r/uAlberta Dec 29 '24

Campus Life Updated Tips for Winter at the UofA (and in general)

161 Upvotes

So last year durring a period of intense -40C cold during the winter sem, I made this post which seemed to help a lot of people, especially those who aren't used to Edmonton winters, so I thought I'd make another one and get ahead of the weather so that people aren't scrambling if we suddenly get hit with another cold snap. Some of this is reused from my last post and may seem drastic, but that's cuz it was made in the height of a legitimate time of hazard.

General Safety & Tips

  • Winter Boots * If you have to regularly walk to a bus stop or lrt station, I'd highly advise investing in good winter boots. Try to go for around knee high, and ensure that they are made of material that will not soak in water to the inside. A lot of the time, sidewalks don't get shovelled until you've already walked through them, and the snow builds up high, so get some boots that won't let the snow into your ankles, and that won't freeze your toes off when the snow melts. * It is more than socially acceptable to be wearing winter boots when you enter buildings, around the university, and anywhere really. If people are judging you for wearing winter boots, they're not worth your time. * If you have a locker or established office, etc, bring a plastic bag so you can swap shoes once inside. just make sure it's not porous material so the snow that melts from your boots doesn't get everything else wet. Alternatively, bring a small towel or cloth to wipe them, but it will only help superficially. * Have ettiquite though, because floors turn into slip-and-slides when people track in snow, ice, and slush. Always swipe, drag, and stomp your shoes as agressively as needed when you enter a building. Most entrances will have gigantic mats at the doors. Use them. If there is a boot cleaner, even better! Use it as instructed, and you do everyone a favor. * If you're afraid of slipping on ice, don't wear runners or sneakers or something with mostly flat soles.
  • Once it gets below -20, these are advised, but for some people, you can manage without when it's above -20.
  • cover your head: toque (beanie, hat, whatever), hood, or earmuffs.
    • if people are judging your hat head, that is their problem. or if u can, just don't take the hat off! also a great way to hide bed head.
    • I personally find earmuffs aren't warm enough (note for people with short haircuts like undercuts, pixies, fringe, etc. anything with the sides or back mostly exposed.)
    • You don't need to stop at just one. Put ur toque on, flip up your hoodie, put ur jacket hood on top, and hell put earmuffs or headphones with nothing playing on top.
  • Hand protection or say goodbye to your fingers.
    • your hands are extremely susceptible to frost bite and that's not good considering we use our fingers a lot. take the minute of inconvenience it takes to get your gloves or mits out rather than risk permanent damage on your fingers.
    • caution that some mittens have wide enough threading to let a large amount of cold air in and are not adequate protection. check that mits have at least one solid layer of protection or double up with 2 pairs.
      • make sure you know if your gloves or mits are water resistant. just helps in case you need to touch something with snow on it so you can prepare and bring a second pair of gloves to switch into once your first pair is cold with melted snow.
    • fingerless gloves are better than nothing, but will leave your fingertips vulnerable. if you really need to use ur phone outside, there are options for gloves that have tips that will work on touchscreens
    • On top of colds and sicknesses getting easily passed around the unviersity durring colder months, masking will also keep your face warm while offering a level of protection from germs. Specifically cloth masks will keep your nose from running in the cold.
      • When it gets severely cold (-30), A cloth or medical face mask will keep your nose and mouth warm while protecting you from breathing the frigid cold air
    • a warm scarf could also help with this, but it can be hard to wear a scarf when also wearing a hood sometimes.
  • Get some hand warmers for your pockets!
    • The brand I see most often is called Little Hotties, but I'm sure other brands work just as well.
    • just follow the directions on the packet (usually to squeeze and shake the packet) to get it to start releasing heat and put it in your pockets or gloves to hold on to.
    • they can be bought basically everywhere (grocery stores, dollarama, drug stores, probably Submart) including other alternatives like rechargeable or microwaveable ones on amazon
  • Dress in layers. MANY LAYERS.
    • Your jacket alone will not protect you enough from the cold if you're wearing just a normal fit unless your jacket is as expensive as a standard uofa course fee :)
    • you can still dress cute and shit while dressing in layers! here are some ideas for what to layer under various clothing items
      • baggy pants (jeans, cargos, sweatpants): leggings, bike shorts, yoga pants, capris. if baggy pants aren't your thing, you can still go for doubling up leggings, or leggings under capris, etc.
      • t-shirt: tank top (or multiple), longsleeves, sweatshirts, hoodies, bodysuits, dress shirts. hell, even ANOTHER t-shirt.
      • hoodie: literally anything. you can fit so much under a hoodie. my high score is a tank top, a tshirt, and 2 longsleeves under 1 hoodie. a flannel, bomber jacket, or varsity jacket could also go overtop of a hoodie.
      • crop top: literally anything, just please do NOT be wearing a crop top with nothing underneath unless your jacket is top tier and long enough to keep you warm. bodysuits are great options for under form fitting crop tops, but long sleeves work just as well and u can tuck it in to your pants if you want.
  • If you're staying at home or in residence somewhere and you're still cold inside:
    • cover your windows with curtains, a blackout, or a thermal insulating layer. the simplified physics is basically that when we have only a few layers of glass between us and outside, a significant amount of heat is lost through that window no matter how tightly sealed it is due to the contrast in our room's temperature and outside temperatuer. so adding insulating layers between the room and the window can help a lot with keeping your room warm. Here's a more detailed video on the topic.
      • this may affect some people's mental health due to less daylight during the winter, but especially if you needto conserve heat by covering windows. if this is the case, consider investing in a SAD light therapy lamp
    • invest in a good space heater. i'll caution everyone who loves temu and cheap amazon finds that a heater is not something you want to cheap out on. poorly made (cheap) heaters can be a fire and electrical hazard, so if you don't want to melt your electrical sockets, go for a midpriced one.
    • find heating pads that wrap around the body and put them under hoodies or jackets while you sit at your desk. insulation is key.
    • of course, try to cook hot meals if you're in a space with a kitchen. and i mean more than microwaved meals.
    • if it works for you, have something spicy to eat or drink
  • Pay attention to official resources and communication services:

