Residence Life and Housing
Residence Life and Housing
The memories you will create at Cumberland will be stories you can share for years to come. They are what make Cumberland unique and give you a truly authentic and special experience. We are so glad you made living on campus part of your college career. You will never forget this learning experience. The department is happy to be of service to you during your time at Cumberland.
To apply for residence, please click here.
To complete our off-campus waiver, please click here.
To pay your Residence Life Fees, please click here.
- Housing staff will be working hard with our maintenance and housekeeping staff to increase cleaning efforts and minimize risk for students. Students will still be responsible for their personal living spaces, including suite style bathrooms and entire units. If a student is in need of cleaning supplies, they need to reach out to Residence Life for us to provide them.
- Visitation policy has been adjusted for the semester to allow no external visitors, no overnight guests, and a limit of 1 registered CU student visiting between the hours of noon and midnight.
- All first year students will be required to complete a roommate contract at the beginning of fall semester. This will allow students to spend time talking through issues that tend to arise in the hopes of eliminating roommate conflicts and changes.
- Lobbies, laundry rooms, and public areas will have a limited occupancy level. Students need to respect the outlined occupancy requirements during the school year. Cumberland will have reduced seating and high contact equipment from lobbies.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout the residence halls. Water fountains without bottle filler stations will be closed for use. Door foot openers will be installed where appropriate throughout the building to support lowering contact touch-points. Housekeeping staff will be using micro-microbial disinfectant throughout the semester on all exterior and interior doors.
For more information about changes CU has made to minimize risk to students, faculty, and staff, please see our webpage on Cumberland University’s Response to Coronavirus (https://www.cumberland.edu/coronavirus/)
The mission of Office of Residence Life is to provide students an on campus community conducive to providing a nurturing environment supporting their basic needs, while assisting with social and personal individualized growth. Members of the residence life staff at Cumberland University will:
- Support a safe and comfortable living environment where all students are recognized and valued
- Test students to discover more about themselves and others through introspection, examining personal values, personal beliefs, and their awareness of issues surrounding them
- Empower students to pursue personal growth while making being active in the community and providing service to the University and local community
- Encourage the exploration of knowledge, the development of skills, and the understanding of sensitivity and respect as integral parts of the interactions between individuals and groups
- Produce life experiences and classroom activities in a dynamic environment
Living on campus provides an experience that is more than just a place to sleep, study and watch TV. It is a place where students come and are challenged and changed. Living on campus provides a place where Cumberland memories begin and where the relationships developed form friendships that last a lifetime.
You can view the residency requirement policy here: http://cumberland.smartcatalogiq.com/Current-Catalog/University-Policy/Residence-Life/Residency-Requirement.
Residential Students should submit all work order requests to the Office of Residence Life via email at reslife@cumberland.edu. The Office of Residence Life will pass on all requests to the Office of Facilities Operations. Emergency maintenance requests should be directed to Residence Life Staff or Campus Security to ensure immediate response. As standard practice, all requests will be acknowledged by the end of the next working day. Work requests will be prioritized based on the following criteria: safety and health, stoppage in work, order of submission, and general need. All requests involving elective improvements or enhancements will require approval of the Vice President of Facilities and Infrastructure.
Cumberland University is pleased to offer students the ability to personalize their photo identification card by submitting a photo prior to arrival on campus. Your Cumberland University Photo Identification Card is used to authorize your use of a host of campus resources and confirm your role as a current student. Your photo submission:
- Must be current - taken within the past year
- Must be a color, JPEG Format photo (5MB or smaller digital photo)
- Must be taken straight-on with a front view of your full face centered in the frame from just above the top of your head to your collarbone
- Must have a solid background
- May not contain sunglasses, hats, bandannas, visors, headbands or face paint
- May not contain scarves or veils (Allowances will be made for practitioners of religious faiths that prohibit the removal of the head covering)
- May not contain advertising, hand gestures or messages
To submit your photo, send an e-mail containing the following information:
- To: idcard@cumberland.edu
- Subject: ID Card Photo Submission for (Insert Full Name Here)
- Body: Please include your full name (first middle last), your date of birth, and a telephone number
Find out more about your Student ID.
Residence Halls
Named after alumni and former US Supreme Court Justices, Jackson & Lurton Halls (formerly Commons Village I & II respectively) are for students who are at sophomore status or above. This complex has four quads that each house four suites. Each suite features accommodations for six suite-mates with a private bedroom shared between two residents. The suite has a common area downstairs to be used as a living room or gathering place for residents.
