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    General Questions

    Are students required to live in student housing?

    DigiPen Housing is an optional program for matriculated students attending DigiPen Institute of Technology and is not required for first-year students.


    Is family housing available?

    DigiPen Housing and Residence Life does not currently provide a family housing program. Students wishing to live with partners or children are encouraged to seek outside accommodations.


    Can I view a DigiPen apartment prior to applying?

    Apartment tours of student spaces are not offered due to privacy and health concerns for current residents. See our Housing Options page for sample floor plans. Photos and virtual tours can be found on each apartment’s website.


    What are your policies on COVID-19 and vaccinations?

    DigiPen Housing and Residence Life is committed to our residents’ safety. Training and procedures have been put in place to address all COVID-19 related concerns should they arise.

    The number of suspected and reported COVID-19 cases, along with state and local guidelines, will factor into policies implemented by DigiPen Housing and Residence Life. These policies may be adjusted as needed.

    DigiPen Housing and Residence Life requires residents to submit proof of vaccinations for the following:

    • Measles
    • Mumps
    • Rubella (MMR)
    • Tetanus-Diphtheria booster

    Based on American College Health Association (ACHA) guidelines, DigiPen Housing also recommends residents be vaccinated against Meningococcal Quadrivalent (A, C, Y, and W-135), Polio, Varicella, Pertussis, Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, Tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine-23 valent. DigiPen Housing and Residence Life also recommends that residents be vaccinated for COVID-19, per CDC and Washington State guidelines.

    Residents must submit proof of immunization before being approved for move-in. Proof of vaccination may include, but is not limited to, a copy of a vaccination record, a letter from a healthcare provider, or an official immunization registry record. Proof of vaccination may be required to be submitted in English. Residents may be exempt from certain vaccine requirements for medical or religious reasons. However, exemptions will only be granted in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

    DigiPen Housing and Residence Life currently partners with MedProctor, an online vaccination review service. When vaccination documents are required to be submitted, applicants will receive instructions via email.


    Who can access my housing information?

    DigiPen Housing and Residence Life follows all of the guidelines outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Residents can choose to allow others to access their records and information retained by DHL as they deem appropriate. This access is also termed as FERPA “Proxy.”

    Residents can provide and revoke their FERPA Proxy via the housing application portal. Residents can submit a new form at any time if they wish to change any or all of the permissions they have granted to others.

    Persons granted FERPA Proxy may contact DigiPen Housing and Residence Life on behalf of the student and receive information retained by DigiPen Housing (such as currently assigned housing address, application status, etc.), and in limited cases — act on behalf of the student.

    See our FERPA page for more information on your rights as a student.


    What is the alcohol and drug policy?

    Alcohol, drugs (including marijuana), and related paraphernalia are not allowed in units, even if a resident is over 21 years of age. Please see our handbook and agreements for the full policy description.


    What is the smoking policy?

    Smoking is not allowed inside DigiPen Housing and Residence Life units or on balconies. Many of the complexes we work with additionally have strict “no smoking policies” for their entire property. Please note that this includes e-cigarettes, hookah, vaping, and any other way to smoke tobacco and/or marijuana. Please see our handbook and agreements for the full policy description.


    Is there an additional cost for housing over holidays and break?

    Residents are allowed to stay in their assigned units over fall, winter, and spring break periods at no additional cost. DigiPen Housing and Residence Life may require all students to register for break periods to ensure that Housing staff know you are present in the event of an emergency.


    How can I pay for housing?

    Costs for DigiPen Housing are billed at the beginning of each semester, and payment dates align with tuition payments. Please see Tuition and Housing Payments for information on the different methods to pay for student housing.


    Can I choose my roommates? How are roommates assigned?

    Students fill out a roommate matching survey when they apply, and they can also request to live with other specific students through the housing application. Requests for roommates are granted based on availability.


    What happens if I don’t get along with my direct roommate and/or housemates?

    Our RAs are trained to mediate any interpersonal issues that may come up between residents in their assigned apartment. DigiPen Housing and Residence Life staff may also attend and assist with mediation when needed or requested. If a mediation is unable to resolve the identified issue(s), other options may be explored depending on the situation and/or availability of spaces. See our Community Policies and Housing Agreement section for more information.


    Can I choose a specific DigiPen apartment community?

    Residents are not able to select a specific apartment community when applying and are instead assigned an apartment based on availability and priority. Our apartment communities all offer similar amenities, walkability, size, and interior finishings.


    What If I need to edit my application after submitting?

    Edits can be made directly on the application portal. If you have trouble or run into any technical issues, email housing@digipen.edu and we will be able to assist you.


    I don’t have a personal vehicle. Is the area walkable or bikeable?

    All our apartment communities are within a 2-mile radius of campus, local grocery stores, eateries, and nature trails. Bike racks are present at each community.

    Additionally, the DigiPen shuttle connects each of our communities to the main campus. The shuttle runs on a schedule, and rides can be scheduled when needed. Learn more at our Transportation and Parking page.


