All unmarried, full-time students who do not live with immediate family are required to live in the residence halls. Students requesting authorization to commute must complete an online Commuter Approval Form, verifying their residential status. This authorization must be renewed each semester.

In order to commute, students must be at least 23 years of age or older before the last day of classes of the current semester OR meet the following three requirements:

• 21 years of age or older before the last day of classes of the current semester
• Have 60 or more hours
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above.

Students who fail to comply with this requirement are subject to dismissal from the College.  For additional information or questions regarding this policy, contact the Dean of Students at (870) 759-4188.

Details on residence life are provided in the residence life section of the Student Handbook.

Residence Hall activities and parties are held throughout the semester for all residents.

The women’s residence halls enjoy Hall Wars each fall semester which occurs over several weeks and culminates at Homecoming. They also host many events that are for male and female resident students, such as:

• Open Dorm
• I.D.O.P. (International Dorm of Pancakes)
• Ice Cream Parlor
• Cupcake Boss
• Coffee House
• Game Night
• Residence Halls Christmas Party
• Exam Study Breaks

The men’s residence hall hosts Open Dorm events where female students can visit the men’s dorm.  The men also hold several other events for men’s dorm residents:

• Weight Lifting Competition
• Bags Tournament & Eating Competition
• ThanksGRILLING
• NCAA Final Four Championship Party

Residence Hall Activity Fee
A $135 fee per semester is collected from each resident student. This fee helps pay for residence hall activities.

The residence contract period begins the first day of the semester and ends for students at 6:00 p.m. the day of their last final examination. (Items left on the premises at the termination of this contract become property of Williams Baptist University—with the exception of students returning for the spring semester, who may leave personal items in their rooms.) All residents will be expected to vacate the residence hall by 6:00 p.m. on the day holidays begin. Residents staying in the residence hall before openings and after closings must obtain permission from the resident director. There will be a $50 charge per night unless students are staying at the request of Williams Baptist University.

Why Should Students Live On Campus?
On-campus living at WBU provides a great living and learning experience. Students can experience living next to an individual from a different culture, a different section of America, or even a different country. Living in the residence halls plays an important role in students’ growth as they become part of the academic community at WBU. Also, studies show that students who live on campus tend to make better grades. Reasons for this may include being closer to the library and the computer lab, or the fact that residence life is more conducive to studying than off-campus housing.

What Is An RA?
An RA (Resident Assistant) is a part of the Residence Hall staff. Each residence hall has a well-trained staff consisting of a Resident Director and Resident Assistants. The Resident Director is responsible for total supervision, counsel, direction, and activities in the residence hall. The RAs provide assistance in the halls, the lobby, and the cafeteria.

How Are Room Assignments Made?
Room assignments are made by the Residence Hall Directors. Every effort is made to honor requests for rooms and roommates. Assignments are sent out in early July.

What Does the College Provide in Each Room?
• One standard single bed per person (Extra-long twin mattresses are available upon request)
• One desk with drawer space (per person)
• One chest-of-drawers (per person)
• Blinds for window
• Local and in-house phone service (one jack)
• Internet: LAN Ethernet Connections (two jacks) Cable service

What Do Students Need to Bring?
• Telephone and phone cord
• All bed accessories (sheets, mattress pad, pillow, bedspread, quilts)
• Towels, washcloths, soap
• Shower curtain and hooks
• Miscellaneous supplies: broom/mop, wastebaskets, cleaning supplies, plunger, toilet paper, laundry supplies, alarm clock

Items NOT to Bring:
• Candles/Incense/Firecrackers
• Space heaters, toaster, toaster oven, hot plates, deep fryer, and similar items
• Road, construction, or business signs
• Microwaves
• Suggestive posters
• Weapons

Are Microwaves Allowed?
Due to fire safety codes, cooking in the residence hall rooms is restricted. (Coffee pots, candle warmers, and hot pots are allowed.) Two microwaves are provided in the private lobbies of the women’s residence hall. A microwave is also available in the private lobby of Cash and Wilson Hall. Microwaves are allowed in the kitchens of Butler and Southerland Hall apartments. No incendiary (flame or explosion producing) devices are allowed in the residence halls.

What are Measurements on the Windows?

• Southerland Hall: Room – 47.5″ W x 20″ H; Bathroom – 24″ x 24″
• Shell Wing: Room 51.5″ W x 38″ H; Bathroom – 27″ W x 22″ H
• Nicholas Hall: 34.5″ W x 47″ H
• Wilson: 59.2″ W x 48.5″ H
• Cash: 59.5″ W x 48.5″ H
• Butler Downstairs: Bedroom – 36″ W x 59″ H; Sitting Room – 63″ W x 59″ H
• Butler Upstairs: Bedroom – 36″ W x 51.5″ H; Sitting Room – 63″ W X 51.5″ H