Mathes on a sunny day

Housing Type

Things to Know

  • The housing application invites you to select three housing preferences.
  • If you participate in Room Selection, you will be able to select any open space. If we assign you, your building preferences below are used during the assignments process. 
  • Assignment priority is given to students who apply for admission the earliest, meet the housing deadlines and join a roommate group.

Residence Halls

Western offers 16 unique residence halls in a variety of sizes, architectural styles and vintages. Every hall is coeducational with one gender per room, suite, wing, or floor. See All-Gender Housing below for students wanting a room assignment not based upon gender.

Corridor Style

Rooms typically flank a central hallway and residents share one or two large bathrooms down the hall. Corridor-style buildings have a traditional feel and make it easy to meet new people.

Suite Style

Two to five rooms are clustered around a shared bathroom. Suite-style buildings promote strong relationships between roommates and suitemates.

Single, Double, and Triple Rooms

Double occupancy rooms are the campus standard, but some residence halls offer triples and a few singles. Single rooms are assigned only to students who request them, and the demand always exceeds the supply. Triples are available upon request, but you may be assigned to a triple even if you did not request one. Housing rates are based upon several things: a room’s capacity along with amenity-based or value added, tier pricing. Example:  A triple room in a corridor building will cost less than a double in a suite with a kitchen.

Student Apartments

Apartment living for non-freshman is offered in Birnam Wood where 130 units accommodate 520 students. Most units are all male or all female, but a few units are gender inclusive. Each apartment is furnished for four students and includes two double-occupancy bedrooms, full kitchen, living room, dining room, bathroom, and balcony. Birnam Wood is reserved for non-freshmen, freshmen may request consideration through Housing@wwu.edu.

Amenities

Residents have access to the community building, front desk, computer lab, bike storage, and permit parking.

Cost

Quarterly cost includes wireless Internet, utilities, and use of the laundry facilities.

 

Staff

Birnam Wood is supervised by a full-time, live-in Apartment Coordinator and five part-time, live-in Community Advisors.

Dining

Meal plans are available for Birnam Wood residents, but not required.

Applying for an Apartment

To request Birnam Wood, simply apply for housing and make Birnam Wood your top housing preference. Space may not be available for all who request Birnam Wood, so be sure to select alternative housing preferences in our housing application. Two-bedroom apartments for married students or students with dependents are offered on a space-available basis contact Housing@wwu.edu for rates and availability.

Substance Free Areas

These areas promote a lifestyle free of alcohol, marijuana, and all illegal substances. Students living in these areas agree to abide by University policies and regulations regarding substance-free living; any student failing to do so will be sanctioned and may be moved to a community more suitable to their lifestyle choice.

These Areas are Substance Free:

  • Ridgeway Alpha (all floors) 
  • Ridgeway Delta (3rd and 4th floors)

Gendered vs. All-Gender Housing

When students apply for housing, they will be asked to select from two options regarding room gender:

Gendered Housing

The majority of rooms on campus are gendered (Female, Male, Neutral). Selecting this housing option on the application allows you to find roommate matches and choose spaces with students who have selected the same housing gender as you. You will not see rooms that are designated for All-Gender Housing.

All-Gender Housing

This option is for students wanting a room assignment that is not based on gender. Selecting All-Gender Housing on the application shows you only All-Gender roommates and rooms. If you select this option, you may live with someone of a different gender than you in your room, your suite, and/or your bathroom.

All-Gender Housing is located in specific rooms on campus, including the Pride Housing community that emphasizes programming based upon gender nonconforming and gender justice issues - though there are other locations that do not include programmatic elements.

For more information, visit Housing & Room Gender.

Affinity Based Housing

Affinity-based housing is an institutional structure designed to assist members of historically marginalized identities in supporting each other. It helps to create an added level of psychological comfort and safety, such as an added sense of belonging and proximity to others who share that desire. Studies show an increase in persistence from members in these communities.

Black Affinity Housing

The Black Affinity Housing program centers the identity of Black students through the celebration and affirmation of the Black student experience, providing a space for connection. 

Pride Housing

The Pride Housing program provides a home for students who are seeking an LGBTQ+ affirming and gender-inclusive living experience in a caring and connected community. 

La Comunidad Housing

The La Comunidad Housing program centers the celebration of Latine culture, providing a space for connection.

Family Housing

While Western does not have dedicated family housing, family apartments for students with dependents (spouse, domestic partner or children) are offered on a space available basis at Birnam Wood. Please contact Housing@wwu.edu if you plan to bring a family with you to campus.