Living on Campus
OVERVIEW
Residence Life strives to provide a safe living environment, resourceful staff, and experiential engagement opportunities for the members of the residential community in pursuit of their educational goals. Concerned with all aspects of campus living, Residence Life works to achieve this by providing opportunities for group living, academic achievement, and social maturation in a community focused around respect, safety, and well-being..
While living in an environment that promotes safety, students also benefit from the opportunity to learn about other cultures and lifestyles, form lifelong friendships, and make lasting memories. The concepts of self-respect and respect for others, tolerance of and celebration of valued perspectives from a variety of backgrounds, , ethical behavior and personal growth are fostered via staff interactions, community-based educational and social programs, and the expectation that hall residents hold one another accountable and treat others with the respect they expect to receive. The convenience of living on campus provides students with easy access to numerous campus resources, including faculty and staff support, academic advisors, the library, computer labs, dining halls and other campus eateries, recreational facilities, student organizations, and the opportunity to develop lifelong connections in a closeknit campus community The ultimate goal of Residence Life is to offer a positive, safe residential experience through facilities, programs and services that enhance student success across each of the residence halls and communities. The staff, services, and facilities are designed to meet residents’ needs with a balance of structure and flexibility.
Residential housing is only available at the Demorest Campus.
Residence Life
residencelife@piedmont.edu
706-778-8500 ext. 1305
Student Commons 241, 242, 255, 256
Residence Halls
All residence hall rooms come with Wi-Fi access, a twin/twin XL bed, blinds, self-controlled AC/heat, full-sized refrigerators, and microwaves. Additionally, students have access to free laundry facilities in every residential area of campus.
Ipswich Hall
Built in 2012, Ipswich Hall is named for the New England community known as the “Birthplace of American Independence.” A residence hall for upperclassmen, each suite has four bedrooms with private bathrooms. The common room comes with a couch, sofa, two end tables, a large dining room table, and six dining chairs. The kitchenette area includes a microwave and refrigerator. Ipswich has a study area, laundry room, and a large meeting room with a big screen television and a pool/ping pong combination table. There are three floors with elevator access.
Johnson Hall
Built in 1999, Johnson Hall is named for two Piedmont alumni, former Trustee Loy Johnson and his wife, Imogene. Johnson is a two-bedroom, shared bathroom “apartment-style” layout with a living area and full-sized refrigerator and microwave. There is also a central laundry room for the building. Johnson is located on main campus and houses upperclassmen.
Mayflower Hall
Built in 2004, Mayflower residence hall is named for the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America, an homage to Piedmont’s Congregational heritage. Mayflower is a co-ed “suite-style” residence hall. Each bedroom has a private entrance, one resident occupies each room, and the two rooms share a full bathroom/shower. Each room has its own vanity sink, full-size refrigerator, and microwave. There are multiple common spaces within the building for student use and a central laundry facility in the building. Mayflower is located on main campus and houses upperclassmen. There are three floors with stair and elevator access.
Mystic Hall
Mystic Hall is the newest residence hall on campus. Mystic is a 3-bed communal roommate layout with a shared bath/shower, two vanity sinks, and a closet for each resident. Each floor has a central lounge with a full kitchen as well as study spaces and laundry. Mystic is a co-ed residence hall, but placement is at the discretion of Residence Life with considerations made for roommate requests and accommodation needs. Mystic is located on main campus and serves as the primary housing location for first-year students with great views of the North Georgia mountains and convenient access to most athletic facilities on campus.
New Bedford Hall
Built in 2009, New Bedford Hall is named for New Bedford, Mass., and the area in New England where many of the first Congregationalist supporters of Piedmont University lived. New Bedford is a co-ed “suite-style” residence hall. Each bedroom has a private entrance, one resident occupies each room, and the two rooms share a full bathroom/shower and vanity sink. Each room has a full-size refrigerator and microwave. The building has a study lounge, on-site laundry, and a lobby/game room with a tv and ping pong/pool table, A unique feature of New Bedford is that it features an outdoor deck with a beautiful view of the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains. New Bedford is located on main campus and houses upperclassmen.
