Would I be able to do a fire belly newt? I understand they prefer cooler waters that wouldn't require a heater, which makes the setup less complicated, and that's always good for a dorm room.
I was going to suggest african dwarf frogs also. You could keep two or three in a 5 gal tank. They do need a heater though. And would you have a fridge to keep frozen bloodworms in?
I would have a fridge to keep frozen bloodworms, that won't be a problem. Still though, all species of clawed frogs are illegal in Arizona. They're an invasive species there - if you find one in the wild, you're supposed to kill it.