Living Accommodations

Housing

UK’s residence halls are the foundation upon which a solid college experience is built. Students who live on campus have higher GPAs, are more likely to graduate on time, get involved in campus life and student organizations, and develop deeper connections to people and campus. Our Living Learning Program provides students with opportunities to deepen their education in areas of interest to them.

Living on Campus

• The University of Kentucky has 18 residence halls and apartments designed in several different room types.
• The room types offered each year may vary, depending on the housing supply needed to meet demand.
• Typically, room types offered include 4-person suites, 2-bedroom, 2-person suites*, 2-bedroom deluxe suites, 4-bedroom suites, as well as 2-bedroom apartments and 4-bedroom apartments. The on-campus residence halls and apartments house more than 7,800 undergraduate students.
• UK Campus Housing policies and procedures apply to all students who sign a contract and live in one of the residence halls or Greek facilities managed by the University.

Living Learning Programs

• The residential setting at UK is intended to support a student’s education by providing a living learning environment.
• There are several living learning programs within undergraduate housing.
• Students have the opportunity to apply to up to three living learning programs (LLP) during the Campus Housing application process.

For more information about each LLP, visit the Living Learning Program website at: go.uky.edu/LLP

Residence Life

• UK’s residence halls are staffed with professionally trained personnel, including full-time resident directors and resident advisors who live on each floor.
• The resident director and resident advisors assist in creating a safe, inclusive environment by helping students in their academic efforts, planning social and educational programs, and developing hall governments.
• Students are encouraged to participate both within the hall and in the campus community.

*Two-bedroom, 2-person suites are designed to be modified into 3-person suites in the event there is increased demand for on-campus housing.

Room Assignments

• Students living in Campus Housing can select a room through an online room selection process.
• Acceptance into a Living Learning Program designates the specific residence hall.
• The room selection date is determined by the student’s participation in an LLP, UK undergraduate admission track and by the completion date of their Campus Housing application.
• Applying early for housing is strongly encouraged.
• If housing demand exceeds capacity, students may be placed on a waiting list for housing until a permanent room assignment can be made. Each year, some housing recipients do not come to college, or come but do not stay, creating vacancies.
• Our residence halls were purposefully designed with flexible living spaces that can be easily modified to meet the needs of students and campus.

The images of room types found on the Wildcat Living website are representational only and do not necessarily depict the final design of the units.

Room configurations are subject to change and specific room types or residence halls cannot be guaranteed.

Roommates

Students may request up to three roommates on the housing application.

• To request a specific roommate(s), they must have an active application and have made their profile public for an individual to request them.
• All students in a roommate group must complete a verification process in the Campus Housing application.
• Students participating in a Living Learning Program are required to live with other members of that same LLP.

Amenities and Services

• UK’s residence halls and apartments have many attractive features. Housing rates include utilities, computer network connection and furniture.
• Each residence hall has staff members available for students 24/7/365.
• Security cameras are placed in many areas of the halls.
• Residence halls provide convenient access to laundry facilities, game and television rooms, vending machines, lounges, and study spaces.
• Dining facilities are located close to all campus residence halls.
• Smoking and other tobacco products are not allowed on UK’s campus.

The campus community refers to the areas of campus as north campus and central campus. UK’s residence halls are in both areas, and apartments are on central campus.

North Campus

• The north campus consists of five residence halls: Blazer Hall, Boyd Hall, Holmes Hall, Jewell Hall, and Roselle Hall.
• North campus halls are close to many dining options and are just a short walk to downtown Lexington, Rupp Arena, the UK Gatton Student Center, Alumni Gym, and various classroom buildings.

Central Campus

• Central campus consists of 13 residence halls: Baldwin Hall, Ball Hall, Chellgren Hall, Donovan Hall, Haggin Hall, Ingels Hall, Lyman T. Johnson Hall, Lewis Hall, Pigman Hall, Smith Hall, University Flats (upperclass student apartments), Woodland Glen IV, and Woodland Glen V.
• These residential communities are located near many dining options including the Fresh Food Co. at The 90, the William T. Young Library, the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center, Lancaster Aquatic Center, Bernard Johnson Student Recreation Center, and Kroger Field - UK’s football stadium.

