First-Year Housing

Students playing Foosball

All first-year students live in one of five on-campus residence halls. First-year students are students who have earned 23 credits or fewer, including transfer students under age 21.

Students are assigned to rooms in one of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s three on-campus residence halls. Rooms come furnished with beds, desks and chairs, dressers, and closets. Amenities vary by hall, but typically include laundry facilities, vending machines, kitchen access, air conditioning, wireless Internet, cable TV and secured access. 

  • Benefits of Living in University Housing 

    Live Close. Living on campus allows easy access to each one of your classes, as well as the University Commons, Staley Library and other campus facilities.

    Live Secure. Our residence halls have swipe-controlled access for safety and security as well as 24-hour security personnel patrolling and monitoring campus who are available with one phone call.

    Live in Community. Living on campus helps build a community with those around you. You have more opportunities to create a support system with people down the hall or in other campus residences.

    Live Involved. Living on campus allows you to know what is going on and to be a part of it. When you live on campus, you have increased opportunities to join in on fun activities that make memories. These include floor-wide and campus-wide activities hosted within the residence hall by your Resident Assistants and by student organizations and athletic teams.

    Live Supported. Living on campus offers each student the emotional, spiritual, social and academic support to succeed as a student. Paraprofessional student leaders, Public Safety and Student Affairs staff are trained and available to assist students in need.

    Live Smart. Research of college students across the nation indicates that students who live on campus are more satisfied with their college experience, earn higher grade-point averages and are more likely to graduate. Living on campus can help students with time-management and greater connections with academic support.

    Residential learning outcomes for residential students

    By End of their First Year:

    • Residents will engage in the residential community through interactions, service, education and programming.
    • Residents will develop ownership and a sense of belonging in their residential community.
    • Residents will identify and reflect on their personal values in order to engage in inclusion and difference.
    • Residents will develop confidence in problem-solving skills and managing their lives.
       

    NOTE: All students are encouraged to obtain renter's insurance with a reputable service provider. Sometimes home or car insurance policies have an add-on option for only a small monthly fee to provide coverage and peace of mind.

    Dolson Hall

    Dolson Hall, named after prominent Decatur businessman Jack C. Dolson, boasts four floors of suite-style living in our newest residence hall (opened in 1997) housing 200 coed residents. Each floor offers a large lounging area that comes equipped with a kitchen – providing a great space for socializing and programming. Dolson Hall room options include single, double, and quad rooms. ADA accessible rooms are also available. The campus bookstore and study room are located on the ground floor. You will also find a great resource in having the Office of Campus Life located on the ground floor of this residential building. Dolson Hall is home to several of our living-learning communities. Amenities include: kitchen access, air conditioning, vending machines, ice machine, secured access, cable TV, wireless internet, laundry facilities, suite-shared bathrooms.

    • 210 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL 62522

    Weck Hall

    Located directly across the street from Shilling Hall is Weck Hall, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s quaint two-story, suite-style residence hall. Weck houses 52 residents and includes a large first-floor lounge, study room, and a ping pong table. The benefits of living in this building include an intimate sense of community and single bathrooms shared by each group of four residents. Amenities include: air conditioning, vending machines, ice machine, secured access, cable TV access, wireless internet, laundry facilities, suite-shared bathrooms.

    • 1211 W. Main St., Decatur, IL 62522

    New Hall 4

    Located directly across the street from Shilling Hall is New Hall 4, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½'s quaint two-story, suite-style residence hall. New Hall 4 houses 52 residents and includes a large first floor lounge, study room, and a ping pong table. The benefits of living in this building include an intimate sense of community and single bathrooms shared by each group of four residents. Amenities include: air conditioning, vending machines, ice machine, secured access, cable TV access, wireless internet, laundry facilities, suite shared bathrooms.

    • 1188 West Wood St., Decatur, IL  62522

    Blackburn Hall

    Blackburn Hall

    First-year students are assigned to rooms in one of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s four on-campus residence halls. Rooms come furnished with beds, desks and chairs, dressers, and closets. Amenities vary by hall, but typically include laundry facilities, vending machines, kitchen access, air conditioning, wireless Internet, cable TV, and secured access. Blackburn Hall is one of two community-style residence halls on campus.

    • 105 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL 62522