Residence Life
Check out Your Home Away From Home at Defiance College
Our Campus Community
The goal of Residence Life is to be the heart of campus living, offering a vibrant community where you can connect with peers and build lasting friendships. Our dedicated staff provides a supportive, safe environment that fosters personal growth and academic success, ensuring your transition to college life is smooth and memorable.
Defiance College StarRez
StarRez is the central hub for managing all your Residence Life needs. From Applications for Housing, selecting Meal Plans, and Applying for Commuter Status StarRez manages it all. For more information or questions please contact the Office of Residence Life at residencelife@defiance.edu or give us a call at 419-783-2437.
Living On Campus: Your Home at College
New students who have recieved their DC email and have setup a password will be able to login to StarRez once applications are being accepted for the following academic year. Typically, the application process opens in late May/early June. Communication on when that will be will come from Admissions or Student Life, as well as an instructional email on how to sign up for housing when logged into StarRez.
Students will be able to select a roommate or request that Residence Life chooses one for them. Students over the age of 19 will typically be placed in Whitney Hall, students 18 and under will be placed in McReynolds Hall.
Returning students will login to StarRez and apply for housing for the next academic yearduring the spring semester. Applications happen in the following order:
- On-Campus Houses (Priority is based on the groups collective credit hours)
- Grand Avenue Apartments & Jacket Suites (Priority is based on the groups collective credit hours)
- Whitney Hall
Students are responsible for finding their own group and roommates during the application periods, and all housing is subject to change by Residence Life. All application periods are communicated to students via their school emails, throughout the spring.
Students will not receive a roommate or room assignment until they have completed the housing application, so it is important to complete the application as soon as possible. For questions and concerns about the application, please contact Residence Life.
On-Campus Houses, Jacket Suites, and Grand Avenue Apartments will be assigned by seniority based on academic credit hours earned. Returning students who did not sign up for an On-Campus House or apartment will be assigned to Whitney Hall . Transfer and older first year students are typically assigned to Whitney Hall. McReynolds Hall is reserved for first year students.
All assignments will require roommates if you do not select a roommate during the housing process you will be assigned one. Spots are not guaranteed until a housing contract is signed via StarRez.
Students who need to request special housing arrangements (i.e. first floor because they have family members in wheelchairs, a room close to the restroom for medical issues, etc.) may do so by submitting their request to Residence Life and Accessibility Services.
Commuters: Welcome to Campus
Current and incoming students seeking to gain commuter status are strongly urged to request approval as soon as possible. Whether you are a current DC student or entering in the fall, you must meet at least one of the criteria below to be approved commuter status.
Incoming students will have commuter status verified when they sign up and attend a Freshman Orientation date. You must still submit a commuter application via StarRez. Current students must request commuter status by applying in the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students will review requests as they are received throughout the year.
Current students who have not been officially granted commuter status are cautioned not to make arrangements with outside housing providers as you may not receive commuter status. A mistake in this area may leave you financially liable to BOTH the college and an outside housing provider.
Defiance College requires all students to live in college-operated housing for 3 years, unless they meet one of the commuter criteria identified. All current residential students will be expected to participate in the housing selection process unless they are approved for commuter status.
Students must be between the ages of 16 and 25 at the time campus residency begins in order to be eligible for on-campus housing. Parent or legal guardians of students under the age of 18 are required to co-sign the Residence Hall License Agreement. Students who will be 16 at the start of campus residency must have his/her parent or legal guardian sign the Minor in Campus Residency Acknowledgment Form.
- Married students or students with dependent children
- 22 years of age or older PRIOR to the beginning of the academic year
- Live with parents or legal guardians within a 50-mile radius of the college
- Students with veteran’s status
- Completion of 90 or more credit hours PRIOR to the beginning of the academic year
Housing & Meal Plan Cost
2026-2027 Housing Details:
McReynolds and Whitney Hall
- $3,355 per semester / $6,710 per year
Jacket Suites
- $3,600 per semester / $7,200 per year
Grand Avenue Apartments
- $4,300 per semester / $8,600 per year
College Owned Houses
- $4,500 / $9,000 per year
2026-2027 Meal Plan Details:
- 19 meals per week + $150/semester Munch Money: $3,331 per semester / $6,662 per year
- 14 meals per week + $200/semester Munch Money: $3,266 per semester / $6,532 per year
- 10 meals per week + $275/ semester Munch Money: $3,201 per semester / $6,402 per
A meal plan is required for all residential students except for those residing in Grand Avenue apartments or a DC owned house. A meal plan is required for all residential students except for those residing in Grand Avenue apartments or a DC owned house.
Commuting students can purchase Munch Money to use in the Hive or dining hall via Hallmark Dining Services
Housing Details:
McReynolds and Whitney Hall
$3,287 per semester / $6,575 per year
Jacket Suites
$3,524 per semester / $7,048 per year
Grand Avenue Apartments
$4,300 per semester / $8,600 per year
College Owned Houses
$4,500 / $9,000 per year
Meal Plan Details
A meal plan is required for all residential students except for those residing in Grand Avenue apartments or a DC owned house. A meal plan is required for all residential students except for those residing in Grand Avenue apartments or a DC owned house.
