FAQ 2025
Why have SUUSI's costs gone up in the last few years?
Those who have attended in previous years may notice that SUUSI registration is higher at Radford than at Western Carolina; however, the cost of SUUSI 2025 will nearly the same as in 2024.
Unfortunately, SUUSI's costs have increased significantly in recent years, and that combined with lowered attendance caused the cost of putting on SUUSI to greatly exceed the revenue SUUSI was bringing in. The Board and Core Staff are committed to SUUSI's long-term financial stability, and continuing to bring SUUSI's registration fees and costs into better alignment is just one of many ways SUUSI leadership is safeguarding SUUSI's future.
What should I bring?
Check out the suggested packing list.
Please note restrictions on marijuana, smoking, candles incense burners, and halogen lamps under the Radford Rules and Guidelines.
What is housing like? Will I be able to get a single?
The dorm rooms are mostly two twin beds per room with private bathrooms and a desk, chair, and dresser for each bed. All dorms are air-conditioned. Unfortunately, there are only a small number of single rooms that have the same cost per bed as a double. If you wish to have a single room, you may need to pay for a double room Children who sleep on the floor (up to a maximum of four people per room) continue to be housed for free.
Can I rent linens or do I have to bring them?
Bring your own linens and pillows. Radford has some linen sets and pillows available for folks who are flying in. Please contact Peter at registration@suusi.org if you would like to request linens and pillows.
You’ll need sheets (size twin extra-long), a pillow, a bath towel and washcloth, and a light blanket for each person in your family. If you have children who will sleep on the floor, bring an air mattress or camping pad. Shower curtains are provided, but bathmats are not.
Can I bring candles or incense? What about decorations?
Candles, incense burners, and halogen lamps are not permitted in the dorms. Want to hang non-flammable decorations? Bring painters tape or command strips. No sticky tape!
Where are meals served? What are the dining hours for 2025?
SUUSI meals will be provided in Dalton Hall, directly across from Heth Hall. If you have questions or concerns about dining, call the SUUSI Helpline (540-534-1575) for help. Please do not bring requests or complaints directly to dining staff.
Early arrival (only pre-approved individuals)
- Friday, July 18
- Breakfast: 7:30-9:30am
- Lunch: 11:30-1:30 pm,
- Dinner: 5-7 pm
- Saturday, July 19
- Lunch: 10:30 am-1 pm,
- Dinner: 5 -7 pm
All SUUSI participants
- Sunday, July 20
- Lunch: 10:30 am-1 pm
- Dinner: 5-7 pm
- Monday, July 21-Friday, July 25
- Breakfast: 7:30-9:30 am
- Lunch: 11:30am -1:30 pm
- Dinner: 5 -7 pm
- Saturday (July 27)
- Breakfast: 7:30-9:30 am
Can we get meals to go?
Individuals can rent a box for $8 during the week and use it to take meals out. Exchange it for a clean one to use when you need it next.
Does Radford have a gym available for personal workouts?
Radford University's Student Recreation and Wellness Center has a full gym available to SUUSI participants. It is 4pm-8pm Monday - Friday during SUUSI. Participants can pay $5 a day at the door.
What is the new contact address for SUUSI at Radford?
While the address you will put into your GPS has changed to 801 E Main St, Radford, VA 24142, SUUSI’s contact address remains the same.
I am not currently affiliated with a UU congregation? I am not a UU? Can I attend SUUSI?
YES! SUUSI is an Intentional Community based on Unitarian Universalist principles, but you do not need to be a Unitarian Universalist nor affiliated with a current congregation to attend SUUSI.
Health, Wellness, and Accesssibility
What is the SUUSI Helpline? When is it open?
The SUUSI helpline (540-534-1575) is open 7am to 11pm and is available to provide a "one stop call" for SUUSI patricipants to get support on a range of topics, from pastoral care to questions for Radford staff.
What do I do if I get sick? Is there a student health center?
The student health center will not be open during the summer. Please call the SUUSI helpline (540-534-1575), to direct you to appropriate medical care while at SUUSI. Please note that the Helpline is only active between 7am and 11 pm - In the event of an emergency, dial 911. You do not need to contact a SUUSI staff member before dialing 911.
