STUDENT AFFAIRS countries. Since students come from differing environmental backgrounds and social experi- ences, they bring with them varying needs and expectations. Because of this diversity in the stu- dent body, the Division of Housing has devel- oped a program based on alternatives and choices. Students may select accommodations and environments that best fit their needs. General Information: All freshmen who are admitted to the university receive a housing application scan form with their letter of admis- sion from the Office of Admissions until housing facilities are full. The university has no residency requirement for freshmen attending the university for the first time during the fall semester. Freshmen entering the university during the summer terms) must live on campus during the summer to be eligible for fall semester on-campus hous- ing. Entering students are free to choose either on-campus or off-campus accommodations. Students who voluntarily contract for on-cam- pus housing normally must do so for the entire academic year (mid August to early May), if enrolled. However, residents should be full- time students to be eligible to reside in the resi- dence halls. Full-time enrollment for residence is defined as being enrolled in 12 semester credit hours if an undergraduate and 9 semester credit hours if a graduate student. All students other than beginning freshmen must initiate their own arrangements for hous- ing either by (1) applying to Assignments Office, University Housing Office, Box 112100, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611- 2100, or (2) obtaining accommodations in pri- vate housing. (See Off-Campus Housing later in this section.) Applications for residence hall space for stu- dents other than beginning freshmen are avail- able twelve months prior to the semester or summer term for which admission is sought. Prospective students are urged to apply as early as possible because of the demand for housing. Application requests are considered first-come, first-served, on a space-available basis. Roommate requests will be considered if the individuals wishing to room together submit their housing agreements clearly indicating their desire to room together and elect the same visitation choice and assignment options. Disabled students also are offered housing on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Accessible housing is available for dis- abled students once they are offered housing. Students with special needs should indicate these needs on both their housing agreement and application. Room Styles: A wide range of room styles is available to meet the varying needs of students: single rooms, double rooms, triple rooms, suites for 2/3/4/5/6 and apartments. The most prevalent room style is the double room which accommodates two residents. All rooms have closets, storage space, dressers, beds and mattresses, study desks and chairs. Rental rates include cable television ser- vice, local telephone service and utilities (lim- ited utilities in the Apartment Facility). Rental rates vary depending on such features as air conditioning, floor space, private baths and kitchen facilities. Residence Hall Staff: The Division of Housing employs nearly 700 full-time and part-time staff. Staff include custodians, maintenance staff, cler- ical staff, administrators and student staff, including hall directors, assistant residence directors, resident assistants, desk assistants and security assistants. One of the housing staff's primary goals is to provide an environment that supports the educational mission of the university. Staff are committed to going beyond merely providing a place for students to eat, sleep and study. Staff and student leaders plan social, recreational, cultural and educational opportunities. Staff also are trained in crisis intervention and in personal and fire safety and security proce- dures. Students' main contact with staff is with res- ident assistants (RAs), co-op officers, graduate hall directors (HDs) and assistant residence directors (ARDs), residence directors (RDs) and assistant directors of housing for residence life (ADHs). An undergraduate RA or co-op officer lives on each floor or section to serve as a peer adviser aiding students in their transition to the university experience. Graduate staff, who supervise RAs, help to promote a learning envi- ronment and coordinate area activities. The ADH, a full-time university administrator, is responsible for the overall administrative and educational functions within each residence area. Inter-Residence Hall Association: All students in the residence halls are encouraged to partici- pate in organizational activities that play a sig- nificant part in their educational, cultural, social and recreational life. The Inter-Residence Hall Association was established to help stimulate this participation. IRHA represents the collec- tive interests of all resident students. This orga- nization also serves as a channel of communica- tion between residence area government coun- cils, the university community and other out- side interests. This self-government program at both the hall and area levels offers residents the opportunity to help establish guidelines for group living and to assist in the planning of social and educational activities for their fellow students. GENERAL SERVICES Local Telephone Service: A telephone jack that provides 24-hour service on campus and within the Gainesville area is located in each student room. Students provide their own touchtone telephones. Cost of local service is included in the rental rate. Local service includes call waiting, speed calling, 3-way call- ing and call return. Convenience Stores: Beaty Breadbasket, Graham Cracker and the Finish Line, three con- venience stores owned and operated by Gator Dining Services are located in Beaty, Graham and Murphree areas, respectively. Students may purchase convenience items like snacks, milk, bread, soda, pens, paper, candy, etc., from these stores using their Gator Dining Cards or cash. Food Service: All residents have the oppor- tunity to purchase board plans or declining bal- ance accounts on an optional basis from Gator Dining Service. Space is limited in the board plan program. Only 1500 board plan contracts will be accepted campus-wide. The first 650 freshmen to request a board plan and preference Graham, Simpson, Trusler, Tolbert and South Halls (non-honors) on their residence hall agree- ments will be guaranteed assignment to one of these air conditioned halls. In support of this program, a large, multi-purpose dining facility located near Tolbert Area and Florida Field has been constructed. Other cafeterias and snack bars on campus include dining facilities in or near Broward Hall, Tolbert Area and Murphree Area. A snack bar is located in Graham Hall. Dining facilities and/or food vendors are also located in the Reitz Student Union and the Hub. "Little Caesar's" operates on campus and deliv- ers to residence halls. For further information, please contact the Gator Dining Service office, 114 Recreation Center. Refrigerator Rental: Students may choose to rent a refrigerator or to bring their own. University Programs Incorporated (UPI), a pri- vately-owned rental company and authorized university vendor, rents refrigerators to on-cam- pus residents. The cost of refrigerators is not included in the room rent (except Beaty Towers, apartments and selected suites for four). Refrigerators may be 12 cubic feet or less. Custodial Service: All the residence halls (except the co-ops) have a staff of trained custo- dians assigned to clean public areas, bathrooms, lounges and hallways. Individual room cleaning is the responsibility of each resident. Security: Security is a shared responsibility of the university, residence hall staff and resi- dents. Residents must take precautions to pro- tect themselves and their personal property. Residence hall staff and the University Police Department provide information and plan pro- grams about security education. Residence hall security is monitored by the residence hall staff; external building security generally is the responsibility of the University Police Department. Division of Housing security assis- tants patrol the areas immediately adjacent to the residence halls from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. when classes are in session. The university offers many education and awareness programs for students concerning campus safety. Security policies and programs continuously are reviewed and monitored for possible revisions and/or upgrades. Vending: Vending machines are located conveniently in all residence halls.