Guide to Living On Campus

Yes. All students must live on campus for their first two years of study (freshman and sophomore years). Living at other off-campus addresses is not permitted. 

Whether you plan to live on campus or commute from home, you must notify Rider of your planned living arrangements by completing the Residency Requirement form in the housing application. 

Students may be exempt from the Two Year Residency Requirement under the following circumstances:

• Completing four full semesters of academic work. Four full semesters of academic work are defined as: Enrollment for at least four semesters as a full time student at Duquesne University or another accredited college or university.
  • Completion of 60 or more credit hours of academic work at Duquesne University.
  • Completion of combined total of 60 or more credit hours of academic work at as well as at another accredited college or other university. This total may include Advanced Placement credits and dual enrolled high school credits.
• Residing with parents or legal guardian. Residing with immediate family or legal guardian is defined as: Residing with a parent or legal guardian. To be eligible, the parent or legal guardian’s residence must be within one of the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver Butler, Mercer, Washington or Westmoreland.
• Residing with a grandparent. To be eligible, the student must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian and their grandparent’s residence must be an Allegheny, Armstrong Butler, Beaver, Mercer, Washington or Westmoreland address.
• Students who are enrolled and are taking eight or fewer credit hours.
• Students who are married.
• Students with one or more dependent children in their custody while attending Duquesne University.
• Students who are military veterans who completed at least two years of full-time, active military service.
•  Students over the age of 21.
• Students with physical or psychological circumstances such that the university cannot provide housing and/or board services compatible with their lifestyle needs. This also requires supporting documentation from a licensed, professional caregiver appropriate to the student’s circumstance.

For more information, visit the Duquesne Student Handbook

Any student choosing to commute must complete and upload the Campus Residency Waiver Request below.

Review Residency Policy: Campus Residency Policy

Obtain a copy of the Campus Residence Waiver: Residency Waiver

Once submitted, the Student Housing and Residence Life Office will notify you when your request has been reviewed. Any student that does not submit a housing application or a waiver request by July 1st will be assigned to a room.

Once the Housing Agreement is signed, the student must pay full room and board fees for the Academic Year. Exceptions include:

• If the student opts out before classes begin and notifies the Office of Student Housing & Residence Life in writing, they will be released from the agreement, with all fees refunded except the $100 non-refundable reservation fee.
• If the student does not occupy their room or notify SHRL by the second week of classes, they forfeit their reservation and will be released from the agreement, with fees refunded minus a $100 non-refundable fee.
• If the student moves out or withdraws after classes begin, they will be refunded according to the Withdraw and Refund Policies in the University Catalog.
• By signing a lease for a Lumina property, students are responsible for fulfilling all lease obligations, including rent payments, for the entire lease term. This responsibility remains in effect even if the student is no longer enrolled or cannot register for classes due to a balance or other reasons. The student is still required to pay rent and associated fees until the lease is formally terminated or a lease transfer is fully processed.

The Duquesne Housing Portal is a complete online self-service portal you will use to apply for housing, select your housing location, choose a meal plan, and choose your roommates. The portal is also a home for important dates and other housing tasks you will need to complete as a Duquesne Student. 

Logging In

Incoming and current Duquesne students log in to the housing application using their Multipass credentials via the DUQ Student SSO login. You can access it directly at duq.starrezhousing.com or through the main Duquesne portal. StarRez Portal

Applying for Housing

After submitting the $100 non-refundable housing application fee, students are emailed instructions on how to access the Housing Agreement. Both the fee and the agreement must be submitted by the stated deadline. Duquesne University

Room Selection (Lottery)

New Duquesne Students will not participate in the housing lottery process until the spring semester of their first year on the Bluff. Room selection takes place during an assigned week for returning Duquesne Students, and all selection occurs virtually in the Duquesne Housing Portal. The lottery is based on academic standing — current juniors and above select first, then sophomores, followed by first-year students. Duquesne University

Other Self-Service Features

Beyond room selection, the StarRez Housing Portal supports a range of tasks students can complete on their own time:

• Completing housing applications, signing contracts, and real-time roommate search and matching StarRez
• Receiving communications about assignments, move-in logistics, and housing updates

New/Incoming Students

Step 1 — Submit the Enrollment Deposit

To submit your deposit and enroll at Duquesne, log in to your Duquesne Applicant Portal and complete your Enrollment Response Form. This is the standard enrollment commitment deposit, not a separate housing-specific fee.

