Douglas Berger
Executive Director, Business Services

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Residences: Sansom Place East and West
Sansom Place East and West
Special Interest Communities
Room Layouts and Floor Plans

Services at Sansom Place
Sansom Community Services
Safety and Security
PennNet and Air PennNet: Wired and Wireless Internet
Parking
Student Telephone Services
Penn Video Network
Information Centers
Students with Disabilities
Utilities

Terms of Occupancy
Eligibility
Occupancy Period
Early Occupancy
Rent
Cancellations
Early Termination
Pets
Smoking

Application Procedures
Instructions
Assignments

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE RESIDENCES: SANSOM PLACE EAST AND WEST

Housing options include two high-rise apartment buildings at Sansom Place which are conveniently located within walking distance of all campus facilities. Sansom Place East and Sansom Place West primarily house graduate students (65%), and are also home to undergraduates interested in a more independent lifestyle (30%), and special programs and University guests (5%). There are numerous opportunities to meet other residents through informal get-togethers, study breaks, and other activities. The diversity of residents, including many international students, creates an active and stimulating environment. These residences are convenient, private, and serve as an enhancement to your academic pursuits. For additional information about Sansom Place East and West, please see the Sansom Place Website.

Special-interest graduate communities allow students in the same or related programs to live together. If you are interested in living in one of these communities, fill out the appropriate section on the application. Students in different academic fields may be assigned to any of the special interest communities.

SPECIAL INTEREST GRADUATE COMMUNITIES

Concentration	Location
Social Work	Sansom Place East, Floor 8
Science and Technology	Sansom Place East, Floors 9-10
Law	Sansom Place East, Floors 11-13
Health and Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, and Nursing)	Sansom Place East, Floors 14-17
Education	Sansom Place East, Floor 6 Sansom Place West, Floors 12-13
Wharton	Sansom Place West, Floors 14-16

Room types in Sansom Place East and West include single rooms, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Room diagrams can be found here. Standard furnishings are provided as listed below.

One-bedroom apartments accommodate one single student. A few are available to families without children, and these apartments have two twin, extra long beds. They include a kitchenette with breakfast bar, living area, and bathroom. A sofa is provided in addition to furnishings listed below.

Two-bedroom apartments accommodate two single students. These units have a small kitchenette, dining area, and bathroom. A dining table and chairs are provided in addition to furnishings listed below. Note that there is no living room.

Single rooms share a bathroom with one or two other rooms. These rooms do not have kitchenettes; however, residents may bring or rent small refrigerators.

All appliances must comply with the specifications outlined in the Residential Handbook.

All units in Sansom Place East and West are furnished and seasonally air-conditioned. Each occupant is provided with a twin, extra-long (36" x 80") bed, desk and chair, one chest of drawers, and wall-mounted bookshelves. Some lighting is provided, but residents may want to bring extra lamps. Walls are painted off-white. Residents are strongly discouraged from bringing their own furniture since the University-provided furnishings can not be stored or removed.

Public space is available for use by residents. In Sansom Place East there is an ATM for banking in the main lobby, a computer room and commons area on the ground floor, and a lounge on floor 11. The common area provides study space, a social room, and a recreation room. In Sansom Place West, there are lounges on floors 3, 6, 11, 14 and in the basement, and a television in the main lobby and 14th floor.

Vending and change machines are located in the main lobby area of each building and on the ground floor of Sansom Place East. A laundry room is on the lower level of each building.

SUMMARY OF THE RESIDENCES

Residence	Occupancy Period Ends	Accommodations	Building Facilities
Sansom Place East	July 31	single rooms, one- & two- bedroom apts.	Commons room, recreation room, laundry room, TV lounge, ATM (bank machine), computer room, lounges, study room, sound-proof piano room, change machine, vending machines
Sansom Place West	May 31	single rooms, one- & two- bedroom apts.	Laundry room, lounges on floors 3,6,11,14, TV lounge, basement lounge, change machine, vending machines

Note:
1. Sansom East houses the Education, Health Sciences, Law, Science and Technology and Social Work Communities.
2. Sansom West houses the Education and Wharton communities.

Room Layouts and Floor Plans

Room layouts and floor plans for Sansom Place are available here.

