Frequently Asked Questions
Are students required to live on campus at North Central College?
Research shows that college students connect better to campus, experience greater academic success, and are more likely to continue on to graduation when they live on campus. It is College policy that first and second year students not living with their families are required to live in campus housing. If you need to request an exception to this policy, you must submit an appeal in writing to the Office of Residence Life.
How do I apply to live on campus?
The housing process for returning students begins every Spring term. Returning students have the option of retaining their current spaces or participating in the room selection process to select a new room. Open rooms are made available based on the cumulative credit hours for the residents occupying that space. More detailed information will be available from your residence life staff during Spring term.
Commuter students interested in living in a residence hall must submit a housing deposit to the College. If a commuter chooses to live on campus before housing selection process in the Spring, they will go through the same process as the current resident students; if a commuter student chooses to live on campus outside of that time, they would work with the Office of Residence Life to find an available space on campus. Remember, the residence hall contract is for the entire academic year - or for the remainder of the year if you enroll mid-year - and includes both room and board (meal plan).
Do I get to pick my roommates?
If you are returning to campus housing and go through the housing selection process during the spring term, you will be able to pick exactly who you would like to live with for the next academic year.
If you are a commuter student interested in housing, you will go through the same housing selection process as resident students if you decide you want housing during the housing selection process; in that case, you would be able to pick your roommates same as resident students. If you are choosing to live on campus mid-year or before/after the housing selection process, we’ll try our best to match you with your preferred roommate, if you have one. If you have someone you would like to live with and have already turned in your housing questionnaire, please send a request via e-mail to reslife@noctrl.edu. It is important to note that both you and your requested roommate need to send a request.
What if I don’t know anyone?
Then leave the choice up to the residence life staff! We’ll match you up with someone who matches your interests, tastes, and lifestyle choices. Many such roommates end up becoming life-long friends.
What should I bring for my room?
Remember… less is more. Bring enough to make your room your home, but don’t bring so much that it’s hard to move around in your room. Don’t forget extra-long sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and one season’s worth of clothes. Remember, the residence halls close for a time after each 10-week term, so you’ll have an opportunity to bring in next season’s fashion line... the rest is up to you. Please leave candles, open-coil cooking gadgets, and halogen lamps at home. Pets, other than fish in small aquariums (5 gallons or smaller), must be left at home as well. A more comprehensive list of recommendations will be passed out at your orientation or you can contact the Office of Residence Life at 630-637-5858 for more suggestions.
What type of sheets will I need for my bed?
A frequently asked question...To be safe, most of the beds on campus are going to be twin beds that will require extra long sheets. Extra long twin sheets can be found at most department stores, frequently in the "back to school" section. The Office of Residence Life also partners with Residence Hall Linens (RHL) to provide our students with a convenient, affordable way to purchase extra-long sheets and bedding items, as well as other campus-living necessities. Please visit the RHL website http://www.rhl.org/ncc for more information.
What if I want to loft my bed?
North Central works with a company called Collegiate Marketing, who runs Bedloft.com. Bedloft.com rents out metal lofts to North Central students. The lofts can be picked up the weekend before classes start for upper class student, and will have to be returned 1 week before classes end in June. The lofts are optional and are the only lofts allowed on campus. For more information, visit the Bedloft.com web site or click here for a short FAQ about Bed lofts. Bedloft.com also rents microfridges (microwave/refrigerator/freezer combo) and sells futons that are available for students.
Do I have a mailbox?
If you’re a resident student, you’ll have a mailbox. The campus mailroom, with student mailboxes, is located on the first floor of Old Main. To ensure speedy delivery, please tell your friends and family to address letters and packages to you as follows:
Your Name, Campus Mailbox #
30 N. Brainard St.
Naperville, IL 60540
Can I bring a pet?
Fish are the only pets allowed and must be housed in a 5 gallon tank or smaller. If you bring an aquarium, remember that you’ll need to transport it to and from your residence hall when the campus is closed.
Do you provide any additional services?
Students can also rent a microfridge or purchase a futon through the company Bedloft.com. Click here for a short FAQ about Bed lofts, microfridges, or futons.
The Office of Residence Life has also partnered with Residence Hall Linens to provide our students with a convenient, affordable way to purchase extra-long sheets and bedding items, as well as other campus-living necessities. Please visit the RHL website http://www.rhl.org/ncc for more information.
We’re sure you have dozens of other questions. Feel free to contact the Office of Residence Life at 630-637-5858 if you have a burning question that needs an answer.