19 meals per week + $150/semester Munch Money: $3,234 per semester / $6,468 per year
14 meals per week + $200/semester Munch Money: $3,171 per semester / $6,342 per year
10 meals per week + $275/ semester Munch Money: $3,107.50 per semester / $6,215 per year
Residential Spaces: See Where You'll Live!
McReynolds Hall - First Year Housing
Whitney Hall
- A three-story traditional style residence hall with a capacity of approximately 215
- Double-occupancy; living areas (12’x15′) with community restroom and shower areas located on each wing
- Provided in each room per person: extra-long twin mattress (36″x80″), desk, chair, closet, dresser, ethernet jack, telephone jack (only one in each room)
- Bedroom furniture, flooring, windows and window treatments
- Lobby area features a fireplace, outdoor patio, large-screen TV, piano, game tables, study area with computers, wireless Internet in the lobby, vending machines
- Rooms are not air conditioned, however students may bring one 5000btu AC window unit per room.
McReynolds Hall
- A three-story traditional style residence hall with a capacity of approximately 240 students
- All rooms are double-occupancy; living areas (12’x15′) with community restroom and shower located on each wing
- Provided in each room per person: extra-long twin mattress (36″x80″), desk, chair, built in closet unit, and dresser drawers
- Each room has dedicated Wi-Fi access along with a wired Ethernet connection (only one port in each room).
- Common areas feature a computer lab, large-screen TV and game tables, wireless internet in the lobby and vending machines
- Rooms are not air conditioned, however students may bring one 5000btu AC window unit per room.
Jacket Suites
- One-story quad style apartments are divided into three pods; each containing four to five individual apartment units
- Central lounge in each pod with big-screen television and study area
- Four-person, two-bedroom suites include kitchenette, private bath, and storage/study area
- Fully furnished bedrooms include a loftable bed with extra-long twin mattress, desk, dresser and wardrobe
- Each apartment building has an atrium-style commons area encircling an outdoor courtyard
- Parking available across the street
- Each apartment building houses a washer and dryer – free of charge
- High-speed Internet
- Central air/heat in each apartment
Grand Avenue Apartments
- One-story apartments
- Located within short walking distance to campus
- Two fully furnished bedrooms in each apartment (students must utilize personal furniture for living room / dining area)
- Room include a loft bed with extra-long twin mattress, desk, dresser, built in closets and window treatments
- Private bath with spacious living room
- Complete kitchen includes full-sized refrigerator, range, lots of cabinet space with a dining area
- Smoke detectors in all bedrooms and common areas
- Washer and dryer in each apartment – free of charge
- High-speed Internet
- Central air/heat
- Easily accessible parking in front of the building
Ready for DC? Your Move-In Checklist
From appliances to clothes, cleaning supplies to snacks – here is a video detailing some helpful things to bring for dorm life!
Check out Our Packing List for Move In!
- Appliances: TV, microwave (800 watt), refrigerator (no more than 4.5 cubic ft.)
- Bedding: sheets, blankets, mattress cover, pillow
- McReynolds – mattresses are extra-long size (see the section on Linens below)
- Whitney, Jacket Suites, and Grand Avenue – mattresses are extra-long size (see the section on Linens below)
- Laundry supplies: clothes bag, detergent, dryer sheets, hangers, drying stand, iron and ironing board, wastebasket
- Electronics: stereo, alarm clock, surge protectors, fused surge protector strips, video games, computer, window fan, hair dryer, flashlight
- Bathroom supplies: shower caddy, shower shoes, towels, wash cloths
- Decoration: curtains to cover open closet space, posters, storage containers, throw rug, plates, silverware, desk lamp, wastebasket, and flashlight
What to leave behind
- Homemade bed lofts
- Family pets except for fish in a bowl without a filter
- Any appliance with an exposed heating element (e.g. toaster, electric skillet, convection oven, space or kerosene heater, halogen lamps). This includes any kind of air fryer or deep fryer.
- Fire hazards: plastic shower curtains, inflatable furniture, holiday lights of any kind, extension cords, electric blankets, candles (even if unburned), incense
- Weapons of any kind (e.g. firearms, paintball guns, paintballs, sling-shots, pellet guns, knives, bows, or dart boards)
- Miscellaneous: water beds, inflatable furniture, bean bag chairs, sub-woofers, electric guitars
- Gel window clings
- In order to provide stable wireless internet in the residence halls, we do not allow the use of personal routers in your room
Air Conditioner
Air conditioning units may be brought if you are living in McReynolds or Whitney Hall. They must be the smallest window unit, 115 volt/5000 BTU, with 1 unit per room (make plans with your roommate so you don’t each bring one).
Laundry
Laundry facilities are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on each of the residence hall floors. This equipment is provided for the use of each building’s residents. If a machine is malfunctioning, please notify Residence Life as soon as possible by completing a work order form.
Linens
All mattresses are extra-long and measure 36’x80″.
Internet Access
Wi-Fi is available in each room and is provided by Defiance College. JacketNet provides coverage across campus and allows students to connect their personal devices.
For specific questions regarding issues with connectivity, networking and security please contact Computer Services at 419-783-2667.