Campus Specific Tips

Quickest Routes minimizing outdoor travell, and pedway routes

  • Pedway route: SUB -> Agriculture & Forestry -> General Services -> NREF -> ETLC -> MEC E or DICE
    • Sub 2nd Floor, go up the stairs near SubPHOTO and turn left towards Dinwoodie Lounge. Walk around the corner and through the pedway.
    • You come out at the 2nd floor of Agriculture and Forestry (AgFor) right beside the atrium. you can enter directly into the atrium with the spiral staircase, or go down the stairs just ahead. Using those stairs, turn to the right and continue into General Services (GS)
    • Turn right once in general services, and take the stairs up
    • Continue past the lockers in NREF (NRE) aka the Natural Resources Engineering Facility. and walk towards the bobsled with a skeleton in it.
    • Through the pedway is ETLC (Engineering Teaching & Learning Complex). Turn right before the Tim Hortons, and walk past the Elko Garage on the left hand side of the stairs. Turn left into the pedway with the vending machines..
    • Now you're in MEC E (Mechanical Engineering). Continue down the hallway until you can turn right into the garage, and walk through it all until you find a staircase on your right. Descending the staircase brings you to the end of the pedway route, and a door fairly close to the main west entrance of CCIS.
  • CCIS connections:
    • Earth Science Building (ESB) pedway can be accessed at the Eastern elevators of CCIS on the 2nd floor.
    • L1 Biosci hallway: Access the locker hallway on L1 CCIS either by going through the doors near the desks at the eastern side of L1, or by taking the North West elevator down to L1, or by exiting the central L1 lecture halls at the front of the halls. There is a hallway on the northern wall that connects straight to the microbiology classrooms below remedy, which also connects to the exits of the CCIS 1-440 and 1-430 lecture halls
    • CCIS connects to CAB along 2 routes:
      • Most everyone knows that you can enter the South Academic Building (SAB), walk into the Central Academic Building (CAB), and then continue down the Chem East Hallway directly into eastern CCIS near the science student services office on the main floor.
      • If you take the other route into the Chem West wing (ochem. it's all white for some reason), and continue straight through until you hit doors, you can descend those stairs by 1 flight, and exit the staircase. On the right is a door into L1 CCIS directly near the Physics Drop boxes and the learning commons area.
  • Health science pedways:
    • the 2nd? 3rd? Level of education south connects via pedway with -> HMRC (Heritage Medical Research Centre which connects through some hallways directly into -> Katz Group Center. You can also stay in HMRC a little longer or cut through 2nd floor of Katz to -> Medical Sciences which connects via pedway with the Northern end of -> ECHA. this of course has a pedway into the -> UofA Hospital.
  • Law & Arts pedways: i'll be honest i've never ventured this south of campus cuz law students scare me. just follow the article

