Handbook: Living Here

To live on campus, you'll need to:

1. Fill out a housing application. This helps Residence Life get an idea where they can place you. The application is available March 2 through the student portal (my.ycp.edu). Step-by-step guidance is available at ycp.edu/housing.
2. Choose a roommate, if you have one in mind. The roommate request period is April 15 – June 27.

First-year students are restricted in where they can live on campus. The full list, including photos and room sizes, is on our housing options page. Common sites for first-year students: Northside Commons, and the Manor Complex.

Who do I need to know in my residence hall?

You’re not alone when you live on campus, even if you’re brand new! We have staff here to make you feel welcomed and secure. Once you have a residence hall lined up, find your staff members here: ycp.edu/housingstaff

• Resident Assistants (RAs): 

  These are student leaders who help make sure you have the best environment for living and learning, from being on-call for your questions and concerns to providing programming and enforcing policy (like helping you out if a neighbor is being too loud.)

• Area Coordinator (AC): 

  This individual is a “live-in,” professional staff member who coordinates and supervises the overall operation of the complex. They make sure things are safe, clean, and that students feel supported. Area Coordinators also serve as hearing officers in student conduct hearings for code of conduct violations.

What should I bring?

See sample packing lists on our "Living on Campus" page, under the "New Students" drop down.

TIP: You don’t need to arrive in August with every possession! Pack enough to get you through the first break. You don’t need a winter coat and five blankets in August.

What should I not bring?

This is just as important. We don’t want you to be frustrated if something has to go back home! See the above page for specifics. But in general: no space heaters, no pets other than fish (unless you have special accommodation approval), no alcohol or drug paraphernalia, and no candles/incense/lava lamps. Nix the open campfire idea.

Want a microwave and/or fridge?

You can rent through mymicrofridge.com and it’s delivered right to your room. We even have a linen purchase program.

What’s included in most rooms?

All traditional hall double rooms offer each student a bed, a desk, a desk chair, a wardrobe with drawers, a mirror, a towel-rack/hook, a desk light, blinds which are pre-hung on the windows, and wireless networking. In lieu of a wardrobe with drawers, some traditional halls will have an open closet with drawers. Windows are typically 4' wide by 5'8" high and the bedrooms are typically 12' wide by 16' long.

I have to do laundry (or so my family tells me). Where do I go?

Each hall/complex has laundry facilities. There are no additional fees for laundry. Students are responsible for collecting their items in a timely manner, as laundry rooms are shared by the community.

Who cleans my room?

Grab a mirror. Each student is responsible for cleaning their own room or apartment. The shared bathrooms are cleaned by YCP facilities staff.

Can I pick a roommate?

This is done through the housing software. There is a roommate request period April 15–June 27. Roommate requests may not be considered after the due date.

Please note that a roommate selection isn’t always cut and dry. If you or your roommate are athletes, are part of a Learning Community, or have housing accommodations, it may be difficult to satisfy everyone’s needs.

You will also be able to request up to three building preferences. Please discuss the options with your roommate.

Do I have to have a meal plan?

Students living in traditional or suite-style housing with no kitchen accommodations are automatically assigned meal plan points. Having a meal plan gives students the advantage of using meal swipes in traditional dining halls as well as the flexibility to eat in on-campus retail dining locations by using dining points. You have the opportunity to change your plan from a specific list of options. More information about each plan can be found on the Business Office webpage, ycp.edu/meal-plans.

Can I bring my car?

Students may bring their car. However, it must have a YCP registration tag, which is available through Campus Safety. More information regarding parking regulations may be found by visiting the Campus Safety section. Parking permits cost $135 for resident students and $85 for commuters for the academic year. Commuter students may register two vehicles. The second permit is free. 

Have a bike? There are bike racks outside each residence hall or close by. Register your bike with Campus Safety.

I want to stay on campus during a break. What do I do?

If you need to stay over during any College break, you must fill out the Break Request Form by the announced deadline. A daily fee may be applied for staying during breaks.

What about visitation?

Visitation in student rooms is permitted on the basis of the schedule and regulations below:

• Sunday–Wednesday, 12 p.m.-1 a.m.
• Thursday–Saturday, 12 p.m.-2 a.m.

All guests must be escorted in and around the building by their host resident at all times. Residents are responsible for informing their guests of policies, rules, and regulations. Students will be held accountable for their guest’s behavior. All non-student guests must be 18 years or older unless with their parent/guardian. Overnight guests are not permitted.

Visitors must obtain a visitor permit to park on campus in designated parking spaces. Please visit the Campus Safety webpage for information on obtaining a visitor parking permit.

If you’re a commuter, you have plenty of opportunities to get involved. At YCP, commuters are those students who live within a 30-mile radius of the campus and reside at their legal residence. Over one-third of our undergraduates commute to campus! Full details, including parking maps, are at commuter page.

Tips for commuters:

Use the Commuter Lounge
YCP has a space for you to chill in between classes. The lounge is on the bottom floor of the Student Union near Sparts Den. There’s a microwave, a TV, and lots of room to relax or get work done.

