Block meals: Use these meals any time at RoBro or any participating campus location.

Board meals: Some plans include a weekly allowance of meals; use these at RoBro or any participating campus location. Your weekly counter resets every Saturday.

Declining balance (DB): Meal plans carry an allowance that can be used anywhere on campus. Your allowance is good throughout the entire academic year and can be re-loaded.

Students who do not reside in apartments are required to be on a full-service meal plan.

Unused Declining Balance or meals left on a student's account as of the last day of meal plan each May will not be refunded or rolled over to the upcoming Fall semester. *All refund policies are detailed in the student regulations for those who wish to review specific timelines and guidelines*

Full Meal Plans

Golden Knight
21 meals a week (counter resets weekly) + $100 per semester in Declining Balance. Provides breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Recommended for incoming first-year students. $4,119

Silver Sword
15 meals a week (counter resets weekly) meals + $300 per semester in Declining Balance. On average, this plan provides two meals a day, seven days a week. $4,119

Bronze Shield
10 meals a week (counter resets weekly) + $1,000 per semester in Declining Balance. $4,119

Apartment Plan

$100 per semester in Declining Balance. $90.

Availability: Limited single rooms on campus, primarily in Hamlin and Powers, which are designated for upper-class student housing. There is limited single-occupancy housing in every area of campus except in the Townhouse Apartments. 

Assignment Process: Single rooms are available through the Housing Lottery held each spring. They are not guaranteed unless medically approved.

Medical Accommodations

• Disabilities: Students requiring a single room due to a medical disability must coordinate with the Office of Accessibility Services.

Multi-Occupancy Rooms

• Roommates: Students in rooms designated for more than single occupancy should be prepared to receive a roommate at any time with little to no notice

First-Year Students

• Room Assignments: First-year students will be placed in two-person occupancy rooms and may receive a roommate at any time with little to no notice at the discretion of the Residence Life Office. In the Quad, there are four, triple-person occupancy rooms located on the fourth floor of each building. 

Room Buy-Out Option

• Optional: Certain housing areas may offer a room buy-out option, allowing students to avoid having a randomly assigned roommate. This option is discretionary, specific to certain areas, and not guaranteed annually by the Office of Residence Life.

There are four theme houses on campus that are home to four of our fraternities: Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kapa Epsilon and Delta Upsilon. These houses are occupied by academically approved students from the organizations.

Learn More about Greek Life on Campus Here

Vending Machines: Located in some residence halls.

Mail: All students receive a campus mailbox. Mail is delivered directly to the campus mailroom in the Student Center.

Direct Delivery: Students must arrange pick-up of food or other deliveries not made through the postal service, UPS or similar services. Delivery staff are not allowed into residential buildings.  

Network Access: All residence hall rooms have access to the University's high-speed wired and wireless network. Learn more about services offered by the Office of Information Technology.

Parking: On-campus parking is provided in certain lots. Learn more here.

Bicycle Racks: Located outside each residence hall.

Air Conditioning: There is no air conditioning in the Residential buildings or provided by the University. Window air conditioning units are not permitted in any University housing. Students are allowed to use floor units that do not exhaust through a window. One unit per room is permitted.

Storage on Campus: The University is unable to store personal belongings. Residents are expected to remove all personal belongings when vacating campus housing.

Clarkson is a four-year residential university but does allow a commuting option for students. To request commuter status from the Office of Residence Life, students must meet the following criteria as outlined in the Student Regulations: "The student is commuting from their parent or legal guardian's primary residence, which must be within 50 miles of the Clarkson University Potsdam campus."

New students can request commuter status through their admissions portal and by working with the Office of Residence Life. Returning students should apply through Knightlife and work with the Office of Residence Life. There will be required paperwork to complete, which can be obtained from the Office of Residence Life. Residence Life reserves the right to approve or deny requests based on the Student Regulations.

To learn more about Clarkson's Commuter Students and Resources, please visit Clarkson Commuter Student Resources.

Residential Housing Manager: Organizes campus housing for all students throughout the year in collaboration with campus departments, organizations, and administration. Manages residential programs, such as the Residential Enrichment Program (REP), living-learning communities, and theme houses. Works with the hall staff to ensure a positive atmosphere that is comfortable and conducive to study and their living experience.

Area Coordinators (AC): Full-time "live-in" employees of the University responsible for the welfare and development of students living in the residence halls. There is one Area Coordinator for each style of housing that Clarkson offers: Traditional Residence Halls, Suite-Style Housing, The Clarkson School, and Apartment Housing. Each AC oversees a staff of student leaders in their respective areas.