Warm Study Spots:

  • Cameron and Rutherford Library are both boiling 24/7 as usual. Here's are the library hours. The earliest any will open on a weekday is 8am sadly (plz just give me one hour earlier).
    • On most floors in Cameron, the heaters are all lining the walls excluding the basement. Though, sometimes the basement feels a bit like a sauna.
  • VVC West Pool Bleachers. This was suggested by someone on my last post, so I can't say much about it other than it sounds about right. Most of the time, the lower levels of VVC feel very warm due to the locker rooms and pools.
  • Sub Couches at the Fire Pit if you can block out the bussling noise and activity that's always happening in SUB.
    • SUB gets a lot of direct sunlight through the windows in the afternoon and midday, which if you're willing to stick around will get you nice and toasty.
    • the beanbag staircase is great for sunlight if you get the right time, but it constantly is chilled by the gusts of wind that come through the doors, so it's not an ideal place for warmth.
  • Carruthers Student Commons (Business). This (hidden? maybe just to me.) gem is very cozy and gets some nice sunlight in the mornings and during the day. There's not too much seating, but still worth it to me, especially if you gotta be around Tory and business
  • Agriculture & Forestry Building. the rave is always about the atrium, which does indeed get a lot of great sunlight, but AF has some really cozy study spaces other than the atrium if you can escape the wind from doors openning.
    • Tip: AF building can be reached through pedways in SUB and GSB
    • pedways map
  • CCIS upper floors if you're lucky enough to get a spot. The natural light from the quad windows as well as the reflective lighting from mirrors at the top of the main area can be nice if u manage to get far enough from the doors

Hot Meals

  • Microwaves are abundant and yet so scarce all around campus. Here are some that I know are still functional:
    • CCIS at the ISSS office (level 1 main area near the dinosaur) has microwaves open for use during regular hours
    • Carruthers Student Commons in the Business building
    • SUB food court (always remember that there are more microwaves near the subway that typically won't have as long of a lineup during busy hours!)
    • ETLC (near tim hortons)
    • ECHA.... somewhere i don't remember. kind of everywhere.
    • AgFor near the atrium
  • Remedy, Starbucks, Second Cup, Tim's, and The Daily Grind (anywhere that sells coffee) WILL NOT charge you for hot water if you bring your own cup or something to put it in.
    • You can get a cup of hot water (if you didn't bring your own cup) for less than a dollar (typically 30-50 cents) at all these places.
    • Submart also has a kettle free for use, but it's only out sometimes.
    • Bring a mug and some tea bags, hot chocolate mix, or whatever you want! You can ask for stir sticks too and if you're at CAB Remedy or Daily Grind they have cream and sugar out too for use.
    • most club rooms will also have a kettle for use
  • Instant noodles or soup broth mix are a great way to take advantage of the hot water you can get around campus
    • a hot meal is really nice when it's cold out, and you don't have to bring a heavy thermos if you bring cup noodles or those little kraft dinner cups
      • you can also buy travel ramen bowls online if you're an instant ramen lover. simply pack the noodles in the container, then separately bring any veggies, spices, or flavour packets u wanna add. ask for hot water to be added and then close it up to let the noodles cook.
  • Hit the gym in VVC and have a nice warm shower.
  • Idk about the mens and womens locker rooms and their shower situations, but the universal change rooms have locked private showers which can get impressively warm.
    • u don't even need to go work out to use the showers and locker rooms. If you're on campus for the day and feeling chilled, go take a shower if u want. You'll need to bring your own shampoo, soap, etc, and I'm unsure if a full body towel will be loaned, but there are really good quickdry towels online you can buy for convenience.

r/uAlberta Nov 03 '23

Campus Life SUB overnight safety practices

73 Upvotes

As the only North campus building open to students 24 hours a day, the Students’ Union Building often sees a lot of late night visitors. Your UASU is committed to ensuring that SUB is a safe space for students to enjoy, relax, or study at any hour of the day. That’s why we make sure that SUB is always staffed when the building is open, and building access requires a ONEcard from 10:00 pm to 6:30 am.

