Living and Dining
ESF is nestled on University Hill, right next door to Syracuse University, down the street from SUNY Upstate Medical University, and just blocks away from vibrant downtown neighborhoods.
ESF first-year students are required to live on-campus, unless your permanent home address is within 30 miles of campus. Transfer students generally live off campus, but on-campus housing is made available on a space available basis
Centennial Hall
Our environmentally friendly residence hall — Centennial Hall, or Centen — offers double and triple rooms that include private bathrooms, minifridge, microwave, and furniture from Stickley.
Centen also features study spaces, a computer lab, lounge areas, a fitness center, bike storage, laundry facilities, and a community kitchen.
Our residence hall is located on the western edge of the ESF campus, just a short walk from our academic buildings.
Off-Campus Housing
Non-first year students often consider off-campus housing options. Generally, off-campus apartments in the ESF/SU neighborhood require a 12-month lease. Splitting the rent 2, 3, or 4 ways in a multi-bedroom unit makes off-campus living very affordable.
The Syracuse University Off-Campus Student Living team provides information, resources referrals, services and support for SUNY ESF and SU students living off-campus.
SU Off-Campus Housing Marketplace
Dining on Campus
There are two dining locations on the ESF campus:
Trailhead Café
Located in Gateway Center, Trailhead is open five days a week, provides dining options for almost every diet — including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free — and supports New York state producers, growers, and manufacturers by purchasing many products within the state.
Café @ Moon
Located in Moon Library, this café is the perfect spot to grab an iced or hot coffee, tea, and other drinks, plus snacks.
Both cafés participate in ESF’s reusable container program. Students can check out
up to three containers, load them up with their purchased food, then return them to
be cleaned. Choosing reuse at our cafés helps to reduce the amount of waste at ESF.
Dining on SU's Campus
ESF’s long-standing relationship with Syracuse University includes a wide variety of meal plan options and dining choices with convenient locations and hours available to all ESF students.
Because ESF meal plans are offered through Syracuse University, ESF students have access to SU’s five campus dining centers as well as their retail dining locations.
Meal Plan Options
Meal plans are available to all ESF students and offered through a partnership with Syracuse University. First-year students living in Centennial Hall are required to purchase a meal plan and while you may select from a variety of option, a minimum of 85 meals per semester (SU Block 85 Plan) is required.