Grand Forks, ND · Fighting Hawks · Grand Forks
UND Freshman Dorms 2026
UND requires first-year students who enroll full-time within a year of high school graduation and carry fewer than 24 transferable credit hours to live in a residence hall for their whole first year, with exemptions for local family within 35 miles, part-time enrollment, marriage or dependents, age 20+, and financial or medical hardship approved through a Live-on Exemption Request. Four halls carry first-year priority: Johnstone and Smith are community-style Collegiate Gothic buildings in the historic core with no air conditioning but oak, height-adjustable bunkable bed frames, while Brannon (renovated, reopened Fall 2022) and McVey (new construction, opened Fall 2022) are air-conditioned suite-style halls with tunnel access to dining. Fall 2026 move-in is Saturday, August 22, in 30-minute self-scheduled slots. Pick your hall for verified room data.
- Bed size
- Varies by hall
- Air conditioning
- Varies by hall
- Residence halls
- 4 verified
Pick your residence hall
Every UND residence hall below has verified bed dimensions, AC status, and a checklist sized to that exact room.
Johnstone Hall
- Bed
- Oak frame, height-adjustable, bunks
- Under-bed
- Adjustable frame · clearance varies
- AC
- No
Smith Hall
- Bed
- Oak frame, adjusts to loft height, bunks
- Under-bed
- Adjustable frame · clearance varies
- AC
- No
Brannon Hall
- Bed
- Wood frame, adjustable, bunks
- Under-bed
- Adjustable frame · clearance varies
- AC
- Yes
McVey Hall
- Bed
- Wood frame, adjustable, bunks
- Under-bed
- Adjustable frame · clearance varies
- AC
- Yes
What to bring to UNDdorms — and what’s already there
Every UNDfreshman hall includes the same base furnishings. Skip anything already in your room, pack what’s missing, and leave the banned items at home.
⚠ Lost key/door recore fee is $150; lost fob fee is $50, both charged to your student account.
⚠ Improper or late room-change move-out incurs a $100 fee if not completed by Sunday 10pm.
⚠ Fire-alarm tampering or false alarms lead to criminal charges and a permanent criminal record.
⚠ Guests must be escorted 24/7; overnight guests are capped at 1 per visit, 2 nights per 7-day period, and 5 nights per semester; hosts are personally and financially responsible for guest conduct.
✓ In every room
- Twin XL bed and mattress
- dresser
- desk
- chair
- window coverings
- wastebasket
- recycling bin
- card-swipe security
- shared kitchen/microwave per floor
✗ Not provided
- XL twin sheets
- comforter
- mattress pad
- pillows
- towels
- shower shoes
- caddy
- hangers
- underbed organizer
- laundry bag
- HE detergent
- dryer sheets
- non-bleach cleaning wipes/spray
- toiletries
- first aid kit
- laptop
- surge protector
- smart TV
- fan
- bike
⊘ Prohibited
- Candles/open flame/incense
- extension cords
- cooking appliances (hot pots
- toasters
- air fryers
- electric grills
- crockpots
- toaster ovens; microwaves allowed only as one shared unit per floor)
- space heaters
- personal room AC units
- wireless routers
- Command Strips/wall-adhesive material
- anything hung from ceiling
- personal electric vehicles
- firearms/weapons/knives 5in+
- fireworks
- BB/paintball guns
- alcohol (any form
- full or empty containers)
- illegal drugs
- animals except service animals/fish ≤20gal
- lithium/car batteries
- live holiday trees
- tobacco/vaping campus-wide
Top things every UND freshman needs
The essentials that aren’t in your room — our verified picks, each with a full comparison. Affiliate links; prices and availability shown on Amazon.
Twin XL sheet setDorm beds are extra-long — a standard twin sheet won't fit.
Mattress topperDorm mattresses are thin and firm — a topper is the biggest comfort upgrade.
Surge protectorRequired at most schools — plain extension cords are banned.
Shower caddyCommunal bathrooms — you carry everything to and from the shower.
Under-bed storage binsThe space under the bed is the only real storage a dorm gives you.
LED desk lampNot provided in most halls — you'll want your own light for late study nights.
Which halls have air conditioning?
AC status varies by hall — useful to know before your assignment arrives.
| Hall | AC | Under-bed |
|---|---|---|
| Johnstone Hall | No AC | Adjustable frame · clearance varies |
| Smith Hall | No AC | Adjustable frame · clearance varies |
| Brannon Hall | Yes | Adjustable frame · clearance varies |
| McVey Hall | Yes | Adjustable frame · clearance varies |
Common questions about UND dorms
- Do all UND freshmen have to live on campus?
- Yes, if they enroll full-time within one year of high school graduation and have fewer than 24 transferable post-secondary credit hours. Exemptions cover local family within 35 miles, part-time enrollment, marriage or dependents, age 20+, and financial or medical hardship, approved via a Live-on Exemption Request in Campus Connection.
- How much does living on campus save compared to off-campus housing at UND?
- UND's housing overview page estimates on-campus residents save about $160 per month compared to living off-campus.
- Is a deposit required for UND housing?
- No — UND requires $0 deposit to apply for or hold on-campus housing.
- What is UND's guest policy in the halls?
- Guests must be escorted 24/7. Overnight guests are capped at one per visit, with a maximum of 2 nights in any 7-day period and 5 nights total per semester; the host is personally and financially responsible for their guest's conduct.
Planning your move-in? See the full UND packing guide →
More guides: Dorm move-in checklist · Best dorm fans (no AC) · Best shower caddy
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