Sims 3 Community Lots Compendium : Sims 3 Dormitories

According to the Sims Wiki, "Unlike the dorms in The Sims 2: University, dorms in The Sims 3: University Life are fully customizable when using Build/Buy mode. Also, Sims will no longer claim doors, but it is possible to click on a bed and reserve it for a specific Sim. To give Sims privacy in their own room, it is possible to lock the door, as doors in the base world are now lockable. There is also an option to select which Sims can and cannot use a door.

Unlike The Sims 2: University, there is no cafeteria or cafeteria worker to prepare food. Sims living in the household are responsible for making their own food, though household Sims may autonomously serve a meal. As in The Sims 2, however, Sims in the household are responsible for the upkeep of breakable objects and the cleanliness of the dormitory. If there is a washer on site, they are also responsible for taking care of dirty laundry.

NPC roommates in the dormitories may serve meals. They are usually not very proficient in the Cooking skill, and occasionally start fires on the lot. When building a custom dormitory, it would be wise to place a fire alarm in the kitchen area. Dormitories cannot be robbed by a burglar, so there is no need for a burglar alarm.

Mail service is available to Sims through a mailbox that is also part of a community job board. This object gives the option to look for one-time jobs to make Simoleons. The jobs break down into three categories: Social Group Jobs, Day Jobs, and Dares.

Pre-made dorms are set up to house 8 Sims, including the playable household. A custom-built dorm will also be expected to house 8 Sims, no matter how many beds are placed on the lot. If a roommate is found to be annoying to the playable household, the player click on that Sim, then dismiss them in the "Roommates" social tab.

Greek houses return in The Sims 3: University Life as single-sex fraternities and sororities; Sims University has one of each. Because college terms are much shorter in University Life than in The Sims 2: University, there are no pledging or joining requirements; Sims can simply move in when they arrive. In effect, they are treated as single-sex dormitories."