University of Wisconsin–Madison

Merit Residence Hall

917, 919, 921 W Dayton Street | Madison, WI 53715-1126 | Map

Digital drawing of Merit Residence Hall

68 residents
Mixed coed floors
Singles, doubles, & triples
Opened 1986

Merit is a small community that allows you to benefit from activities and services of the University Residence Halls while enjoying increased independence and flexibility that comes with single room or suite-style living. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of being near the Kohl Center and Gordon Avenue Market.

In addition, all residents of Merit enjoy carpeted rooms with air conditioning as well as some rooms with private bathrooms. With its close proximity to many academic buildings, the shops of State Street, and Union South, you’ll always be close to campus happenings and never too far from class.

Merit Residence Hall exterior fall

Related Pages

Merit 2023 Best Room Contest finalists' room

Features

  • Nearest Dining: Gordon Avenue Market
  • Classroom: First Floor, Ogg Residence Hall
  • Academic Advising: First Floor, Ogg Residence Hall
  • Hall Desk: First Floor, Sellery Residence Hall
  • Kitchen: Each Floor
  • Laundry: First Floor
  • Music Practice Room: Lower Level, Ogg Residence Hall
  • Carpeting in Resident Rooms: Yes
  • Air Conditioning in Resident Rooms: Yes
  • Room Rate: High
  • Neighborhood: Southeast
  • Bathrooms Shared By: Room or Cluster of Six Rooms
  • Single Use Bathrooms: Yes (one on first floor)

Note: services and building amenities can vary by building and are subject to change.

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Room Types

Single

Type A

  • Features: closet, bed, bookcase, desk, desk chair, dresser, refrigerator
  • Typical Dimensions: ~ 10′ x 8′ 10″
Virtual Tour (2016)
Merit Single Type A room furniture
Merit Single Type A room dimensions
2024 Merit Best Room Contest finalist room
2024 Merit Best Room Contest finalist room
2024 Merit Best Room Contest finalist room
Merit Residence Hall in 2015

Type B

  • Features: bed, bookcase, desk, desk chair, dresser, refrigerator
  • Typical Dimensions: ~ 13′ x 17′ 10″
Merit Single Type B room furniture
Merit Single Type B room dimensions

With Bath

  • Features: closet, bed, bookcase, desk, desk chair, dresser, refrigerator
Merit Single with Bath room furniture
Merit Single with Bath room dimensions

Double with Bath

  • Features: two closets, kitchen area with sink, counter, and shelf, two beds, two bookcases, two desks, two desk chairs, two dressers, refrigerator
  • Typical Dimensions: ~ 17′ 8″ x 17′ 6.5″
Virtual Tour (2019)
Merit Double with Bath room furniture
Merit Double with Bath room dimensions
2025 Merit Best Room Contest finalist room
2025 Merit Best Room Contest finalist room
2025 Merit Best Room Contest finalist room
2025 Merit Best Room Contest finalist room

Triple with Bath

  • Room: 100
  • Features: three beds, three desks, three desk chairs, three dressers, two refrigerators
Merit Triple with Bath room furniture
Merit Triple with Bath room dimensions

Note: typical room dimensions shown. Rooms vary slightly.

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Floor Plans

Merit first floor plan
Merit second floor
Merit third floor

B: Bathroom | SR: Staff Room | SWB: Single With Bath | S-A: Single Type-A | S-B: Single Type-B | DWB: Double With Bath | TWB: Triple With Bath

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Measurements

Residence Halls Furniture Measurements

Residence Halls Miscellaneous Measurements

Residence Halls Lofting Measurements

Note: rooms in some residence halls have mixed furniture. Measurements and dimensions may vary. Due to the variety of residence halls, rooms, furniture, closets, etc. in University Housing, we are unable to provide measurements for all possible situations and items. If the measurement you’re looking for isn’t shown on our website, we are unable to provide it at this time. Measurements for all residence halls can be found on the Inside Our Rooms page.

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Rates

The projected annual rates listed below are per resident and include housing during fall and spring breaks (winter break housing is available for an additional fee). Most new residents are assigned to a double room. Costs are billed by semester, combined with the tuition bill. Students select from one of three dining plan options based on their eating habits and how much they plan to dine on campus. For a full listing of residence hall rates and what is included, visit our Billing & Rates page.

Total costs of UW–Madison University Residence Halls room and dining plan rates can be calculated by:

wdt_ID Dining Plan 2025-26 Dining Plan Rate / Semester 2025-26 Dining Plan Rate / Academic Year
1 Go10 2,050 4,100
2 Go14 2,300 4,600
3 GoUnlimited 2,900 5,800
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Photos

Merit bathroom layout
exterior of Merit Hall
students at picnic tables outside of Merit Hall
First floor lounge in Merit
Merit first floor lounge
Merit kitchen
Merit floor kitchen and lounge
Merit floor lounge and kitchen
Merit laundry

Note: rooms in some residence halls have mixed furniture. Furniture, measurements, and dimensions may vary from what is shown. 

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Heating & Cooling

In Merit, heat is provided via hot water and cooling via chilled water through a radiator near your window. Your room’s temperature can be set from 65 – 75 °F and can be changed via a thermostat located on the wall (see photo). Pushing the “up” arrow on the left of the thermostat will warm your room, while pushing the “down” arrow will cool your room. Fan speed is controlled via a switch located under a hinged cover on the upper left corner of the convector unit (see photo). To increase or decrease fan speed, turn the control switch under the hinged cover on the convector unit to the desired setting.

Merit thermostat

Tips

  • Try small adjustments first to avoid overheating/cooling
  • Do not push furniture, bedding, or belongings against convectors as this could block airflow
  • When in your room during the heating season, open curtains and blinds during the day to allow the sun to warm the room naturally and prevent air from being trapped against the window, and close them at night to decrease drafts — during the cooling season, do the reverse
  • Keep doors and windows closed when the heat or air conditioning is on
  • Consider using blankets and sweaters instead of turning up the heat
  • Open windows slightly for short periods of time to allow outside air to circulate
  • When possible, keep the room door open to promote air movement and introduce fresh air
  • Take wet clothing or towels to a laundry room to be washed/dried ASAP to reduce moisture
  • Run a fan to help circulate air
  • Fish tanks, plants, humidifiers, and diffusers can contribute to humidity/moisture levels in your room
  • Know how to use Moisture Absorbing Hangers in your room and make sure to replace them when they’re full. More information can be found in this document about Using Moisture Absorbing Hangers in Your Room.
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Merit Professional Staff

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