Frequently Asked Questions
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke works to ensure that our students feel supported and engaged in all aspects of their experience, including, but not limited to, their room and board arrangements. We acknowledge the correlation between supportive, on-campus living and student participation, and we value the positive impact this correlation has on retention, success, and graduation rates.
The academic achievement of our students is a top priority on our campus, and student retention and engagement are essential to achieving this mission. According to research, students living in university-provided housing do better academically and are more satisfied with their college experience than those students who commute or live off-campus.
First- and second-year students are required to live on campus as part of our freshman and sophomore residency requirements. Those residing in a residence hall are required to hold a meal plan. To ensure access to well-balanced meals prepared in a healthy environment, a meal plan is required for residents in the residence halls (Pine, Oak, North and Cypress). Kitchens provided in these communities are for occasional and communal needs only and are not equipped to provide meal preparation for individual students. Because they have fully functional kitchens, our on-campus apartment residents are not obligated to purchase a meal plan, but it is strongly recommended that they do so.
Housing & Residence Life, Auxiliary & Business Services, and Sodexo collaborate closely with students to handle concerns such as housing and dietary restriction accommodations.
Click to view the freshman and sophomore residency regulation or exemption and release process.
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Advantages of living on-campus
A significant number of continuing students reside on campus throughout their college years. Besides suite style halls, the University manages a 526-bed apartment complex.
In addition, a continuing student often resides on campus for the following reasons:
- Living on campus is often more economical than living off campus. There is no worry about monthly bills - students pay only once a semester!
- Services such as high-speed internet, water, and electricity are included in this total cost
- According to research, on-campus students do better academically than their peers who live off-campus
- Nationally, as well as at UNCP, students who live on-campus persist in school and have a higher graduation rate than those who do not
- On-campus students find it easier to take advantage of academic assistance services and get increased motivation by working alongside their peers
- Caring, trained, and professional staff provide resources, support, and programming to enhance the student’s experience at UNCP
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Can I be exempted from the freshmen & sophomore residency requirement?
A student must complete a Petition for Exemption form and submit it to the office of Housing & Residence Life (documentation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis).
Deadline to submit a Petition for Exemption:
- June 30 for students beginning in fall
- Nov. 30 for students beginning in spring
Exemption Reasons:
- Married student living with spouse (attach copy of marriage license)
- Parent or guardian with legal custody of minor children (attach birth certificate or documentation)
- Over 21 years of age or will be before August 1 (exemption only)
- Veteran (attach official documentation/proof)
- Enrolled in an academic program that is offered fully online
- Living with parent(s) or legal guardian within twenty miles of the school (see next section for map) AND within the state of North Carolina (exemption only)
- Other special need (documentation reviewed on a case-by-case basis.) Please include a detailed, descriptive reason plus any needed documentation to support the request.
Most dining requests will fall under the special need category.
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Who can reside on campus?
Campus housing is available for students enrolled during the semester. A student must be enrolled for six semester hours or more for undergraduate students and six semester hours for graduate students. The University does not provide family housing.
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How do I apply for campus housing?
A Housing Agreement (Contract) must be completed by all students entering UNCP who request to reside on campus. The application must be on file before a room assignment can be processed.
A new applicant must activate their BraveMail account before applying for campus housing. Once this process is completed, the applicant can apply for housing by filling out our online application.
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How much is the housing fee, and will that amount goes towards my student account?
The housing application fee is $150. This is non-refundable and paid at the time of admission or can be deferred to your student account
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How can I request a roommate?
There is a section on the application to include the name of a roommate. Both students must request each other and have the application submitted. It may not be possible to grant roommate requests received after June 1 (for fall assignments) and November 1 (for spring assignments)
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Can I apply for a single room as a freshman?
Freshmen requests are based on space availability.
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How are housing assignments made?
Applicants’ assignments are made based on the date the application is received. Students can request a specific roommate of the same gender. While consideration is given to roommate preference request, it may not be possible to grant requests received after June 1 (for fall assignments) and November 1 (for spring assignments). Housing assignment information will begin to be sent in early May (for fall) or in early December (for spring). Students who apply after these deadlines should receive their assignment within two weeks of when the application was received
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When will I be notified who my roommate is and of my assignment?
The housing assignment information will be sent in early May (for fall) or early December (for spring). The email will include the name of the residential community and room number, roommate’s name, and contact information so roommates can contact each other to begin discussing what each is bringing. A student applying after the initial assignment information has been sent should receive their assignment information within two weeks
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How do I set up my BraveMail Account?
BraveMail is UNCP's email system for students. It is syndicated through Microsoft. It can be accessed through BraveWeb from the University's website. Unlike the rest of the University’s electronic services, it does need to be set up separate from your university-issued username/password
For instructions to set up BraveMail, go to https://braveweb.uncp.edu and log onto BraveWeb. If you have questions, contact Division of Information Technology at 910.521.6260 or email at helpdesk@uncp.edu. The help desk is in the Dr. Joseph B. Oxendine Administrative Building, Room 160
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When do I move into my assigned room?