Step 2 — Access the Housing Application

Once you complete your deposit, you will receive an email containing a link to the New Student Housing Application. The housing application opens February 1 to those who have already committed by submitting their deposit.

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Current/Transfer Students

Step 1 — Pay the $100 Housing Application Fee

Online application fees are submitted by logging into the Duquesne University Portal, clicking "Student Account and Billing," then selecting "Tuition Payment Portal," "Make a Payment." You can also pay in person at the Cashier's Office on the first floor of the Administration Building with cash or check made payable to Duquesne University.

Step 2 — Sign the Housing Agreement

After submitting the housing application fee, students are emailed instructions on how to access the Housing Agreement. Both the fee and the Housing Agreement must be submitted by the shared deadline.

Important note: The $100 Housing Application Fee is non-refundable and is applicable to the following semester's room and board account.

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If You Miss the Deadline

• Room assignments are first-come, first-served. It is extremely important for students to return their housing application immediately upon receipt, as room assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Missing the deadline means you'll likely be placed on a waitlist rather than participating in the lottery. 
• You may still apply late. Students unable to receive a lottery number or room assignment will be placed on a waiting list and notified as rooms become available. 
• Good standing matters. A student must be in good financial and academic standing with the university. Past due balances or holds on your account may delay or deny your housing assignment.

The best course of action if you've missed the deadline is to contact the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life directly at (412) 396-1600 or email us at orl@duq.edu. 

Track 1: Lumina Communities (Brottier & McGinley Halls)

The Lumina Communities run on an earlier, separate timeline from the general lottery. The three Lumina properties at Duquesne are Brottier Hall, McGinley Hall, and St. Martin Hall. Brottier and McGinley in particular have their own dedicated application and selection process. You can learn about the application and housing selection process for these communities on the Lumina Communities Website

What to know about Lumina leases: Brottier Hall leases run from August through July the following year — an 11-month lease. McGinley Hall floors 1–7 run on a similar August–July schedule, and the building remains open for all breaks throughout the academic year, including summer. Meal plans are not required at Lumina Communities, though Duquesne Dining has developed unique dining plans specifically tailored for Lumina residents. 

Important financial note: Withdrawal, dismissal, or transfer does not relieve a student of their financial obligations for Brottier and McGinley Halls. To potentially be relieved of amounts due, a student must find another enrolled Duquesne student to assume the remaining obligations and pay a $150 lease transfer fee.

Track 2: General Housing Lottery (Des Places, Towers, Assumption, St. Martin, Vickroy)

Step 1 — Pay the $100 Housing Application Fee

Online application fees are submitted by logging into the Duquesne University Portal, clicking "Student Account and Billing," then selecting "Tuition Payment Portal," "Make a Payment,"You can also pay in person at the Cashier's Office with cash or check.

Step 2 — Sign the Housing Agreement

After submitting the housing application fee, students are emailed instructions on how to access the Housing Agreement. Both the fee and the Housing Agreement must be submitted by the shared deadline.

Step 3 — Receive Your Lottery Number

Lottery numbers are randomly generated and distributed to students in March, along with instructions on how to select a room. Students and their roommates select using the better of their two lottery numbers.

Priority order is based on academic standing: Current juniors and above select first, then current sophomores, followed by current first-year students.

Step 4 — Room Selection

Room selection takes place in March at your assigned time slot. All selection occurs virtually in the Duquesne Housing Portal. 

A few building-specific notes for this track:

• St. Martin Hall is the home of the Sophomore Experience Community, and preference is given to current first-year students.
• In St. Martin and Des Places, you can request a full suite based on the best lottery number among the residents choosing to live together. 
• Des Places Hall is reserved for students in the Duquesne Honors College, though non-Honors students can live there with a friend who is a member. 

