Daily Living
Welcome to your comprehensive guide for everyday living within the University of Cincinnati communities. This section is designed to provide you with essential information and resources to navigate daily life seamlessly. Whether you're seeking guidance on laundry facilities, internet and cable, submitting maintenance requests, or fostering positive roommate relationships, we've got you covered. Explore the following pages to access important details and ensure a comfortable and convenient living experience throughout your time at UC.
Get involved
One of the best ways to get involved at UC is by joining a student organization! The University of Cincinnati is home to over 600 student organizations that support a variety of interests. These interests range from political/activist, cultural, academic, social and many more!
Staff Members
The following residence hall staff members are available to assist you:
Resident Advisor: The Resident Advisor (RA) is your first resource. Each residence hall floor or living unit has a peer leader known as the RA. Carefully selected and trained, RAs help students with personal concerns, interpersonal conflicts, academics, and personal adjustments; enforce policies; and provide leadership and guidance. RAs provide programming that supports the development of a positive community. RAs receive a room and board scholarship and a bi-weekly stipend (salary). RAs are supervised by the Community Coordinator in each hall.
Community Coordinator: All of our halls have a Community Coordinator (CC) who is a full-time professional who lives in the hall. The CC is responsible for the general management of the hall or complex. CCs supervise the Resident Advisors and advise the hall government. CCs report to the Area Coordinator.
Area Coordinator: Residence Halls are paired into specific “neighborhoods” that Area Coordinators oversee. ACs supervise the Community Coordinators of their designated neighborhood.
Desk Assistant Staff: Each residence hall service center functions 24 hours a day 7 days a week at the discretion of the hall staff. Desk Assistant staff answer questions, monitor safety and security, and assist residents as necessary. They may conduct guest check-ins when needed, and they enforce University and residence hall policies. Desk Assistant staff are supervised by a Neighborhood Operations Coordinator (NOC).
Neighborhood Operations Coordinators: NOCs are responsible for managing and supervising Desk Assistants as they provide customer support to residents. Additionally, they provide administrative support to the hall (i.e. packages, lockouts, room changes).
Facilities Management Staff: Members of the Maintenance and Operations staff in Facilities Management, residence hall custodians, maintenance staff, and tradespeople keep residence halls in clean, safe, working condition. They perform routine maintenance and daily cleaning. Students share the responsibility to take good care of the facilities and equipment in residence halls.
Central Office Staff: Located in Marian Spencer Hall on the first floor, the Office of Resident Education & Development, the Housing Office and the Food Services Office are staffed by a variety of employees who oversee the University Housing system. Area Coordinators from the halls report to Assistant Directors (ADs) of Resident Education & Development; those ADs report to the Associate Director of Resident Education & Development (513-556-6476). Staff members in Housing and Food Services report to the directors of those units (513-556-6461).
Frequently Asked Questions
The real first question is, "do I need to bring a car to campus?" Most residents have everything they need on or just off campus, and some find that they don't use their cars as much as they thought. Parking can become expensive storage.
If you decide that bringing a vehicle is right for you, parking garages and lots are available close to the residence communities. Student permits are sold by the semester, and rates vary by facility. Parking Services has an online option. Keep in mind that the earlier you purchase, the better chance you have of getting your garage or lot of choice. Parking is limited during peak times. Parking Services may also be reached at 513-556-2283.
The Bearcat Card is the declining balance purchasing function of your student ID card. Students, faculty and staff who deposit to their Bearcat Card account can use their UC ID to make purchases on and off campus. On campus, the card can be used at all campus retail food locations, the dining centers, all UC Bookstores locations, campus vending machines, laundry machines, print stations and University Health Services.
Off campus, the Bearcat Card is accepted at an ever-growing number of retail and restaurant locations. Just by deposting to your account and carrying your UC ID, you will eliminate the need to carry cash for most of your everyday campus needs.
Deposit to your Bearcat Card online anytime, at the MainStreet Connection Center on TUC Level 3, or at campus Value Transfer Stations (VTS) (cash only).
Actually, visitation is permitted 24 hours per day in all the halls by both family and non-family guests. All non-resident guests must be accompanied by their resident host at all times.
Guests are limited to staying three nights (consecutive or non-consecutive) in any seven-day period, and the number of guests in a room vary from hall to hall based on room size and fire safety regulations.
While hosting guests is a right, you also have a responsibility to see that your guest adheres to all rules and to be considerate of your roommates’ rights to privacy and security.
You are permitted to store your bike in your room if you wish. Most communities have bike racks immediately outside. Bikes, skateboards or scooters may not be ridden indoors as these activities are unsafe and also can damage flooring.