Academic Housing Options
2008 - 2009 Academic Interest Housing Option for Upperclassmen:
- Click Here for Answers to Common Questions
- Click Here for an Upperclassman Application for Academic Housing
Living Learning, the Office of Residence Life and various academic and administrative departments have designed the academic housing options below, should there be sufficient interest among students to offer them. The academic housing options have no permanent location. They are placed in buildings that most effectively house the number of students expressing interest in a given option.
Academic housing is offered to complement the academic and social experiences of students whose interests fall within the academic interest options offered. Some illustrative goals are to bring like-minded students together for mutual academic, social and career support; to create opportunities for students and faculty to engage and enjoy one another outside of the classroom; to enhance learning; and to provide unique programming on and off campus. Students who have participated in academic housing options thus far report:
1) living in a more enjoyable community;
2) better academic success from mutual study;
3) enrolling in common courses with hallmates;
4) feeling better prepared for class because of on-hall interactions; and
5) better relationships with faculty because of unique programming opportunities.
Special Notes about Acadmic Housing:
Item 1: For Upperclassmen
Current students can apply for an existing academic housing option by clicking on the application link above.
Item 2: For Incoming Freshmen
Incoming freshmen can select an academic housing option when submitting their on-line application for housing (by simply checking the option or options that are of interest). Incoming freshmen do not need to complete the application through the above link.
Item 3: Questions
Contact the Office of Residence Life Reslife_Feedback@sju.edu or at 610-660-1060.
Item 4: Agreement
All students who reside in academic housing must agree to the following terms.
I understand that I will be residing on a hall that will have a focus on academic achievement, community development, career preparation and program participation. To this end, I agree to be a positive contributor to this community with dedication to study and career preparation, a commitment to enhancing the community on the hall by contributing positively to it and a commitment to attending the programs offered to the hall. Should I become inactive on the hall, harmful to its community or detrimental to its goals, I understand that I may be removed from it and my spot likely will be offered to another student who is on the waiting list for this experience.
Links for Additional Information and for an Academic Housing Application:
Click Here for Answers to Common Questions
Click Here for an Upperclassman Application for Academic Housing
Click on any option in the box below to go directly to a description of that option.
There you will find additional information on what comprises each academic housing option.
| Business | Psychology |
| Freshman Ignatian Residential Experience (FIRE) | |
| Undeclared Social Sciences | |
| Politics and Law/International Relations |
Business (Freshmen and Upperclassmen)
The Business Hall is a well established academic housing option at Saint Joseph’s University. It admits approximately sixty freshmen each year, most of whom continue their experience from freshman to sophomore year by applying for the upperclassmen Business Hall—which admits another sixty-four students.
The Business Hall is ideal for declared business majors and for students who are undecided business. The experience of living on the hall can strengthen a student’s commitment to the business major or, just as importantly, it can help a student decide that a business major is not the right choice.
This housing option will actively support the academic and career-planning efforts of the Haub School of Business (HSB) by co-sponsoring existing HSB programs; the Business housing option also will be the site of student-centered and student-designed programming that will complement both the objectives of the HSB and the Jesuit mission of the University. This housing option will be staffed by Resident Assistants who are students in the HSB, providing an added element of direction, education and support for students majoring in Business or who are considering a Business major.
Typical Business Hall events include a student-faculty networking social to begin the year; business-specific programming throughout the year; special exam review sessions; and Road Trips to the Real World, whereby business hall students visit various Manhattan corporations to learn more about the realities of the business world and to network with Saint Joseph’s alums. Some past site visits include: NASDAQ, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Computer Associates, Moody’s Investors Services, Highland Financial, Target, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, ESPN Magazine, and Sony.
