Do Patterson residents share a room?

No -- each resident gets a private bedroom within a two-person minisuite, sharing only the bathroom with one roommate, per NIU's Patterson hall page. Six minisuites (twelve residents) form a cluster around a shared common area.

Is Patterson more expensive than other first-year halls?

Yes, Patterson's minisuites start at $8,388 per semester for fall 2026, higher than standard doubles in Grant ($6,779), Neptune ($6,101-$6,197), or Stevenson ($6,737).

Does Patterson provide a shower curtain?

NIU's packing tool and Patterson's own measurements table both say residents must bring their own shower curtain and curtain rings for the minisuite bathroom; a standard curtain fits. Patterson's room-type description contradicts this by listing a shower curtain as included, so pack one to be safe.

Is Patterson air-conditioned?

Yes, air conditioning is included throughout Patterson Complex, per both the hall's own features list and NIU's hall comparison page.

DeKalb, Illinois · Huskie Country

Patterson Complex Dorm Checklist 2026

Northern Illinois University

2-person minisuites, private bedrooms, share bathroom w/ roommate

Verified Aug 19, 2026 · niu.edu

Patterson pairs two bedrooms into a shared-bath minisuite. Unlike NIU's other halls, Patterson rooms have a minifridge, not a MicroFridge -- microwaves live in the shared cluster.

Bed SizeTwin XL, 78in x 36in x 8in
Under-BedJunior loft 33.5in, low loft 16in
ACYes
On-CampusRequired (university residency requirement: single freshmen with fewer than 24 accepted college credit hours who enroll directly after high school, have not reached age 21 by Sept. 1, and do not live with a parent/legal guardian within 50 miles of the DeKalb campus must live on campus for a full academic year, August-May, as long as space is available). NIU publishes no first-year on-campus percentage -- it reports only that about 4,000 students live on campus overall.

✓ In the room

bedmattressclosetdressernightstanddeskdesk chairminifridgewindow blindsoverhead lightingshared vanity with two sinksin-cluster washer and dryerin-cluster microwavesin-cluster televisionin-cluster vacuumtoilet paper

✗ Not provided

Twin XL sheetspillow and pillowcasemattress padtowelsdesk lampmetal wastebaskettrash bagslaundry detergentshower caddyshower shoesshower curtain and curtain ringscleaning suppliespadlock for the locking desk drawer

⊘ Prohibited

personal fridge or minifridgepersonal microwavehot platespace heatercandlesincense burnerspersonal AC unitpersonal routerplastic wastebasketweaponshoverboardspets other than fish

Patterson minisuites include a shower, but residents must supply their own shower curtain and rings -- a standard curtain fits, per NIU's packing tool. The shower opening is 37in wide and the rod sits 72in from the floor. Patterson's own room-type list contradicts this by saying a shower curtain is included; the measurements table and the packing tool both say to bring one.
Patterson rooms have a minifridge (fridge and freezer only), not the MicroFridge found in Gilbert, Grant, Neptune and Stevenson. Two microwaves are provided in each common cluster area, and personal microwaves are still prohibited.
Residents of Patterson minisuites are responsible for cleaning their own bathroom, so NIU recommends bringing cleaning supplies.

Living in Patterson Complex: what to know before you pack

The room

Patterson bedrooms are the most private first-year option at NIU: each resident gets their own roughly 10'3" by 9'1" bedroom with 8'10" ceilings, furnished with a Twin XL bed, closet, dresser, nightstand, desk, chair, and window blinds. Two residents share one minisuite bathroom with a shower and toilet plus a vanity area with two sinks and individual under-sink storage -- students just need to bring their own shower curtain and rings, since the measurements table and NIU's packing tool both say the curtain isn't provided. The minisuite also has a minifridge (fridge and freezer compartments) with a storage cabinet above it; unlike NIU's other halls there's no in-room microwave, because two microwaves sit in the shared cluster. Beds are set at Junior Loft height (33.5in) with a Low Loft (16in) option, and mattresses here run slightly thicker (8in) than in NIU's other halls.

