Housing FAQs

HMDS stands for Housing Management and Dining Services. The HMDS Office is located in the center of campus, in Sage Hall 138. The HMDS staff can assist students with license agreements, room assignments, keys, meal plans and points, and Mills ID cards. For assistance call 510.430.2127 or email housing@mills.edu.

As part of our efforts to be sustainable, Mills has gone paperless with its residence application. The online housing application and information about the application process can be found on our applying for on-campus housing page. If you are unable to access a computer and need to fill out a paper application, please contact HMDS and we will mail one to you.

All undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a minimum course load of one credit are eligible for campus housing (unless housing privileges are revoked due to policy violations). See the Eligibility for Campus Housing section of the Mills College Student Handbook for details.

All first-year students who are traditional-aged (17–19 years old) and are attending college for the first time live together in Warren Olney Hall and Orchard Meadow Hall, our first-year halls. Trained student staff, Themed Housing Communities, and intentional programming are highlights of this experience. First-year students with families may apply for the Underwood Apartments (PDF).

Transfer students may request an assignment in any building except our first-year residence halls. You could live in some wings in Warren Olney Hall, Ethel Moore Hall, and Lynn Townsend White Hall, or in any of the specialty living areas such as Ross House, the Prospect Hill Apartments, and the Larsen House Co-op. New students should be aware that continuing students have priority in room selection during our room draw process, held each spring semester to determine fall semester occupancy. Transfer students with families may apply for the Underwood Apartments (PDF).

Graduate women have the option of living in Warren Olney Hall, Ethel Moore Hall, Lynn Townsend White Hall, the Larsen House Co-op, and the Courtyard Townhouses. Graduate men may live in the Courtyard Townhouses, and Lynn Townsend White Hall. Graduate students with families may apply for the Underwood Apartments (PDF).

The Underwood Apartments are our on-campus housing option for students with families. Each apartment has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, and an eat-in kitchen. The apartments house up to four individuals; there can be two adults and two children, or one adult and three or fewer children. You can apply via the Underwood Apartments Waiting List Application.

Mills offers both single and some double rooms. Some rooms are “porch rooms,” in which a porch is shared by students in one double or two single rooms. For Fall 2020 double rooms will be single occupancy, but charged at the double rate. Priority for partial occupancy double room placement will be given to students experiencing financial hardship as determined by Financial Aid and SASS accommodations. We have limited doubles on campus.

One of the special features about the residences at Mills is that each room is unique. These are not cookie-cutter halls with identical rooms; each one is slightly different. All rooms (with the exception of the Underwood Apartments, which are unfurnished) have a standard twin bed, desk, chair, small bookshelf, and dresser. In contrast to many other college housing facilities, Mills housing is spacious and charming. Check out our residential options webpage for descriptions and pictures of our residential spaces.

In all cases, assignments for new students are made on a first-received, first-assigned basis. Each student’s preferences are considered based on room availability at the time the residence application. First-year students’ room assignments are within their assigned Themed Housing Communities.

New students entering Mills in the fall who have submitted their residence application and housing fee before the priority housing deadline of June 1 are notified of their housing assignments by June 15. Applicants who apply after the priority housing deadline are notified as assignments are made. New students entering in the spring receive their assignments upon arrival in January.

A one-time application fee of $250 is required before the Housing Application can be accessed. The application fees will not need to be resubmitted by students who reapply for on-campus housing in the future, but the housing application fee is non-refundable. Application fees can be paid as the first step of the online housing application (accessed through the Mills Resource Portal) or by cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard through the HMDS Office (by visiting Sage Hall 138 or calling 510.430.2127).

The move-in date depends on whether a student is new or continuing and is usually one to five days before classes start each semester. The move-out date is the day after the last scheduled final exam of the semester, unless otherwise indicated in section E. of the License Agreement for On-Campus Housing: Terms and Conditions, found in the Mills College Student Handbook (PDF). You can also see the Mills Academic Calendar for quick reference dates.

All residence hall occupants are required to leave when the residence halls close during the winter break, but students returning for the spring semester do not need to remove their belongings from their rooms. Students may stay in the residence halls during the Thanksgiving and spring break periods.

Ross House, Larsen House Co-op, Prospect Hill, the Courtyard Townhouses, and the Underwood Apartments are open during the winter break. Underwood Apartments (family housing) are also open during the summer, as are some of the apartments at the Courtyard Townhouses.

If I live in a residence hall that is closed for winter break, is it possible to stay on campus?

Winter break housing may be available for a few days or the entire break period. There are additional charges for room and board during this period. Space is limited, and students do not live in their normal rooms. Those interested should call 510.430.2127 or email housing@mills.edu for details.

