Where connections are created, community is built, and friendships are grown.
When you ask someone about their time in college, the first things they mention typically aren’t the classes they took or the books they read, but the friendships they made and the adventures they had. That’s why, at Graceland, we strongly believe living on campus is an important part of your college experience. At our Lamoni campus, every floor of our residence halls is designated as a different “house,” each with its own name, symbol, colors and traditions. But there is one thing every house has in common: they’re all built around our guiding principle of inclusion — a value we take seriously and have worked hard to support since we opened our doors in 1895.
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Graceland’s on-campus housing offers students a variety of options, including traditional residence halls and upperclassmen apartments.
View Our Residential Housing Packet (pdf)
Graybill Hall opened in 1965 and is home to five men’s houses: Agape, Cheville, Faunce, Stewart Manor and Tiona.
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Gunsolley Hall first opened in 1951 and contains three men’s houses: Closson, Orion and Powell. There are also upperclassmen units available in this building.
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With 130 rooms and three wings, this all-women’s residence hall built in 1960 contains more houses than any other on campus: Amici, Hanthorne, Khiyah, Paloma, Sariah and Shalom.
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The women’s residence Walker Hall opened in 1929 and is the oldest residence on campus. It contains two houses — Aponivi and Solah — as well as upperclassmen units.
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Built in 2011 and reserved for upperclassmen, the Small and Thomas apartments are coed on-campus buildings that offer single-gender two bed, two bath apartments for two to four people each.
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It’s common to have questions about where you’ll live, what to bring (and not bring!), what your schedule will be like and more. Luckily, we’ve got answers.
Placement of new students begins in June. You will receive notice in your Graceland email account. Your housing information will become visible in MyGraceland under MyHouse information in early July.
Both halves of a roommate pair need to request each other through the online housing request form. Type “online housing request” in the search box. We will do our best to place roommate pairs together if the requests are submitted prior to the last Early Orientation Day (early June).
New students will have their ID photo taken during designated hours. ID cards are distributed once students arrive on campus on their scheduled move-in day.
No. Graceland students and staff frequently travel between the Kansas City Airport and Des Moines Airport. PLEASE NOTE: if plane tickets may need to be purchased for the day prior to a student’s scheduled move-in day. Families may need to factor in a hotel night’s stay before the residence halls open.
Candles, incense, toasters, ovens, hotplates, firearms and ammunition, weapons, fireworks, halogen lamps, alcohol containers, illegal drugs and paraphernalia, e-cigarettes, hover boards and wireless routers are not allowed in the Residence Halls for safety reasons.
A standard 2 person room comes equipped with 2 beds, 2 dressers, 2 wardrobes and 2 desks with chairs.
Room dimensions vary depending on the building and room classification (i.e. two person, semi-private or private). Graceland’s residence hall rooms are slightly larger than the average US residence hall room at roughly 14’x20’. Lofting kits may be rented from the company Graceland has partnered with to provide safe, sturdy lofting hardware. www.collegeproducts.com/store/gu
Upperclassmen must apply to live in the apartments by mid-March, for the following academic year. Priority is given to seniors, then juniors. Students are ranked using a merit based system that takes into account the students disciplinary record, GPA, and academic credit hours earned.
Graceland does not require students to have property or renter’s insurance but it is highly recommended. Some homeowner’s insurance policies cover a college student’s personal belongings when they are away at college for a small increase.
There is limited student storage space in the basement of some Residence Halls. Graceland cannot guarantee the safety of your student’s belongings. Furniture and carpets are not permitted to be stored. Off campus storage is available at local storage units.
Any housing concerns can be addressed in the Residence Life Office in the Newcom or by calling 641-784-5107. All accommodations are completed through Diana Jones in the Student Disability Services office.
If your student is having problems with his/her roommate, have them talk face-to-face with their roommate and explain what is bothering them. If they are unable to work out their differences, have them see their House President and/or Residence Hall Director for assistance.
Returning students will participate in a room draw during the spring semester. Seniors will be given preference of rooms, followed by juniors, and then sophomores.
Residence halls are closed over the winter holiday break. Students may arrange to stay in the residence halls over the Thanksgiving and Spring Breaks for a fee. However, food service is not available. Thanksgiving and End of Semester Breaks the halls will close at 9:00 a.m. on the day following the last day of class. During spring break, the halls will close at 6 p.m. on the same day that classes end for break.
Yes. Students may have vehicles on campus as long as it is properly registered with the university. A Parking permit may be purchased for $50.00 a year in the Student Life Office.
Appeals can be submitted through the online from located on My Graceland. Fines must be appealed within a week of the issue of the ticket. The Senate parking committee will notify students of a hearing date and their decision via campus mail.
Residence hall living is required of all full-time students unless approved by the Residence Life Office. Students with Senior status may apply to live off campus by mid-March for the following academic year. Some students are exempt from the On Campus Living Policy. They are students who are 23 years of age or older, married students, students with legal dependents living with them, military veterans, and students who live with their parents within 25 miles from the University.
A house change request form is available in the Residence Life Office.
The online Work Request Form can be found in MyGraceland. Students can fill out the form at their convenience and Facility Services will respond. A direct call may be made to the Facility Services Office by dialing 641-784-5191.
Report these problems to ITS by calling 641-784-5167 during business hours.
Appeals will be accepted in the Residence Life Office within one week of the violation.
The Dean of Student’s Office receives the online theft reports completed in MyGraceland under the Student tab. Their office will assist you in filling out a report of stolen property if needed. Information will be distributed to Residence Hall Directors and others who may be able to assist.
Student Help Desk in the Newcom Student Union