SERVICES AT SANSOM PLACE

 

Sansom Community Services

Sansom Place West, 3650 Chestnut St - Rm. 105,
Philadelphia., PA 19104-6182
Phone: 215-898-6871, Fax: 215-573-7552.
Website: http://scs.business-services.upenn.edu/

The Sansom Community Services Office supports graduate and professional student life at Sansom Place East and West. We invite you to take a web tour at http://scs.business-services.upenn.edu/ for more information about the programs, staff, and students. The community atmosphere in Sansom Place East and West is fostered through the assistance of live-in Sansom Advisors who are predominantly full-time graduate students. These staff members are carefully selected and trained to answer questions and to organize educational and social programs.

Supervising these efforts is a senior staff of coordinators and a full time professional Director.

Through relationships with a variety of campus resources, graduate organizations and programs and activities, the Sansom Community Services Office also provides support and advocacy for Penn graduate and professional students.

Safety & Security

The Department of Housing Services is committed to protecting the safety and security of our residences. Access is limited to PennCard holders and their guests and is monitored and controlled by security personnel and state of the art optical turnstiles. Additional security measures in Sansom Place East and West include alarmed doors and video surveillance.

Exterior lighting and landscaping are designed to enhance exterior safety and pedestrian comfort. Life safety systems at Sansom Place include smoke and heat detectors, sprinklers, direct notification to emergency personnel, and regular evacuation drills.

Safety and security are a shared responsibility. We ask for your cooperation in following established security measures. Common sense and awareness will help make your residential experience enriching and safe.

PennNet & Air PennNet: Wired and Wireless Internet

All residences are wired for access to PennNet, with every bedroom having a connection point to Internet, telephone and video services. All common spaces and bedrooms are also equipped with wireless access to Air PennNet. See the section under “Services” for more information.

Parking

Indoor and street parking within convenient proximity of the campus is limited. or information concerning University parking garages and lots contact: Parking Service, 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 447A, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6228, (215) 898-8667, or visit the Parking Website. Apply early.

Student Telephone Services

Each student’s occupancy agreement includes mandatory common-line telephone services provided by the University’s Student Telephone Services Office (STS). Common lines services include free on-campus, local and metropolitan area calls; dialing 511 for emergency service from Penn Police, call waiting, call transfer, and 3-way calling. In addition, STS offers discounts on long distance and international calling. See http://www.upenn.edu/sts/support billing.html for more detail.

Common line telephone services are billed on a per-student basis. Each student is charged a semesterly fee for the use of the common line as well as charged per call for domestic and international calls (charged to students via their Student Financial Services bill). Residents who would like additional telephone services, may apply directly via email to STS at service-requests@net.isc.upenn.edu or call STS at 215-746 6000 for more information.

Penn Video Network

The Penn Video Network offers the most conventional cable TV channels, as well as an entire suite of public affairs and international programming. Additional channels originate at Penn, including the student-run UTV13; the School of Arts and Sciences’ SASTV-19; two 24-hour movie channels; and a Video Bulletin Board providing information about student services, job opportunities, and upcoming campus events.

Information Centers

In Sansom Place East and West, Information Centers and/or security desks are staffed 24 hours daily. Providing a wide range of services, including check in and check out, they are a convenient and helpful source of general information, emergency assistance, loan of equipment such as vacuum cleaners, stamps and transit token sales, and maintenance follow-up.

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities who need accommodations are invited to self-identify during the application process. If you wish to self-identify and are requesting reasonable accommodations, you should submit the “Request for Housing Accommodation Form” with your residential application. This form is available at www.upenn.edu/housing/medform.html. Students should also contact Student Disability Services, 3702 Spruce St., Stouffer Commons, Suite 300, Philadelphia,

PA 19104-6027, 215-573-9235(voice), 215-746-6320 (TDD), 215-746-6326 (Fax). More information about Student Disability Services can be found at www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc. Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply early, preferably by May 1, in order to provide the Department of Housing and Conference Services with sufficient time to review requests.

Utilities

There are no additional utility or maintenance charges. All utility charges, except telephone services, are included in your rent.