Get involved
We find that the more you’re active early on, the better. It seems easy to skip out on clubs or attending a campus event, but it’s that much harder to feel connected! Sign up for a club and make a commitment to yourself to try a few events in the fall.

Make friends with residents
A tip we hear from students is to connect with students who have the opposite living situation. If you’re a commuter, it can be super helpful to have a friend’s room to hang out. And resident students are known to be generous with card swipes into the dining hall for a commuter friend with access to a car!

Plan ahead
We have plenty of parking, but if you have a habit of arriving last minute before class, you won’t always get a spot right near the building. Don’t rely on luck. Plan ahead and build a few minutes into your commute in case you need to grab a shuttle or walk.

Tell your professors that you commute
YCP makes every effort to give the campus advanced notice of closures or delays. But if school is open, you’re expected to be in class, so make sure you know your professor’s attendance policies. And if you know that your commute might be delayed by inclement weather, construction, or other factors, it helps to let the professor know as soon as you can.

At York College, what you think of as IT is known as Library and Technology Services (LTS), which integrates traditional
library resources with comprehensive IT support. Located in the Schmidt Library at the heart of campus, LTS manages everything from research collections and multimedia requests to network infrastructure and campus email accounts.

Schmidt Library: Your Academic Hub

The library is so much more than just a place for books, it's here to help you succeed! Whether you just need a place to study, access to a computer, or help tracking down elusive research materials through Interlibrary Loan (ILL), our dedicated library staff is ready to assist. Looking for a place to focus? We offer dedicated quiet zones for deep study, reservable study rooms, and multiple areas for group work.
Explore More: library.ycp.edu

IT Requirements and Support

Technology is vital to student success. To help you get started, LTS has curated a comprehensive overview for new students at ycp.edu/LTS-welcome.

Computer Recommendations

While York College does not have a "one-size-fits-all" requirement, we highly recommend a well-equipped laptop for portability between classes. Review our specific computer recommendations at ycp.edu/computer-recommendations.

Campus Resources

• Connectivity: High-speed Wi-Fi is available campus-wide for Mac, PC and mobile devices.
• Labs: Multiple computer labs are available across
• Printing: Student printers are located in select student labs spaces and the library.
• Help Desk: Located inside Schmidt Library, the LTS Help Desk is your go-to for tech troubleshooting anything from software issues to connecting your gaming console in your residence hall.

What you need to do

Step 1: Set Up Your YCP Network Account Everything begins with your network credentials. Look for an email from us with your username and password.

Step 2: Log In to the MyYCP Portal Log in to my.ycp.edu to ensure your credentials work. You’ll use this portal to pay your bill, sign up for parking, access class content, check your grades in Canvas, and much more.

Step 3: Transition to YCP Email Your @ycp.edu address is your official line of communication as a student. Check it regularly, as all college departments will transition communications away from your personal email.

Questions?

LTS Help Desk
Schmidt Library
717.815.1559
LTShelp@ycp.edu

Medical professionals are available on campus by appointment, walk-in, and emergency situations. Appointments can be scheduled in the MyWellSpan App, by calling 717.851.3880, or just by stopping by the office (Iosue Student Union, Room 116). We are able to assist with managing some chronic illnesses for patients who have a primary care provider and do not need medication adjustments. Office hours are listed at ycp.edu/health. Office visits do not have a charge; some tests, over-the-counter medications, and services have a nominal fee. WellSpan Student Health carries some prescription medications. Other medications may need to be fulfilled at a local pharmacy.

Have an emergency or are in need of help after hours? Please call Campus Safety at 717.815.1314. Several after-hours care centers and hospitals are located in the area, as well. You’ll want to check with your family’s insurance company to determine your in-network coverage.

Medical treatment provided by WellSpan Student Health is provided confidentially under HIPAA regulations.

IMPORTANT!

All new students must complete and submit the Student Health Forms on the PyraMED Student Health Portal before June 15; we need them in order for you to attend classes in the fall. Both commuters and residents must fill this form out.

Submission Instructions:

1. Visit ycp.studenthealthportal.com
2. Log in with your YCP credentials
3. Once you are logged into PyraMED, you will need to complete the required forms by clicking on "My Forms" or the "Pending Forms" link. Please read all directions.

Medications

Unlike high school, where you might have had your medications stored in a nurse’s office, in college you are expected to be in charge of your own medications. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Questions:

Iosue Student Union
Room 116
717.851.3880
WellSpanStudentHealth-YC@wellspan.org

The York College CARE Team

Our CARE team works with departments on campus to assist students with medical, social, and academic concerns. The team connects with students of concern to provide individualized resources and support for their personal and professional success.

We’re here for whatever you or a friend of yours needs to be in the best possible position for success and wellness.

The CARE team can be emailed directly at care@ycp.edu or reached through Residence Life at 717.815.1281. Visit the CARE Team page for more information.

Mental Health Services

York College's Mental Health Services assists students in finding solutions to life’s challenges by helping you manage stress and anxiety, learn new ways to deal with difficult situations, improve moods, mend relationships, and live your best life. To learn more about the confidential services this office offers or to complete an online mental health screening visit our Mental Health Services.