Applying for Housing

To apply to live on campus, new students must be admitted to the University of Kentucky. It is recommended that students apply for campus housing as soon as they are accepted to UK and receive their linkblue ID.

• It is important to note that applying to UK Campus Housing does not confirm the student’s attendance at UK. You must confirm attendance to the university separately by registering for Big Blue Nation Orientation.
• On-campus housing may be provided to those who meet all University of Kentucky and UK Campus Housing qualifications and deadlines and is subject to availability.
• The university strives to accommodate every student who requests to live on campus.
• Depending on the demand, the university reserves the right to adjust room options and configurations to meet that demand.

Direct questions regarding the housing application or overall housing process to UK Campus Housing. Please see contact information at the end of this section.

Apply Online

To start your UK Campus Housing application:

Go to myUK

• Log in using your linkblue username and password

• Select Student Services

• Select myInfo

• Select Campus Housing to be taken to the housing portal 

• Select Undergraduate Application

• Choose the correct Term and click Apply

Office of Residence Life

At the Office of Residence Life, our mission is to deliver an exceptional residential experience by cultivating vibrant, inclusive, and nurturing communities. We are committed to fostering safe, equitable, and supportive environments where students and staff can thrive and succeed together. Through two significant high-impact programs, the Residential Curriculum and Living Learning Programs, the Office of Residence Life seeks to accomplish four primary educational goals for students and staff at UK:

1. Academic and Career Preparedness
2. Personal Wellness
3. Community Responsibility and Involvement, and
4. Sense of Belonging.

Currently, the Office of Residence Life employs over 400 student and full-time staff members, including Resident Directors, Resident Advisors, Peer Mentors, and Desk Clerks who live and work in on-campus residential facilities. Each staff member receives training in community development, connecting residents with on-campus resources, and other skills-based training to prepare staff to execute a residential curriculum throughout the academic year. As a result, all residence life staff are seen as a valuable resource in meeting students’ holistic needs throughout the academic year and helping students adjust academically and socially to campus.

Also, the Office of Residence Life is known for coordinating 12 high-impact practices called Living Learning Programs (LLPs). LLPs offer students the opportunity to interact more with faculty, staff, and peers, offer opportunities to take courses with fellow community members, and provide additional resources and enriching experiences related to their academic pursuits or thematic interests.

For more information about Living Learning Programs, the Residential Curriculum, or the Office of Residence Life, please contact:

Office of Residence Life
575 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0027
859-257-4784
email: reslife@uky.edu
www.uky.edu/housing/

Rates

The cost for living in UK Housing is listed in the Fees  section of this Catalog.

Rate Changes

Rates are subject to change pending review and approval by the UK Board of Trustees. Rates are normally established in May for the succeeding academic year. Rates are normally established in May for the succeeding academic year.

Cancellations

If, after completing the housing application and the Housing and Dining Contract, a student chooses to cancel the Contract, the student is required to do so through the University Housing Portal via myUK.

The Official Date of Cancellation will be the date the cancellation notification is received by Campus Housing and UK Dining. For information about refund schedule, cancellation dates, and other important facts, see the 2024-2025 Housing and Dining Contract.

Contact

For more information about Housing, contact:

Campus Housing
160 Avenue of Champions
Gatton Student Center, Suite A382
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0676
859-257-1866
email: ukhousing@uky.edu
wildcatliving.uky.edu

Graduate and Family Housing

The University provides convenient and affordable housing options for full-time graduate students, professional students, and non-traditional undergraduate students. Graduate and Family Housing may accept Visiting Scholars, Interns, Post-doctoral students, or others who have an educational association with the University if space permits.

