On-Campus Housing

Housing in Alford-Montgomery and Kennedy Halls

Zimfest has been allocated just enough dorm space on the CWU campus to accommodate the number of beds we usually require as long as people are willing to share double rooms. Zimfest participants will be housed in Kennedy Hall and Alford-Montgomery Hall (Al-Monty for short). Both residence halls are in the North Campus area, a 10-minute walk from Zimfest Registration in the SURC. There are no elevators in either 3-story building; guests will need to use the stairs. Like most older college residences, these dorms have no air-conditioning, so bring your own fans!

Sleeping rooms will be available Wednesday, August 6th through Monday morning, August 11th. Room access is not guaranteed before 3:00 PM on the day of arrival; if rooms are ready before then, participants will be notified during the check-in process.

Both residences feature shared community bathrooms. Happily, all rooms are equipped with a mini-fridge and a small microwave. Residents will be responsible for taking out the garbage.

All beds in both dorms are XL twin beds, requiring extra-long linens. Most beds are raised slightly to accommodate built-in drawers underneath the frames (see photograph here midpage). One ADA double room in Al-Monty has lower beds.

The bottom floor lounges of both dorms will be used for Zimfest mbira workshops during the days, and late night mbira parties will take place in the main lounge inside the entrance to Al-Monty Hall. The upper floors of the A wing of Al-Monty will be “quiet wings” to accommodate occupants requesting a quiet environment.

Alford-Montgomery Hall

Al-Monty features mostly double rooms with a few single rooms and an even smaller number of triples. First floor amenities include a large lounge, usable coin-op laundry room, study and fully-equipped billiards room! Public spaces on the second and third floors are limited to small study rooms in each of two wings.

Kennedy Hall

A small, older residence hall with a total of 36 beds evenly split between singles and doubles. The first floor features a lounge and full-size kitchen usable by Zimfest participants. An ADA wheelchair lift provides access to the six rooms on the 1st floor, up a few steps from the Foyer entry level. Although these rooms are considered ADA accessible, their beds are slightly raised as described above.

In addition, renters in Kennedy Hall should be aware that there are no restrooms on the 3rd floor, only the 1st and 2nd floors.

To Reserve a Room

Use Zimfest Registration to register for housing, meals, concerts and workshops. You must sign up and pay for your housing ahead of time through online registration. There may not be any dorm rooms available for last minute registrants onsite!

Registering for Double or Triple Rooms

Only one person pays for the room. And housing will be purchased per room, not per person. This means that a single person who signs up for a double or triple room will be charged the total cost, for however many nights the room will be occupied. When you register, you will be asked whether you need to purchase a room, or if you are rooming with someone (who is the person paying for the room). Please note: You choose your roommate(s), not us! The registration system will allow you to name your roommate(s) so that they may pick up their own room key from CWU personnel.

If you need to find a roommate for a double or triple room, you can search for one using Zimfest’s Roommate Request Board (available later).

CWU housing policy requires that the maximum number of guests in a room is not to exceed the number of beds placed in a room by University. In other words, no more than three people may stay in a triple room, no more than two people may stay in a double, and only one in a single.

Linen Packages

All rented rooms will be provided with linen. A linen package includes: pillow with pillowcase; two flat sheets; blanket; and a towel. Bring your own washcloth and soap. The linens will be in a bundle on the bed upon arrival for you to make your own bed. Upon departure, please strip the bed and leave all the linens and the pillow on the bed.

Family Discount on Housing

If your family (at least one parent with one or more children below the age of 12) wishes to request a family housing discount, please contact us at before you register and pay for housing, so that we can determine your eligibility and enter up to 20% off your housing costs for you.

Wheelchair Accessible Housing

See Disabled Access.

Internet Access

Each room is equipped with free, high-speed wireless internet access. You will receive the password upon signing in with the Conference Services Check-in Desk.

Important: Housing Check-In with CWU Conference Services

If you have registered for rooms and meals, check in with CWU Conference Services at the Information Center on the first floor of the SURC. This is a large service counter at the east end of the building, directly across from Cat Trax East espresso and smoothie bar. Each person will receive an envelope with their room key, meal pass, and an entrance key to their dorm. Plan to check in during the times shown below as they will be there all weekend (Thursday-Sunday) 9 am to 7 pm. If you cannot arrive during the listed times, please arrange for someone to sign in on your behalf. If you cannot find someone to sign for you, write to to make arrangements for key and meal pass pickup.

Housing Check-Out with CWU Conference Services

You must be out of your rooms no later than 10 AM on the day that you depart. If leaving Friday or Saturday, check out of your housing by turning in your keys and meal pass to the CWU Conference Services desk during the times shown above. On Sunday and Monday, Conference Service personnel will be in the Kennedy Hall and Alford-Monty foyers for check-out during the times shown. If you are leaving earlier than the scheduled times, please let folks at the Zimfest registration desk know (or write ) and you will be given instructions.

Please turn in your keys to Conference Services upon departure – do not leave them in the rooms!

Lost Keys: If you lose a key or meal pass during the festival, contact CWU Conference Services at 509-963-1141 or 509-899-0583.
$65 will be charged for each room or dorm key that is not turned in.

Housing Questions

If you have any questions about Zimfest housing at Central Washington University, contact – please do not call or e-mail CWU personnel.