Piedmont Village
Built in 2015, Piedmont Village is the only residence hall located off main campus. Piedmont Village features 12, 2-story apartment buildings with each building having 4, 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartments. In addition to the furnished bedroom, each apartment comes with a furnished common area and kitchenette. Each resident also has access to a full community kitchen located on site. Piedmont Village is the only residence hall on campus where alcohol is permitted under the specific parameters outlined in the Piedmont Village Alcohol Policy/Permit section of the Residence Life Housing contract. Piedmont Village is only available to students with a minimum of 45 credit hours at the time of their application submission. Students under 45 credit hours may only be considered for a Village vacancy after all other spaces on main campus have been filled. The credit hour exception applies to students at/over the age of 24 at time of enrollment at Piedmont. Transfer and dual-enrollment credits are included in the 45-credit hour total.
Plymouth Hall
Built in 2010, Plymouth Hall is named for the area of New England where passengers on the Mayflower landed in 1620 and commemorates Piedmont’s long Congregationalist heritage. Plymouth is a co-ed “suite-style” residence hall. Each bedroom has a private entrance, one resident occupies each room, and the two rooms share a full bathroom/shower and vanity sink. Each room has a full-size refrigerator and microwave. The building has a study lounge, on-site laundry, and a lobby/game room with a tv and ping pong/pool table. There are two floors with elevator access. Plymouth features an outdoor deck with a view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and a weathervane in the shape of a shallop—a small sailboat. This residence hall has a study, laundry room, lobby with big screen television and pool/ping pong combination table. Plymouth is on campus and houses upperclassmen.
Purcell Hall
Built in 1969, Purcell Hall is named for Piedmont alumnus Dr. Claude Purcell (’30), former Georgia State School Superintendent, and his wife, Merle. Purcell Hall is a co-ed, suite-style residence hall. Room layouts can be configured for single or double occupancy with each room having its own full-size refrigerator and microwave. Each suite shares a bathroom. The hall has a large common room and a game room as well as laundry access. Purcell is located on main campus and houses primarily upperclassman students. On occasion, Purcell may be used as additional overflow housing for first-year students if Mystic is full. Purcell is also located next to Mize Athletic Center and the athletic competition spaces, making it a popular choice for students with an interest in athletics.
Swanson Hall
Built in 1998, Swanson Hall is named for former Trustee Kay Swanson and her family. Swanson is a co-ed, two-bedroom, shared bathroom “apartment-style” layout with a living area and full-sized refrigerator and microwave. There is also a central laundry room for the building. Swanson is located on main campus and houses upperclassmen.
Wallace Hall
Built in 1959 and named for Carl and Louella Wallace, longtime educators from Claremont, Calif., Wallace Hall is a co-ed, suite style two-story residence hall. Wallace is a co-ed, suite-style residence hall. Room layouts can be configured for single or double occupancy with each room having its own full-size refrigerator and microwave. Each suite shares a bathroom. The hall has a large common room as well as laundry access. Wallace houses upperclassmen students and is located directly across the street from The Student Commons, the central hub for activity on campus.
Residence LIFE STAFF
Director of Residence Life (DRL): A full-time, live-on professional staff member who oversees all aspects of administrative operations, residential experience, and staff.
Assistant Director (AD): A full-time, live-in professional staff member who resides in a Residence Hall on campus and oversees a community of residents and Resident Assistants.
Residential Community Advisor (RCA): An experienced RA who serves in a higher-level supporting capacity to encourage community development amongst the RAs while also serving as a role model for RAs for best practices on completing their responsibilities effectively and building genuine connections with their residents. The RCA is also responsible for supporting a specific area of campus and works directly with the Residence Life professional staff to ensure a positive living experience for residents and RAs.
Resident Assistant (RA): A student staff member who assists in the community they are assigned through community engagement, intentional interaction, and serving as a resource for the department and residential student population. Resident Assistants have lived on campus for a minimum of one academic year. While Resident Assistants are assigned to work in a specific community, their responsibilities and duty of care apply across campus regardless of assignment.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ON CAMPUS HOUSING*
All students must meet the following requirements for campus housing. Additional information can be found in the policies outlined below the requirements.
