Where to live for your sophomore year

Most colleges require you to live on campus for at least your first year. However, Syracuse University requires undergraduate students to live on campus for the first two years. While this may come to the dismay of some, others are happy to enjoy one more year of the consistency of on-campus living rather than the wild world of off-campus housing. 

Sophomores typically have about 13 options for on-campus living. Differences in location, bathrooms and room types make each option unique.

Locations can be more convenient or farther away from campus. Bathrooms can be “communal,” living with gender separation and used by the whole floor, or “Pods,” which are individual, lockable rooms with a shower, toilet and sink. Room types can vary from split doubles, a room with a wall in between two beds, or a single.

Booth

505 Comstock Ave.

Located at the top of a hill, but that’s nothing for those that stayed on the mount freshman year. Booth is home to a variety of different room types with singles, open doubles, split doubles, two-person suites and four-person suites. 

Amenities:

• Communal bathrooms
• Study lounge with a kitchen on each floor
• Laundry in basement

Photo by Morgan Tucker

Booth Hall at Syracuse University.

Dellplain

601 Comstock Ave.

This is another centrally located option that backs up to Ostrom Avenue with Thornden Park not a far walk away. Dellplain is also right next to the Ernie Davis Dining Hall and gym. Room types include singles, open doubles and split doubles.

Amenities:

• Communal bathrooms
• Study/social lounge with kitchen on each floor
• Laundry in basement

Photo by Kate Brennan

Back entrance of Dellplain Hall at Syracuse University.

Ernie Davis

619 Comstock Ave.

You may have stopped by this dorm before, and that is because it’s one of the most diverse options for living. The bottom floor has a dining hall, and the second floor has the Ernie Davis gym. Room types include singles and split doubles.

Amenities:

• Pod Bathrooms 
• Study/social lounges on each floor
• Laundry on individual floors

Photo by Leah Dunne

Ernie Davis Residence, Dining Hall and gym at Syracuse University.

Greek Life

This option varies based on what chapter you are in. Some houses are more accustomed to letting underclassmen “live in” than others, and it depends on the availability, which will vary by year with how many rooms are open in the house. This option will provide a more unique style of living than others with the frequent events the chapter may hold and no consistent SU faculty in the building.

Photo by Olivia Felix

Delta Gamma sorority on Walnut Ave at Syracuse University.

Haven

400 Comstock Ave.

This is one of the further options away from central campus over on Comstock. Unlike many of the other options, Haven also houses first-year students and is home to SU’s InclusiveU student body. The hall is just up the hill on Marshall Street and is not a far walk from any of your Marshall Street cravings. Room types include singles, one-person suites, open doubles, split doubles, two-person suites, and four-person suites.

Amenities:

• Pod Bathrooms 
• Study/social lounges on each floor
• Laundry in basement

Photo by Emma Folts

Haven Hall front entrance at Syracuse University.

Milton

727 South Crouse Ave.

Milton Hall is what used to be “The Marshall,” an apartment complex that used to be for junior and senior student housing but was instead purchased by the school for more on-campus student housing. With it being a former apartment complex, it’s much different than your traditional dorm option and has more of a modern apartment style. Room types include Studio, one to two and four-bedroom apartment options. Each apartment includes a full, modern kitchen (no microwave), and each bedroom has a full bathroom.

Amenities: 

• Fitness center
• Laundry room
• Study areas 
• Entertainment areas

Photo by Griffin Marcy

Marshall St and Milton Hall on the Syracuse University Campus.

Orange

801 University Ave.

Another recent purchase from the university, as this used to be the Sheraton, a popular hotel on campus. Unlike Milton, this will be more of a blend between modern and traditional dorm as there are still elements of the hotel format that provide a dorm feel. The new Orange Dining Hall is one of the biggest positives of the new renovations. This dining hall is within the building and is easily accessible for all students. If you don’t like the daily menu there, don’t worry; all your favorite Marshall Street options are just across the street. 

Amenities: 

• Bathrooms located within rooms
• Laundry on each floor
• Social/study lounges

Photo by Ike Wood

Orange Hall at Syracuse University.

Oreon Lyons

401 Euclid Ave.

Nestled deep into the east Syracuse neighborhoods with many of the off-campus housing options, Oren Lyons can be forgotten among the options. Roughly a 10-15 minute walk to the center of campus, it gives you a preview of years to come with the off-campus feel. Room types include singles, open doubles, open triples and three-person suites

Amenities: 

• Pod Bathrooms 
• Laundry in basement
• Social/study lounges

Photo by Griffin Marcy

Front of Oren Lyons Hall on Euclid Ave at Syracuse University.

Shaw Hall

201 Euclid Ave.

Shaw Hall is another one of a few options with a dining hall within the building for students. It is also home to many Living Learning Communities (LLC) that take up entire floors in the building. Rooms include singles, open doubles, and split doubles.

Amenities:

• Pod bathrooms
• Laundry in basement
• Social/study lounges

Photo by Griffin Marcy

Front of Shaw Residence and Dining Hall on Syracuse University Campus.

South Campus

The furthest option for sophomore housing, but provides much more freedom. This option is mainly apartments and typically requires the campus shuttle to get there. If you choose this option, be prepared for complicated transportation, but in exchange for some peace and quiet.

Photo by Ryan P. Jermyn

Apartments on South Campus at Syracuse Universty.

Walnut

400 Comstock Ave.

One of the smaller options, Walnut, is just below Haven Hall on the hill and houses just about 60 students. Room types include singles and open doubles.

• Pod Bathrooms
• Laundry in basement
• Social/study lounges

Photo by Marissa Solomon

Front of Walnut Hall at Syracuse University.

Washington Arms

621 Walnut Ave.

Similar to Lyons Hall, it’s deep in the areas of off-campus housing occupied by upperclassmen, but on the other end of campus. If you are trying to find a place for three people to live, this might be the option for you with its three-person suites. Room types include open doubles with baths and two and three-person suites with baths.

Amenities: 

• Bathrooms located within rooms/suites
• Laundry in basement
• Kitchens on floors
• Social/study lounges

Photo by Kaizhao Zero Lin

Front of Washington Arms residence hall on the Syracuse University Campus.

Watson

405 University Place

In the heart of campus, right across from the Ernie dining hall while also being a few buildings down from Bird Library. In the Watson Basement are CitrusTV and Z89, two on-campus media outlets. 

Amenities:

• Social/study lounges
• Pod bathrooms 
• Laundry in basement
• Kitchenettes (microwave & sink) on 2nd and 4th floors

Photo by The NewsHouse Staff

Watson Hall is located on the Einhorn family walk at Syrcause University, directly on campus.