Temple University Housing: Your Comprehensive Guide to On- and Off-Campus Living

Choosing where to live is a significant part of the college experience. Temple University offers a diverse range of housing options, both on and off-campus, designed to cater to the varied needs and preferences of its student body. Whether you're a first-year student eager to immerse yourself in campus life, a transfer student seeking a convenient location, or a graduate student desiring a more independent living arrangement, Temple has something for you. University Housing and Residential Life (UHRL) is committed to providing support and resources for students navigating their residential experience, both on and off campus.

On-Campus Housing: Immerse Yourself in the Heart of Temple

Living on campus places you at the center of it all. You'll be close to classes, libraries, dining halls, and student activities. More than 7,500 students reside on or near Main Campus, creating a vibrant and engaging community. The UHRL fosters a close-knit community within a lively urban environment.

Residential Curriculum

As a resident, you'll participate in programs and events facilitated by resident assistants (RAs), community councils, peer mentors, resident coordinators, and resident directors. The Residential Curriculum focuses on:

Self-exploration: Discovering your interests and potential.
Relationship development: Building meaningful connections with peers and staff.
Social and cultural awareness: Expanding your understanding of diverse perspectives.
Community building: Contributing to a positive and supportive living environment.

Guaranteed Housing for First-Year Students

On-campus housing is guaranteed for first-year students who commit to Temple by May 1 by paying both the tuition and housing deposits. Transfer student housing options are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Specialty Housing Options

Temple goes the extra mile to accommodate students' diverse needs and preferences. They strive to accommodate our students’ residential experience in a way that best serves their educational and cultural experiences.

Accessible Housing

In collaboration with the Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS), Temple provides a range of accessible housing options for eligible students. These accommodations can include:

Single and double wheelchair-accessible rooms
ADA-compliant accessible bathrooms with grab bars
Roll-in showers with chair and/or bench
Keyless entry door systems in designated rooms
Rooms with kitchen facilities
Rooms equipped with strobe light for hearing-impaired
Single rooms to accommodate personal care attendant services
Emergency call buttons in designated areas
Use of approved durable medical equipment

The following residence halls contain spaces designated as accommodations:

1300 Residence Hall
1940 Residence Hall
Morgan Hall
Temple Towers

To be eligible for housing-related ADA accommodations, students must submit supporting medical documentation to the Office of Disability Resources and Services for their review and approval.

Gender-Inclusive Housing

Gender-inclusive housing is an opt-in accommodation that allows students to live in the same bedroom and share bathrooms with another student, regardless of biological sex, gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation. This option fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.

Living Learning Communities (LLCs)

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are residential communities centered around a common interest. These communities offer increased access to academic resources, social benefits, and opportunities for personal growth. Each LLC has a dedicated professional staff member and student staff members who develop an intentional co-curriculum based on the community's theme.

Read also: Is Temple a Good Fit?

Benefits of Joining an LLC:

Academic Benefits: Students in LLCs often achieve higher grades due to specialized group living and easy access to academic resources.
Social Benefits: LLCs ease the transition to college life by providing a welcoming community and resources to help students connect with others.
Get Acclimated: Early Arrival programs help students explore Philadelphia and connect with campus resources before classes start. Peer mentors and resident assistants support the transition to college life.
Get Connected: Live and grow with peers who share a common interest. Network with upperclass students, staff, and faculty.
Get Involved: Participate in LLC-exclusive programs focused on academic success, volunteer in the local community, and take advantage of increased access to academic units, departments, programs, and student organizations.

Types of Living Learning Communities:

Architecture, Sustainability and Environmental Design
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Fox School of Business
College of Engineering
Entrepreneurs and Innovators
Global
Honors Program
Klein College of Media and Communication
Performing and Cinematic Arts
Science and Technology
School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management
Thrive: Wellness

To apply for an LLC, submit your housing deposit and follow the steps under MyHousing in TUportal. Space is limited, so apply as soon as possible.

Important Dates for Undergraduate Housing

Housing Application Opens: January 16
Room Selection Opens for Returning Students: February 23 (timeslots distributed the week of February 16)
Admissions & Priority Housing Deadline for New/Transfer Students: May 1
Deadline for Specialty Housing Applications (DRS, GIH, LLC): May 6
Room Selection Opens for New/Transfer Students: May 18 (timeslots distributed the week of May 11)

Important Dates for Graduate Housing (Podiatry Campus)

Housing Application Opens: January 16
Room Renewal Begins for Returning Residents: March 9
Room Selection Begins for New Residents: March 30

How to Apply for Housing

Activate your Accessnet credentials at accounts.temple.edu.
Access TUPortal at tuportal.temple.edu.
Find MyHousing under the TUApplications menu.
Select Academic Year Housing to complete the application.
Options for specialty housing requests, roommate matching, room selection, and cancellation will appear at the end of the application on the Quick Links page.