Howell E. Jackson Hall (Single Occupancy w/ meal plan) per semester - $5500
Horace H. Lurton Hall (Single occupancy w/meal plan) per semester - $5500
Edward Potter Hall is the primary housing facility for all first-year male Cumberland students. Edward Potter is a traditional-style residence hall with one bathroom on each hallway. There is one main entrance that opens up to a common lobby for the entire building. The lobby is equipped with comfortable seating, a television and a table and chairs.
Edward Potter – Residence Hall (Double Occupancy w/meal plan) per semester - $4500
Justin Potter Hall is the primary housing facility for all first-year female Cumberland students. Justin Potter is a traditional-style residence hall with one community bathroom on each hallway. There is one main entrance that opens up to a common lobby for the entire building. The lobby is equipped with comfortable seating. a television, and a table and chairs.
Justin Potter—Residence Hall (Double Occupancy w/meal plan) per semester - $4,500
Opened in 2012, South Hall is a four-story, 152-bed residence hall. South Hall is for students who are at sophomore status or above. A co-educational facility divided by floors, this building features keyless proximity entrance to the main building and assigned floors, a large common room with television and comfortable seating on each floor, dedicated study rooms, vending areas, and video monitored laundry facilities. South Hall features four-person suites with double bedrooms and a shared bathroom facility.
South Hall – Residence Hall (Double Occupancy w/meal plan) – per semester- $5000
You can be part of shaping a new experience for all nursing students at Cumberland University by joining our first living and learning community. This unique campus experience is for all declared nursing majors starting with first-time freshmen. The NLLC will be located in South Hall, on the 4th floor.
Nursing Living and Learning Community (Double Occupancy w/ meal plan) per semester - $5,000
Space is limited. To join the NLLC you must complete the Residence Application, and select ‘Nursing’ as your chosen major.
Residence Life Coordinator living in each hall
Laundry facilities | Vending machines
RAs on each floor or quad
Locked front doors, only accessible to building residents
Bunkable/loftable beds with extra-long mattresses
Desk and chair
Dresser & closet
Connection to campus wireless network
Smoke detector, mini-blinds & cable TV connection
Non-smoking policy
Air-conditioning and heating
Limited number of single-occupancy rooms
Resident Assistant on duty each evening
Cumberland University offers accommodations on campus for single undergraduate and graduate students of any age; but family housing options are restricted to graduate-level or full-time residence life staff serving as residence life coordinator. Our residence halls range in style from historic to modern and range in size from small to large. Also, several halls have academic or featured communities for those looking to broaden their horizons.
Private Room additional charge-per semester - $1,000
Residence Hall Application Free - $50
Residence Hall Security Deposit – required before move-in - $200
Failure to attend mandatory Residence Hall meeting - $25
If you lose your key or your ID card, please report it as soon as possible, so we can fix the problem (and, for lost keys, change your locks if needed).
If the key to your residence hall room or unit is lost or stolen:
- Contact the Office of Residence Life and Campus Security to see if someone has turned in your key.
- If you cannot find the key, go to the Business Office to pay for a key replacement at $65. Once you have paid, go to Residence Life to pick up your new room key.
If your ID card is lost or needs replaced:
- ID cards that are damaged or no longer work can be brought to Residence Life for replacement.
- If your ID card is lost and needs to be replaced, go to the Business Office to pay for an ID replacement at $25. Once you have paid, go to Residence Life to pick up your new ID.
Cost Comparison
FAQs
- Area Carpets or Rugs
- House slippers and shower shoes
- Small Fan
- Mattress Pad / Egg Crate / Memory Foam Mattress Cover (twin, extra-long size)
- Lamp or another extra lighting
- Power Strips / Extension Cords (3-pronged)
- Bath Robe, Towels, Hand Towels, Wash Cloths
- Shower Caddy, Fully Stocked
- Coaxial Cable for TV / Ethernet Cables
- Alarm Clock
- Coffee Maker
- Can Opener, Bowls, Plates, Silverware, Dishwashing Soap, Sponges
- 3M Removable Hooks, Tabs, Adhesives
- Dry Erase Markers and Cleaner
- 3-Hole Punch, Stapler, Tape Dispenser, etc.