Graduate and Family Housing offers internationally diverse communities which are open year-round. A variety of housing options are available including efficiencies, suites, one- and two-bedroom units, and a limited number of townhomes, all conveniently located on campus. Appliances, furnishings, utilities, Internet and cable are available in most communities. Laundry facilities are available in all communities. For convenience, monthly rent may be paid online.

Please visit the Graduate and Family Housing website to learn more about the amenities provided for each residential facility, rental rates and other important information. A parking permit is required and must be purchased through UK Transportation Services for all properties.

For more information, please visit us at: wildcatliving.uky.edu/ or contact our office: 

Graduate and Family Housing
300 Alumni Drive
Greg Page Apartments #156
Lexington, KY 40503
859-257-3721
email: ukapthousing@uky.edu

UK Dining

UK Dining is about more than just food. It’s an experience. It’s a community. It’s a place to meet friends, to unwind, to celebrate, and even to study. When you dine on campus you’re sure to eat well and be well-nourished so you can excel in your classes. State-of-the-art facilities, restaurants you know and love, and people that care about what you eat are all on campus at the University of Kentucky.

Commitment to Nutrition

UK Dining is committed to providing you a broad selection of great tasting, nutritious food and beverages. The menus are created by experienced chefs who have a passion for food, and recipes feature fresh vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low or nonfat dairy options - many of which are sourced from local farms and producers.

UK Dining recognizes and accommodates special dietary needs like food allergies or intolerances or religious diets in a personalized, sensitive manner. UK Dining also offers an on-site dietitian who is available for consultations. Email diningdietitian@lsv.uky.edu to schedule a meeting. 

Where to Eat

The University of Kentucky features two large, all-you-care-to-eat dining halls where students utilize the Meal Swipes from their meal plan. North campus and the academic neighborhood are closest to Champions Kitchen. Central and south campus are closest to Fresh Food Co. at The 90. Both locations are state-of-the-art facilities with open kitchen designs and innovative, rotating menus. In addition to a variety of in-house offerings, both dining halls feature local restaurants at Local Restaurant Row, bringing a taste of Lexington to campus.

Across campus, there are over 20 other locations for students to dine in-person or on-the-go, including options you know and love like Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Panda Express, and Subway. Need a quick snack or an energy drink? Wildcat Pantry convenience stores have you taken care of.

Meal Plans

UK Dining offers meal plans that fit every student’s needs, combining the benefits of saving time and money with great food. Whether you live on campus or commute each day, there are meal plan options available for you. All students living in a residence hall must choose a meal plan as part of the Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 housing contract (three All Access plans with varying levels of Flex and a Weekly 10 option). All students living off campus can choose any of the traditional meal plans or plans created especially for their varied needs. A full list is available on the “Meal Plans” page of the dining website: www.uky.campusdish.com.

Meal plans include both “Meal Swipes” and “Flex Dollars” -

Meal Swipes: Meal Swipes are your entry for all-you-care-to-eat meals at Champions Kitchen and Fresh Food Co. This is where many students will eat the majority of their meals.

• To use a meal swipe at one of these locations, simply present your WildCard ID to the cashier upon entering.
• Each time you swipe your card, a meal swipe will be deducted from your remaining meals. Unlimited meal swipes reset every 30 minutes.
• Meal swipes are reserved for the account holder. All Access meal plans offer “guest meals” that can be used to treat friends or family.

Flex Dollars: Flex Dollars supplement your meals and are included in each meal plan. Think of Flex Dollars like a gift card for dining on campus. Flex Dollars can be used at any UK Dining location.

• Flex Dollars can be used for mobile order pick-up or robot delivery at many UK Dining locations in the Grubhub app.
• Paying with Flex Dollars is sales tax free.
• Flex Dollars can be added anytime in the semester and there is no fee to add Flex Dollars.
• Unused Flex Dollars will carry forward from fall to spring for students enrolled in the spring semester and expire at the end of the spring semester.

