Housing & Dining
Living at Manchester University
As a residential university, Manchester University values the total educational experience gained from living in the halls. We encourage all students to get involved in campus life, clubs and organizations. College is like anything else in life; the more you put into it the more you get out of it. Our most successful and satisfied students are those who have engaged in a well-rounded college experience.
Residence Halls
East Hall
East Hall houses first year students through seniors and was renovated in the summer of 2019.
Garver Hall
Garver Hall is a traditional, co-ed hall that houses 260 students on wings separated by gender.
Helman Hall
Helman Hall, named in honor of former University President A. Blair Helman (1956-86), houses 129 students, coed by suite.
Oakwood Hall
Oakwood Hall houses 129 men and women and is coed by suite.Oakwood Hall houses only upperclass students.
East Street Apartments
East Street Apartments house residents in groupings of four to an apartment depending on availability and room sign ups.
Something For Everyone
Dining Options
Dining options and variety abound at Manchester – whether you’d like to fill your plate with healthy choices or grab a quick burger to go. Haist Commons features a full buffet style menu with food to rival your favorite restaurants. Cru5h is another gathering place where students gather to study, collaborate on projects, and grab a cheeseburger. If you’re looking for a caffeine fix, Sisters Café is known for its Starbucks drinks and freshly made pastries. In a hurry to class or want to eat lunch on the go? The Oaks serves made to order sandwiches and salads, and and Twelve gives you quick, self-serve access to food and beverages.
Acorns Campus Pantry
The Acorns Campus Pantry provides students with free food and personal hygiene necessities. It is located in Chinworth 103. The pantry is open 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. The pantry restocks every week and includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Canned and frozen food
- Dry foods
- Toiletries and hygiene (shampoo, menstrual products, deodorant, toothpaste, body wash, etc)
- Living supplies (toilet paper, laundry soap, trash bags, etc)
All current Manchester students are allowed to use the pantry, whether living on or off campus and may select up to 7 items. We do not fulfill specific orders, but we will gladly accept requests or recommendations for future orders. Please know that the pantry changes its inventory regularly.
Campus Location and Hours of Operations
Located in Chinworth 103
We are handicap accessible.
Open on Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Donations
We gladly accept monetary donations or gift cards to Walmart or Dollar Tree. As mentioned previously, the inventory and the needs of our students are always changing so monetary donations provide us with the most flexibility. However, we are always in need of food and those tangible donations can be dropped off at Health Services.
Important Housing Dates
Fall Semester
| August 20, 2026 | First Year Move-In Day |
| August 22 and August 23, 2026 | Returning Students Move In |
| September 3, 2026 | Room Switch Day |
| October 12-13, 2026 | Fall Break (Residence Halls are open) |
| November 24, 2026 | Halls close at 6 p.m. for Thanksgiving Break |
| November 29, 2026 | Halls open at 8 a.m. |
| December 10, 2026 | Halls close at 6 p.m. for Winter Break |
Spring Semester
| January 10, 2027 | Hall Open at 8 a.m. |
| January 21, 2027 | Room Switch Day |
| February 26, 2027 | Halls will close at 6 p.m. for Spring Break |
| March 7, 2027 | Halls open at 8 a.m. |
| March 8, 2027 |
Deadline for Request to Live Off-Campus Deadline for Housing Accommodations Request |
| March 23-26, 2027 | Housing Renewal |
| April 29, 2027 | Halls close at 6 p.m. |
21+ Housing
In East Street Apartments only, the responsible consumption of alcohol by students 21 years of age and over will be permitted in University housing. Students must be 21+ by Aug 1 to live in East Street Apartments and will be required to complete additional training sessions prior to move-in.
What are the policies?
- Personal use in personal space – consumption of alcohol is exclusively permitted within a student’s living space and is barred from being in the common areas outside or between apartments.
- Apartment door must be closed when drinking is happening.
- We expect you to drink responsibly. That means:
- No parties – The maximum occupancy of the apartment should not exceed 8 people.
- No kegs of any size or large-scale containers
- No binge drinking activities (e.g. drinking games)
- Sale and production of alcohol is prohibited.
- Empty containers of alcohol must be disposed of properly – littering is prohibited.
- If University Safety or another University official knocks on your door and asks for IDs, you must comply.
- You are responsible for your guests’ behavior.
- Residents can have guests who are under 21 provided that the person under 21 does not have alcohol in their system or possession.
- If you let someone under 21 drink in your apartment, or you let someone under 21 into your apartment after they have been drinking, you are accepting responsibility for the policy violation(s).
- If University Safety or another University official suspects alcohol might have been consumed by someone underage, a breathalyzer may be administered.
- If alcohol poisoning is suspected at any point, the breathalyzer may be postponed to prioritize health and safety.
- If policies are not followed, students may be removed from East Street Apartments and placed in available housing elsewhere on campus. If this occurs, the student will be prorated the cost of the apartment and their new housing. If the student qualifies for off-campus housing, the student will not be approved to live off campus until the following semester.
- Residents must be a student in good standing with campus conduct to live in East Street Apartments.
How do I sign up?
It’s easy! All you need to do is go through the normal housing renewal process. If you will be 21 or over by Aug. 1, apartments available in East Street will show as options for you.
Can I purchase a single room in an apartment?
Options to buy out single rooms will be made available once the housing renewal process is complete.
Will the apartment be furnished?
Partially. The University will provide a refrigerator for the apartment, two dressers (one for each resident) per room, and two bed frames with mattresses per room.
Will the University fulfill work orders?
The University will fulfill work orders, but residents are responsible for damage to the apartment and keeping it in working order.
Where can I find the University's Medical Amnesty Policy?
Residential Life Staff
The Office of Residential Life is staffed by a well-trained and knowledgeable team of professionals and paraprofessionals. Each member of the Residential Life staff helps build community for residents in their own unique way. The Residential Life staff consists of the director, hall directors and student resident assistants.
Hall Directors
What is a Hall Director?
A Hall Director (HD) is a full-time professional who lives and works in the residence hall to which they are assigned. The primary job function of a Hall Director is to build community within the hall, through mentoring students and supervising their Resident Assistants, among other administrative tasks. Hall Directors are there to help students create a community with a comfortable living environment that offers opportunity for making friends, learning how to live in community with others and academic success. Hall Directors serve on a duty rotation to offer emergency response to all students 24/7, 365 days a year. HDs are also ultimately responsible for holding students accountable in following the guidelines outlined in their housing contract and student handbook, The Source, either informally or formally as part of the conduct process.
Resident Assistants
What is an RA?
A resident assistant is a student leader who lives in the residence hall and helps support other students living there. Their main roles include community building, peer support, policy enforcement, and emergency response.
Contact the Office of Residential Life
The office is located in suite 103 in the lower level of the Chinworth Center
- 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
- Phone: 260-982-5052
- Email: reslife@manchester.edu.
If you need emergency assistance please contact University Safety at 260-982-5999.