- Laundry Basket / Liquid Laundry Detergent / Fabric Softener
- Planner / Address Book
- Basic Cleaning Supplies: Disinfectant Wipes, Glass Cleaner, Broom, Dustpan
- Iron and Ironing Board
Due to the circumstances related to COVID-19, we recommend bringing these additional items:
- Cleaning Supplies (Clorox wipes, bleach, sanitizing spray, etc.)
- Thermometer (We recommend every student bring their own thermometer to keep in their room.)
- Masks, Face Covering (Students will be provided with a face covering if they don't have one.)
Each residence hall room is furnished with a twin, extra-long size bed & mattress, desk, desk chair, mini-blinds, closet and dresser drawers for each student.
Edward Potter, and Justin Potter Residence Halls:
Room Size: 16”L x 9’11”W (not including closet space)
Window Size: 49”W x49”L
Bed Size: Twin, extra-long
Mattress Size: 36”W x 80”L (twin, extra-long)
All other residence halls vary in size and shape.
Washers and dryers are located in each of the residence halls. Laundry machine use is included in the cost of each room. We highly recommend that you bring liquid laundry detergent for your clothes and bedding. There have been a number of incidents with students using improper amounts of powdered detergent. This causes machines to break down not be available for other residents to use. Only residential students may use the laundry machines located in the residence halls.
Bedspreads, comforters, and large bulky clothing should not be washed in the machines on campus. Please take them to the dry cleaners, an industrial laundry facility, or home to be cleaned. Washing these items will cause the belts to break in the machines.
- Alarm Clock
- Coffee Pot
- Laptop or PC Computer
- Desk Lamp
- Personal Fan
- Iron
- Microwave (Under 1,000 watts)
- Stereo
- Refrigerator (Under 4 cubic feet)
- Television
- DVD Player
- Gaming Systems
- 3-pronged surge strip (No extension cords)
Cumberland University is a wireless campus, so a wireless network card will be needed. Information on the network and policies will be available when you arrive in the fall.
- Air Conditioners
- Candles
- Incense
- Dart Board
- Electric Blankets
- Electric Frying Pans
- Electric Grills
- Electric Heaters
- Firearms/Weapons/Ammunition
- Halogen Lamps
- Hot Plates
- Pets (except fish)
- Power Tools
- Sun Lamp
- Water Beds
Residence Life Staff and Assistants
The Director of Residence Life is a full-time professional staff member and official of the University who is responsible for the department overall.
The RLCs are part-time professional staff members who oversee one residence hall. This staff member lives in the building and supervises the RA staff of the building in which he/she resides. Additionally, they provide leadership and supervision to an area of residence life and its programming aspects. RLCs are either Master Level Professionals or Graduate Students.
The SRAs are senior student-staff member who are assigned building to help the RLC with the overall maintenance of the building. They help support the RAs with their requirements and any residential issues that arise.
The RAs are student-staff member who are assigned to a floor or quad of rooms. They plan activities, help with issues that arise, interpret University policy as it pertains to the floor community and assist the professional staff with the administration of the residence halls' activities.
Each floor or wing is staffed with one Resident Assistant (RA). RAs are upper-class students who plan activities and programs for the floor, serve as a resource for the residents on the floor, and assist residents with getting involved in campus life. Each RA is trained in helping skills, crisis intervention, conflict mediation, and other areas to help residents cope with the any issues they might experience.
For a more full detailed description, please contact reslife@cumberland.edu
Resident Assistant Compensation
- Private room with a scholarship to cover half the cost of room and board
- Development of marketable, resume-building skills
- Valuable job skills
- Rewarding experiences that will last a lifetime!
Resident Assistant Applications
- New Resident Assistant Application
- Returning Resident Assistant Application
- Returning Resident Assistant Portfolio Information
For further information, contact Director of Residence Life & Greek Affairs, at (615) 547-1285 or reslife@cumberland.edu.
Throughout the year, each Residence Hall hosts a myriad of educational and social programs and activities in which on-campus students can participate. These programs range from simple social gatherings to workdays building a Habitat for Humanity house. Students typically find themselves just as busy outside of class as they are in the classroom and with their scholarly endeavors. By taking part in student organizations, intramurals, community worship, fine art productions, community service and more, students always have something happening in their lives.
Move-In Information
The fall semester housing contract for residence halls begins at 8:00 a.m. on, Friday, August 20th, 2021, with classes beginning on Monday, August 23rd, 2021.
In late July, Residence Life will email out move-in day instructions with your specific move-in date, time, and unloading instructions.
