What to Bring/Not to Bring

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What Is Provided

  • Twin Mattress
  • Twin Bed Frame
  • Desk and Chair
  • Bookshelf
  • 5-Drawer Dresser
  • Closet or Wardrobe
  • High-speed internet connection/wireless
  • Xfinity Cable (accessible by computer)

What to Bring

  • Twin XL-size sheets
  • Bedspread or comforter, blankets
  • Pillow and pillowcases
  • Alarm clock
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc.)
  • Clothes hangers
  • Backpack/school supplies/school books
  • Mattress cover
  • UL-approved grounded surge protectors only
  • Noise-canceling headphones /earbuds
  • Box fan (First-year halls and Morehouse James)
  • Umbrella/raincoat
  • Social Security card (for employment purposes)
  • Insurance and pharmacy cards
  • Current prescription medications
  • Prescription refills (if needed)
  • Laundry detergent
  • Cleaning Supplies

Useful Items

  • Twin XL-size sheets
  • Bedspread or comforter, blankets
  • Pillow and pillowcases
  • Alarm clock
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc.)
  • Clothes hangers
  • Backpack/school supplies/school books
  • Mattress cover
  • UL approved grounded surge protectors only
  • Noise canceling headphones /earbuds
  • Box fan (First-year halls and Morehouse James)
  • Umbrella/raincoat
  • Social Security card (for employment purposes)
  • Insurance and pharmacy cards
  • Current prescription medications
  • Prescription refills (if needed)
  • Laundry detergent
  • Cleaning Supplies

Things to Discuss With Your Roommate

  • Futon/couch/chairs
  • Television
  • Video game consoles
  • Rug

What NOT to Bring/Subject to Confiscation

List of prohibited items

Review the Community Living Guide PDF

  • Candles or Incense
  • Electrical frying pans and air fryers (including deep fryers or Fry Daddy’s)
  • Toaster or Toaster Oven
  • Electric skillets, electric grills (including George Foreman Grills)
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Cooking appliances with exposed heating elements
  • A bed frame or loft
  • Mattress
  • Cinder blocks
  • Space heater
  • Wireless router
  • Fans with cooling units and/or air conditioning units.
  • E-cigarettes / vapes / tobacco products
  • Alcohol (including empty bottles and containers)
  • Weapons or ammunition (firearms, knives, etc.)
  • Firestick, Apple TV, Alexa
  • Extension cords
  • Unapproved materials for hanging, including tacks, nails, staples; anything that might damage walls/doors/floors
  • Any electrical items that are not in good working condition
  • Pets (except fish in a 10-gallon or less tank)
  • Expensive or irreplaceable collectibles or jewelry
  • Fireworks/explosives
  • Illegal drugs (including drug paraphernalia)


Please note that drugs considered legal in other states may be illegal in the state of Georgia. Drugs are defined as . . .

  • any stimulant
  • intoxicant (including alcohol), nervous system depressant
  • hallucinogen, other chemical substance, compound, or combination when used to induce an altered state; and any otherwise lawfully available product or substance (such as over-the-counter or prescription drugs, etc.) used for any purpose other than its intended use.

Contact Info

Office of Housing and Residence Life

350 Spelman Lane, SW
Atlanta, GA. 30314

404-270-5344
housing@spelman.edu

Mon. - Fri. | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Room Personalization and Decorations

We want your residence hall room to feel like home. You're encouraged to decorate your space, but your decorations cannot damage, alter, or permanently change College property.

Before You Decorate

If you're unsure whether something is allowed, ask Housing & Residence Life before installing it. Products advertised as "removable," "damage-free," "renter-friendly," or "dorm-safe" are not automatically approved for use in Spelman residence halls. If a decorating method requires paint, glue, adhesive, nails, screws, drilling, or leaves residue or damage when removed, do not use it.

Not Allowed

The following items related to adhesives are prohibited:

  • Painting walls, ceilings, doors, furniture, or fixtures.
  • Peel-and-stick wallpaper, contact paper, removable wallpaper, or vinyl wall coverings.
  • Wall decals or large adhesive decorations.
  • Command strips, mounting tape, foam tape, adhesive putty, glue dots, hot glue, super glue, double-sided tape, or similar products attached directly to College property.
  • Nails, screws, anchors, or drilling holes.
  • Mounting televisions, shelves, mirrors, curtain rods, or other fixtures.
  • Painting, wrapping, or covering College furniture.
  • Removing or covering room numbers, emergency information, or safety equipment.

Damage Charges
Students are responsible for any costs associated with repairing damage caused by prohibited decorations or unauthorized room modifications.

Charges may include:

  • Paint and drywall repairs
  • Adhesive residue removal
  • Wallpaper removal
  • Furniture repair or replacement
  • Labor and materials needed to restore the room

Important: Even if a product is advertised as "removable" or "damage-free," students are responsible for any damage or policy violations resulting from its use.

Remember Before You Decorate

  • When in doubt, ask Housing and Residence Life.
  • "Removable" does not mean permitted.
  • Students are responsible for removing all decorations before checkout.
  • Damage charges may be assessed after move-out if repairs are needed to restore the room.