Residential Life and Dining Services

Educational Priority

Recognizing that each student has unique needs and goals, Residential Life & Dining Services is committed to enriching the student experience beyond the classroom through a holistic approach that emphasizes self-authorship, growth through critical thinking, and engagement with an inclusive community. Students who actively participate will have a strong foundation for success as community members of Plymouth State University and on the path that takes them further.

Commitment to the Habits of Mind

Plymouth State University’s approach to developing students in the classroom supports student success and beyond related to exposure and development in Habits of Mind. Habits of mind are a set of four usual ways of thinking or ways of engaging with the world. The Habits of Mind focused on at Plymouth State University are:

• Purposeful Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Integrated Perspective
• Self-Regulated Learning.

Residential Life & Dining Services, through the focus of the Educational Priority, has adopted the general education Habits of Mind as overarching Residential Learning Goals. In order to best develop students through these Habits of Mind, the following definitions through the lens of living on-campus have been developed.

• Purposeful Communication is the understanding and sharing of ideas, information, and experiences.
• Problem Solving requires the ability to think creatively, adapt, and extend one’s thinking to develop effective solutions.
• Integrative Perspective is the ability to distinguish the identities you and others hold to bring together experiences, ideas, and beliefs. It is discouraging the singular viewpoint.
• Self-Regulated Learning encourages students to intentionally take ownership of their own learning & experiences by setting goals & self-reflecting to navigate obstacles.

At PSU, we recognize that classroom learning is just part of the picture, along with extracurricular and co-curricular activities, internships, and community involvement. We’ve re-imagined our Residential Life Program to create a First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) that enriches student engagement and the transition to PSU.

Classes typically represent only one-third of a student’s time on campus; FYRE adds important value to the other two-thirds with special programs, increased access to faculty and University services, and experiences that help students find their personal path at PSU.

FYRE benefits first-year students by:

• Having students live together in traditional-style halls to support social and community development
• Introducing campus resources and instilling Habits of Mind that help students achieve academically
• Fostering new and different perspectives that support skill development required for future success
• Fostering connections with alumni and community members, who share career advice and wisdom
• Providing a great start to college for all students, including transfer and commuting students, who are invited to group activities.

Study Rooms and Lounges

Need a quiet place to study or want to hang out with friends? Check out the study rooms located in each residential community. Lobby and floor lounges are provided to residents and their visitors for studying, meetings, programs, and community-building activities.

Recreational Equipment

Most communities come equipped with billiard and/or table tennis (ping-pong) tables. To use these pieces of equipment check with the front desk of your residential community, as staff members can sign-out pool sticks, ping-pong paddles, and balls.

Kitchenettes

Community kitchens enable residents to prepare and share meals. Residential Communities have a limited number of pots/pans and other cooking equipment available for checkout. Connect with the front desk of your residential community for assistance.

Laundry facilities are located in each building. Washer prices are at $1.75. Dryer cycles may be purchased for $.60 per 20 minutes.  Pricing is accurate as of July 2021 and subject to change.

Laundry services are paid for and controlled through the use of the Speed Queen app available on the Android or iOS app stores.  This service requires funds to be deposited by students or families using credit, debit, or Apple Pay.  The machines do not take cash or coin.

Deposits to the SpeedQueen laundry app are administered by our laundry services contractor and will be reflected on debit / credit card statements as “PSU-Manchester NH”.

In accordance with the SpeedQueen Terms of Service, the value on the Speed Queen app is nonrefundable and may not be redeemed for cash.  This means students should monitor the amount of money they load onto the application and use up their balance when they will no longer need to utilize on-campus laundry services.

*Important: The location code for Plymouth State University within the app is PSULND

All washers are high-efficiency, front-load machines. Please use only detergent designed for this style machine.

Students living in the White Mountain Apartments, laundry rooms are located near apartments: 48, 61, 78, 124, 141

Special Notes & Considerations
International Students or students without a device able to access the SpeedQueen App can check out an iPad in their residential community to use when they need to do laundry. To access this service, students just need to connect with their residential community front desk.

Residential Life & Dining Services is a proud partner with Our Campus Market (OCM), which serves over 900 campuses nationwide by offering products to help welcome students to campus and to assist with the transition to the university. This partnership helps to raise funds for activities and services for residents living in the halls that are organized by Residential Life student staff and Community Councils.

If you are interested in learning more about OCM or the programs offered, you can visit its website online at ocm.com/plswhere, where you can submit and track online orders. Residential Life & Dining Services is committed to making sure your experience on campus and with OCM is a positive one, so if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to any of the customer support resources below, with OCM, our office, or review the Frequently Asked Questions information provided at the bottom of this page.

Residential Life & Dining Services partners with New England Student Services to allow students the opportunity to rent a refrigerator during their time on campus. Students may rent a refrigerator for the school year and New England Student Services will deliver directly to and pick-up directly from their room. With all the other necessities you need to bring to college, you’ll appreciate that you will not have to shop for a refrigerator then squeeze it into the car or rent a trailer. No need to transport a bulky refrigerator when the best appliance for students’ needs can be delivered to the college for you if you choose. Please visit their website for additional information.

Per the Residential Life & Dining Services Housing & Dining Lease, the University shall not be liable directly or indirectly for theft, destruction, or loss of money, valuables, or other personal property, belonging to, or in the custody of, the student for any cause whatsoever, regardless of whether such losses occur in the student rooms, storage areas, public areas, hallways, or in the baggage related to shipment or storage. The student is strongly encouraged to carry personal property insurance. Our office supports College Student Renters Insurance through National Student Services, INC. Please visit their website for additional information and details about their program.