Move-In Day for Fall Athletes: August 2nd, 2021 All sports.
Location: Memorial Lawn
8 a.m.-9 a.m.: Men’s/Women’s Soccer & E-Sports
9 a.m.-10 a.m.: Women’s Volleyball & Men’s/Women’s Bowling
10 a.m.-11 p.m.: Football
11 p.m.- 12 p.m.: Men’s/Women’s Cross Country & Cheer/Dance
For a student to move into the residence hall, they must:
(1) Complete and sign the Housing Contract (2 semester agreement) and Emergency Contact Information.
(2) Be Official with the University.
(3) Have submitted their Immunization Records to the Admission's Office
The fall semester housing contract for residence halls begins at 8:00 a.m. on, Friday, August 20th, 2021, with classes beginning on Monday, August 23rd, 2021.
In late July, Residence Life will email out move-in day instructions with your specific move-in date, time, and unloading instructions.
Move-In Day for All Freshmen and Transfer Students: August 20th, 2021, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Assigned Residence Hall
For a student to move into the residence hall, they must:
(1) Complete and sign the Housing Contract (2 semester agreement) and Emergency Contact Information.
(2) Be Official with the University.
(3) Have submitted their Immunization Records to the Admission's Office
Students are to check-in at their assigned residence hall. The residence halls are open for move-in starting at 8:00 a.m. New Student Orientation starts at 1 p.m. All new students are required to attend Orientation. Anyone arriving after 1 p.m. should contact the Office of Residence Life to arrange check-in.
Spring Move In will always take place the Sunday before classes begin. Information regarding dates and times will be emailed out with the closing information for Fall semester and again over winter break. Students must be official to move into the Residence Halls. If a student is unofficial, they will not be able to receive a key and will have to wait until offices reopen on Monday to get official and move in.
Students required to return early due to athletics should communicate with their coach and the Office of Residence Life to confirm check in information.
Students returning to campus early for University-sponsored programs (football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, marching band, etc.) may check into their residence halls as arranged for and communicated to them by their sponsoring department.
Students who need to arrive prior to the opening date should complete our Early Move-In Request Form: https://forms.gle/debxxavvReQB6Qri6.
The fee for early move-ins is $25 per day. Move-ins will not be granted over the weekends except in emergency situations.
The fall semester housing contract for residence halls begins at 8:00am on Sunday, August 22nd, 2021, with classes beginning on Monday, August 23, 2021. That is the earliest a returning student may move into the residence halls. During the summer, Residence Life will communicate the specific day returning students will move into their on-campus. In late July, Residence Life will email out move-in day instructions with your specific move-in date, time, and unloading instructions.
All incoming students will be assigned a specific check-in time on their move-in day based on their room assignment.
For a student to move into the residence hall, they must:
(1) Completed and signed the Housing Contract (2 semester contract) and Emergency Contact Information
(2) Be Official with the University
(3) Have submitted their Immunization Records to the Admission's Office
Students are to check-in at their assigned residence hall. The residence halls are open from 8:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. If a student expects to arrive late in the evening or at night, they should be considerate of their roommate and others while moving in. Anyone arriving after 3 p.m. should contact the Residence Life Office to arrange check in.
Most students, including those who have not known each other previously, become good roommates provided they take the time to get to know one another, make a sincere effort to cooperate and communicate, and make it a point to do things together at least occasionally. If you have roommate concerns, work with your residence assistant to explore your options.
For the past several years the number of students we have assigned to our residence halls has been near capacity. This means that the Housing and Residence Life Office does not have the flexibility to make adjustments to room or roommate assignments. If you have a question or concern about your assignment, please contact us by email (reslife@cumberland.edu) and we will forward your question to the appropriate staff member for a response.
Room assignments and roommate information will be available to incoming students only after the residence life application and payment of fees have been completed. Traditionally, residents applying for Fall Semester should expect room assignments to be emailed to your student email in the first week of July. Spring Semester incoming students should expect room assignments to be emailed to your student email in the middle of December.
If the situation arises where we are over occupancy, we reserve the right to triple rooms to accommodate our needs. Rooms are tripled based on when residence life fees are paid. If a room is placed with triple occupancy, students will receive a discount after the first two weeks of school, prorated for the amount of time the room is at triple occupancy.