 

Terms of Occupancy

Eligibility

Priority is given to full-time students. Part-time students, faculty, and staff may be accommodated as space allows, and at the discretion of the Director. Space in Sansom Place East and West is rented to individual graduate students. The University randomly assigns roommates unless a specific request is made to live with a particular student, in which case each roommate must submit an application indicating the other’s PennCard number in the appropriate section.

One-bedroom apartments in Sansom Place East and West may be rented by graduate students who wish to live with another adult (18 years of age or older). Students must designate the person living with them on their application and accept total financial responsibility for the entire occupancy period. Anyone living in an apartment for seven days or more must be registered and sign a waiver to be provided by the Department of Housing Services. The total number of occupants may not exceed the designated capacity of an apartment. Student residents will assume responsibility for anyone living in the unit and will ensure that they follow all Housing and University policies. The University may take disciplinary action against the student resident and/or terminate the Occupancy Agreement for failure by any person occupying the unit to comply with University or residential policies.

Children: Because of the size of the apartments, families with children cannot be accommodated in our student apartments.

Occupancy Period

Our residences have different occupancy periods and your occupancy agreement is a binding contract for that time. Choose the building that best fits your academic and personal needs. Both are open during academic year vacations.

Sansom East’s occupancy period runs from September 1 – July 31, with an option to apply for Early Termination effective June 1 (Please see Early Termination policy). Residents returning for the following year may remain in continuous residence. If you retain for the next year, you will be charged rent for the month of August and you may not cancel your Occupancy Agreement for the room you have retained after July 31. If you do not renew your Agreement for the next year, you must vacate by July 31.

Sansom West’s occupancy period runs from September 1 – May 31. This building either closes for the summer or is used to house conference guests. Students living in this building will be required to vacate their rooms by May 31. Summer housing is available, if needed. The location varies each year.

Early Occupancy

Some graduate schools at Penn begin classes prior to September 1. The Department of Housing Services tries to accommodate academic schedules by allowing students to move in before September 1 if their apartments are ready for occupancy.

If you require early move-in, you must make a formal request to the Assignments Office over the summer prior to your arrival. Your request will be reviewed to determine if your apartment is available and if early occupancy is required because of your School’s calendar. Additional rent is charged for early occupancy.

You should be aware that even if you are granted early occupancy, you may experience some inconvenience as contractors and maintenance staff may need to continue to work in and around your apartment. Your patience is appreciated.

Rent

A schedule of rents due for each room type is available at www.upenn.edu/housing/rent.html. The rent for Sansom Place East and West is billed and payable monthly. The Office of Student Financial Services will bill you directly.

Cancellations

Once you have submitted your Application/ Agreement cancellation will be granted only under the following circumstances:

• Prior to occupancy, you must notify the Assignments Office, in writing, that you do not intend to occupy the assigned room; you may also do this online on Campus Express, by fax 215-573-2061 or email to living@upenn.edu. You will be subject to cancellation charges. These charges apply even if you do not attend the University.

For new students anticipating enrollment for Fall 2009 or after:

Fall Semester:
Prior to July 1 -- $250
July 1- August 31 -- $350
September 1-September 9* -- $100 + 1 month’s rent
*No shows cancelled on September 9 and charged

Spring Semester:
Prior to first day of classes -- $125
No shows cancelled on 1st day of class -- $300

• Once you have picked up keys or taken occupancy, the Occupancy Agreement and financial obligation cannot be cancelled, except in the event of approved graduation, leave of absence, or withdrawal from the University. No refunds will be made after the tenth week of classes of each semester.

• If a student has not moved in by September 9, we will assume s/he is not coming, cancel and charge the student as a “No Show,” and will reassign the space, unless we receive written notice by September 1 of the student’s late arrival.

For more specific information, please refer to the Occupancy Agreement, Residential Handbook, or any of our on-line publications found on the Housing Website.

Early Termination

In trying to accommodate the various academic schedules of students, the Department of Housing Services will provide opportunities for early termination of Occupancy Agreements under limited conditions. Residents of Sansom East whose official academic year concludes prior to the contracted end of occupancy may terminate on or after June 1.

Such students must provide the Assignments Office with written School verification that the academic year is officially over for the Program. Also, students must complete a housing cancellation form, remove all possessions from the unit, and return keys to the Information Center. Rent will be prorated based on the date that all of the above steps are completed.