There is no curfew. Outer doors to residential spaces are always locked and each resident has her/his own key and/or keycard to the building. For fall 2020 no outside guests will be allowed in residence halls, either for visits or for overnight stays. Residents living in Ross House, Larsen House, Courtyard Townhouses, and Prospect Hill are not allowed to have any guests inside their apartments, including other Mills College students. Residents living in Orchard Meadow, Warren Olney, Ethel Moore, Ege, and White Halls are not allowed to bring any guests into the residence halls from other residence halls. Residents living in these buildings may visit residents living in the same building as them, but social distancing is enforced.

The only exceptions to the guest policy are for individuals providing care to a resident or providing care to a family member of a resident (Underwood only) on campus. These individuals will need to be identified to Residential Life and Public Safety. 

• Caregivers are not allowed to stay overnight, unless approved by SASS. 
• If caregivers must enter shared living spaces (Townhouses, Prospect Hill, Ross House, Larsen House), the student must open and close apartment doors for the caregiver whenever possible. 
• Caregivers cannot use shared spaces (kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms), unless it directly relates to the care being provided. The student is responsible for sanitizing all common areas after use.

A Mills ID is issued to each Mills student after account clearance and arrival on campus during Orientation. Students are encouraged to email ID photos (in a .jpg format) to housing@mills.edu by July 31 for the fall semester or by the end of the first week of January for the spring semester. If you want your preferred name on your ID card, you must make sure your preferred name is registered with the M Center before the above deadlines. By sending your image in advance, you will avoid waiting in line to have your picture taken during Orientation. 

When emailing a photo for your ID card, please keep in mind:

• The photo must be a close-up with your face and neck clearly visible.
• We need to be able to crop the photo to fit the required are (from the top of your head to the bottom of your neck) inside a square. Taking the photo in a square or landscape format is recommended
• No hats or sunglasses. (religious headwear is allowed)
• No digital filters that alter the color and/or add in digital imagery
• This image will be the first impression many Mills employees (professors, Public Safety, etc.) will have of you; please select it accordingly.

The Mills ID card is also a keycard which lets you in to certain buildings on campus, and a meal card and points plan card, if applicable. This card is valid for a student’s entire stay at Mills College and must be presented at the HMDS Office each semester for an updated validation sticker. A meal card without a current validation sticker will not be accepted in the dining hall or by other departments on campus. Each student with a meal plan must present a Mills ID card to the cashier before entering the dining hall. A Mills ID card is for the exclusive use of the student to whom it is issued. Misuse of the Mills ID card may result in a fine of $20. A replacement fee of $20 will be charged for lost or damaged cards.

Items to bring:

• Sheets (beds are standard twin size, not ;extra-long twin)
• Mattress pad (mattresses have plastic covers for hygienic purposes, and are more comfortable with a mattress pad)
• Pillows
• Towels
• Alarm clock
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Hangers
• Iron
• Cleaning supplies such as: disinfectant wipe and solutions, a broom, a dust pan, a vacuum cleaner, a Swiffer style mop, cleaning cloths, disinfectant wipes, and cleaning solutions
• Shower flip-flops
• Shower caddie for toiletries
• Desk lamp
• Laundry basket or bag
• Liquid laundry detergent (our laundry vendor reports that powered detergent tends to generate too many suds in our high-efficiency washers)
• Electrical surge protector
• Coffee maker and/or electric kettle (no exposed heating coils, please)
• Mini-fridge (shared refrigerators are provided in the common areas, but some students wish to bring their own—fridges must be under 4.5 cubic feet in size, and the use of Energy Star appliances is strongly ;encouraged)
• Portable music device
• Digital converter box for personal television, if analog format (cable television is provided in recreation rooms, but not in individual student rooms)
• Flashlight, batteries, bottled water, and other personal safety supplies (also see First Aid items, below)

In light of COVID-19, please be sure to also bring the following items:

• Cleaning supplies (ex. disinfectant spray or wipes, window cleaner)
• Washable face coverings
• Hand soap/sanitizer
• Facial Tissues
• Non-perishable foods for your room
• Bottled Water

First Aid items to bring:

• Bee sting medicine
• Medication for allergies and bites
• Instant hot and cold packs
• Bandages (in several sizes)
• Bandage wraps
• Pain relievers
• Something for an upset stomach
• Sterile cleansing wipes
• Tweezers
• First aid ointment
• Trash bags
• Toilet Paper/Paper Towels
• Thermometer
• Personal hygiene products
• Utensils
• Medical information (i.e., insurance information)
• Covid- 19 Go Bag
  • Medicine box
  • Thermometer
  • Face coverings
  • Clothes
  • Extra phone charger
  • Water bottle
  • Hand sanitizer

Prohibited items or items not needed:

• Quarters for laundry (usage of laundry machines is included in housing fees)
• Laundry detergent sheets (they clog the pumps in the washing machines; dryer sheets are OK)
• Personal wireless access points/bridges (these conflict with the wireless network)
• Microwave oven
• Mini dishwashers
• Toaster
• Hot plate or other cooking appliances (student-provided cooking appliances are only permitted in the kitchens of independent living facilities)
• Candles
• Incense
• Halogen lighting
• Pets (other than fish in a 10-gallon or smaller tank)

All mattresses are standard twin size. There is no need to purchase extra-long sheets.

