How are the semi-suites different?
Semi-suites are essentially two double rooms with a bathroom in the middle that connects the two double spaces. Each semi-suite houses 4 students. Since the bathroom doors do not lock from the inside or outside (per fire safety code restrictions), the four residents of the space have access to both doubles and the bathroom. Because suites do not have kitchens, cooking is prohibited in these units and all residents are required to participate on an approved dining plan.
View rendings of a typical semi-suite room.
Facilities Overview
All areas of the semi-suite have tile floors. Each floor in Oakland provides trash and recycling for larger amounts of glass/plastic/metal as well as mixed paper. You must carry your personal trash and recycling to these locations. Resident Assistants will work with semi-suite residents and will lead a discussion to create a cleaning schedule for residents to maintain the unit, especially the bathrooms. One or two times a year, Resident Life and Residential Facilities staff may inspect your bathroom for cleanliness and given some of the features of Oakland, there will be periodic entry into your room for maintenance and upkeep. You will be notified in advance of these activities.
Please note: Residents of semi-suites may not bring or use cooking appliances other than microwave, coffee maker and popcorn popper with an enclosed heating element.
In All Bathrooms
We will provide shower curtains from your service desk. You'll need to bring non-abrasive commercial cleaning products, bowl brushes, paper towels and bathroom sponges for use on showers, medicine cabinets, mirrors, toilet bowls, and other fixtures. Please do not use acid bowl cleaners, steel wool or other products that would damage the surfaces on our fixtures and walls. Please do not use commercial drain openers; if your drain becomes clogged, we prefer that you call (x4-9675), for the assistance of a professional maintenance staff member.
Electrical Appliances
Sharing a semi-suite means learning to safely use electricity without overloading circuits. Typically, the circuits in each room are rated at 20 amperes. If you overload a circuit by having too many appliances in use at the same time, you may experience loss of power. If you are using your computer at the time of power loss, you could lose the work you have done.
Microwaves, hair dryers and small coffee makers should not be used on any circuit which habitually trips your unit's circuit breakers. Should this happen, you should redistribute your appliances and equipment or avoid using so many items at the same time. It is best to have just one of these three items in use at any given time.
You should not bring extension cords. Multiple outlet strips with built-in circuit breakers are recommended. These usually have four to six additional outlets in one metal or plastic unit with a heavy-duty cord. If you ever have a power loss in your room or unit, immediately call x4-WORK.
What To Bring
- Trash bags
- Multiple outlet power strip with built-in circuit breaker
- Non-abrasive commercial cleaning products for bathroom
- Flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries
- Toilet bowl brush
- Wastebasket and recycling container
- Paper towels, sponges for bathroom cleaning
Laundry Services
Commercial washers and dryers for residents' use are available on every floor in Oakland Hall. Current price is $1.50 to wash and $1.25 to dry clothes.