For information relating to move-in, visit the Fall 2023 Move-In link on our website.
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How can I change my assignment?
Assignments cannot be changed once a student has arrived on campus. There is a grace period at the beginning of the semester before a room change will be made. This is to allow time for roommates to make a good faith effort to resolve differences and for the University to assess housing needs.
Following this grace period, Housing will allow students to change assignments during Room Change Period. Room Change Period usually occurs within two-to-three weeks following the first day of classes.
Following Room Change Period, students desiring to change rooms/roommates must meet with their respective Residence Life Coordinator and participate in a mediation process. Any student who changes rooms without prior approval will be assessed an administrative fee in addition to being sent through the Student Conduct process
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What is the length of the housing agreement (contract)?
The agreement (contract) is for the length of the academic year (August to May)
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Access to Residential Buildings
Access to residence halls is managed by a computerized, key card access system. Card readers at each facility will grant access to only those students who reside in the building. Students residing in the Courtyard Apartments will be issued a key to the entrance door of their unit which will also unlock their bedroom
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How safe is on-campus housing?
The department employs several full-time, live-in professional staff and approximately 40 Resident Advisors (RAs). The staff have been selected and trained to work with students in our residential facilities. The RAs live within the student population and are available to provide information and assistance in the transition to on-campus living. In addition to a full-time, state-certified, professional police force, there are:
- Cameras throughout campus
- Blue light call boxes
- Fire drills conducted in all residential areas
- Text alerts (Campus Police website)
- Alarmed egress doors in halls
- Sirens (example: shelter in place)
For additional information, see UNC Pembroke’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports
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What does the University provide in the rooms?
Student rooms offer free wireless internet and are furnished with:
- twin bed (mattress 80” x 36”)
- desk, desk chairs,
- dresser, and
- window blinds.
Cypress Hall rooms have wardrobes; all other residential communities have built in closets.
Central air is provided in all residential communities except for North Hall (each room is equipped with a window unit).
Laundry and vending machines are located on the first floor of each facility.
For additional information relative to each residential community, visit the residential community link on our website.
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What items can I bring?
Each resident may bring a refrigerator which is not to exceed 4.5 cubic feet. One microwave (not to exceed 1200 watts) is permitted per room. Due to electrical demands on the circuitry in North Hall, microwaves are not permitted in student rooms. A microwave has been installed in the lounge on each floor by the University. Currently, there are no size restrictions for a television
For additional information download the Braves Pack for Success from our website
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What items are prohibited?
- Electric frying pans
- Open coiled appliances
- Gas and electric grills
- Charcoal grills
- Oil lamps
- Electric or kerosene heaters
- Deep fat cookers & fryers
Cooking with or extracting of hot grease are prohibited in the residence hall rooms
In the Courtyard Apartments, use of cooking appliances is permitted in the kitchen area but must be attended to and monitored when in use
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Are pets allowed in the residence halls and/or apartments?
The University prohibits animals except for freshwater fish, service animals and approved emotional support animals. All ESA’s must be approved by UNCP’s Accessibility Resource Center (ARC)
Additional information regarding animals on campus can be found here
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How do I receive mail or packages?
The Office of Business Services, located in the Auxiliary Services Building, is responsible for UNCP’s Mail Center. Operating hours are from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
Services offered are:
- Regular USPS Mail
- Express Mail
- UPS
- Courier Mail
- Bulk Mail (standard)
- United Parcel Service (UPS)
- Federal Express (For UPS and FEDEX packages, you must have a tracking number)
Package pickup, stamps purchase, and other postal services are provided at the Mail Center
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How do I apply for a meal plan?
Students that residing in the residence halls are required to purchase a meal plan while the meal plan is optional for students residing in Courtyard Apartments.
Students may purchase a meal plan by contacting the Cashier's Office @ 910-521-6855 or student.accounts@uncp.edu
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Can I have a car on campus as a freshman?
Freshmen are allowed cars on-campus; they must be registered and display a current UNC Pembroke parking permit.
For information on how to obtain a permit and the fees for permits, visit the Parking Registration link on the Police and Public Safety website
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What are the steps I would have to take as far as being released from my housing assignment?
An enrolled student may be released from the housing agreement due to:
- Graduation
- Withdrawal from the University during the semester
- Administrative withdrawal by the University
- Not enrolled and not returning to UNCP for spring semester
- Enrolled with fewer than 6 semester hours as an undergraduate student
- Marriage (certification required)
- Parent or guardian with custody of children (documentation required)
- Military Activation (DD-214 required)
- Participation in an educational program that required living outside the Pembroke area
Residents must complete a Petition For Release, submit to the main office and obtain approval to be released from the housing agreement.
- How much does it cost to live on campus?
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Does financial aid cover campus housing fees?
Payment for the housing fee can be covered by financial aid. Each student’s financial situation is different from other students. To confirm which fees are covered by financial aid contact your Financial Aid Counselor
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Who should I contact if I have questions?
Send an email to housing@uncp.edu. A member of the Housing and Residence Life staff will contact you. Though email is preferred, you may also call 910.775.4253 during regular business hours