Are you ready for a bit more space and freedom than the classic residence hall options? Consider Calvin’s apartment options on-campus.

Knollcrest East (KE) is an on-campus apartment option for approximately 500 junior and senior students. The location of KE allows students to remain connected with the campus while allowing for a unique apartment living experience with peers. KE residents participate in fun traditions as well as weekly events.

Cost of living at KE

  • All apartments have been recently renovated.
  • Cost is approximately $4,500 per year / $2,250 per semester

2023–24 KE application

How to apply

  • To apply to live in the Knollcrest East Apartments for the 2023–2024 academic year, please fill out the Upperclass Housing application. We only need one application per apartment group.
  • Turn your group's KE application in by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 3 through the link above to be considered for the apartment selection process.
  • All apartment contracts for your group must be signed and turned in before you will be permitted to participate in the KE apartment selection process (unless someone in your group is on an off-campus program).

KE Apartment Selection information

    • KE Apartment Selection will be held on Thursday, February 16 at 4 p.m in the Chapel Undercroft.
    • Only one person per apartment is required to attend to ensure placement (groups of one and two DO NOT have to attend selection).
    • Order of selection
      1. Selection begins with groups of 5, then groups of 4, then groups of 3.
      2. Groups that request to cluster together will be placed next to each other in selection order based on date of application.
      3. Groups with 2 or more people currently living in an apartment in KE requesting to squat in the same apartment do NOT need to attend apartment selection. Requests to squat must be marked on your application.

*Note: Standard apartment capacity is four students.

*Order of selection is determined by the timestamp of when the application was turned in

Sophomores are not allowed to live in the KE apartments. If they have an extenuating circumstance they are welcome to make an appointment with Jay Wise, Director of College Housing and Operations. Permission will only be given for extenuating circumstances.

Breaking an apartment agreement

Once you receive a placement at the KE Apartment Selection or later, your apartment agreement goes into effect.

KE apartment agreement

Full-time students who remain at Calvin may not break an apartment agreement unless given permission by the residence life office or Knollcrest East Area Coordinator.

If permission is not granted, the student will be charged full room and board for the duration or the agreement. If permission is granted, students will be charged a penalty ($200 prior to April 29 and $400 after April 29) for breaking the agreement. Permission will only be given for extenuating circumstances.

What comes with living in KE?

  • Partially furnished - bed, dressers, desks, shelves
  • Free laundry facilities
  • Nine month lease
  • Planned community events
  • Outdoor facilities - grills, volleyball, ice-skating
  • Many newly-remodeled apartments
  • Community dining plans available but not required
  • Free ResNet hookup, eduroam, cable T.V.
  • Semester leases for students studying abroad
  • Computer and study rooms
  • Reception desk located in the Theta-Epsilon lobby is open Monday - Saturday from 4-6 and 9-10 p.m.

Safety Services

  • Knollcrest East Parking

    Vehicles used by residents of Knollcrest East must display a valid Calvin University parking permit, obtained when use of the vehicle begins. Residents of Knollcrest East will be issued the appropriate permit and may park in the lots in that area or, if these lots are full, in the lot adjacent to the DeVos Communication Center.

    Knollcrest East Residents must be observant of signs designating short-term parking spaces and other parking spaces or areas reserved for specific purposes.

    Knollcrest East residents are not permitted to park their vehicles in the Fine Arts Center Lot at any time and other lots on the main campus have posted times when residents may not park. There is no parking on the main campus between 2–6 a.m.

    Motorcycles and all other vehicles with gasoline motors must conform to all university parking and driving regulations. These vehicles must display a valid Calvin University parking permit. Under no circumstance may they be brought into apartment buildings.

    Driving on sidewalks is prohibited, unless permission has been requested from Campus Safety or a Residence Life staff member.

    A complete description of university parking and driving regulations is available online or at the Campus Safety office. All students are expected to know and comply with these regulations.

  • Security

    The best possible security is to use caution and common sense. Apartments should be locked and outside doors should not be propped open. Thefts and the presence of unauthorized persons should be reported to Campus Safety immediately. For security reasons, the outside doors to the apartment buildings will be locked 24 hours a day. Student ID cards and a computer controlled access system will be used to unlock these doors. There is also a system for visitors. Residents can give building access to their guests by pressing 6 when guests call them using this system. Students should use caution when crossing the East Beltline. Only Calvin’s Crossing or designated crosswalks should be used.

  • Safety Escorts

    Students who desire escort service to and from various areas on the campus may contact Campus Safety. A telephone is available near all parking areas. Students are encouraged to make use of the escort service and to avoid walking alone on campus after dark. Further information regarding safety issues is available from the Student Life office in the booklet entitled “Safety at Calvin and Beyond.” These issues will be addressed in residence hall programming in the fall.

  • Loss or Thefts

    Missing items which you believe have been stolen should be reported to Campus Safety. Students should be aware that theft does occur on Calvin’s campus. Although the incidents of theft and property destruction are low, it is always a good idea to exercise caution by locking apartment doors and car doors, by keeping valuables in a secure place, by not leaving clothes unattended in laundry rooms for long periods of time, etc.

    Although the university will use all reasonable efforts to protect students’ property, it is understood that the university is not liable for any loss. If applicable, students should determine whether their property is covered by their parents' homeowner insurance policy. If your property is not covered, you may with to purchase a minimum contents coverage policy.

  • Fire Procedures

    If a fire alarm has been activated in a campus building, always assume there is a fire. Know the locations of fire extinguishers, posted evacuation routes, exits and fire alarm systems in your area.

    If you discover a fire
    • Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
    • Alert people in the immediate area of the danger and that they need to evacuate.
    • Immediately exit the building, closing doors between you and the fire.
    • When you are in a place of safety, dial 3-3333 and inform Campus Safety of the location and nature of the fire.
    If the Fire Alarm sounds
    • Walk to the nearest exit, closing doors between you and the fire.
    • Do not use elevators.
    • Assist people with disabilities with getting to the closest area of rescue assistance, which is in the stairwell area, past the fire doors.
    • Notify Campus Safety or fire personnel if you suspect someone is trapped in the building.
    • Gather outside the building at your designated assembly area and attempt to make certain all persons are accounted for. Stay at least 300 feet from the building.
    • Remain outside until notified by the emergency personnel or Campus Safety.
    If stuck in a room
    • Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
    • Place cloth material (wet if possible) around or under the door to prevent smoke from entering the room.
    • Be prepared to signal to someone outside at a window or by shouting at regular intervals.
    If caught in smoke
    • Drop and crawl toward an exit.
    • Hold your breath as much as possible.
    • Breathe slowly through nose using a towel or shirt as a filter.
    If forced to advance through flames
    • Hold your breath
    • Move quickly
    • Cover your head and hair
    • Keep your head down and your eyes closed as much as possible
    When to use a Fire Extinguisher
    • Only use an extinguisher to attempt to extinguish a small fire and only if you have been trained
    • An extinguisher can be used to suppress a fire that blocks your exit from the building.
    • Remember PASS, the four basic steps to operating a fire extinguisher
      P: Pull the pin
      A: Aim the extinguisher hose at the base of the fire
      S: Squeeze the lever
      S: Sweep from side to side