Lofts
Policy updated March 2009.
Beginning Fall 2009, students may use only RLHS provided loft furniture or approved vendor lofts on East and West Campuses. Unapproved lofts (personally constructed and/or purchased) and wooden structures will not be allowed in the residence halls.
East Campus Residents may submit a request for a loft AFTER they arrive on campus on August 18, 2009. Loft requests can be made in-person at the East RLHS Office on East Campus.
West Campus residents may submit a request for an RLHS loft prior to their arrival on campus.
Approved Vendors for 2009-2010:
RLHS is committed to providing students with a safe and comfortable living environment, and lofts do pose safety issues and concerns. Using a lofted bed means that students may be sleeping as much as five feet off the floor. Because of these safety concerns, our enthusiasm for lofts is limited.
A loft is a raised frame built up from the floor to hold a bed. Students use lofted beds because they provide more floor space for things like TVs and desks. Approved lofts are allowed in all residence halls on East Campus and West Campus. However, no lofts are allowed on Central Campus.
Platform structures that exceed the 36” X 80” mattresses provided by RLHS, or a RLHS approved medical need mattress, or span the length and/or width of a residence hall room are also prohibited.
Students may use bedrisers in all buildings. Bed risers raise individual beds several inches to provide for additional under bed storage. These are available at various retail stores.
We recommend that students wait, try out the furniture in your room first, and then decide if you really want a loft. If you have a roommate, you should also have a conversation about the location of the loft and be sure that both you and your roommate agree to house the loft in your room.
East Campus:
- All East Campus beds can be lofted or exchanged out for loftable beds at no charge to the student by RLHS.
- Students can request their beds be lofted to 5-feet high via the Loft Request Form found in the East RLHS Office at the Brown Arcade.
West Campus:
- All West Campus beds can be lofted at no charge to the student by RLHS.
- Students can request their beds be lofted to 5-feet high via the Loft Request Form.
- Students living in Craven, Crowell, Edens, Keohane, Kilgo, and Wannamaker may elect to rent or purchase a loft from an approved vendor.
- Students living in Few have high loft furniture in their room at move-in and may not use vendor lofts. To have the height of your bed adjusted, please email RLHS West.
Loft Vendors:
If you want to lease or purchase a loft you can place your order directly through the vendor. The vendor will coordinate the drop-off and pick-up process. Vendors will be posted on the RLHS website prior to move-in (see above). All University furniture must stay in student rooms. Vendors may deliver lofts to residents beginning on the official move-in day for each campus. For 2009, East Campus opens on August 18, and West Campus opens on August 20.
Other things to consider prior to contracting to loft your bed:
- Please understand there are potential dangers and hazards in the use of a bed loft. The student assumes all related risks and responsibilities.
- Students will be required to pay the repair or replacement costs of any University property lost or damaged as a result of loft use.
- University furniture cannot be removed from student rooms to accommodate lofts. All University furniture must be accounted for and stored in student rooms.
- Students who do not remove their leased or purchased loft according to the vendor guidelines, will be charged for removal.
- For safety reasons, lofts should never be placed directly in front a window or within close proximity of a smoke detector or sprinkler head or placed in such a way that bedding comes in contact with a radiator unit..
- Lofted beds should never be closer than 36-inches to the ceiling.
- Some rooms may not accommodate a loft because of the architecture. It is best to physically inspect your room prior to ordering a loft from a vendor to make sure it will fit and accommodate your (and your roommate’s) needs.
The University assumes no responsibility for any injuries, damage or loss that may occur from using a loft.
Students found with unauthorized lofts may face disciplinary actions.
Standard Bed Heights by Building
East Campus:
- Standard bedframe: Aycock, Brown, Gilbert-Addoms, Jarvis, Wilson
- Low Loft (3 feet): Alspaugh, Bassett, Blackwell, Bell Tower, Epwroth, Giles, Pegram, Randolph, Southgate
West Campus:
- Low Loft (3 feet): Craven, Crowell, Edens, Keohane, Kilgo, Wannamaker
- High Loft (5 feet): Few