Housing
ESF does not operate residence hall facilities at the Syracuse campus. However, ESF students may contract directly with Syracuse University's Office of Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services to arrange for on-campus housing and dining. ESF freshmen (undergraduates) are required to live on campus unless they are commuting from home. Transfer students (undergraduates) are not required to reside on campus. Transfer students may choose to live at Syracuse University's residence halls or apartments and contract for dining services or find living accommodations off-campus and arrange their own meals.
Upon acceptance at ESF, students will receive complete information about housing options, fees, and registration. Syracuse University has 11 main campus residence halls, which vary in size from 130 to 570 students. All residence halls are coeducational by wing, floor, or alternating room. Each large residence hall has a lounge, television room, laundry room, vending machines, and recreation space. Many also have special facilities such as a computer cluster, snack bar, exercise areas, and a branch of the Syracuse University Bookstore. On-campus housing options include single and double rooms and suites in traditional residence halls, rooms in the smaller village halls, and one- two- and three-bedroom apartments. Syracuse University also provides housing especially for families. All students with meal plans are entitled to eat at any of the six campus dining centers or two food courts on campus. The Syracuse University housing contract is binding for the academic year, not just one semester.
For More information on housing contact: Syracuse University Office of Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services, 315-443-2721/2723 or email at HOUSING@SUADMIN.SYR.EDU
Graduate Student Housing
Housing is available both on and off-campus for graduate students. Please contact the Office of Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Services at Syracuse University at 315-443-2721/2723 or email at HOUSING@SUADMIN.SYR.EDU for more information about on-campus graduate student housing.
Off-Campus Housing
Information on off-campus housing is available through the University Neighborhood Rental Listings. Housing is generally easy to find and ranges in price according to location and accommodations. You can expect to pay at least $400/month for a one-bedroom apartment and a minimum of $300/month for a room in a shared apartment. These are a few of the local apartment options:
Orange Housing
www.orangehousing.com (includes a free roommate information exchange)
Clarendon Heights Apartments
www.orangehousing.com/clarendonheights
University Hill Apartments
www.universityhill.com
Campus Hill Apartments
www.campushill.com
Signing a lease
Do not rely on a verbal agreement. Most housing is rented on a contract or lease basis, which means you agree to live in there for a specific period of time which may be as short as one semester, but usually 12 months. When you sign this contract, you become a tenant and are legally responsible for all rent payments for that apartment -- whether you live there or not, unless you make explicit arrangements in writing with the person who owns the building (landlord). Some landlords allow tenants to sublet, which means that the person who signed the contract may rent the space to another person.
Most contracts or apartment leases require the tenant to provide a deposit which is usually equal to one or two month's rent. This amount will be required in addition to the first month's rent before you will be allowed to move into the apartment. The deposit is kept by the landlord until you move out of the apartment and after the landlord has inspected the apartment for any damages. The deposit is returned to the tenant after the end of the lease. Make sure you inspect the apartment with the landlord before you sign the lease. You and the landlord should agree upon the condition of the apartment before you sign the contract to prevent any disagreements. Take pictures and make note of any problems before you move in.
Before you sign a lease or any legal contract, read it carefully and understand all of its obligations. If you have questions, ask the person who is in charge of the building or contact a staff member of SCIS before you sign. Keep a signed copy of the contract or lease for your own records. Make sure you have a copy of everything in writing with the date of the agreement. Once you have signed the contract, you are responsible for the terms of the contract.
NEW TO SYRACUSE?
When you arrive in Syracuse to look for off-campus housing or before you can move into your University residence, you may need short-term accommodations. International students may choose to stay at the International Living Center or at a nearby hotel. In the university area:
- Golden Tulip Hotel/Genesee Inn; 1060 Genesee St.; 476-4212
- Sheraton University Inn; University Avenue; 475-3000
Carrier Circle (NYS Thruway Exit 35)
- Courtyard (Marriott); 6415 Yorktown Circle; 432-0300
- Hampton Inn; 6605 Old Collamer Rd.; 463-6443
- Fairfield Inn (Marriott) 6610 Old Collamer Rd. 432-9333
Interstate 81 & NYS Thruway (Exit 36)
- Econolodge; North 401 7th North; 451-6000
- Super 8; 421 7th North; 451-8888