Day to day

Twelve residents -- six minisuites -- share a cluster built around a common living space with a kitchenette, washer and dryer, two microwaves, a television, and a vacuum, a step up in privacy from traditional double-loaded corridors. The complex's community center adds an All You Care to Eat food court with The Brick House oven pizzas, a game room, and a study lounge, plus lab workstations and vending. Patterson also hosts the Honors House community for students who want to live near others in the same program. Access is layered: your OneCard opens the building, your OneCard plus a PIN opens the cluster, and a room key opens your room. Patterson is also the only residence hall open during winter break under an optional contract, and it stays open in summer for eligible students.

Move-in day

New Patterson residents move in August 19-20, 2026 by scheduled MyHousing appointment, same as the rest of NIU's incoming class. Because minisuites are pricier than standard doubles (Patterson starts at $8,388 per semester for fall 2026, per the hall's own page), families should confirm the room rate on their MyHousing account before arrival -- NIU's comparison page adds a note that Patterson rates do not include a meal plan, which conflicts with its own statement that Huskie Block 12 is included in the base rate for Patterson. Pack a shower curtain and rings specifically for Patterson's minisuite bathroom, plus cleaning supplies, since you and your suitemate clean it yourselves. As with every hall, only one vehicle per student (two maximum) is allowed near the building during move-in.

Room ideas

See The Raised Bed styled

The frame goes up, and the floor underneath comes back as storage.

Styled render — not a photo of Patterson Complex.

Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup

Sources & verification — last checked Aug 19, 2026

Patterson Complex FAQ

Do Patterson residents share a room?: No -- each resident gets a private bedroom within a two-person minisuite, sharing only the bathroom with one roommate, per NIU's Patterson hall page. Six minisuites (twelve residents) form a cluster around a shared common area.
Is Patterson more expensive than other first-year halls?: Yes, Patterson's minisuites start at $8,388 per semester for fall 2026, higher than standard doubles in Grant ($6,779), Neptune ($6,101-$6,197), or Stevenson ($6,737).
Does Patterson provide a shower curtain?: NIU's packing tool and Patterson's own measurements table both say residents must bring their own shower curtain and curtain rings for the minisuite bathroom; a standard curtain fits. Patterson's room-type description contradicts this by listing a shower curtain as included, so pack one to be safe.
Is Patterson air-conditioned?: Yes, air conditioning is included throughout Patterson Complex, per both the hall's own features list and NIU's hall comparison page.
Is Patterson Complex a good hall to live in?: That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Patterson Complex has Twin XL, 78in x 36in x 8in beds with Junior loft 33.5in, low loft 16in of under-bed storage, and is fully air conditioned. Northern Illinois University provides bed, mattress, closet, dresser, nightstand, desk, desk chair, minifridge, window blinds, overhead lighting, shared vanity with two sinks, in-cluster washer and dryer, in-cluster microwaves, in-cluster television, in-cluster vacuum, toilet paper in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Patterson Complex stacks up against Northern Illinois University's other halls above.

Thinking About Living in Patterson Complex Next Year?

If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Patterson Complex: it has Twin XL, 78in x 36in x 8in beds with Junior loft 33.5in, low loft 16in of under-bed clearance, and the room is air conditioned. On top of that, the room comes with bed, mattress, closet, dresser, nightstand, desk, desk chair, minifridge, window blinds, overhead lighting, shared vanity with two sinks, in-cluster washer and dryer, in-cluster microwaves, in-cluster television, in-cluster vacuum, toilet paper; you'll need to bring Twin XL sheets, pillow and pillowcase, mattress pad, towels, desk lamp, metal wastebasket, trash bags, laundry detergent, shower caddy, shower shoes, shower curtain and curtain rings, cleaning supplies, padlock for the locking desk drawer yourself; personal fridge or minifridge, personal microwave, hot plate, space heater, candles, incense burners, personal AC unit, personal router, plastic wastebasket, weapons, hoverboards, pets other than fish isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.

Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see Northern Illinois University’s other halls below.

More Northern Illinois University halls

Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.

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Patterson Complex Dorm Checklist 2026

Living in Patterson Complex: what to know before you pack

The room

Day to day

Move-in day

See The Raised Bed styled

Everything for your Patterson Complex room

Bedding

Fan — optional

Bathroom

Personal Care & Grooming

Self-Care Essentials

Storage & Organization

Closet Space-Savers

Tech & Power

Laundry

Desk & Study

Health & Safety

Comfort & Room

Kitchen & Dining

Misc Essentials

Move-In Day Gear

Patterson Complex FAQ

Thinking About Living in Patterson Complex Next Year?

More Northern Illinois University halls