Housing Services

Housekeeping Services

Housekeeping staff is available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to clean and maintain common areas and provide maintenance repairs as needed. To ensure a comfortable and healthy living environment, the housekeeping staff performs the following tasks:

• Cleaning and disinfecting common area bathrooms and fixtures
• Removing common area trash and recycling material
• Sweeping and vacuuming lobby areas and hallways
• Cleaning lobby areas
• Repairing and maintaining building system components (as needed)
• Performing other duties as necessary

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for the condition of their apartment, furnishings, and any damages or losses that may occur during occupancy. Students should do their part to keep the building clean:

Help keep your building clean:

• Dispose of trash in designated areas, making sure everything goes in—not around—the containers. Don't put your personal trash in the common area receptacles.
• Sort recyclable material by following the instructions on the receptacles.
• Clean up after yourself. If you create a mess, clean it up.
• Clean your room, bathroom, and kitchen regularly.
• Never put food down the bathroom sinks.
• Vacuum cleaners are available for student use. See your RA for information.

• Fully-equipped laundry facilities are located in each building for use by on-campus residents. The wash cycle is $1.50 per cycle, and drying is $1.50 per cycle, payable exclusively with LionCash. You can deposit funds to your LionCash account online or at the HFS Office.
• Download the free Speed Queen app and quickly determine how many machines are available and when machines currently in use will be finished in order to efficiently plan. This eliminates wasted trips to the laundry room only to find all machines busy. The app also allows students to be notified when machines have become available and when their machines have completed their cycle.
• Report any problems with laundry facilities to the HFS Office.

• WiFi is available via secured Enterprise wireless networks. Information on how to use the wireless network is available from ResCom. Computer labs are available on campus.

Mailing Address 

• Address mail to on-campus students using the following format:

Student’s Name
(APARTMENT#) University Dr
Schuylkill Haven PA  17972

• Each on-campus student is assigned a mailbox to share with the others in their apartment. Each resident receives a key at check-in. Students who move to a different apartment will be assigned to another mailbox. Mail is placed in student mailboxes daily, Monday through Friday.

Packages

• On-campus residents may also receive package deliveries via USPS to a parcel locker near their mailbox. For non-USPS deliveries, the student will be notified by email when they may pick up the package at the HFS Office in Nittany V by presenting their Penn State id+ Card. Only mail and packages that are addressed to the student’s name and to the correct room assignment will be processed.

Forwarding Address

• The student is responsible for submitting a forwarding address form online at USPS.com. The housing office will not forward USPS mail after check-out. USPS staff will clean out mailboxes, return items to sender, and suspend deliveries after the housing checkout date.

• Penn State has taken proactive measures to reduce waste and protect the environment. The residence hall areas have been leaders in Penn State's recycling movement, and all residents are encouraged to participate. Convenient recycling containers are located throughout campus. Cardboard, office paper, aluminum cans, and plastic can be recycled.

• Cable television service is provided in common areas only; students can connect to streaming platforms using smart devices connected through the psu-personal network.

All residents parking cars in Nittany Apartments parking lots must apply for and be assigned a parking permit. Find out more about campus parking at schuylkill.psu.edu/campus-life/safety/parking-policies.

Ceiling light out? Window stuck? Don't fret, just FIXIT.

FIXIT, Penn State's routine maintenance request system for on-campus residents, allows convenient and easy online submissions. Simply log in, describe the issue, and select times for an appointment. Our team will contact you within 24 hours to confirm your appointment and keep you updated at every stage of repair.

What is the difference between routine and emergency repairs?

Routine repairs are problems that can be scheduled and do not require immediate attention—even though residents naturally want the issue taken care of as soon as possible. Examples include a burned-out light bulb, problems with the refrigerator/microwave unit, a torn window screen, etc.

Emergencies are identified as anything that needs to be fixed immediately. If it's not remedied, serious injury or damage will result. Emergency repair examples include:

• Loss of hot or cold water
• Loss of heat
• Loss of electricity (beyond normal power outages)
• Electrical hazard
• Flooding or major leak
• Fire
• Gas leak
• Any condition that represents a significant imminent threat or potential hazard to the community
• Glass window breakage that is a potential safety and/or security hazard
• Pest emergencies (bats, bees, etc.)

If you're experiencing an emergency maintenance issue, please contact the Housing and Food Service Office (during normal business hours), the RA on duty (after normal business hours), or Police Services.

Fire Safety

• In accordance with state and local fire regulations, fire drills are conducted on a monthly basis in Nittany Apartments. Everyone in the building during an emergency drill must vacate the building according to instructions. Failure to vacate the building will result in disciplinary action.
• Students are responsible for taking precautions to prevent fires. Candles, incense, potpourri, and other flame-emitting articles are prohibited.
• Nittany Apartments are equipped with sprinkler systems. Fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and exit signs are located in every building. Students should familiarize themselves with the location of the fire equipment in their building and apartments. Tampering with this equipment will result in severe disciplinary and/or criminal action under federal and state laws.

Card Access System

• Access to each residence hall is controlled by an electronic card access security system that is maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students need to carry their mobile or physical credential at all times to gain access.
• Students will be able to access their residence hall only during the normal academic year, not during breaks or over the summer. Access to the residence hall is limited to students who reside in that building, or require access for other reasons.
• If your credential doesn't work in the card reader of your building, contact a roommate, Residence Life, or University Police. Then call or email Housing and Food Services so they can identify and fix the problem.
• Report a lost card or mobile device anytime online or at the HFS office during normal business hours. Your access will be suspended to prevent someone else from using your card. If using a physical credential, you'll be issued a new card and charged a replacement fee.
• For the safety of all residents, outside entrance doors are to remain closed at all times. If a door is propped open, an alarm will sound. To shut off the alarm, remove any props and close the door.

Important Safety Tips

Always:

• Keep windows locked.
• Keep apartment doors closed—including when across the hall visiting a friend, in the laundry room, or sleeping.
• Meet guests/visitors at the entrance door.
• Walk in groups when traveling outside, especially at night.
• Travel in well-lit, heavy traffic areas.
• Know where the emergency phones are located on campus.
• Report suspicious behavior or unauthorized people to University Police at 570-385-6144

Never:

• Let strangers into buildings or rooms.
• Let people piggyback into the building.
• Tamper with exit alarms.
• Prop open a door.