The only guaranteed private rooms are in Horace Lurton and Howell Jackson Halls, reserved for upperclassmen students. These spots are limited and may not be available at the time of application and/or assignment. The Office of Residence Life cannot determine until the 15th day of classes each semester if individuals will be able to buy double rooms as privates in other halls. Because of this, students should not make plans to live in a private room. If there is availability in private rooms or if double rooms become available as privates, assignments to those rooms will be based upon the date a student applied for Residence Life, all fees were paid, and provided the student made the request for a private room. There is no guarantee, either written or implied, about private room availability. There is an additional $1,000 per semester cost for a double room to be private if availability exists.
Cumberland University is committed to achieving equal educational opportunities and full participation for persons with disabilities. Students who need accommodations on campus, including in the classroom and/or residence halls, are encouraged to contact the Office of Disabilities Services to learn about the different reasonable accommodations available and the process for obtaining such accommodations. You can get more information at the Office of Disability Services' website: http://www.cumberland.edu/student-life/disability-services/
If you require special accommodations in the residence halls due to a disability, please continue the registration process with the Office of Disability Services for full consideration by the following priority deadlines: Fall Semester Deadline: July 15th | Spring Semester Deadline: November 15th
For several hours on Friday, volunteers from each residence hall will be available to assist with move-in, to include helping with unloading vehicles. Welcome Crew is only available for the Fall semester move-in.
The beds in the residence halls are 36" x 80" (XL Twin) and are "bunkable".
Student "personal beds" (other than the university provided bed) are not allowed in any of the dorms.
As students pack their belongings for the upcoming year, it is suggested that they pack what they need as well as some of the items they’d like to have with them, knowing that items can either be shipped or picked up on subsequent visits home. Once roommates find places for everything, they can determine what if anything can and should be added to their “home away from home.” Suggestions on what to bring as well as a list of what is prohibited can be found by visiting the Frequently Asked Questions page. It is very important that roommates discuss what they plan to bring before they pack for the trip to campus and that they remember that what goes in has to come out at the end of the year.
Students are expected to use a high quality power strip with a 16-gauge cord (minimum), a three-prong plug, a built-in circuit breaker, and a built-in surge protector for their electrical equipment and appliances. We also strongly encourage you to save electricity by using the switch on your power strip to control the power to your electrical device(s).
If something comes up and your plans change so you will not be attending CU or living on-campus this fall, please let us know in writing (email - reslife@cumberland.edu) at your earliest convenience. By letting us know early, you may make it possible for us to more effectively respond to another student's residence hall preference.
Move-out Information
Residence Halls Closing
All Cumberland University Residence Halls will close at 12 pm on the Friday of finals week. Students will begin to receive emails about closing in November.
The Office of Residence Life will follow the policy outlined in the Cumberland University Catalog, regarding any exceptions. Break Agreements will be limited to those outlined in the policy as well. Travel arrangements should be made well in advance to avoid any conflicts. Anyone found in violation will be asked to leave and/or be escorted off campus. All residents are required to turn in all of their residence hall keys. Failure to do so will result in a $50 fine. An envelope will be provided to you just prior to the start of finals.
- Students who wish to apply to remain on campus during break, cancel your housing for spring, or submit a room change request can find the links in the Phoenix News.
While you are not required to remove all your items from your room, be sure to take any personal items with you that you will need over the break period.
You may not enter the Halls for any reason after you have checked out. Residence Life Staff will perform Health & Safety Inspections over the break, beginning Thursday evening, or once everyone has vacated their room or suite.
All Cumberland University Residence Halls will close at 12 PM on the Friday of finals week for non-graduating students. Halls will close at 5 PM on the Saturday of graduation for all non-summer students. Anyone found in violation will be asked to leave and/or escorted off campus. Students will receive emails regarding specific dates in April.
When a student moves out, they must remove all items from their residence hall space and clean their space. Residents will be fined for any areas with items left behind or rooms left unclean. There is no storage on campus during the summer months.
All residents must turn in their keys in the assigned envelopes and locations. Mailroom keys should be returned directly to the mailroom.
Students wishing to remain on campus for the summer must fill out the summer Housing Application. The cost to live on campus is $425 a month and all students will be required to relocate to one residence hall.
New students & students returning to the Residence Halls for the Spring 2020 semester may pick up their key on Sunday, January 5, 2020, between 10 am-6 pm in Labry Hall 122 provided they are “official”. If “unofficial”, students will not receive a key and will have to wait until offices re-open Monday, January 6 to get “official” and move in.