You can use push pins, small picture hangers, and painter’s tape or drafting tape. Products that leave adhesive damage or stains on paint, ceilings, walls, floors, doors, windows, or Mills College furniture—such as command hooks, glow-in-the-dark stars, adhesive liners or stickers, and adhesive putty—may not be used. Excessive use of pins is forbidden, as is use of screws and large nails. Bulletin boards should be hung to display small items. No wall-hangings or fabric are permitted on the ceiling or over plugs, lights, doorways, or heaters, for safety reasons.

The Office of Residential Life and/or HMDS staff may conduct a walk-through of any residential space with 48 hours' advance notice, to look for health and safety hazards, policy violations, and maintenance concerns. Walk-throughs of the entire independent living community (apartments, townhouses, and houses) will be conducted once per semester with 48 hours' advance notice. During inspections, staff will be looking at the cleanliness of kitchens and bathrooms including stoves, floors, and tubs, and will check each individual bedroom. After closing the traditional residence halls for winter break, staff will walk through all of the traditional halls to assess the safety and security of the building.

For information on forbidden items and potential policy violations, please see "What are some suggested items I can bring (and not bring) to Mills?" and the Mills College Student Handbook (PDF). In preparation for health and safety checks, students should also be sure that their living spaces are clean.

Mills College is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. The use of any tobacco, marijuana, or other smoke producing products (including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes, vapes, electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, dissolvable tobacco products, and medical marijuana) is not allowed anywhere on the Mills campus including inside buildings, outside, or in a vehicle on the premises. (See the Smoking Policy and Alcohol and Drug Policies sections of the Mills College Student Handbook (PDF) for details).

Yes. All faculty, staff, and students must have a parking permit to park on campus. Students can register their vehicles in the Mills Resource Portal and pick up permits in the Public Safety Office with proof of vehicle registration. Parking permits can be purchased from the Public Safety Office at CPM 113. The permit is valid for the entire academic year.

Each Mills residential student receives a Personal Mailbox (PMB) for the duration of her/his residence agreement. Students will register for a PMB with the Mail and Copy Center on campus at Adams Plaza. Mail should be addressed as follows:

[Your Name]
PMB [Your Personal Mailbox Number]
5000 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94613

Beginning three weeks in advance of your scheduled move-in date, you may send no more than 5 packages that do not exceed 50 pounds each to the following address:

[Your Name]
[Your Building Name and Room Number]
5000 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94613

After move-in, packages should be sent to your personal mailbox (see "Where will my mail be delivered?", above).

Pets or other animals, other than emotional support animals and service animals, are not permitted in or around the residence halls, Underwood Apartments, Prospect Hill Apartments, Courtyard Townhouses, Larsen House, or Ross House, with the exception of fish in a 10-gallon or smaller aquarium (see the Animal Policy section of the Mills College Student Handbook for details).

Animals required as aides for students with disabilities must be registered with Student Access and Support Services (SASS) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS requires all canines on campus to have a current city canine license. The city license and all information regarding vaccinations must be presented to DPS for a Mills College canine license to be issued to the canine owner. Questions regarding service animals should be addressed to Student Access and Support Services at 510.430.2130. More information can be found on the Student Access and Support Services webpages.

Our guestroom housing will be offline for Fall 2020. Guestroom availability for Spring 2021 will depend in late fall. If you have a question regarding our on-campus guestrooms please feel free to contact us at guestroom@mills.edu. 

Lynn Townsend White Hall is our gender-fluid location; the bathroom setups there are single use and have gender-inclusive signage. In all other halls, they are multi-stalled bathrooms that are gender inclusive. The signs look like this.

Select wireless devices are permitted for use on campus. Certain wireless devices that are allowed but are not compatible with our network authentication method will need to be registered before they can authenticate and connect. Visit the Mills intranet for information about allowed network devices or to register your device(s).

Yes, please see the Mills College Student Handbook (PDF) for Mills College's policy regarding liability for loss.

Liability for Loss—Mills College assumes no responsibility, and does not provide insurance or any other financial protection, for residents, family member occupants, their guests, or their respective property. Residents are advised to obtain their own insurance protection against loss, theft, or damage of personal property (such as computers, stereos, cell phones, jewelry, cameras, etc.).

