Objectives

• To provide quality Housing services and programs that enhance residential student success in a clean, safe and inclusive living-learning environment – a “home away from home”.

Campus Residence Halls

The student halls of residence allow them to live close to instructional and academic support buildings, the dining facility and other university services. Two residential buildings accommodate 256 students on campus. Facilities in the buildings include the Table Tennis/Darts/Pool Room, three TV Rooms and a Study Room.

Facilities

Unlike most colleges, the residence halls provide fully furnished rooms for accommodating two residents in each room. Each room therefore has two beds and mattresses, study tables, chairs and wardrobes. There are communal bathrooms on each floor shared by occupants from four rooms.

A telephone is located on each floor for incoming calls.

Resident Assistants live on each wing to provide assistance and facilitate a positive community experience.

With very limited on-campus housing, priority is therefore first given to international students. Should space permit, students from outside Nairobi City are then considered.

One must be enrolled as a full-time student (9 credits units or more) at USIU-Africa to live in the Residence Halls. Graduate students must take a minimum of 6 credit units to be permitted to stay in the Residence Halls.

Room Reservation

• USIU-Africa residence halls provide fully furnished rooms for two students. Each room therefore has two beds and mattresses, study tables, chairs, book shelves, and wardrobes. There are communal bathrooms on each floor shared by occupants from four rooms.
• A telephone is located on each floor for incoming calls.
• Resident Assistants live on each wing to provide assistance and facilitate a positive community experience.
• With very limited on-campus housing, priority in room allocations is given to international students. Should space permit, students from Kenya are then considered. All students who wish to live on campus must fill in a Room Application Form.
• To be eligible to live in the Residence Halls, an undergraduate student must be enrolled as a full-time student (9 credits units or more) at USIU-Africa. Graduate students must take a minimum of 6 credit units to be permitted to stay in the Residence Halls.

Check-in / Check-out

When checking into the room, the resident will be required to fill in a check-in form with his/her Resident Assistant. This form will then be checked during checkout and any damages other than normal wear and tear will be the resident’s responsibility.

Health Services

1. All residents are required to submit PRE-ENTRANCE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION and sign up for the university’s HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM that has been established by the university to protect and ensure healthful conditions for all students. For further information, check with the Health Services Coordinator in the Health Centre or the Head of Housing on arrival.
2. All students should submit their medical history to the University health Centre within the first week of arrival.
3. Medical insurance is compulsory for all residents. However, residents who have alternative medical cover will be exempted from the university cover upon documentary proof. Residents must meet the cost of insurance.
4. Whenever a student is ill or injured, he or she should report to the Health Centre, the Resident Assistants and/or Receptionists
5. PREGNANT students are not permitted to stay in the hostels. The university authorities reserve the right to carry out pregnancy tests in case of a dispute.
6. There is a FIRST AID KIT (available 24 hours) with the Resident Assistants for minor injuries. Resident assistants will refer serious cases to the Heath Center. What cannot be handled by the Health Center will be referred to the hospital(s) approved by the insurance company.

Resident Assistants (RAs)

1. Resident Assistants (RAs) are appointed after a rigorous process that involves both written and oral interviews. They serve in different areas including hostel reception, maintenance, entertainment, etc and help in the administration of the hostels. They also:
   • Act as a bridge between the administration and the resident students
   • Arbitrate in case of disputes between residents
   • Officially check residents in and out of the hostels.
   • Handle problems and questions in the hostels and work with the Head of Housing.
   • Inspect all hostel areas to ensure that proper cleaning is done.
2. To be an RA, one must be a registered student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, must be of good character, with no caution or disciplinary memos and possess leadership qualities. The student must also show proof of need for Financial Aid.
3. Resident Assistants serve for a term of one year with a possibility of re-appointment for a final one term. Benefits include university paid for room and board in the university hostels. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply when the positions are posted.

Dean-Residents-Advisory Board (DRAB)

This is a body composed of three elected students among the resident community. It is a body whose major task is to represent the students on major issues affecting their lives in the hostels by acting as their spokespeople to the administration and vice versa.

Committee members serve for a one-year term, but can be re-elected for another term.

Entertainment

Board Games

Board games such as chess, draughts, scrabble and monopoly are available at the hostel reception. Games may not be taken out of the hostels. Residents are expected to return all games in their possession within 24 hours.

Video Facilities

1. Residents are allowed to use the Entertainment Facilities in the Common Rooms. Arrangements may be made with the Head of Housing or RA to borrow some movies from the Video Library.
2. Videocassettes rented by the university should not be taken off campus.
3. The university reserves the right to accept or reject film for viewing in the hostels.
4. Playing of electronic games in the common rooms is STRICTLY prohibited.

Trips/Activities

The Housing team organizes day and overnight trips, and other entertainment options each semester at a minimal cost to students. Information on trips or any other activity will be posted on the notice boards.

Off Campus Housing

Click here to visit our recommended Off Campus Housing/Accommodation options.

Points to note:

1. USIU-Africa only recommends, but does not manage the off-campus hostels. As such, the university does not accept any responsibility or liability for the choice(s) made by a USIU-Africa student.
2. Students are advised to make your reservation through the contact(s) indicated against each hostel.
3. The hostels are ranked according to distance from USIU-Africa - Hostel No. 1 is the nearest. Note: The distances indicated against each are approximate, and may slightly differ from the actual distance between the hostel and the university.
4. Some hostels charge per semester; while others charge per month. Those that charge per month allow their tenants to stay over during semester breaks; those that charge per semester require everyone to vacate at the end of the semester, or pay extra if they extend their stay.
5. While all the hostels listed below have been vetted and approved, in your choice of hostel, please consider the following:

1. 1. Distance from USIU-Africa: The nearer, the better
   2. Cost: Most hostels do not accept payment in installments. They also do not refund if you decided to leave mid-semester.
   3. Level of privacy: Some rooms are shared; others single; ensuite or non-ensuite etc
   4. Meals: Some hostels have a Cafeteria; others provide a shared kitchen; while others provide a kitchenette within the rooms

1. 1. As a precaution, you are advised not to pay money until you are FULLY convinced about the choice of hostel you make. If in doubt, pay only AFTER visiting the facility of your choice.
   2. If you need further assistance, feel free to get in touch with the Head of Housing - call +254 730 116 265