Group Housing (Alternative Track — Towers)

Students participating in Group Housing can submit a request to reside on an entire wing (24 or 25 students) and, if approved, will be placed in the Towers based on availability. Group Housing applications are found on the Duquesne Services Portal in the Student Services area. Students who enter the Group Housing process do not participate in the general Room Lottery. 

Important Reminders for All Tracks

• Submitting a housing deposit does not guarantee housing. A student must be in good financial and academic standing, and any past due balances or holds may delay or deny a housing assignment.
• Students unable to receive a lottery number or room assignment will be placed on a waitlist and notified as rooms become available. 

Who Must Live On Campus

First year and second year students attending Duquesne University are required to live on campus or with their parents or guardians. Students who do not complete a Housing Waiver Request and receive approval will be assigned a housing location. 

Step 1 — Submit Your Enrollment Deposit

The housing application opens February 1 to those who have already committed to Duquesne by submitting their deposit. To submit your deposit, log in to your Duquesne Applicant Portal and complete your Enrollment Response Form. 

Step 2 — Complete Your Housing Application & Preferences

Once you complete your deposit, you will receive an email containing a link to the New Student Housing Application. When you complete your housing application, you have the chance to give us your preference about your room type and let us know if you would like to join a Living and Learning Community.

New students can choose from three housing options:

• Duquesne Towers — Home to over 1,100 students, Greek Housing, and Nursing, Business, and Liberal Arts Living Learning Communities. Residents share double or triple rooms, kitchenettes, lounges, and study spaces.
• St. Ann Hall — An exclusively first-year residence hall where students share a room with one roommate and enjoy multiple lounge spaces and study areas. 
• Des Places Hall — Home to students who are members of the Duquesne Honors College. Students share a double room with one roommate in a suite of 2, 4, or 6 peers in the Honors College. 

Step 3 — Roommate Selection & Matching

Unlike returning students who use a lottery to self-select rooms, new students go through a roommate matching process managed by the housing office.

Upon completion of your Housing Application, you will be able to complete the Roommate Questionnaire and begin interacting with your classmates and potential roommates.

There are two paths:

• You already have a roommate in mind: If you have a roommate already chosen, please select them as part of the Roommate Matching section of your application. You must select your preferred roommate by June.
• You don't have a roommate in mind: Students who do not choose a roommate will be auto-matched based on their completed questionnaire.

Unlike the returning student lottery, new students do not self-select their specific room — the housing office assigns rooms based on preferences and availability.

Important Dates for New Students

Can be found on the New Student Housing website. New Student Housing 

Campus Residency Waiver

Students who believe they qualify to live off campus must apply for an exemption. The eight conditions that can exempt a student from the campus residency policy are: completion of four semesters of full-time academic work; residing with parents or a legal guardian; enrollment as a part-time student; being married; having one or more dependent children in custody; being a military veteran with at least two years of full-time active service; being over the age of 21; or having physical or psychological circumstances that the University cannot accommodate. 

Note that the University's Campus Residency Policy makes no provision for financial need as a reason for exemption. Students needing financial assistance are advised to contact the Financial Aid Office

Students can request housing accommodations once they have been approved by the Office of Disability Services. Medical documentation must be submitted to the Office of Disability Services to establish housing related accommodations. Please do not bypass the Office of Disability services and share medical information directly with the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life.

Please contact Disability Services by email adisability@duq.edu or stop by Union 309 with questions on the accommodations process.

Emotional support and service animals provide a unique and helpful service for students. Emotional support animals provide comfort to students, while service animals are trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. 

Learn about our policies and accommodations regarding emotional support animals and service animals.

We have several resources on campus to support students including:

• Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center (tutoring, academic life coaching, test reviews)
• The Center for Student Wellbeing (counseling, health and recreation services)
• Career Development (major/career path assistance, resume and interview skills)
• First-year development programs (monitors first year students, peer mentor program)

Yes housing is available during breaks where the residence halls close such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break. Information to request break housing is made abundantly available to students via email leading up to the break. Students may not be able to reside in their assigned housing, but will be given temporary accommodations in the Duquesne Towers.