    What are the food options for students on campus? Is there a meal plan?

    Bytes Cafe & Lounge is DigiPen’s main dining hall and a regular congregation area for students, staff, and faculty. Bytes serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with year-round offerings that can accommodate many dietary restrictions, preferences, and tastes. Learn more about our dining hall at our Cafe and Student Store page.

    DigiPen Housing and Residence Life does not offer partnered meal plans with Bytes Cafe & Lounge. Any meal cards for Bytes Cafe & Lounge must be purchased separately and are not included in the cost of housing.


    What sort of furniture is provided? Can I bring my own items?

    A list of furniture is provided on our Housing Options page. As for your own personal items, be sure to communicate with your future roommates if you desire to bring large items like snowboards, bikes, a desktop computer, musical instruments, and other large items as space may be limited. Please see our handbook and agreements for the full policy description.


    Can I have a pet in student housing?

    No pets of any kind are allowed in DigiPen Housing and Residence Life. If you require a service, emotional support, or therapy animal as an accommodation for a documented disability, please see the Requesting Housing Accommodations page or contact the Disability Support Services Office for information about required documentation, policies, and requesting this accommodation. Only DSS approved service, emotional support, or therapy animals are allowed to reside in, or visit, DigiPen Housing premises.


    What is the difference between a single, double, and triple room type?

    Rooms are assigned a number of occupants based on the size of the room and the apartment floorplan. Rooms are also determined by any applicable accommodations. A single room refers to a room occupied by one resident, a double room by two residents, and a triple room by three residents. As there may be multiple bedrooms in an apartment, this does not refer to the total number of residents in an assigned apartment.


    What does my Housing payment cover?

    Your semesterly housing payment is inclusive of: wireless services (Wi-Fi), utilities (electric, water, gas, trash, parking), maintenance services, shuttle service to and from DigiPen campus, community amenities (seasonal pool and fitness center usage), limited furnishings, services, and community events provided by the DigiPen Housing and Residence Life team.

    Rainbow Themed Living Learning Community

    What is the difference between the Rainbow TLLC and Gender Inclusive Housing?

    The Rainbow Themed Living Learning Community (Rainbow TLLC) strives to host a supportive and welcoming environment for new residents who identify as LGBTQ+ or as allies of the community. Through educational opportunities and specialized programming, interested incoming first-time freshman can engage with peers within this community with the support of a Resident Assistant (RA) and staff advisor.

    Gender Inclusive Housing is an option provided for the entire resident population of DigiPen Housing and Residence Life that allows our residents to be placed with other residents who self-selected Gender Inclusive Housing options on their Housing Application. Housing for the Rainbow TLLC is inherently gender inclusive — students who do not request Gender Inclusive Housing within their housing application have limited ability to be placed and approved into the Rainbow TLLC.


    What are the benefits of being a part of the Rainbow TLLC?

    Being a part of Rainbow allows you to connect with other LGBTQ+ individuals and allies at and around DigiPen, as well as participate in programming that is geared for LGBTQ+ students and allies.

    The Rainbow TLLC offers plenty of exclusive opportunities, including attending unique programs and events led by the community’s RA, developing interpersonal relationships with peers who may have similar interests and goals, learning from local non-profits and organizations who support LGBTQ+ individuals and initiatives within the Seattle area, and gaining social support and discovering professional development opportunities from DigiPen faculty and staff.


    How many residents will be in the Rainbow TLLC?

    The number of residents placed in Rainbow will be limited and based on interest.


    Will residents in the Rainbow TLLC be living with each other and placed in apartments that are in proximity of each other?

    Yes, DigiPen Housing and Residence Life plans to dedicate a limited number of apartments within one of our communities that will allow Rainbow TLLC residents to live with and near each other for the academic term.


    Is the Rainbow TLLC only for first-year DigiPen students?

    At this time, the Rainbow TLLC is offered as an option for incoming first-time freshman. Not an incoming first-time freshman? No problem! Check out our active Registered Student Organizations for other on-campus opportunities.


    How do I request roommates for the Rainbow TLLC?

    Rainbow TLLC applicants can request roommates by their DigiPen email within the Housing Application. You and your requested roommate(s) must be accepted to the Rainbow TLLC for this request to be honored. Requests will be honored depending on availability of spaces and other application factors. Roommate requests may be adjusted after application submission.


    Will my parent(s) or guardian(s) know if I apply or have been placed in the Rainbow TLLC?

    It is up to your discretion to share any information with your parents or guardians regarding your housing placement or your involvement in additional experiences such as the Rainbow TLLC. Please be mindful when sharing emails and login information as Housing staff will provide information regarding any TLLC acceptance in official communications and systems. Housing staff may provide information retained by our systems upon request directly to parents or guardians with provided FERPA Waivers. See our FERPA page for more information.


    Are there resources available for LGBTQ+ students at DigiPen?

    Please feel free to visit the following pages to learn more about the resources available for LGBTQ+ students at DigiPen:

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