Dorm room no-nos: things you can’t have in the residence hall

With fall move-in right around the corner, many students have started dorm shopping or watching vlogs that tell you which items are dorm room essentials. Here’s a list of items not to bring to your dorm this upcoming fall.

By Paris Goodman

W.A Moncrief and W.A. "Tex" Moncrief, Jr. Hall Moncrief Hall Dormitory - Dorms TCU Housing and Residence Life

Don't hang things up on the walls that can leave a mark. Mounting TVs on the wall, using nails that are larger than ¾ of an inch, applying peel-and-stick wallpaper and using command strips can rip paint off the walls and cause damage that is expensive to cover up.

Don't invite outside contractors to the dorms. These individuals are not allowed inside residence halls and will be asked to leave. TV stands, monitors, tape or sticky putty are great alternative options to avoid getting a fine.

Don't bring small appliances, like crockpots and air fryers they can cause fires and power outages. TCU residence halls have community kitchens and cooking materials for students to use. These kitchens have stovetops, ovens, sinks and microwaves

Don't bring extra mini fridges or microwaves because TCU already provides students with them in their dorms. But any student who needs an extra mini fridge should visit TCU Student Access & Accommodation for more information.

Don't buy personal internet routers. TCU provides all students on and off campus with free internet access. Extra routers can slow down internet access for all students and why pay for one when it’s free?

Don't bring pets like cats, dogs, gerbils, hamsters and/or other rodents. The only pets allowed are fish, as long as they are in tanks that don’t exceed 10 gallons.

For a more detailed list, visit TCU Housing & Residence Life.

Dorm decorations are not only what students use to express their personality. Students buy things that they consider to be useful while living in the residence hall for 10 months out of the year. Here is a list of 4 items many students feel are useful in their dorm.

Inside a bare dorm room at Richards Hall. Photo by: Avery Bodkin

Photo provided by: Samantha Simeone

Air purifier

“It helps me breathe easier, since the air quality in the dorms isn’t always great,” Samantha Simeone said. Samantha Simeone, a sophomore sports broadcasting major, has had her purifier since her freshman year here at TCU and feels that it keeps the air quality in her dorm clean and fresh.

Photo provided by: Noah Myers

Doormat

“I think having a doormat keeps my room tidy because it keeps people from tracking in dirt,” Noah Myers said. Noah Myers, a sophomore business management and leadership double major, feels that the doormat has come in handy on rainy and snowy days, especially when he’s had friends visit his dorm.

Photo provided by: Mackenzie Stanton

Ottoman

“I use my ottoman to get on my bed, and it’s great for storing away miscellaneous items,” Mackenzie Stanton said. Mackenzie Stanton, a sophomore strategic communication major, recommends purchasing an ottoman because it creates more free space in her room and is a cute storage option.

Photo provided by: Cannon Baker

Monitor

“It’s helped me a lot because I can see everything without opening multiple tabs on my laptop,” Cannon Baker said. Cannon Baker, a sophomore, finance and accounting double major, feels that having a separate monitor allows him to be more efficient while completing homework.