- Piedmont University requires all Demorest undergraduate students to reside on campus all four years of their campus experience, excluding the exceptions listed below. All undergraduate student-athletes are required to live-on campus without exception.
- Graduate Student housing may be provided on an as-needed basis based on the availability of residential vacancies after undergraduates have been assigned,
- Students must be between the ages of 18 and 24 to reside on campus without additional approval or documentation.
- Students must be 17 years of age by the time of move-in. Any student under the age of 18 requires parental/legal guardian consent to reside on campus.
- Students who are under the age of 17 by the time of move-in must request permission in writing to reside on campus. A formal request must be sent to the Director of Residence Life (residencelife@piedmont.edu) for review and approval by a committee of University employees on a case-by-case basis.
- Students who are over the age of 24 must request permission in writing to reside on campus. A formal request must be sent to the Director of Residence Life (residencelife@piedmont.edu) for review and approval by a committee of University employees on a case-by-case basis.
- This period of residency is for one academic year, with the exceptions of Winter Break and December Graduates. Students that do not intend to complete a full-year in University-owned housing are required to coordinate with Residence Life through the appropriate processes to ensure their assignment and contract is cancelled and their student account is updated appropriately (more information can be found in the Move-Out/Check-Out Process outlined in the Housing Contract).
- All residential students, or students seeking to live in University-owned housing, are required to pay an annual Housing Deposit prior to being able to reserve their assignment.
- All students seeking to live in University-owned housing are required to be enrolled full-time at Piedmont University. Full-time is defined as Undergraduate students maintaining a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and Graduate students maintaining a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester. Students that fall under full-time status will require written permission from the Director of Residence Life or the Vice President of Student Affairs. Failure to request permission before falling below full-time eligibility may result in a student’s housing contract being cancelled, requirement of moving out within 24-hours, and a forfeiture of any deposit or appeal refund.
- All students seeking to live in University-owned housing and are required to have and show proof of health insurance in additional to their immunization records. More information can be found under “STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE (SHIP) PROGRAM AND IMMUNIZATIONS”.
- All students seeking to live in University-owned housing are required to complete a housing application and read and agree to all terms within the Residence Life Housing Contract. All housing contracts are binding for the students’ period of residency at Piedmont University.
- All students who live in University-owned housing are required to purchase a meal plan.
- Early or late check-in/move-in and extended (late) stays will need to be coordinated with Residence Life and any prohibited or unapproved early or extended (late) stay students may receive a fine of no less than $50.00 per violation/day. The University reserves all rights concerning the housing assignment of students and the termination of occupancy. Those rights include the authority to terminate the Housing Agreement of any student who violates the Residence Life policies specified in the most recent edition of the Residence Life Housing Contract and/or in the Student Handbook. Students whose housing is terminated by the University will not receive a Housing refund, unless otherwise approved by University Administration.
- Students with past-due account balances are not permitted to attend class or live in residence halls. Any resident student who hasn’t settled their account by their move-in time will be charged a $250 move-in penalty. The student will be provided with a detailed list of items that are required in order to avoid the penalty fee. The move-in penalty will be billed to the student’s account. The fee will be removed if satisfactory payment is received by Student Accounts by 2:00 pm on the following business day after the scheduled check-in.
Note: Certain Piedmont University scholarships require students to live on campus, and a change in residential status may result in a loss of scholarship. Changes in campus living assignments must be approved by the Director of Residence Life.
*Students seeking to reside at Piedmont Village must have 45 COMPLETED credit hours at the time of application submission for housing selection (courses in progress do not count towards the total). University-accepted transfer and dual-enrollment credits are considered in the total completed hours.
Period of Occupancy
August – December (Fall Semester) and January – May (Spring Semester)
The Residence Life Housing Contract is binding for all students who live on campus. Housing charges will be assessed with tuition prior to the beginning of the semester. The period of occupancy for each semester is dependent on the academic calendar and is liable to change based on published dates from the University. Should a student not appropriately vacate their housing assignment as instructed at the end of each term, or at the end of the academic year, and not be approved to remain on campus by the Director of Residence Life, the University reserves the right to remove the student’s belongings from the unit and change the access for the building and/or unit.
