Residential Education
At the heart of the mission of Gettysburg College is the fact that we are a residential campus. Gettysburg offers a wide variety of housing options that are designed to be highly supportive and interactive in the first two years and move toward independent living in the last two years. We are committed to developing a caring community that encourages academic success, champions individual respect, and demands responsibility within our community. In order to achieve these community ideals, we expect all residents to work together to create a positive living environment.
Upperclass students work closely with professional and student staff to develop vibrant communities and to capitalize on the “teachable moments” that emerge through the residential experience. Our educational approach with upperclass students is intended to prepare students to be active leaders who take purposeful action in service of the community. The approach has, as its foundation, the Citizenship Pillars.
Housing Selection
Housing for the following year is selected each year during the spring semester. For current juniors, lottery numbers are assigned randomly within the rising senior class. For current sophomores, students are assigned into housing groups based on their Sophomore Success Program participation. Within each housing group, lottery numbers are assigned randomly. For current first-year students, students are assigned into housing groups based on their participation in the First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) program. Within each group, lottery numbers are assigned randomly. The housing selection process is divided into three phases:
- Phase 1: Assigning housing to students required to live in fraternity houses, students who are approved to live off-campus, students selected to live in College Houses, residential student staff, and students with medically-approved housing accommodations. Students involved in these housing options participate in their own separate housing selection processes, some of which include the use of class year, grade point average, and/or conduct record for approval or assignment of spaces.
- Phase 2: Open selection of available spaces; largely completed though an online selection process. All students who were not assigned housing through phase one are assigned a lottery number. Lottery numbers are assigned by expected graduation term and as described above based on First-Year Residential Experience program participation and Sophomore Success Program credit. Additional details about the lottery system are provided in materials disseminated early in the spring semester.
- Phase 3: Occurs mostly in June and July and involves the housing waitlist process for students who do not receive their first choice in housing or who do not select housing through any of the previous housing processes. It also includes housing assignments for readmitted students returning from a leave of absence. Room consolidations resulting from withdrawals and dismissals also occur during this phase.
Below are some housing selection highlights to consider. Students will receive more detailed information early in the spring semester.
Room Rates and Meal Plans
Gettysburg offers a variety of options for upperclass housing. The room rate and meal plan requirement varies depending on the style of housing and the amenities provided. Please review this information carefully before selecting your housing.
Gender-Inclusive Housing
Upperclass students may choose to live in a gender-inclusive space. This option allows two or more students to share a multiple-occupancy bedroom, suite, or apartment regardless of students' sex or gender. Gender-inclusive housing is intended for students who wish to share a living space with friends regardless of gender identity; it is not intended for romantic couples. Please review the gender-inclusive housing program for further information.
College Houses
College Houses provide students the opportunity to form self-directed and self-governing groups focused on a particular academic focus and serve as intellectual and social hubs. Students establish clear goals for their group and, through a community agreement, plan how to be engaged participants in their community and the campus community.
RISE House (Substance-Free Living)
Gettysburg College offers substance-free housing through the RISE program (Respecting Individual Student Expectations about alcohol). Students who choose participate in this program make a commitment to maintain a living environment which promotes and respects healthy lifestyle choices.
Living Off-Campus
Gettysburg is a residential college. By policy (see Gettysburg Course Catalog), all of our undergraduate students are required to live on campus, or in a College affiliated fraternity house, unless they receive approval to reside off-campus.
The opportunity to live off-campus is reserved only for a limited number of seniors based on enrollment numbers for a given year. Eligibility is based on grade point average and student conduct record. Eligible students wishing to live together should apply as one group; the determining order for groups to be released is based on the average grade point average (GPA) of the group. Students are forewarned against signing a lease for an off-campus property until they receive approval in writing from the Office of Residential Education.
More details about living off-campus can be found on our Off-Campus Living website.
Greek Housing
Living in a chapter house is an important component of the fraternity experience. Since it is important that fraternities keep the houses at full capacity, members are required to live in their house unless the house is full. Before the housing selection process begins, it is important for members to check with their chapter leadership to see if they will be required to live in their fraternity house.
Disability Accommodations
Gettysburg College provides reasonable housing accommodations for students with disabilities. The Office of Residential Education will collaborate with other relevant staff at the College (including the Center for Student Success, Health Services, and Counseling Services) to determine the most appropriate housing accommodations. Housing accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis according to documented need and prevailing standards for reason accommodations.
The staff in the Center for Student Success provide support for students with disabilities. For questions about the policies, procedures, or accommodations, please review the Handbook for Students with Disabilities and contact the Center for Student Success with questions.
Studying Off-Campus
Students studying off-campus should carefully review the information provided for their housing selection. The website explains how to select housing if you are studying of-campus during either semester.
Upperclass Living Links