Residence Halls

Johnson & Hardwick Halls
James S. White Hall
Morgan Hall
Temple Towers
1300 Residence Hall
1940 Residence Hall

Essential Amenities and Services

Laundry Facilities: Laundry facilities are available in every residence hall, typically on every other floor. The cost is $1.75 per load for washers and dryers.
Microwaves: Personal microwaves are not permitted. However, microwaves are available on every floor of traditional and suite-style buildings. Students can also rent a refrigerator and microwave combination (MicroFridge) through Campus Specialties, Temple’s preferred vendor.
Resident Assistants (RAs): RAs are available in all affiliated housing locations to provide support, programming, and community building.
University Housing and Residential Life: UHRL provides a variety of housing choices and support for students living both on and off campus. Contact this office for early arrival processes, room changes, move-in dates, joining the residence hall association, and housing extensions.

Off-Campus Housing: Explore Philadelphia's Neighborhoods

Many students choose to live off campus in apartments near Temple. Off-Campus Services can help you navigate local real estate.

Important Note: Housing contracts are legally binding agreements, so you will be responsible for the entire duration of the lease, even if you are studying at Temple for only one semester.

Dining Options and Meal Plans

Temple offers a variety of meal plans to suit different needs and schedules. Meal plans can be used at dining halls or for a la carte dining at various spots on campus, including the Howard Gittis Student Center. Meal plans are accessed via OWLcard, the Temple University identification card.

Meal Plan Options

Temple offers a range of meal plans, from unlimited meal swipes to five meals a week. Prices range from approximately $530 to $1,800 per semester. Options include:

Read also: Affording Temple

Unlimited Meal Plan: Ideal for students who eat three full meals a day.
Weekly 12 or Weekly 15 Plan: Suitable for students who typically eat two meals a day.
Block 50 and Block 100 Meal Plans: Bundles of meals to use over the course of the semester, perfect for students with less predictable eating habits.

Meal Plan Requirement

First-year students living in on-campus housing, or transfer students residing on campus, are required to purchase a minimum meal plan of 10 meals per week.

Campus Food Trucks

A unique feature of Temple's campus is the abundance of food trucks serving diverse cuisines, from Korean barbecue to falafel and classic Philly cheesesteaks.

Grocery Shopping and Cooking Options

If you prefer to cook, you'll find many grocery stores near campus, including international markets. Students in apartment-style housing can prepare their own meals, and community kitchens are available in some residence halls.

Important Considerations for All Students

Roommate Success Plans

To promote respectful living environments, roommates will be asked to complete Roommate Success Plans upon move-in, outlining expectations for social distancing and other shared living guidelines.

COVID-19 Protocols

Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to isolate themselves. Depending on their living situation, that may mean going home, staying in their current room, or being temporarily moved to isolation housing space.

Move-In Information

Students will receive notification with details regarding how to select their specific move-in time. New students will move in starting Tuesday, August 18 - Friday, August 21. Students will receive their move-in appointments by floors and wings. Roommates may select the same 20-minute window for arrival.

Why Choose On-Campus Living?

Academic Success: Students who live on campus are more likely to have higher GPAs and complete their degree.
Community and Support: Resident Assistants provide programming to foster friendships and offer peer support.
Convenient Location: Enjoy easy access to Philadelphia via Broad Street Line stops on campus and regional rail just one block away.
Dining Options: Dining is available right in the residence halls, with options like Tony Luke's, Chick-fil-A, and Pleasant News Cafe in Morgan Hall.

Housing and Dining for Study Abroad Students

Temple offers housing and dining options for study abroad students to fit their lifestyle, preferences, and budget.

On-Campus Housing for Study Abroad Students

Undergraduate study abroad and exchange students will stay in Temple Towers in the Global Living Learning Communities (Global LLC). DBMD and Graduate study abroad and exchange students will stay in Graduate Housing, in the Chinatown neighborhood of Center City, easily accessible to Main Campus by public transportation.

Dining Options for Study Abroad Students

All Global Programs students are not required to buy a meal plan. However, meal plans offer flexibility and can be accessed through the My Housing link on your TUPortal.

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