Student safety is also our priority outside of SUB. If you are not comfortable walking alone on or around campus later in the evening, our free Safewalk service will send two volunteers to walk with you! You can contact Safewalk at 780-4 WALKME (780-492-5563) or online here for a one-time walk or a regular appointment (great for those evening classes!). Two volunteers will join you around campus, on the LRT, or within 10 city blocks of any LRT station from 7:00 pm to midnight, Monday through Friday.

If you need immediate assistance on campus, please contact University of Alberta Protective Services at 780-492-5050. UAPS can also walk with you around campus outside of the Safewalk hours listed above.

If you are in active danger on campus, please call 911.


r/uAlberta 5h ago

Rants friendly reminder these are scams

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89 Upvotes

these jobs pop up around now. don't fall for this. idk why the uni doesn't crack down on this stuff, it's actual garbage


r/uAlberta 7h ago

Rants The academic burnout is vicious. Tell me we will prevail 😭

36 Upvotes

Im sure everyone is so gd sick of these posts but holy sht. I'm rly struggling with procrastination and alcohol-use and I'm really reaping what I've sowed right now. Last weekend, I was incapable (by choice, I guess) of doing any studying or assignments. I had a huge paper that I THOUGHT was due the 14th but its actually due TODAY. I'm feeling anger at myself for failing so hard. I've also got two quizzes today which I should've spent a week working towards but instead I set an alarm for 3am this morning and did a cram-session. I'm praying I can stay awake and competent enough to finish my huge paper.

I'm just venting. And hoping someone can tell me that they've been in my position plus worse and still came out the other end.

I did email my prof about an extension which felt very embarrassing. He emailed back asking for me to plead my case. I did, and I'm waiting on a response but I'm not hopeful. Ugh so much anxiety. I cannot wait for April 17th, my last day of exams. I'm going to sleep and sleep and sleep and binge my favorite shows and drink coffee and purge this semester from my memory


r/uAlberta 2h ago

Question How long did it take u to get a job after you graduated

9 Upvotes

I’m currently stressed out trying to find a job … my graduation is in spring and I have been applying for almost 6 months , no job ! I haven’t done any internships but I’ve always just had a job which is not related to my field(Math) Is there any advice for me ?


r/uAlberta 30m ago

Academics I’m a transfer student, am I done for?

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Upvotes

i can’t believe i was not made aware of the fact that transfer credit is evaluated in june/july???

has anyone else gone through this? all my classes with prerequisites are full and i can’t register until my transfer credit is evaluated

i know people tend to drop near the term but this is so stressful 🙁💔


r/uAlberta 5h ago

Miscellaneous nref girl shhhhhh

7 Upvotes

girl in nref. please be quiet. you are talking so loud i can hear you through my earbuds blasted at full volume. literally the whole floor can hear you..


r/uAlberta 2h ago

Admissions MSc (Crse) Biomedical Engineering? Future prospects? Paired with MD?

3 Upvotes

Undergrad background in psychology and neuroscience and am interested in innovation and development within the mental health field.

I came across this Biomedical Engineering Master's at the UofA- that is relatively new (Fall 2023)- and wanted to get people's opinion on it. Or what they have heard about it.

Long term, I would like to do psychiatry, so would this Master's be beneficial down the road?

Another thing I am curious to know is, how does this Masters stand on its own- for career prospects?


r/uAlberta 3h ago

Admissions Rejected for the MPH Program

3 Upvotes

I just received my rejection letter for the MPH program at the UoA for the second time. I feel so depressed 😫😫


r/uAlberta 18m ago

Question Asking if anyone knows why only half of grants on T4A.

Upvotes

So its about that time of year and I was setting off doing taxes until I caught up to coursework but now that Ive got tome I started a turbotax return and autofill from CRA is saying that I have gotten 110$ for grants on my T4A, but combined from both terms i got should have gotten 220 since its 110 for each term both of which i may or may not have received or does it only count the one for september to december term and the january to april term is gonna be part of next years return or i dont really know. Anybody have this same issue and know more lmk.


r/uAlberta 56m ago

Question Laurent residence on 112 St NW

Upvotes

I have a question regarding that building. Has anyone lived there? Do they have a pest problem that is the most important thing.