Winter Break
Students who remain in University-owned housing during this time will need to receive prior approval from Residence Life. During this time all University and Residence Life policies are in place, and the University will be operating at a reduced capacity.
May – August (Summer)*
Students who remain in University-owned housing during this time will need to receive prior approval from the Residence Life and pay a weekly rate for housing. During this time all University and department policies are in place, and the University will be operating at a reduced capacity. The rate for summer housing varies and will be published before the Summer Housing Application becomes available each year.
Housing Deposit
All residential students, or students seeking to live in University-owned housing, are required to pay an annual Housing Deposit. This deposit is non-refundable and is instead put towards the cost of attending the University. The cost of this deposit for the 2025-2026 academic year for first time residential students is $250, for returning residential students for $50. If a returning student does not pay their housing deposit within two weeks of housing applications going live and do not share advanced notice will have the deposit cost raised to $250 immediately once the deadline is passed.
Residency Exceptions
Exceptions to the residency requirement are married students, students with dependents, students declared financially independent by the Financial Aid Office, part-time students, or students who receive special permission from the Vice President of Student Affairs. The University is unable to provide housing for married students or families.
All students living at the primary residence of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in Habersham, Banks, Hall, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Jackson, Lumpkin, Franklin, or White counties (except for student-athletes.) Any student discovered to misrepresent their residency may be required to meet with a student conduct hearing officer for providing false information to University officials.
Students who are 24 years of age or older on the first day of registration for the Fall term (except for athletes.)
Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and Immunizations
All students are required to have and show proof of health insurance. Health Insurance can also be provided through the University’s Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP). For questions, contact Stephanie Hudgens at shudgens@piedmont.edu.
All students must provide proof of current vaccinations including Meningitis. Meningitis vaccinations expire after five years. A student may need to be revaccinated during their residential stay at Piedmont University.
A recent Tuberculosis (TB) test is also required prior to living on campus.
All students born on or after January 1, 1957, must submit a completed Proof of immunization form. Meningococcal vaccinations must be current within five years for students living in the residence halls. Revaccination may be required to maintain residential status.
These forms must be completed and signed by a doctor or health department official before moving into your residence hall. Please read and follow the instructions for the forms carefully
Meal Plans
All students who live in University-owned housing are required to purchase a meal plan. Meal plans are also available for purchase to non-residential students as well.
19 Meals per Week with $150 Declining Balance/semester*
250 Block Meals with $100 Declining Balance/semester
170 Block Meals with $235 Declining Balance/semester
7 Meals per Week with $300 Declining Balance/semester**
*19 Meals per Week Plan is required for all first-year students and students under 25 completed credit hours.
**7 Meals per week Plan is only available to residents at Ipswich, Piedmont Village or residential students who are enrolled in clinical or student teaching experiences.
Declining Balance is available for use throughout the semester and can be spent at the Market, located in the Commons. A Declining Balance dollar is equivalent to one US dollar and can be reloaded.
There is no exception from the University’s meal plan policy aside from what is listed above without an explicit accommodation processed through the Office of Accessibility, Resources, and Services. Please contact the OARS Office for additional information on requesting accommodations.
All students are required to use their Piedmont University ID when utilizing their meal plan. Students caught attempting to bypass this process are subject to a code of conduct violation and meeting with a student conduct case manager.
Changes in Meal Plans
Students with a residential meal plan that is not automatically assigned (e.g. first year students required to have 19 meals per week) are able to log into eRezLife and change their meal plan during designated periods. Meal plan changes for Fall are available throughout summer until the registration add/drop deadline of the semester. Meal plan changes for Spring semester are available during winter break until the registration add/drop deadline for the semester. Changes outside of these time periods are only available if approved through an OARS accommodation request.
If a student has questions/concerns about their declining balance or their student ID is not scanning in the Dining Hall please contact Chartwells at Piedmont University’s General Manager Kevin Faulkner (kevin.faulkner@compass-usa.com) or Assistant Director of Dining Services Heth Cottrell (heth.cottrell@compass-usa.com).
