or credits obtained by testing), must live on campus for the remainder of that academic year (spring) and the following academic year (3 semesters). 

Is there co-ed housing?

We have a variety of housing types available, including same-gender and mixed-gender rooms, suites, and floors. We do not have same-gender buildings, but we have many same-gender floors and suites for students. We also allow all students to form both same-gender and mixed-gender roommate groups. 

Do the halls close during breaks? Do I have to leave?

Yes, most of our residence halls, except the Saratoga Townhouses and Ontario Deluxe Singles, do close over breaks. However, students with extraordinary needs, international students, and students working over breaks for the college can apply to remain on campus. Food service is limited over breaks.  

Is housing guaranteed?

 SUNY Geneseo guarantees housing for all undergraduate students, including late applicants. Unless you are committed to living on campus, do not complete a housing application as a backup plan.

Are there singles for freshmen? 

We do offer a limited number of single rooms for incoming students who deposit early. Note that singles are not available within LLCs.

What is a suite and do you offer them for freshmen?

 A suite is 2–4 bedrooms that share a common room and common bathroom. We do have some incoming freshman living in suite style housing however corridors are recommended for freshman. Some students are interested in this housing type because of the common area, more private bathroom, and chance to get to know more people. However it can be challenging to share space with 3-7 other students as opposed to just 1 in a corridor. We find less roommate disagreements and suggest corridor living for our first time freshman students.

Can I bring my own furniture?

Suite common rooms come unfurnished except in Ontario Deluxe Singles and Saratoga Townhouses. Many students choose to bring furniture with them for these spaces. Saratoga Terrace Townhouses do come fully furnished. You can bring some furniture for your bedrooms but be aware of space and fire regulations.

Is there athletic housing?

Residence Life and Athletics co-sponsor a Sports Leadership Living Learning Community which is "opt out" for our incoming athletes. Upper level athletes can "opt in." 

Is there academic/major housing?

We have a number of Living Learning Communities that have an academic focus. Business and Society, STEM, First Knight (for undecided major students), Writers House, Tesla House, and Eco House are some of the more academic focused LLCs on our campus. Almost ⅓ of our students live in LLCs, and it is a great way for incoming students to meet people with similar interests.

I have medical housing needs—what do I do?

Geneseo recognizes the importance of providing reasonable accommodations where necessary for individuals with disabilities. Our housing policies and practices work to ensure equal access to the benefits of on-campus housing. 

The Office of Accessibility (OAS) will work with students to determine reasonable accommodations in the Residence Halls. When requesting housing accommodations, applicants must be current or committed Geneseo students, have applied for or are in the process of applying for Geneseo housing, and have met all eligibility requirements for the request to be reviewed.

To request housing accommodations, students must follow the OAS steps for requesting housing accommodations. This includes submission of a Housing Accommodation Request Form which is completed by the student and a qualified mental health or medical treatment provider who has an established relationship with the student and can attest to the student’s current functioning in the college environment. The student will also participate in an interactive discussion with OAS staff regarding the request. If students have questions or concerns regarding the process for requesting housing accommodations, they may contact the OAS via email (access@geneseo.edu), phone (585-245-5112), or in-person (Erwin Hall 22) to schedule an appointment.

Students are encouraged to submit materials by the deadlines listed on OAS’ website.