FAQs for USM Summer Housing

FOR YOUR BED – note our different mattress sizes!

Upper-class Hall beds have regular twin-size mattresses. Portland Commons beds have XL Long Twin Size in the 4 Person Double Apartments and FULL-Size Mattresses in all other apartments.

Sheets and pillowcase
Mattress pad
Pillow
Blanket
Bedspread or comforter

ELECTRICAL ITEMS ALLOWED

All Upper-Class rooms come with a Microfridge unit, designed to save energy and are very convenient (combined refrigerator, freezer, and microwave). Please do not bring a refrigerator, microwave, or freezer.

Standard Electronics you are welcome to bring include:

Computer/laptop
Printer and accessories
Power strip with surge protector – extension cords are NOT allowed
Study lamp with compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs
Low-power stereo (less than 800 watts)
Streaming compatible TV
DVD, Blu-ray player
Gaming systems
Fan
Iron w/automatic shutoff
Hair dryer, curling iron, etc.
Keurig machine or comparable machine using a similar brewing mechanism
Automatic shut-off tea kettle

PERSONAL ITEMS

Headphones with a microphone (in case you and your roommate are attending separate virtual events, meetings, etc.)
Towels
Toiletries
Umbrella
Jacket, raincoat
First aid kit, thermometer, personal medications

ROOM DECORATIONS

Area rug
Posters affixed w/poster putty or blue painter’s tape (no other tapes, tacks, or nails. Command strips may be used as long as they are used correctly! If they are just pulled off the wall, the paint will come off and charges will be assessed.)
Pictures of family and friends
Plants

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Cell phone
Clock
Storage boxes/space organizers
Trashcan and trash bags
Broom and basic cleaning supplies
Laundry basket, detergent
Clothes hangers
Basic kitchen supplies for common kitchen use: Utensils, cups, plates, and bowls for your room
Ironing board
Sports equipment – must be kept in your room
Toilet paper for apartments and suites
Plunger for apartments and suites
 

PLEASE DO NOT BRING

Hoverboards – Recent information has revealed that the batteries in the devices are dangerous and prone to explosion, creating a safety and fire risk. Our priority is the safety of the members of our community, and until a time that the safety standards of these devices are improved, Residential Life has prohibited these devices from being in all residential buildings. Should these devices be found in the halls, guests will be asked to remove them from the building.

Incandescent light bulbs – please use compact fluorescents and LEDs, which save energy
Candles, incense, oil-burning lamps
Toaster ovens, toasters, hot plates, air fryers
George Foreman grills, charcoal or gas grills
Coffee makers (except Keurig machines or those with similar brewing mechanism)
Extension cords
Weapons of any kind
Darts and dart boards
Animals, except fish, or service animals as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, subject to DSC approval
Fry Daddy’s, electric frying pans
Air conditioners, dehumidifiers, halogen lamps, medusa lamps
Ceiling hangings, ceiling fans
Alcohol paraphernalia
Refrigerator
Freezer
Microwave

May I bring my own furniture with me?

All residence hall rooms are fully furnished with a bed, a desk, a chair, bureau space, and a closet available to each resident. Please note that all furniture assigned to a room must stay in the room – it will not be moved or stored to make room for your own. You may bring any furniture that you might like to have in your room, (with the exception of waterbeds and lofts), but you should consider what your roommate(s) may also be bringing; talk to them before you make any final decisions. Useful items might be a small bedside table, floor lamp, television stand, small rug and so forth.

May I bring or build a loft in my residence hall room?

No, we do not allow lofts in student rooms. Some beds in some halls are already semi-lofted.

For beds that are not semi-lofted, you may use plastic bed risers for a bit more under-bed storage. 

Are pets allowed in the residence halls?

No pets or animals of any kind may be kept in the residence halls, with the exception of non-poisonous, non-walking fish in an aquarium (one aquarium only, up to 10 gallons), service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments 2008, or approved assistance animals. 

Prior approval of an assistance animal is required by the Disability Services Center. The University is not responsible for the loss or harm to any fish due to interruptions in power services.