Resident Advisors (RA): Students appointed to serve as liaisons between the university staff and residents. RAs are key residential leaders focused on developing a sense of community that facilitates academic success and personal growth.

House Advisors (HA): Students appointed to serve as liaisons between the Clarkson School Student staff and residents. HAs are key residential leaders focused on developing a sense of community that facilitates academic success and personal growth.

Room essentials

• Bed sheets and blankets (twin extra-long sheets — each mattress is 36" x 80", pillow).
• Trash can (we provide the recycling bin).
• Bath towels and hand towels (let's reduce paper towel use).
• Toiletries (shower sandals and supplies, health products, bathroom caddy).
• Clothes and hangers, hanging closet organizer.
• Personal fan (optional).

Things to help you work

• Desk lamp with LED light bulb
• Desk organizer
• General school supplies
• Headphones to enjoy your music

Electronics and related

• Energy Star appliances – wait until you get your roommate assignments to coordinate these! (See "MicroFridges" below.)
• Entertainment (books, music, games).
• EPEAT-certified computer and flash drive. A laptop computer is recommended (it takes less space in your dorm and provides a mobile work environment).
• Ethernet cable (we provide the jack in the wall).
• Smart power strip (shuts off power when you aren’t using your electronics).

Miscellaneous

• Clarkson does not provide bed-lofting supplies, but students may bring their own. Traditional campus beds can be lifted between floor level and approximately four feet high.
• Laundry bag and laundry detergent for cold-water washing, small dish soap.
• Reusable bowl/plate and utensils for any in-room eating.
• Reusable coffee/travel mug and water bottle.
• Sewing kit.
• Storage containers. A student suggests: pack your clothes in one or two large solid plastic bins. The bins can be used for storage and as a laundry hamper once you get here, and you will not have to find space for empty suitcases.
• String lights. Installation should avoid pinch hazards, cannot be over entrances/doorways, cannot be in contact with combustible materials and cannot be attached to the ceiling.

MicroFridges (microwave/freezer/refrigerators) are available for annual rental. The unit gets delivered to your room before you arrive and is big enough for two roommates to share. You can save 20 percent by ordering before July 15.

Review the video below to learn more about renting a MicroFridge on campus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zw-OQ7C9x0

• Air conditioner
• Candles, incense
• Charcoal/gas grill
• Extension cords
• Full-size refrigerator*
• Halogen lamp
• LED light strips
• Space heater
• Toaster oven
• Waterbed
• Wireless access points or routers
• Zip cord

*Students have the option to rent a MicroFridge on campus.

Tips for What Not to Bring and Fire Safety for Apartments

Tips for What Not to Bring and Fire Safety for Residence Hall Rooms

The transition to college is as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. Everybody goes through their own process of easing into college life, but we've put together some resources to make your own introduction to your new home as easy as possible.

• 10 Pieces of Advice
• Acclimating as a Transfer Student
• Dorm Hacks
• Decorating Your Dorm
• Overcoming Homesickness
• Roommate Survival Guide
• Tips for Move-In Day

The University does not carry insurance of any kind on the property of students and accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to such property. Students are encouraged to carry their own personal proper insuance. Students are expected to keep access doors to residence halls closed and locked at all times. Residents are financially liable for damages to rooms, apartments, furnishings, and common area facilities. Fees for unclaimed or common area damages will be shared jointly by the residing students.

Personal property insurance is recommended for all students. 

Q: Is my student required to have a meal plan?
A: Anyone who lives in a traditional and suite-style housing must be on a meal plan. Students who live in apartments, theme houses, or off-campus can be exempt from meal plan.

Q: How do students change their meal plan?
A: Students have the first two weeks of the semester to change their meal plan by emailing reslife@clarkson.edu or stopping by the Residence Life office. All meal plans carry the same fee.

Q: Do students have a choice in selecting their roommate?
A: First-year students are asked to fill out a "Roommate Survey" form so that Clarkson is able to match students with the appropriate roommate. However, if students want to request another Clarkson first-year student, they can write each other's names on their survey and the Residence Life staff will consider their request.

Q: Are there any single rooms available to students?
A: Yes, there are single rooms available for upper-class students. Single occupancy rooms are available through the Housing Lottery held in the spring of each year.