Pets

The presence of pets in residence is prohibited except for fish; fish are permitted only if they can be kept in a small aquarium not larger than twenty gallons. Persons with a disability requiring a pet to live with them must include this information on the “Request for Housing Accommodation” form, which can be found at http://www.upenn.edu/housing/medform.html.

Smoking

All residential buildings are smoke-free. Smoking is prohibited inside and outdoors within 20 feet of windows or doors. Residents and their guests are required to comply.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose a health hazard if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Lead poisoning in young children may produce permanent neurological damage, including learning disabilities, reduced intelligence quotient, behavior problems and impaired memory. The landlord is required to disclose to the tenant the presence of known lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. A comprehensive lead inspection or risk agreement for possible lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards is recommended prior to lease.

You have the right to have your unit checked for lead-based paint or lead hazards. You can do this within ten (10) days after you move in, by hiring an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified lead inspector at your cost. You can terminate your housing agreement within two (2) business days after you receive the results of the lead inspection and if you do so, you must agree to move out within ten (10) days after that. If you decide not to have the unit inspected within ten (10) days after moving in, you will be giving up your right to terminate the housing agreement afterwards based on the results of a lead inspection.

Disclosure: The University contracted with an EPA certified Risk Assessor/Lead Inspector to complete a lead based paint survey in Sansom Place East and West. Their results indicated that apartment interiors are considered to be free of lead-based paint. Additional information on the survey may be obtained by contacting the Department of Housing Services.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Instructions

Please read all of the materials provided at www.upenn.edu/housing/assignmentsgrad.html prior to completing the Application/Agreement. They will assist you in making a good decision by providing important information on occupancy periods, availability of room types, and rent. In order for your residential application to be processed:

1. You must be listed in the student record system. Your School will register your information in the database after you have returned the required admission deposit. Do not send your admission deposit to our office.

2. You must include your nonrefundable $35 application fee with your application. Please make your check for $35 payable to the University of Pennsylvania. Payment must be by check drawn on a U.S. bank or international postal money order. A $35 fee will be assessed for any checks returned to us unpaid by a bank.

3. If your summer address differs from the one in the student record system (#1 above), please notify the Assignments Office. Complete the application, following the instructions contained here and on the application form. Return the form promptly. Be sure to provide all the information requested.

I. Personal Data:

If you require special arrangements for medical or religious reasons, please note this in the special circumstances box on the application. Students with disabilities or specific medical needs must submit the “Request for Housing Accommodations” form with their application. This form is available at www.upenn.edu/housing/medform.html. Your request will not be considered without the information provided on this form.

You may also self identify with theOffice of Student Disability Services, Weingarten Learning Resources center, 3702 Spruce Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6027, 215-533-9235 (voice), 215-746-6320 (TDD), 215-746-6326 (fax).

II. Assignment Information:

If you are interested in living in one of the special interest communities, indicate this on the form. Be careful to then select the appropriate building/room type codes. List as many room types as you will consider. Do you want cooking facilities? A roommate? What can you afford? Which building’s occupancy period best meets your needs? We will try our best to honor your requests; however, we cannot guarantee your choice.

To specify a particular roommate, each roommate must submit an application indicating the other’s PennCard number in the appropriate section. Students renting apartments for themselves and another adult (18 years of age or older) must list the name of the other occupant on the application.

Assignments

For Fall Semester:

• Applications will be accepted beginning April 1. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis, and students will be notified in writing beginning in May. If you have received your PennKey and pin, you may also check online for assignments information at campusexpress.upenn.edu. It is to your advantage to apply early as this will increase your chances of receiving one of your choices.

• Your notification letter will contain a date by which you must confirm your housing. You must visit campusexpress.upenn.edu and select “My Housing” in order to confirm your housing or cancel it. If you cannot access Campus Express, you may send an email to cehouse@upenn.edu. If you cancel, you will be subject to cancellation charges as described in the Occupancy Agreement.

For Spring Semester:

• Applications will be accepted beginning October 1, and they will be processed in December. You will be notified in writing in late December or early January. Your assignment will be posted at www.campusexpress.upenn.edu.

Note: At this time of year the availability of certain room types is limited.