Housing Maintenance for Students
Have a clogged drain? Seeing ants in your living area? Locked out of your room?
No worries. You’ve got this! Below we offer steps to take care of issues that come up and safety guidelines to follow. This is your home away from home, and we in plant services have recommendations so you can take ownership of your space.
If you encounter a problem you can’t resolve, feel free to contact plant services (503-554-2010) during business hours or Campus Public Safety (503-554-2090) after business hours.
Immediate Attention Needed
If an emergency situation arises, call the plant services office (503-554-2010) during business hours or Campus Public Safety (503-554-2090) after business hours.
The following are examples of situations that require an immediate phone call:
Fire or Safety Hazard
- Smoke detector is not in working order (chirping, battery missing, etc.)
- Missing fire extinguisher (and/or only partially full)
- Emergency lights not in working order
- Sparks coming out of an outlet
- Broken window, door or door locks
- Problem with entry into a building (door not locking, card reader, etc.)
- Slip or trip hazard (spilled liquid or other fluids, carpet issue, etc.)
Water Hazard
- Roof leak
- Broken pipe
- Toilet overflowing
Guidelines & Recommendations
Call the plant services office immediately (503-554-2010) for spills that can stain.
If you need a piece of furniture repaired or replaced, feel free to reach out to us. If you need a special chair or mattress for medical or disability reasons, complete this Housing Accommodation Request Form.
Because of associated safety risks, you are not permitted to loft your bed in on-campus housing. This includes the use of both manufactured and hand-built lofting aids.
If you would like to have your bed bunked, fill out a maintenance request so we can take care of that for you. If the bed cannot be bunked, we will let you know.
Sinks and toilets are not garbage cans or disposals, so do not dump food or debris into them. Avoid using chemicals to clear clogs.
Follow these tips to take care of plugged toilets, showers and sink drains.
If you encounter a clog you can’t clear, call the plant services office (503-554-2010) during business hours or Campus Public Safety (503-554-2090) after business hours.
Want to hang stuff? 3MTM Command Strips work best to avoid damage to the walls. Need to remove the strips? Contact us with a maintenance request! We’ll remove them for you.
See mold? Clean the section with soap and water. If the mold area is large or stained, you can follow the cleaning with a mild bleach rinse.
Here are more instructions on how to hang things and take care of mold.
Use only appropriate-length power strips, and avoid plugging extension cords into power strips and power cords into power cords.
Here are safety guidelines concerning power strips and extension cords.
Do not block or cover heat vents or thermostats, and be aware of new campus safety policies (e.g. additional heat generators in rooms are prohibited by the residence life office, including candles). Be sure to always cook in the kitchen!
If you notice a washing machine or dryer that needs maintenance, please contact the residence life office (503-554-2310).
See pests? Be sure all your food is in sealed containers and away from open windows, and keep dishes washed and the sink clean. Be sure to clean up crumbs on the floor and countertops, and take out your trash regularly.
Be vigilant about maintaining a safe environment. Do not prop open fire doors or exterior doors, maintain clear exit routes, and rotate the slats on blinds for privacy rather than raising or lowering them.
Here are more safety practices when it comes to doors and windows.
Do not tamper or cover smoke detectors, and enter a maintenance request if your detector starts to chirp.
Be sure to follow these guidelines regarding overhead items, including smoke detectors, pipes, sprinkler heads and ceiling tiles.
Do not overload circuits. Appliances generating heat such as refrigerators, toasters, hot pots, etc. should not share an electrical circuit with other high-demand appliances.
Contact the plant services office (503-554-2010) during business hours or Campus Public Safety (503-554-2090) after business hours, if you trip a breaker, and be sure to abide by these safety practices regarding circuits.
Maintenance Requests
Plant services makes every effort to keep the campus in good condition. Normal wear and tear does occur and repairs are necessary. Students are responsible for reporting damages or maintenance needs promptly so repairs can be scheduled and made in a timely manner.
If you need to make a maintenance request, follow the steps below using the Housing & Community Life Portal:
- Log in to the Housing & Community Life Portal
- Select "Maintenance Requests" from the main menu
- Click on "New Job" at the bottom of the page
- Select the appropriate room space and enter all the required information to complete the maintenance request. Remember to be specific about what the problem is and where the problem is located (room and location within the room).
Include as much detail as possible to assist technicians in being able to address your request quickly and efficiently. The more specific you are, the better we can assist you.
Plant services is divided into individual departments based on different areas of expertise, so report each maintenance need individually. For example, if the bathroom has a leaky faucet and a burned-out light bulb, enter those issues as two maintenance requests.
Living Areas Cleaning Schedule
Residence halls are cleaned Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., in the following living areas:
- Brandt
- Edwards
- Gulley
- Newlin
- Pennington
- Sutton
The following living areas are cleaned between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday:
- Hobson
- Macy
These locations are cleaned on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Beebe
- Carey
- Le Shana
- Willcuts