Q: Are pets allowed in the residence halls or apartments?
A: No, pets are strictly forbidden in any residence hall or apartment at Clarkson University with the exception of service animals. Learn moe about our service animal policies and procedures here.

Q: If I lose my student ID card, what should I do?
A: Students must report their lost or stolen card immediately to Campus Safety & Security. The University, Residence Life, and Clarkson Dining are not responsible for unauthorized usage of student ID cards.

Q: If I lost the key to my room, what should I do?
A: Students should report a lost key immediately to Campus Safety & Security and then visit the Director of Residence Life for a key replacement. Their student account will be charged accordingly. Key duplication is strictly prohibited.

Q: If there is something broken or damaged in my residential space, what should I do?
A: Students should go to this website and complete a work request so that Facilities and Services may address the issue. Students will receive automatic emails from Facilities and Services when the work request has been received, issued, and completed. 

Q: What happens if my residential space has open beds in it?
A: The Residence Life Office reserves the right to make changes to residential assignments at any time, with little or no notice, in response to facility limitations, changes in enrollment, conflict resolution, etc., or to address the needs of the overall residential community. This includes reassigning students to any vacant spaces.

• Traditional Style Residence Halls: $4,764
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $4,907
  (Hamlin House, Powers House)
• First Year Residence Halls: $4,625
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $4,764
  (Traditional Style: Brooks House, Cubley House, Reynolds House, Ross House)
• Suite-Style Residence Halls: $4,891
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $5,038
  (Moore House, Graham Hall, Price Hall)
• Single Residence Hall Room: $5,509
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $5,675 
  (Moore, Graham, Hamlin, Powers residences)

• Townhouse and Woodstock Apartments: $5,509
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $5,675
• Riverside Apartments: $5,426
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $5,589
• Theme Houses: $5,509
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $5,675
• Weston's Apartments: $5,117
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $5,271
  (located above the bookstore on Market Street, downtown Potsdam)

• Newell: $4,749
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $5,038
• Newell House for Clarkson School students only:  $4,442 
  Updated Cost for Academic Year 25-26: $4,764
  (Learn more about the Clarkson School)

Students residing in University residence halls are required to select a University dining plan. The 50/500 is not available for students living in residence halls. Students residing in University apartments are not required to select a University dining plan. These students may voluntarily select any dining plan. If choosing the 50/500, it may be added at any time during the semester. Students cannot change dining plans after the first 10 days of the semester. You can view all the Dining Plans by clicking here.

All Full Board Dining Plans: $4,083

50/500 Dining Plan: $1,240

Unused Declining Balance or Meals left on a student's account as of the last day of meal plan each May will not be refunded or rolled over to the upcoming Fall semester. *All refund policies are detailed in the student regulations for those who wish to review specific timelines and guidelines*

If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to call (315)268-6642 or email our office reslife@clarkson.edu.

You can join a fraternity or sorority during or after the second semester of your first year. You need to be in good academic standing and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Dues are regular membership fees paid by members to a fraternity or sorority chapter, typically on a per-semester basis, to cover the costs of maintaining the organization and its activities. Think of dues as being similar to a gym membership - you pay to reap the benefits of being a member!

Not only do students gain a tight-knit community and close friend group within their organization, but they also gain an alumni network that expands beyond the organization. Often, students are able to obtain jobs, internships and co-ops through alumni that are affiliated with their organization.

Students learn valuable soft skills through their organization such as leadership skills, communication skills, planning, risk management, and collaboration skills. Students are drawn to the allure of establishing lifelong friendships and mentorships.

Greek Life at Clarkson is a small, tight-knit community, where the students support one another through and through. 

The Office of Student Life directly supports Greek Life students by providing relevant training, administrative support, and helps the campus community learn about the good work of our Greek Life organizations. 

On-campus houses are one of the chapters that live in a “theme house” on campus. Off-campus houses, do not have a house on-campus but instead live in a property, often owned by the alumni board of the organization, off-campus and in Potsdam. Some organizations don’t have a physical house at all and instead live together in on-campus housing like apartments.

Allegations or concerns about hazing should be brought to the attention of the Dean of Students or Office of Student Life immediately. Please note: physical and mental hazing is not tolerated at Clarkson or under New York State law. 

We always want Golden Knight families to be on the same page when their student is joining a fraternity or sorority. If your parents are uncertain about your interest in joining, we encourage you to connect your parents with family members of current students who have already joined organizations. If they’re still unsure, feel welcome to direct them to the Office of Student Life so that we can help ease their concerns.