Housing and Hospitality

Quick Links

The Texas Tech residence hall system includes a variety of living and dining options and provides convenient and affordable housing for approximately 6,000 students. Special interest housing (Honors, Intensive Study, Substance-Free, Freshman Interest Groups, and Learning Communities) provides students with the opportunity to live with others of similar interests. The Carpenter/Wells Complex, which is arranged in three-bedroom townhouses or four-bedroom flats, offers private bedrooms in an apartment setting. Murray Hall offers suite-style accommodations to men and women and Sam’s Place Mini-market. Most suites include four private bedrooms, a common living area, and shared bathrooms. Priority for assignment to Murray Hall and Carpenter/Wells Complex will be given to students of sophomore or above classification. Gordon Hall, a suite-style residence, is designated as the Honors College residence hall.

Ethernet computer connections are provided in each room. Other services include basic cable television service, coin-operated laundry and vending machines, and desk services.
An experienced and trained staff of Residence Life Coordinators and Community Advisors manages each residence hall. Each residence hall office provides assistance to residents with concerns, including maintenance requests, room and roommate assignments, and resource information.

The interests of students living on campus are promoted through the Residence Halls Association and individual hall governments. Each hall government sponsors social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities.

Registered sex offenders and students convicted of any felony are not permitted to live in university-owned housing, which includes the University Residence Halls.

Freshman Residency Policy (Back to Top)

In support of the Strategic Plan of Texas Tech University, the university requires students to live in the university residence halls if there are vacancies. Institutional research suggests that students who live on campus are significantly more inclined to remain in college and achieve higher GPAs in comparison to students living off campus. Compliance with the university housing policy is a condition of enrollment, as set forth in the Student Handbook and the academic catalog and approved by the Board of Regents.

Requests for exemptions from the freshman residency requirement must be submitted to the office of University Student Housing no later than May 1 for fall or summer enrollment and November 1 for spring enrollment. Because of unforeseen changes in a student’s circumstances such as illness or other personal reasons, some petitions are considered after the above dates. Unless it is clearly established that illness or personal reasons were not known prior to the above dates and necessitate a student’s living off campus, students should not expect to be relieved of their residence hall contract. Students are encouraged to discuss such developments with the office of University Student Housing in Doak Hall. Subject to verification and authorization by University Student Housing, students who meet one or more of the following criteria may be given permission to live off campus:

1. A student is residing and continues to reside in the established primary residence of her/his parents (or legal guardian) if it is within a 60-mile radius of Texas Tech University. The parents must have established their primary Lubbock-area residency at least six months prior to the request for an exemption. In order for the exemption request to be considered, legal guardianship must have been established by a court of law at least one year prior to the request.

2. A student presents sufficient evidence of an extreme financial hardship condition based on guidelines similar to those required for financial aid.

3. A student is married or has dependent children living with the student.

4. A student is 21 years of age or over on or before the first day of classes of the initial semester of enrollment.

5. A student has successfully completed 30 or more semester hours of academic credit prior to the student’s enrollment or re-enrollment. Credit earned by exam (Advanced Placement, CLEP, ACT, SAT) and hours received from concurrent high school credit are not considered.

6. A student is awarded a university scholarship/sponsorship that is managed by a university department or college and includes the equivalence of the current academic school year’s room, dining plan, tuition, fees, and textbooks (as estimated by the Student Financial Aid Office). Upon prior approval from the managing department or college, the student may request to be exempted from living on campus. The managing department or college must provide verification in writing to University Student Housing prior to the student’s enrollment and/or re-enrollment to the university.

7. A student is enrolled in the Graduate School or Law School.

8. A student has served in active military service, as verified by a discharge certificate (DD214).

9. A student presents sufficient evidence of an extreme medical condition, as documented by her/his treating physician for which on-campus accommodations cannot be made.

10. A student presents sufficient and satisfactory evidence of extreme or unusual hardship that will be intensified by living in the residence halls.

In conjunction with the university’s support of academic integrity, evidence of deliberate falsification of information, data, or any materials submitted, or providing false or erroneous information in connection with an application for exemption from the freshman residency requirement will be grounds for disciplinary action. Such action may include, but is not limited to, revocation of a previously approved exemption, restitution of up to a semester’s room and dining plan fees, or probation, as determined by Student Judicial Services and in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct of Texas Tech University.

Students sign a Residence Hall Contract for the summer session, the academic year (fall and spring semesters), or 12 months (fall, spring and both summer sessions). Any student wishing to move from the residence halls should consult the Residence Hall Contract for the provisions applicable to cancellation of the contract. Authorization for exemption from the freshman residency requirement does not relieve the student of contractual obligations that may have been assumed with the university for housing in the residence halls.