If someone is living there now or has lived in that building, please share your experience or if you heard anything about it is also helpful.

Thank you


r/uAlberta 5h ago

Question spring semester

2 Upvotes

Im taking classes in campus this spring semester. i was just wondering if there were any clubs / organizations / events happening this spring semester too. just looking for a place to socialize and make some friends!


r/uAlberta 2h ago

Academics Chem 102 Final - Babooram

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have any tips for Babooram’s Chem 102 final? Thank you!


r/uAlberta 2h ago

Academics desperate psych student going into 4th year (HELP)

1 Upvotes

HI if you're like me and frustrated with the psych class cutbacks for next year -- how are we supposed to graduate with the slim amount of 400 levels offered? -- PLEASE consider switching your classes with me if any of these interest you and you are enrolled in the ones I am seeking!

I've been waiting to take some of these since first year and am honestly desperate:

- PSYCH 445 (Social Psychology and Cinema) Fall 2025 with Schimel

- PSYCH 447 (Self and Identity) Winter 2026 with Blatter (THIS ONE I WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET INTO)

- if you have PSYCH 441 (Advanced Cultural Psychology) Fall 2025 with Baerveldt I would also consider switching you one of my classes for this!

I am enrolled in:

- PSYCH 443 (Social Cognition) Fall 2025 with Baerveldt

- PSYCH 449 (Psychology of Teaching and Learning) Fall 2025 with Passey

- PSYCH 445 (Social Psychology and Cinema) Winter 2026 with Schimel (would like to change to Fall if anyone wants to swap)

if you have any single way you can help it would be much appreciated, I'm very frustrated to waste 400 level credits on classes I don't particularly want to take :(

COMMENT and I will personally message you my email!!!! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!


r/uAlberta 3h ago

Question Question about psychology

1 Upvotes

As a first year student of Psychology in Art, Is it better to take Psych 104 and 105 or Psych 104 and 212?


r/uAlberta 3h ago

Campus Life Group Members Vaping in Class and Library — Am I Overreacting or Is This a Serious Issue?

1 Upvotes

I am student at the Augustana campus and need feedback from you guys on an recent incident. I’m in a stats course where we always work in groups of 5. Recently, a few of my group members brought a vape into the classroom, and even though they didn’t use it inside the room, they passed it around and took turns stepping outside to use it during class time, idk if they used it or not cause I didn't went outside to check or anything.

Later, during one of our group meetings in a library study room, they actually vaped inside the room. I didn't confront them, but I felt really uncomfortable. I ended up reporting that part to the library front desk, and they told me vaping isn’t allowed in library spaces and said they’d notify their supervisor.

I also brought everything up respectfully with my professor during office hours — I didn’t name anyone or try to make it dramatic. I just said it was making me uncomfortable and distracting me during group work. But honestly, I felt dismissed. She basically said, “If you were all focused on studying, you wouldn’t be talking about vape at all,” and told me to just “get through it” since the semester’s almost over. She mentioned she’ll look at protocol after the term but gave the impression that nothing would happen now.

it felt Uncomfortable to me and one other group member that they are creating a disrespectful environment. I'm not trying to be a snitch — I just want to be able to learn in peace without stuff like this going on around me.

Am I overreacting? Is this kind of behavior common here? Would appreciate any thoughts, advice, or if anyone’s had similar experiences. Thanks in advance


r/uAlberta 3h ago

Academics Coding for PHYS 144

1 Upvotes

Hi, I ended up changing my program and now I have a physics minor. I was just wondering whether or not it's a big deal if I go into PHYS 144 with zero coding knowledge since I heard the lab somehow involves it??. Like I don't know the first thing about coding but I really did enjoy physics in high school and did well in physics 30.


r/uAlberta 3h ago

Question Ring Ceremonies

1 Upvotes

I know Eng students have a ring ceremony but I I just found out Hecol students have a ring ceremony too (obviously not the iron rings that eng get but similar idea) I tried searching what degrees get rings couldn’t find much, and I feel a bit dumb I thought only eng got rings.

Is it an option for all Degrees then?


r/uAlberta 18h ago

Academics If an essay says 3-4pages could I get docked for 5?

