Campus Living Guide

Living on campus means not only being close to your classes, but being connected to friends, resources, activities, and of course, amazing on-campus eats. Browse our residence halls guide to learn more about your campus housing options.

What’s in your room? 

Each student is provided with: 

• A twin-size bed (frame & mattress) 
• A desk and chair 
• A dresser
• A closet or wardrobe 
• Window treatments (shades, blinds, or curtains) 

Traditional and suite-style halls do not include in-room cooking facilities. But you’ll find shared kitchenettes in common areas, with microwaves, sinks or stoves depending on the building.

Bed dimensions 

Rider University has twin-size beds installed in its residence halls.

• Standard Twin: 75” x 39” (default in all residence halls) 
• Extra-Long Twin: 80” x 39” 
  Available in some unique cases by request and must be approved by August 1. 

Know your bedspace 

You’re not just assigned a room, you’re assigned a specific bedspace (like A-1, A-2, B-3, etc.). To avoid confusion or roommate mix-ups, make sure you move into the correct spot. 

If you’re unsure which bed is yours, just ask a Residence Life staff member when you arrive.

We’re proud to partner with Campus Comforts to help students feel at home from day one. From twin XL bedding to campus-ready essentials, it’s everything you need for a comfy, coordinated college setup. Designed especially for residence hall living!

Explore options and purchase items by visiting campuscomforts.com/nj-rid.

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Microwaves and mini-fridges are permitted as long as they adhere to the policies outlined in the Student Code of Conduct,  Residence Life is offering a program through Roomie, our approved vendor. Roomie provides energy-efficient MicroFridge units (fridge + microwave combo) that are safe for our residence hall electrical systems; compact and cost-effective; and delivered before move-in. 

Each room is allowed one unit so plan ahead with your roommate(s).

Rent your unit at roomie.com/rider.

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Protecting your personal property and mitigating financial risks is essential while living on campus. Rider University does not assume financial responsibility for personal belongings or unintentional large-scale damages caused by residents, such as fires or sprinkler-related flooding. To safeguard your items and finances, consider the following student-focused insurance options:

GradGuard Renters Insurance

GradGuard offers tailored renters insurance plans specifically designed for college students, providing protection for personal belongings and liability coverage.

Key Features:

• Low $100 Deductible: Affordable compared to typical homeowners insurance deductibles ($500–$1000 or more).
• Replacement Cost Coverage: Stolen or damaged personal property is replaced with items of similar kind and quality.
• Worldwide Coverage: Belongings are protected even when traveling, studying abroad, or away from campus.
• Electronics Coverage: Items like TVs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets are covered up to the policy limits.
• Personal Liability Coverage: Up to $300,000 in protection for damages you may unintentionally cause to university property or injuries to others. For example, if you unintentionally set off your building’s sprinkler system, liability protection can help pay for the resulting damages.
• Alternative to Homeowners Insurance: Unlike many homeowners policies, GradGuard ensures coverage for personal property away from your primary residence without affecting your premiums after a claim.

GradGuard Renters Insurance is underwritten by Markel^® American Insurance Company. Visit GradGuard.com/renters for more details or to get a quote.

National Student Services, Inc. (NSSI)

NSSI provides comprehensive personal property coverage designed for college students. This plan offers protection against fire, water damage, theft, and other losses. If your homeowner's insurance does not extend to your belongings, contact NSSI or your insurance carrier to explore additional property insurance options. Learn more about your coverage options.

What TO Bring:

Here’s a list of Rider-approved room essentials:

• Laptop & cable lock 
• Fan (you’ll thank yourself) 
• Cleaning supplies & laundry detergent 
• Personal toiletries & health insurance card 
• Iron (must have auto shut-off) 
• Coffeemaker (must have auto shut-off) 
• Smart TV (supports Xfinity Stream app) 
• Small tool kit (you’ll use it!) 
• Headphones 
• USB printer cable (if bringing a printer) 
• Pictures, posters, and poster putty 
• Sheets, pillows, and blankets 
• Power strip (UL-rated) 
• Wastebasket

What NOT to Bring:

We’re all for personalization, but safety comes first. You may cover no more than 15% of your residence hall walls with decorations. Here’s what’s off-limits in the halls: 

• Adhesive wall products (like 3M strips, painters tape, light strips) 
• Items for lofting or raising beds
• Candles, incense, oil burners, halogen lamps 
• Cooking appliances with an open heating element (toasters, hotplates, convection ovens, air fryers, etc.) 
• Microwaves (unless rented through Roomie) 
• Residential Extension Cords (having two prongs that are generally white, green and brown in color) 
• Multi-Plug Adapters 
• Furnishings without fire safety labels 
• Waterbeds, fish tanks, or any water-filled device 
• Firearms, weapons (even with a permit) 
• Pets (service animals are allowed) 
• High-wattage appliances (AC units, heaters, amps over 50 watts) 
• Networking equipment (routers, switches, access points) 
• Alcohol, drugs, or paraphernalia (regardless of age)

Still not sure if something’s okay? Check the Student Code of Conduct, or email Residence Life before you pack it.

Please note, the University does not have storage facilities for trunks and suitcases, but many students find they make great coffee tables and clothing storage in their rooms.

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Students are encouraged to store and ship their items with Storage Squad over the summer or while studying abroad.

Here’s how easy it is:

• Make a reservation at Storage Squad
• Pick up FREE boxes and packing tape from a convenient location around campus
• Pack and label your belongings
• Storage Squad meets you at your campus address and places everything in their secure storage facility.
• They ship your stuff domestically via UPS ground when and where you request
• Storage Squad delivers when you return to campus – it’s that simple!
• Costs are determined by the size of each item. Visit Storage Squad to use their price estimating tool. 

To reserve your space before they fill up, visit Storage Squad.