• Residents are expected to adhere to all new COVID-19 policies in order to live on campus.
• Social distancing will be in effect in all residence halls, including common areas in apartments, shared kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. As outlined by Alameda County, “Social Distancing Requirements” means: 

• • Maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from individuals who are not part of the same household or living unit;
  • Frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer that is recognized by the CDC as effective in combating COVID-19 (minimum 60% alcohol);
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or fabric or, if not possible, into the sleeve or elbow (but not into hands);
  • Wearing a face covering when out in public, consistent with the orders or guidance of the Health Officer; and
  • Avoiding all social interaction outside the household when sick with a fever, cough, or other COVID-19 symptoms.
• Face coverings must be worn when in shared areas, which include common areas in residence halls, shared kitchens, and laundry rooms.
• Residents are not allowed to gather or congregate on campus, including in other resident’s rooms on campus or in common areas.

• Double rooms will be single occupancy, but charged at the double rate. Priority for partial occupancy double room placement will be given to students experiencing financial hardship as determined by Financial Aid and Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) accommodations. We have limited doubles on campus.
• We are limiting the overall occupancy of each hall, apartment and house on campus to support social distancing and hygiene protocols. This means students in full apartments, houses, and halls will be moved to accommodate these protocols.
• HMDS will reach out to students affected by these new occupancy requirements and explain their options.
• Since Underwood Apartments are individual family units, they are not affected by the new limited-occupancy protocols.
• Students in traditional residence halls will be assigned specific bathrooms, trash rooms, and kitchenettes for use. This is being done to support contact tracing and hygiene standards.

• Single occupancy of shared spaces (kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms)
• Residents will be expected to utilize cleaning products to sanitize shared spaces directly before and after use
• Common gathering areas (libraries, study rooms, living rooms, rec rooms, computer labs, etc) will be closed. There will be PrinterOn stations at convenient locations on campus for students to send printing to. For more details please see ITS PrinterOn page.

• Residents living in apartments (Courtyard Townhouses, Ross and Larsen Houses, Prospect Hill) must be aware that, if someone living in their apartment has symptoms of COVID-19 or is being tested for COVID-19, all residents in the apartment will be required to quarantine. Residents who fail to adhere to the quarantine protocol will be required to leave campus.
• Residents living in other residence halls will be required to relocate to another space on campus, if they display symptoms of COVID-19 or are being tested for COVID-19. 
• Any resident who displays symptoms of COVID-19, including but not limited to: cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell, is required to inform designated staff and get tested for COVID-19. If students choose not to get tested, they will be required to relocate off campus for 14 days and until symptoms subside.

Bon Appetit at Mills College has adapted infection control practices using appropriate combinations of engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent exposures within the Mills College community. As classes begin on campus at Mills College, Bon Appétit Management Company is implementing rigorous sanitation and service measures to ensure students can dine with us safely and comfortably.

These new measures have been developed based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health and sanitation experts from their company’s Coronavirus Response Team, and local health regulations.

• COVID-19-specific training for all staff designed by sanitation experts and updated regularly as new issues emerge. Topics covered include: proper disinfection, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), physical distancing protocols, and more, and are integrated with food safety and sanitation protocols.
• Pre-shift wellness screenings for employees in alignment with local regulations, which include no-contact temperature scans and daily interview questions. 
• Employees will wear masks and gloves at all times.
• Amped-up cleaning and sanitation schedules with clearly detailed procedures that meet or exceed all local guidelines and national best practices. This includes frequent disinfection of high-touch surfaces (every 30 minutes).
• Hand sanitizer stations at entrances.
• Clear physical distancing and wayfinding signage and arrow decals so students feel comfortable moving around in the café and to avoid crowding. A navigation map for the Tea Shop will also be available.
• Signage to update guests of new protocols and health orders.
• Protective infrastructure such as plexiglass barriers at cashier stations.
• Shifting from self-service to full-service concepts. Breakfast, salad, and deli bars are being replaced with made-to-order options and/or freshly made, prepackaged meals.
• When we are able to utilize café dining, tables will be moved to create more distance in dining areas, including clear markers for physically distanced seating.
• Single use containers will be used with wrapped disposable cutlery and single serving condiments.
• Contactless ordering and payment will be available at all cashier terminals for meal plans and credit cards.
• Online ordering with an express pick up area will be available for groceries, grill, and coffee bar with a separate station for safe pick up.
• Contactless delivery to drop areas around campus will be available during designated hours and times.
• Four areas of daily focus: social distancing, hand washing, sanitizing, using PPE (personal protective equipment).

As the pandemic evolves and state and county regulations change, it is anticipated that dine-in service will be possible at various times during the academic year, while at other times it will be takeout only. The health and well-being of the Mills community is our top priority. Bon Appetit’s corporate safety team is continuously monitoring CDC recommendations, updating guidance as needed, and regularly communicating with the on-site team.