Your request to stay over a break period should be submitted through the Duquesne Services Portal. The request form can be accessed with this link: Break Housing Request Form

• Must be registered for at least one class for the duration of their stay
• Are an international student

The Resident Assistant (RA) position is one of the most impactful leadership opportunities available within Student Housing and Residence Life. RAs serve as peer leaders who support residents, build community, and create engaging experiences within the residence halls.

As an RA, students develop valuable leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while serving as mentors and role models within their communities.

RA responsibilities include:

• Building relationships with residents
• Creating community-building programs
• Supporting student engagement and belonging
• Serving as a resource for campus support services
• Upholding community standards and university policies

Resident Assistant applications typically open in early fall. The selection process includes:

• Application submission during the fall semester
• Individual interviews during the fall semester
• Group interviews early in the spring semester
• Hiring decisions released by the end of January

Students must meet minimum eligibility requirements, including academic standing and class status, to be considered.

Interested students are encouraged to attend RA Information Sessions and speak with their current RA to learn more about the role.

Desk Attendants play an important role in supporting the daily operations of our residence halls. This position offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience while serving as a resource for residents and guests.

Desk Attendants are responsible for:

• Greeting residents and guests
• Assisting with check-ins and guest registration
• Monitoring building access
• Supporting front desk operations
• Providing customer service to the residential community

Desk Attendant positions are available to students who have been awarded Federal Work Study. Openings are posted through the University's Federal Work Study job listings.

Interested students should regularly check the Federal Work Study job portal for available positions.

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is the student leadership organization that represents residential students and enhances the on-campus living experience.

RHA provides opportunities for students to:

• Advocate for residential student needs
• Plan large-scale campus events
• Develop leadership skills
• Participate in community service
• Collaborate with campus partners
• Build connections across residence halls

RHA is open to all residential students, and there are many ways to participate, from attending events to serving in leadership positions.

Students interested in joining RHA are encouraged to attend meetings or connect with their building representatives.

Designed for students who share the same academic major or field of study. Through faculty mentorship, shared classes, academic programming and learning experiences, you will deepen understanding in your future profession while building strong peer networks with students in your major or field of study. If you choose to live in this community type you will share a minimum of two courses with others who live on your residence hall floor. 

This along with the opportunities below is how joining a Living Learning Community enhances your housing experience on campus. 

• Shared living environment with peers in your classes and major or those who share your interests and goals.
• Peer mentors, Success Coaches, advisors, and faculty members in your academic school or program actively involved in the community.  
• Exclusive study groups and tutoring sessions. 
• Enriching social and networking activities that bring your studies to life.

All community requests Are made in the housing agreement. 

• Step #1: Select your community preference in the Housing Agreement​. Preferences received before April 15 will receive priority in the opportunity to join this community type
• Step #2: The Office of Student Housing and Residence Life will verify that you meet any program requirements
• Step #3: Assignments will be made based on availability, date of application, and your roommate preference.
• Step #4: You will be notified early July of your community and room assignment. Based on housing capacity you may be added to a waitlist for a certain community

You can learn about all of the Living Learning Community options on the Living Learning Community Website 

Duquesne Residence Halls (Towers, St. Ann, Assumption, Des Places, Vickroy)

For students living in Duquesne-owned residence halls, maintenance requests are submitted through the Duquesne Services Portal

For urgent issues that can't wait, students can also contact the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life directly at (412) 396-6655, or speak with their Resident Director (RD) or Resident Assistant (RA) on their floor.

Lumina Communities (Brottier, McGinley, St. Martin)

Students living in Lumina-managed properties have a separate process. For non-emergency repairs, residents submit requests through the Lumina Resident Portal at liveatluminaduq.com. For emergencies after hours, the 24-hour front desk staff can dispatch maintenance directly. 

Tips

• Submit requests as early as possible, as routine issues are handled in the order received.
• For true emergencies (flooding, no heat, safety hazards), don't wait for the portal, contact your RA on call by going to your front desk or campus Public Safety at (412) 396-6002 immediately.
• Keep a note of your submission so you can follow up if the issue isn't resolved promptly.