Do we have COVID or other vaccine requirements or recommentations?
If you are over 18 years old and NOT volunteering with children at SUUSI this year, you don't have any vaccine requirements, including COVID.
SUUSI is also no longer requiring Covid-19 negative tests nor requiring participants to wear masks indoors.
Please visit our Health FAQ for more details on required vaccinations and other recommendations.
What is the food like? Will there be vegetarian options?
Yes!
Based on decades of surveys, the food at Radford was rated the highest of any SUUSI location. Radford offers a wide range of offerings for different dietary needs and preferences and is open to working with us to meet our community’s needs. We have a dining liaison from SUUSI to make sure our diverse needs are being met and to address with Radford staff any issues that our participants bring to us.
Your Accessibility liaisons (access@suusi.org) are happy to talk to you about any food concerns you may have. Be sure to attend one of the Food Allergy Meetups to get your questions answered."Please do not bring requests or complaints directly to dining staff.
Can I get /use a mobility scooter/ accessibility aid?
Information on mobility scooters and more can be found on the Accessibility page. For more questions, please contact the Accessibility liaisons (access@suusi.org)
Radford Rules and Guidelines
What are the rules on pets and service animals?
Radford University has no accommodations for animals so please keep pets at home. Service animals are welcome, and may be properly cared for in their owner’s living space.
What are the rules for supervision of Children?
SUUSI takes children's safety very seriously, along with meeting our legal responsibiltiies under Virginia law.
Children between the ages of 0 - 13 must be appropriately supervised at all times, including while asleep.
Young children must be with a parent or responsible adult when not in programming.
Older children under age 13 may be in a set location,such as a dorm lounge, if there are regular checks from a responsible adult. However, parents may not go out (or go to bed) and leave kids in a lounge.
Children with check-out privileges may go directly from Youth/Middler programming to an agreed-on location to meet their parents/guardians.
Parents can (and do!) informally share care among themselves, as long as every child knows which adult is supervising them and every adult knows who has their kids.
Co-op parents need to be home by the time co-op hours are over at 1:15 AM (2:15 AM Friday). In the family dorm (non co-op), each child must have a responsible adult present at night, even while asleep.
Youth and Middlers have a curfew from 9:30 PM to 6 AM, during which they must either be in their dorm room or with their own parent/guardian.
Child safety concern? Call 540-534-1575
Since marijuana is legal in VA, does that mean I can use it at SUUSI?
While cannabis usage in Virginia is legal in specific contexts, it is banned - including for medical purposes - on the Radford campus. Please note that due to these restrictions and potential legal liability, SUUSI cannot tolerate any usage of cannabis, including for medical reasons, on Radford’s grounds and/or during participation in official SUUSI events.
What’s Radford’s tobacco smoking policy?
Radford, as a State institution, follows Virginia State Law which bans smoking in state buildings, including those in higher education. Smoking is allowed 25 ft away from all doors and all butts have to be disposed of in the trash.
What is Radford's alcohol policy?
Alcohol is allowed in dorm rooms (but not the Teen dorm) and at SUUSI events where alcohol is available, such as Serendipity or adult beverage workshops. Radford requires that no alcohol be stored or consumed in public spaces, including dorm lounges and kitchens. SUUSI staff will pour out alcohol left in common areas.
Mini fridges are allowed in dorm rooms. You may wish to coordinate with friends to share a mini fridge (2 amps or less) or bring a cooler to store alcohol in dorm rooms.
Alcohol consumption is prohibited for any participants under 21.
Where can I ride my bike, use skateboards, or similar?
Bicycles are only allowed where permitted and where their use does not endanger the safety or comfort of others. Bicycles are not allowed inside university buildings. Helmets must be worn at all times while biking.
Skates, scooters, and skateboards are prohibited on campus streets and sidewalks.
Devices needed for accessibility are allowed everywhere.
Is it okay to use washable sidewalk chalk on the sidewalks?
SUUSI Core Staff have been told that we can use washable chalk on sidewalks only near Moffett, which is where Community Time is taking place. Please keep the sidewalk chalk on the upper/raised part of the quad in front of Moffett and all chalk writings appropriate to the multi-generational nature of SUUSI.