Meal plans are for the academic year. You will be automatically billed each semester. You will begin the spring semester on the same meal plan that you have at the end of the fall semester if it is not adjusted prior to the downgrade deadline. Unused Weekly Meals cannot be refunded, accumulated, or carried over for the next week. Unused Block Meals cannot be refunded or carried over to the next semester. All Flex Dollars are non-refundable, non-transferable and expire at the end of the spring semester.

Meal plans save time and relieve stress. With a meal plan, we take the worry out of shopping, cooking, and cleaning after every meal. When you don’t have to worry and are well-fed from a meal plan, you’re feeling good and ready to take on the day.

If there’s ever anything the UK dining team can do to make your experience better, just ask. For more information about UK Dining, please contact:

UK Dining Center
Suite 161A Gatton Student Center
859-257-2220
email: contactukdining@lsv.uky.edu
Follow us on social media: @ukdining
www.uky.campusdish.com

Student Parking and Transportation

Transportation Services’ Online Resources

The Transportation Services’ website is a vital resource for information on campus parking and permits. It also provides details about motorist assistance, bicycles, campus bus routes, and alternative transportation options. In short, transportation.uky.edu is the place to visit for information on everything you need to get to, from and around campus.

Students can register for and renew permits online, check for unpaid citations, and pay and appeal citations.

Visit the site to sign up to receive vital transportation-related information by subscribing to email newsletters and by following us on social media. UK Transportation Services is on Twitter (@UKParking), Facebook  (https://www.facebook.com/UKWildcatWheels) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ukytransportation/).

Parking on Campus

If you choose to bring a vehicle to campus, that vehicle must display a University of Kentucky parking permit. Permit control signs at the entrance to each lot or structure display the type of permit required and the hours when the lot or garage is controlled for permits. Visit the Maps portion of our website to view all available campus parking areas.

There are also a variety of different types of student permits, including residential, commuter, periphery, remote and off-peak. Visit Student Permits under the Parking heading on our site for detailed information about each permit type, including cost, parking area and sale dates.

Guest Parking

Guest parking is available in several locations, including pay-by-the-hour lots. Guests or the students they are visiting can call or stop by the Transportation Services’ Customer Service Center, located in the Press Avenue Garage (PS #6), at the corner of Press and Virginia Avenues, to obtain a temporary parking pass. After hours and on weekends, visitors can also park in lots that are not controlled for permits. Refer to the permit control signs at the entrance to each parking lot for the hours when the lot is off control.

Parking on Football Game Day

Students and employees who park in the following areas must move their vehicles prior to home football game days:

• Red, Blue, Green and Orange lots at Kroger Field
• Commonwealth Drive Lot
• College Way East and West lots
• Sports Center Garage (PS #7)
• Sports Center Drive
• Shively Lot
• University Drive
• Wildcat Court lots

More information about vehicle relocation times and requirements is available online. A football game day vehicle relocation map is also available. Failure to move any vehicle from these areas may result in a citation or impoundment at the owner’s expense.

Motorist Assistance

Transportation Services has developed a motorist assistance program for students and employees who have valid parking permits, which includes free on-campus battery jump-start service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, the University offers other motorist assistance services at a discounted rate to valid UK parking permit holders.

Alternative Transportation

The University of Kentucky has a robust and growing alternative transportation network that all students are encouraged to use, regardless of whether they choose to bring a personal vehicle to campus. In fact, less than half of students bring a vehicle to campus, a decision from which everyone benefits - our campus, our community, and our environment. With a variety of car-free options readily available, it’s easy to access the campus and explore Lexington without a personal vehicle. More information about alternative transportation options is available online.

Campus Buses and Shuttles

Over 40,000 people are on-site at the University of Kentucky each day, and the free campus shuttle system helps them get around. Buses operate all day, with an on-demand late-night option available to those who need it.

All areas of campus are less than a five minute walk from a bus stop, providing easy access in either direction so that students and employees arrive at their destinations faster than it would take to walk the same distance. Buses serve stops every seven to 10 minutes, with more frequent service during peak arrival times.