Payment of Fees, Charges, and Fines
Students are required to pay fees, charges, and fines within a specified time by the specified due date. Piedmont University students whose student accounts do not have an acceptable payment arrangement in place by the published due date will be charged a $100 late fee. This fee will be billed to the student’s account and must be paid along with any other unpaid fees.
Students whose accounts are delinquent may forfeit their right to attend classes, live in residence halls, take final examinations or otherwise participate in the academic program until satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Student Accounts Office to meet financial obligations. Diplomas, certificates, and transcripts are issued only when the students’ accounts have been paid in full.
Students whose accounts are delinquent as of the payment due dates for each semester may not be permitted to register for the following semester. In addition, transcripts (official and non-official) and transient letters are not issued to students with outstanding financial obligations to Piedmont University.
Satisfactory payment is (1) submitting payment in full or (2) making the first payment on the payment plan. This payment must be paid by 2:00 pm on the following business day after the scheduled check-in. If a residential student is unable to pay their account balance in full by the due date, a 4-month installment payment plan is available. There is a $50 enrollment fee for the payment plan. Payments will be divided into four equal monthly installments
HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS AND SPACE AVAILABILITY
Assignments
Residence Hall space for new students is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. By requesting on-campus housing, submitting a non-refundable deposit, and turning in the housing paperwork (listed above), students may be assured campus housing based on available space.
Returning residents are offered an opportunity to reserve a residence hall space for the next academic year by submitting a deposit during the spring semester and participating in the housing selection process. Housing selection will generally take place within the week after Fall class registration closes during the Spring semester in accordance with the University’s academic calendar.
*Returning students are required to pay a $50 housing deposit to hold their space for housing selection. If the returning student deposit is not paid within two weeks of the application opening, the deposit increases to $250. Students will not be able to select or be assigned to a residence hall without a paid deposit.
Returning residents who do not submit a deposit during the spring registration will be assigned housing based on availability after all new and transfer student requests have been met. Residence Hall and roommate assignments are determined by students' preferences through the eRezLife housing portal. Students who desire to live together will be able to form roommate groups through eRezLife. Whoever is in the roommate group with the earliest allotted selection time will be eligible to select roommates/suitemates during that period.
Every attempt is taken to accommodate residence hall and roommate requests, but this is not guaranteed. Students who are not assigned rooms (due to a lack of available space) will be added to a waiting list and assigned as soon as space is available.
Space Availability
The University guarantees housing for undergraduate applicants who have paid a housing deposit and have signed a housing contract by the posted deadlines. There is no guarantee of single or double occupancy for any residence hall room on campus. Assignments are made based on space available. The University reserves the right to assign students to another space, room, or hall, when it appears to be in the best interest of individuals or groups of students. Specific policies concerning campus housing are described in the Residence Life Housing Contract and the “Residence Life Policies” portion of this handbook..
The University may revoke housing privileges of students when it is determined that a student is not actually residing in their assigned space.
Failure to attend classes or lack satisfactory academic performance, could result in loss of housing privileges.
The University reserves the right to determine that past behavior and/or criminal activity is such that the interests of the University, the resident(s), and/or other resident(s) would best be served by cancellation of the contract.
If the University becomes aware that the resident has a record of criminal conviction or other actions indicating behavior that could pose a risk to person or property and/or could be injurious or disruptive to the residence hall community, the University may not accept or may cancel the Housing Contract.
All residents are encouraged and supported to maintain healthy physical, mental, and emotional health while residing in the residence halls. Any resident whose behavior indicates otherwise may be required to have an examination by a health care provider or consultation with a University official. Furthermore, should it be determined that a health or safety concern exists, the University reserves the right to suspend or revoke the resident’s Housing Contract.
It is the policy of Piedmont University to offer full, equal, and non-discriminatory assistance to all students without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, disability, or gender in both placement in University housing and in the furnishing of facilities and services relating to that housing.
*Piedmont University offers limited Summer Housing for students enrolled in summer courses, employed by the University or students who may be housing insecure. Summer housing locations will change each year, and all residential students who take part in summer housing will be required to relocate to the designated facility. For students to live on campus during the Summer, a Summer Residence Life Housing Contract will need to be completed. Summer Housing is charged based on a weekly rate, and there will not be on-campus dining options available for students