Here’s a guide to the dorms and housing options at Rowan University, especially the Glassboro campus — how they’re structured, what’s available, what to expect, and some tips. If you tell me your class (freshman, sophomore, etc.) or preferences (budget, AC, single vs shared room, etc.), I can help you pick.
Overview
- Rowan has residence halls (traditional style), apartment communities, and affiliated / Nexus-partner housing / townhouses. (Rowan University)
- There’s a Mandatory Housing Policy: full-time undergrad students who are under 21 and with fewer than 58 credits (so typically freshmen and sophomores) are required to live on campus unless they meet certain waiver criteria (e.g. commuting from close by, married, etc.). (Rowan University)
- Students are assigned via application, roommate matching, etc. You can express preferences (e.g. roommate, some housing options), but in many cases space/building is not guaranteed. (Rowan University)
First-Year / Freshman Housing
These are the residence halls in which most first-year students live. Traditional dorm-style or suite style, but typically shared rooms, shared bathrooms.
Some of the Freshman / First-Year Halls include:
| Hall | Key Features / What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Magnolia Hall | Traditional residence hall, 3 floors, ~201 students. Suite layout (4-6 bedrooms per suite, shared bathroom and small lounge). No air conditioning. Mostly doubles, some singles. (Rowan University) |
| Chestnut Hall | Larger (~384 students), 3 floors, similar suite layout, communal bathrooms. No AC. Mostly doubles with a few singles. (Rowan University) |
| Willow Hall | Near Chestnut & Magnolia (pond, etc.). Traditional style, older building. (Rowan University) |
| Mimosa Hall | Suite style (rooms connected through shared bathroom), central location near student center. Used for freshmen. (Rowan University) |
| Evergreen Hall, Mullica Hall, Oak Hall, Laurel Hall are also freshman or mixed halls depending. Some older, some more modern. Some have more amenities, etc. (plexuss.com) | |
| Holly Pointe Commons | Newest big residence hall. Made for first-year students (also Honors freshmen). Has air conditioning, modern amenities, dining hall (Glassworks), etc. Much nicer than the older halls. (Rowan University) |
Note: The older halls generally don’t have central air conditioning. If AC is important to you (for comfort, health reasons, etc.), Holly Pointe Commons is your best bet among first-year halls. (Rowan University)
Upper-Class / Apartment-Style / Affiliated Housing
Once you’re past your first (or second) year, more options open up: apartments, newer buildings, more privacy, etc.
Here are some of the upper‐class / apartment style options:
| Housing Option | Features / Advantages | Things to Note |
|---|---|---|
| Whitney Center | Apartment-style, with 1 bedroom per person or mixed. Floors with elevators, newer construction. Good amenities. Usually for upperclassmen and honors students. (Rowan University) | |
| Rowan Boulevard Apartments (“RoBo”) | Also newer. 4-person apartments. Single bedrooms (each person gets own bedroom) or mixed style. Good location (Rowan Blvd area). (RU On Campus) | |
| Townhouses | Multi-story house-type living, with lounges & kitchen common areas. More “home-like” feel. (RU On Campus) | |
| Edgewood Apartments | More “budget” apartment style. Older buildings, less fancy amenities (e.g. some lack AC). But cheaper. (Reddit) | |
| Nexus-Affiliated Housing | Privately managed but affiliated, with more premium features (granite, better furnishings, more modern finishes). Higher cost. (Reddit) |
Amenities & Room Features
Here are some common features across the housing options, plus differences to watch out for:
Common Across Most Dorms / Apartments:
- Furnished rooms: extra-long twin bed (for traditional halls, etc.), desk, dresser, closet or wardrobe. (Rowan University)
- WiFi / network access in all housing options. Cable TV usually included. (Rowan University)
- Common lounges, laundry rooms, shared bathrooms depending on building. (Rowan University)
Features That Vary / Are “Premium”:
- Air Conditioning: Only in some newer halls/apartments (e.g. Holly Pointe Commons, newer apartment style). Traditional residence halls generally do not have AC. (Rowan University)
- Single vs Double Occupancy: Most rooms are doubles; singles are limited and often more expensive. (Rowan University)
- Suite / Apartment Bathrooms vs Hall Bathrooms: Some halls share bathrooms suite-style (4-6 connected rooms), others share more broadly (hall common bathrooms). Apartments have private or shared among fewer students. (Rowan University)
- Elevators: Newer/apartment style buildings almost always have them; older halls often do not. (Rowan University)
Costs & Financial / Policy Considerations
- Because of amenities, location, room type, etc., costs vary widely. Premium buildings like Nexus, Boulevard, Whitney tend to cost more. Apartments are more expensive than traditional halls in many cases, especially with single bedrooms and AC. (Reddit)
- The Mandatory Housing Policy means many students must live on campus during their first or second year, unless they meet waiver criteria. (Rowan University)
- There are housing waivers for those who meet certain criteria (e.g. commuting from home, over certain credits) so you don’t pay for housing if you live off campus and are eligible. (Rowan University)
Pros & Cons of Different Types
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional halls (freshmen) | Easier to meet people, built-in community; good affordability; convenience (close to classes, student life) | Less privacy; shared bathrooms; fewer amenities like AC; older buildings might have more maintenance issues |
| Premium halls / newer halls / Holly Pointe | More comfort, better amenities, modern design, often AC; nicer common areas | More expensive; might have longer waitlists or less availability; sometimes further from certain academic buildings depending on building |
| Apartment / townhouse living (upperclass) | More privacy; your own bedroom; apartment feel; often nicer kitchens/common spaces; more independence | Higher cost; more responsibility; possibly further from some central campus spots; sometimes AC/no AC varies; may require more walking or using transit if parking is limited |
Choosing What’s Best for You: Tips
Here are some tips to help you pick the right housing:
- Decide your priorities: Is budget more important, or comfort & amenities? Do you care about having AC, your own bedroom, a nicer living space?
- Check your year: If you’re a freshman, some halls are reserved; upperclass students have more options.
- Apply early: Housing applications have deadlines. The earlier you apply, the better chance of getting desired options. (Rowan University)
- Consider living-learning communities if you want to live with people with similar academic interests. They sometimes grant preferences or special placement. (Rowan University)
- Request accommodations if needed (for physical/health/etc.). There are offices that handle these. Doing this early helps. (Rowan University)
- Check hidden costs: meals (meal plan required in halls), utilities (sometimes included, sometimes not), transportation, parking. Some buildings have premium charges (e.g. AC, newer amenities).
If you want, I can pull up current rates for the different dorms, estimated costs by building, or compare a few specific buildings you might consider. Do you want me to gather that?