When the University is open but classes are not in session, campus transit continues to operate with a reduced number of buses. All campus buses are also equipped with wheelchair lifts and most have bicycle racks. 

Route and schedule information is available online by visiting the Transit section of our website.

City-Wide Bus Service

UK students can ride all Lextran city routes for free through our city-wide transit program partnership with the Lexington Transit Authority. This program allows students to commute to and from campus, run errands and go shopping. Students simply show their Wildcard ID to the bus driver on any of Lextran’s routes. For more information on Lextran routes and schedules, visit www.lextran.com.

Wildcab Vouchers

Wildcab Vouchers is a late-night on-demand student transportation partnership with Uber, offering students a voucher for discounted Uber rides. Wildcab Vouchers provides eligible students with up to ten $10 ride vouchers per semester. The vouchers are valid on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. within the program’s designated service area. For more details about this service, visit our website at: https://transportation.uky.edu/wildcab-vouchers

Free Regional Airport Shuttles

Transportation Services offers free shuttles to Blue Grass Airport, Louisville International Airport and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport at the start of Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks with daily pick-up times. Return trip shuttles are also available from all three airports back to campus.

Biking at UK

The University of Kentucky is a nationally recognized Bicycle Friendly University with a wide range of resources for cyclists. 

The University recognizes bicycles as vehicles and encourages bicycling as a mode of transportation. In an effort to provide the campus community with a safe, secure, and efficient cycling environment, the University requires bicyclists to observe established regulations for operating and parking bicycles on campus and strongly encourages cyclists to obtain and display a bicycle permit, available at no charge. 

Biking as a mode of transportation has a number of advantages: it’s good for you and the environment, saves money and is often faster than other ways of getting around. UK is committed to educating its community about safe bicycling practices and improving bicycle facilities through a Bicycle Advisory Committee.

For more information about cycling at UK, visit the Sustainable Transportation section of our website. You’ll find plenty of resources available to cyclists, including information about Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library (WWBL), an interactive campus bicycle map and a link to the city of Lexington’s bicycle-friendly streets map.

Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library

The Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library (WWBL) is an educational resource on campus that provides free bicycle use and repair assistance to students, faculty and staff. It has two main components. It’s a bicycle library that takes abandoned bikes from campus and reuses them in the rental fleet, and it serves as a student-run bike shop to assist with and teach bicycle maintenance and repair.

WWBL is open five days a week during the fall and spring semesters to assist the campus community.

Semester-Long Bike Checkout

More than 80 bicycles are available for use free-of-charge through an online lottery at the start of each academic term to all students, faculty, and staff. A limited number of bikes are also available for weekly check-out. Registration for the program is available online.

Big Blue Cycles

The Big Blue Cycles program is a fleet of more than 150 bicycles available to students living in campus housing who sign a commitment not to bring a car to Lexington. The bicycles in this program are eight-speed commuter bicycles equipped with fenders, a bell, and a lock. Participating students are guaranteed the bicycle for the entire academic year with the requirement that they attend a safety training course, adhere to program requirements, and waive their ability to purchase a parking permit for the year. Registration for the program is available online.

Parking Your Bicycle on Campus

Bicycles on campus may only be parked at bicycle racks. These racks are located at all residence halls, classroom buildings, and throughout campus. Bicycles may not be parked on benches, railings, trees or anything other than a bike rack. Parking at locations that are not bike racks poses a number of safety issues, and bikes parked in such a manner may be cited or impounded.

E-Scooters and E-Bikes

The University of Kentucky has a partnership with Bird for e-scooters and e-bikes on campus. Students can take advantage of these convenient shared-use mobility options by downloading the Bird app.

For more information, contact:

UK Transportation Services
Press Avenue Garage (PS #6)
721 Press Avenue
859-257-5757
transportation.uky.edu
www.twitter.com/UKParking