Our Philosophy
University Housing plays an important role in students’ learning, whether supporting the formal academic process or informal “life lessons.” In response and anticipation of the learning that will occur, University Housing has as a significant goal within our departmental mission to “Implement initiatives that focus on the transitional needs of first-year and other students new to Boise State”.

As of spring 2012, University Housing will maintain about 1,900 on-campus beds with just fewer than 1,200 held for first-year students. Given the popularity of Boise State’s on-campus residence halls, more students will apply to live on campus than can be accommodated. University Housing will maintain a wait list of those who cannot initially be assigned in the event that space does come open. Students can opt to not be on the wait list but will lose their place and priority if they do so.

First year students (traditional)
In order to achieve our goal, traditional first-year students are given assignment priority in traditional residence halls including Chaffee, Driscoll, Keiser, Morrison, Taylor and the Barnes Towers.

Current residential students
First-year students are followed in priority by those returning to campus living for a second (or more) consecutive academic year(s); although University Housing does not guarantee that all interested, current residential students can be accommodated as our spaces are limited in number. University Housing presently reserves University Suites and the Lincoln Townhomes for returning residential students. Current residential students may also be eligible to move into our apartment communities, should they have the interest. Current residential students have a priority deadline to reapply in early spring, after which transfer students and returning residential students receive priority over those that apply after the deadline.

Transfer & New Non-Traditional students
Transfer and new non-traditional students are also welcome to apply for available space in on-campus housing. These students may be eligible to live in University Suites and the Lincoln Townhomes should space remain at the time of their assignment and if they meet eligibility requirements for the area desired. Since first priority is given to first-year students and current residential students, University Housing cannot guarantee that space will be available for transfer and new non-traditional students. However, every effort will be made to help students find a space in our Lincoln Townhomes, University owned apartments or alternative options through the off-campus housing data maintained by University Housing. Current residential students have a priority deadline to reapply in early spring, after which transfer and new non-traditional students receive priority over those returners that apply after their priority deadline.

Returning residential students
University Housing is excited to welcome back those students who have lived in our residence halls successfully in prior semesters/years. Whether they have left to travel abroad, complete an internship, take a year off, transfer to another school, etc. we are happy to have them join our community once again. Students fall into this category if they have been out of University Housing for a semester or more and will be eligible to live in the same communities as current residential students if spaces remain after we have placed our current residential students and new transfer students if they meet the eligibility requirements for the desired residential area.

Current commuter students
Students who choose to live off-campus and commute for their first year and beyond, may find it advantageous to move into on-campus housing. These students are considered new, non-traditional students and are eligible for the same spaces as our current residential students. Should spaces remain after assigning our current residential students, new transfer students and returning residential students, we will be more than happy to assign current commuters to available vacancies at that time.

Graduate students
University Housing does not currently have a designated graduate student residential community. Graduate students are welcome to apply for available space, particularly in our apartment communities since priority for other on-campus residential facilities is given to undergraduate students. Beginning August 1, 2012, University Housing will be transforming a portion of our University Manor Apartment Complex into a Graduate Community. Students interested in this opportunity should contact us for more information.

Campus Housing expansion
Over the next several years, Boise State University hopes to continue expanding its on-campus living options for students. So if we don’t have an option/availability for you now, please continue to check back with us!