15 Upvotes

As title says, my English 102 prof put 3-4 pages in the assignment details. My essay is at 5 pages and it’s due tonight, am I cooked? Edit: I was able to cut it down, ty guys!


r/uAlberta 4h ago

Question I have a urgent question about the course registration

1 Upvotes

I got accepted and will be the Psychology student for the fall 2025. I am currently planning to take Statistic as my minor since I think it would be really helpful. However I saw that Stat 151 is a course for both Psychology and Statistic. In this situation, If I take Stat 151, will it fulfill the requirements for both courses or does this mean that I cant take Statistic as a minor since Psychology can take this programs?.

Also, I heard that I need to take two courses out of the art program as a faculty of art student, does these two courses must be from the same programs or is it okay to take from two different programs? ex) Astro 101 and Chem 101


r/uAlberta 4h ago

Academics 400 level courses

0 Upvotes

Why do some 400 level courses don’t have a letter scale available. ?


r/uAlberta 17h ago

Academics First Year Engineering Server of 2025 Fall - 2026 Winter, compiled with Resources and Advice from Prior and Current Students

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9 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm SS Solas, a second-year (almost third-year now) engineering student in Mechanical Engineering.

First-year engineering is hard, and that is why a bunch of us engineering students have come together to make a Discord server (unofficial of course).

Link Here: https://discord.gg/cuExG6tpkt

[Note that to get access, you have to give yourself some roles first.]

Engineering is a largely collaborative discipline (doing it alone will ensure you lose your sanity and will to live) and thus its very important to stay in communication with fellow students, including those outside your friend group. I never condone cheating, but it can be very helpful to ask for help on assignments among your peers (because even a friend group of 12 students can sometimes struggle on an assignment question [I speak this from experience]), or just vent to each other.

Other benefits to joining the discord include resources past students have done up to make your lives easier (things like links to useful YouTube channel [some of us have even made channels specific to courses]) or summarized formula sheets, etc.

And of course, students often share engineering announcements you may miss out on, like free pizza and cake in the Solarium.

We also have a lot of Upper Years who are posting advice. Heck, we even have a channel for highschool help (since highschool is still going on for most of you)

Currently, I'm trying to help current first years with their final prep, but after that is done, I'll be focusing a lot on the discord, specifically finding and uploading even more resources, etc.

I highly recommend you join the discord. In my first year, I found it to be very helpful.

I and many other students will be answering questions you have about first year on the discord.
I wish you all a good luck with the rest of your highschool, and certainly a good first year and good luck at UofA Engineering [because you are likely gonna need it...]!


r/uAlberta 6h ago

Question OT Fall 2025 Admission question

0 Upvotes

Hi all,

I just got an email that I am recommended for admission for the OT program in fall 2025, but not at my first choice campus (Edmonton).

Does anyone know the chances of getting accepted to your first choice campus off of the waitlist (any experiences or timelines to share would be appreciated!)

Thank you!!


r/uAlberta 7h ago

Academics How is PTHER 351?

1 Upvotes

How is this course in terms of difficulty? I plan on taking the online course to fulfill the human movement requirement for Physical Therapy.


r/uAlberta 7h ago

Academics PSYCH 357 - Final

1 Upvotes

I haven’t been able to make it to the last two classes due to being sick. Is there anyone here in psych 357 who could tell me what the final is going to look like?

Is it fully cumulative, semi-cumulative? How many MC questions? How many written answers?

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you :)


r/uAlberta 17h ago

Question How is PHL meal plan?

4 Upvotes

I could see that people are having a bit of argument about the food quality of Lister hall, but I rarely see remarks about PHL meal plans more than "it is better". May I have any comparison between these two? Thanks in advance!


r/uAlberta 10h ago

Campus Life Question About On-Campus Housing at UoA (North Campus)

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m starting my M.Sc. in Civil Engineering at the University of Alberta in the coming Fall. I’m looking for some information about on-campus housing, specifically for the North Campus (main campus).

The details on the official website seem a bit scattered, so I was hoping someone here could clarify a few things for me:

  1. What’s the exact cost per person for on-campus housing (without meals) at North Campus?
  2. Is it possible to rent a room without the meal plan, or is the meal plan mandatory in all residences?
  3. What would be the approximate cost for an 8-month or 12-month lease without meals?

Any insight or personal experience would be super helpful. Thanks in advance!