Junior-Senior Housing FAQ

Are juniors and seniors required to live in junior/senior housing?

No. As of the 2025–2026 academic year, students who have completed the four-semester housing requirement (generally by living on campus for their first two years of college) may choose to pursue junior-senior housing provided by Whitman College, or may choose to find housing independently.

Where can I store my things?

We are unable to provide storage for junior-senior housing. If students require storage over a summer, or before or after living in a junior-senior apartment or off-campus rental, they will be responsible for finding a private storage unit or dealing with their belongings in another way. 

There are several private storage unit companies in Walla Walla. They tend to run out of smaller storage units for the summer, but often have larger storage units available. We recommend that students connect with other students to share larger storage units if possible. This will keep the price down while increasing the likelihood that a storage unit will be available. The Residence Life and Housing Office will keep a list of students looking to connect with other students to share a storage unit.

Can I live with students in other class years?

Juniors and seniors may choose to live with each other in shared spaces regardless of their class years. 

Please note that if a junior chooses a unit with a nine-month housing agreement, they will not be able to renew their housing agreement for their senior year. They would need to vacate the space at the end of May, remove their belongings, and move in somewhere else for their senior year. Students are allowed to go through the lottery process again to obtain other housing for senior year, switch spaces with another student already assigned to a different unit, or find private housing independent of the college.

Are Any Cleaning Services Provided?

Students living in Junior-Senior Village or Off-Campus Student Rentals are responsible for cleaning their own spaces. In Junior-Senior Village, custodial staff will provide light cleaning of shared public areas, but not inside individual units. Students are responsible for any messes left in shared spaces. 

Notice of Entry

We will typically give students 24-hour notice before entering their space. However, we may enter a space without notice if there is a reasonable concern that some sort of emergency or urgent situation is occurring, such as a maintenance issue, if there is a concern for health or safety, or if it appears that a Whitman College policy is being violated.

How will I be billed for junior/senior housing?

Students living in Junior-Senior Village Apartments or Whitman-owned Off-Campus Student Rentals will be billed individually through charges to their Whitman College student account. A student will receive one charge to their account for each semester and an additional charge in the summer if applicable.

What happens if I need to vacate the unit early?

If a student vacates a space before the end of their housing agreement, they may be charged a $300 fee. If a student finds someone to fill their space in the unit, the fee will be waived.

Can I trade spaces with another student?

If a student signs up for a housing agreement and decides to vacate the space early, they can move out of the unit without penalty if they can find another student to take their place during the next semester or summer. This may apply to students who choose to study abroad and can find another student, perhaps one returning from study abroad, to take their place. Switching out students can only occur between semesters, or before or after the summer. Students can only switch with students mid-semester with the approval of the Residence Life and Housing Office. 

The Residence Life and Housing Office will keep a list of students looking to switch with someone, but it is the student’s responsibility to find someone to take their place. Students finding someone to replace them are strongly encouraged to communicate clearly with other students who live in the unit about who might be moving into the space. If a student cannot find a replacement, the other current tenants may find someone to move in. If a space is not filled, Residence Life and Housing may place a student in that space.

Mid-Year Vacancies

If vacancies arise mid-year and no student is identified to fill the space, the Residence Life and Housing Office may place a student in that open space.

What if I lose my keys?

Lost keys may be charged a $150 replacement fee.

Are any deposits required?

No deposits are required. However, students may be charged fees to their student accounts for damage to the unit, left behind belongings, failure to check out properly, or other violations of the housing agreement.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets are not allowed in the Junior-Senior Village apartments nor any of the Off-Campus Student Rental apartments. 

However, standalone houses may have up to two pets among the students living there. Pets must have a specified single owner, and that student is responsible for paying a non-refundable $500 pet fee. A student must inform the Residence Life and Housing Office prior to bringing the pet, and all students sharing the rental must be in agreement.   

Fish are allowed in all spaces and no pet fee is required. 

If we become aware that an unapproved pet is living in a unit, the owner may be charged a fee. If no clear owner is identifiable, all students in the rental may be charged a fee.

If a pet is found to be causing significant damage or is negatively impacting the educational experience of other students, the student may be required to relocate the pet.

Service animals and emotional support animals are not considered pets and are allowed with the approval from the Office of Disability Support Services.

Check-In/Check-Out Appointments

Students must schedule check-in and check-out times with housing staff when moving in and out. During these meetings, students will receive or turn in their keys and do a walkthrough of the space with a staff member to document the condition of the unit and any damage or repairs that are needed. Available times will be communicated to student renters in advance.

Do I need any kind of insurance?

Whitman College does not carry insurance on students’ personal belongings. We strongly suggest that you get renters insurance unless you are covered in another way, for example by a parent’s homeowner’s insurance. Whitman’s insurance carrier offers renters insurance you can purchase independently. Get a quote.

What happens if I leave or withdraw from college before my lease agreement is up?

If a student takes a leave, withdraws from the college, or is otherwise no longer a student, they will need to move out in a timely manner, typically within a week unless a longer departure is approved. Students who move out early without finding a replacement will have their housing charge prorated and may incur a $300 early departure fee. Medical leaves of absence will be prorated but will not incur an early departure fee.

Is smoking allowed in any of the junior/senior housing options?

Whitman College is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus, and this includes rental properties. 

Can I live on campus if I want to?

Yes! Juniors and seniors can still choose to live in on-campus housing. The housing lottery for on-campus spaces takes place in March/April, after the junior/senior housing selection process. If you do not get the space you were hoping for in junior/senior housing, you can still pursue housing in Douglas Hall, College House, Prentiss Hall, and the Interest House Community. (Sophomores receive priority for Stanton Hall.)