Commons Desks

On-campus residents enjoy the convenience of having mail and packages delivered to their housing area commons desk - thousands of packages and mail are delivered every month! Each housing area offers a Commons Desk, centrally located in the housing area's commons building, which is accessible 24 hours a day. The Commons Desks Operations also manages all students room access and temporary ID cards.

Each housing area has a Commons Desk Operation that is generally open 24 hours a day*, seven days a week, during the regular academic year. There may be some shifts where a Common Desk may close, but staff are accessible through a phone number that is posted at the desk. The Commons Desks are closed during University closedown periods. 

• U.S. mail delivery and package delivery (including Penn State Bakery and flower deliveries). Learn more about Mail Services
• Room assignment check-in/checkout
• Room key pick-up/return
• Fax machine service
• Lost and found for commons building
• CATABUS token purchase
• General question and answers

Temporary id+ cards, room keys, or room access

Students can request a temporary id+ card, loaner room key, or a lockout card through eLiving > My Info > Loaner Key Request, then visit the Commons Desk to finish the transaction.

Loaner Equipment

The following loaner equipment can be requested through eLiving > My Info > Loaner Equipment Request, then visit the Commons Desk to finish the transaction. The availability of certain items will vary depending on the Housing Area. Items need to be returned within four (4) hours of checkout. 

• Cleaning Kit 
• Vacuum cleaner (regular or handheld)
• Recreational equipment (football, basketball, soccer ball, volleyball, pool stick/pool set, baseball, softball, tennis racket, frisbee, spike ball, pickleball, air pump)
• Toolkit (large tool kit, hand tool set, rubber mallet)