Submit a Housing Request
Once you have paid your deposit, you can also reserve on-campus housing online using BearPAWS. However, wait at least two days before attempting to reserve your on-campus housing. Here's how:
- Log into BearPAWS using your Campus Computer Account (CCA) username and new password.
- Go to the New Student link.
- Go to the New Student Housing Registration link.
- Read/agree to Housing License and submit.
- Indicate your housing preference from the drop down menu.
- If you have a roommate request, enter your desired roommate?s student PotsdamID in the field provided. Your desired roommate must enter your student PotsdamID on their form as well.
- Submit your preferences.
All incoming first year students are required to live on-campus for four consecutive semesters, and transfer students must live on-campus for two consecutive semesters.
Housing assignments for the fall semester are made in late July - early August, and for the spring semester in early January.
The Residence Life office normally posts housing assignments in BearPAWS in early August for the fall semester; mid- January for spring semester.
Choose a Meal Plan & Register for Bear Express
Students are responsible for making meal plan selections and opting into BearExpress on BearPAWS before the start of the semester.
Students living on campus must have a meal plan; this is college policy. Meal Plans have three parts: weekly meal swipes, a semester’s worth of FLEX and a number of Guest Passes. Campus Meal Plan choices are based on how long students have lived on campus. If you are required to have a plan and do not sign up for one, you will be assigned one. Your Meal Plan is accessed through your Campus Card.
Meal Plans expire at the end of the semester; they are non-refundable, have no cash value and do not rollover into the next semester. Meal Plans are contracts and are valid for the academic year, billed in the fall and spring semesters. Changes to Meal Plans must be made within a week of the start of classes.
Bear Express is an optional spending account accessed through the Campus Card. Students must opt into Bear Express: the amount of money selected will be billed in both the fall and spring semesters. Changes or cancellation to the account must be made within a week of the start of classes on BearPAWS.
Bear Express can be used at the College Store, Dining Services, vending machines and campus locations. Bear Express can be used at participating off-campus businesses.
Money can be added to the account online through BearPAWS with a credit card, at the PACES Business Office or campus Dining Service locations with cash, check, credit, or debit cards.
Unused Bear Express account balances roll over from Fall to Spring semester and balances in excess of $20 at the end of the academic year will be credited to the student account.
Log in to BearPAWS
- Go to the “New Student Services” link
- Go to the “Meal Plan & Bear Express Registration”
- Read/agree to Meal Plan License & click submit
- Select your resident status
- Select your Meal Plan
- Select Bear Express amount for the semester
- Click save
For details about how meal plans work, their costs, and commuter options, go online.