It is the responsibility of the student to update any incorrect information regarding place of residence with the Office of the Registrar.

Housing Reservations (Back to Top)

Residence halls, like all other services and facilities of Texas Tech, are available to all students regardless of race, creed, national origin, age, sex, or disability. Application for admission to the university and application for residence hall accommodations are separate transactions. To apply for housing at Texas Tech, students must first be admitted to the university. Students are encouraged to apply for housing as soon as they are notified of their admission status and receive and activate their eRaider account information. To complete the housing application, go to the Web site www.housing.ttu.edu and follow the instructions provided.

Students entering in the fall semester will have the opportunity to request specific room assignments. This process begins after current students have completed room assignment selections for the upcoming year. Spaces that are not reserved by current students will be available during the selection stage for new freshmen and transfer students. For information on the dates that applications are accepted, go to www.housing.ttu.edu.

Students entering the residence halls for the spring semester may only request a residence hall instead of a specific room because it will be necessary to assign these residents to spaces that are made available when a limited number of students vacate space at the end of the fall term. Room assignments for spring applicants will be made to available space based upon the date we receive the completed application.

Students should notify University Student Housing if cancellation of the application becomes necessary. Information relating to cancellation is included with the contract.

All unclaimed rooms in the residence halls will be declared vacant at 8 a.m. on the first day of classes. Students who enroll at the university but fail to claim their assigned residence hall room will be subject to the cancellation provisions stated in the section “termination of contract during occupancy” of the applicable residence hall contract.

Dining Plans (Back to Top)

Hospitality Services provides a wide variety of fresh, healthy, and convenient dining options and dining plans. Dining Bucks Plans can be used in any of the traditional dining halls, The Market food court at Stangel/Murdough, the Union Plaza food court, Student Union dining outlets, The Fresh Plate food emporium at Bledsoe/Gordon, or Sam’s Place Mini-markets.

The five levels of Dining Bucks Plans offer students the option of selecting the plan that best fits their individual appetite and needs. For example, the Red and Black or Diamond levels are best for those students who consistently eat three meals per day. These plans also have plenty of flexibility for the student who needs late-night options and will take maximum advantage of the extensive offerings of our mini-markets. The Platinum or Gold levels will appeal to students who eat most meals on campus and who take advantage of the mini-market and late-night offerings. The Silver level is a choice for students who may miss meals for various reasons or who work off campus. The room and dining plan rates listed on this page include the Diamond Dining Bucks Plan.

Dining Bucks allow students the freedom of purchasing complete meals or between-meal snacks. Dining Bucks provide maximum flexibility for both cash operations and all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Students will receive a preset amount of Dining Bucks per semester and their balance will decline as they purchase meals from any of the all-you-care-to-eat dining locations or food items from cash operations such as The Market food court at Stangel/Murdough, any of the Sam’s Place Mini-markets, or any of the food outlets in the Student Union.

Students who live off campus may purchase a Commuter Dining Plan and eat in any Hospitality Services restaurant on campus at discounted rates. This includes any all-you-care-to-eat dining hall, the five Sam’s Place Mini-markets, The Market at Stangel/Murdough, the Union Plaza food court, The Fresh Plate at Bledsoe/Gordon, and the Student Union food outlets. Students can choose from one of three Commuter Dining Plans and receive a discount when they dine. They also can add their Commuter Dining Plan to their tuition statement.

Room and Dining Plan Rates (Back to Top)

Room and dining plan fees are billed on a semester basis and included on the same billing account as tuition and fees. Payments must be made in accordance with the established payment due dates and amounts provided on the billing. If payments are not made by the established due date, a late fee will be assessed. For assistance, contact Student Financial Services at 806.742.3272. For questions about specific charges for room and dining plan, contact University Student Housing at 806.742.2661.

Rates for room and dining plan are based on a per-person charge and are established by the Texas Tech University Board of Regents. Discounted 12-month room and dining plan plan rates are available for Carpenter/Wells and Murray. For a complete list of available rates, contact University Student Housing at 806.742.2661.

The following room and dining plan rates have been proposed for 2008-09 but are pending approval by the Board of Regents as this catalog goes to press. Rates are subject to change.

* Rates are for a double room and the Diamond Dining Bucks Plan (excluding state and local taxes).
** Rates are for a single room and the Diamond Dining Bucks Plan (excluding state and local taxes).

(Back to Top)