Business Hall students are expected to:
- Contribute to a positive academic and social hall community
- Pursue academic and personal excellence
- Commit to career preparation, including internships and study abroad
- Attend Business Hall events
- Form study groups
- Develop relationships with faculty
- Participate in career networking events
- Learn appropriate social etiquette (dress, eating, oral and written communication)
- Incorporate the University’s mission and ideals into work, study and conduct
Freshman Ignatian Residential Experience (FIRE)
The Freshman Ignatian Residential Experience provides students with opportunities that place special emphasis on the hallmarks of Jesuit education: 1) Cura Personalis/care of the person, 2) service to others, 3) faith enhancement, exploration or questioning and 4) Magis/something greater or better. Students who have a heightened sense of the need to care for themselves and others, who find value and fulfillment in service, who want to explore their faith tradition or resolve issues with that tradition, and who want something greater and more special out of the academic and social college experience will be well suited for this housing option. Once in the Freshman Ignatian Residential Experience, students can place emphasis on one, some or all of the four tracks noted above, with the understanding that occasional blending of these areas is encouraged and is likely to happen throughout the academic year.
The Freshman Ignatian Residential Experience is a collaborative effort among Living Learning, Faith Justice, Service Learning, Jesuits in Residence, Campus Ministry and Residence Life. Students in this housing option are encouraged to take advantage of on- and off-campus events and opportunities offered throughthese offices. Students also can suggest events or experiences they need, either as a group or one-on-one with a member of the offices noted above.
Students of all faith traditions and cultural backgrounds are welcomed into the Ignatian Residential Experience. A diversity of traditions, cultures and backgrounds, all committed to Jesuit ideals and education from different perspectives, will strengthen this experience greatly. It is through and from others that students will learn more about themselves and, ultimately, more about the diverse, challenging and rich world around them. Only then can residents of this housing option appropriately set forth as Saint Ignatius taught and as this housing option promotes, to “set the world on fire.”
Fr. Philip Florio, SJ, will be the Jesuit advisor for the Ignatian Residential Experience.
Freshman Ignatian Residential Experience students are expected to:
- place emphasis on one, some or all of the four Jesuit principles
- take advantage of on- and off-campus events and opportunities
- suggest events or experiences they need, either as a group or individually
- contribute to a positive academic, spiritual and social hall community
- develop relationships with faculty, Jesuits and campus ministry staff
Intercultural Experience (Upperclassmen/Rashford Hall)
The Intercultural Experience Hall is designed for students who wish to live, study, learn, interact and develop within a community that promotes an intellectual, personal and institutional commitment to diversity. Students who reside in this housing option can be of any race, religion, economic background or sexual orientation. Illustrative co-curricular events will include cultural events on and off campus, special presenters and support for campus events that promote diversity.
A variety of cultural backgrounds on the hall is necessary for the Intercultural Experience Hall to be successful. A diversity of traditions, cultures and backgrounds, all committed to acceptance, Jesuit ideals and learning about the lives of others, will strengthen this experience greatly. It is through and from others that students will learn more about themselves and, ultimately, more about the diverse, challenging and rich world around them. Only then can residents of this housing option appropriately set forth as Saint Ignatius taught, and as this housing option promotes, to “set the world on fire.”
An added component of the Intercultural Experience Hall is an opportunity for male residents to come together in the brotherhood of a group that will focus on social, academic, personal and leadership excellence. This group will offer a blend of individual attention and support along with several meaningful experiential events throughout the academic year. Key goals are to help group members find and utilize appropriate campus resources, achieve academic success and earn an undergraduate degree. Those who are interested or who have questions about the group should contact Dr. Todd Krug, Director of Living Learning.
Intercultural Experience Hall students are expected to:
- Strengthen cultural pride
- Commit to academic excellence
- Exhibit personal integrity
- Commit to career preparation, including internships and study abroad
- Educate others about cultural traditions and backgrounds
- Serve as positive role models and as mentors to incoming freshmen
- Commit to campus involvement, especially in leadership positions
- Develop openness to differences—and helping others develop openness
- Contribute to a positive academic and social hall community
- Develop relationships with faculty
- Incorporate the University’s mission and ideals into work, study and conduct
Politics and Law/International Relations (Freshmen)
The Politics and Law/International Relations housing option is offered by the Departments of Political Science and International Relations, though it is open to students from any major with an active interest in government, politics and law. The goal of this academic housing option is to build an academic community among students, between students and their professors and among faculty in the departments.
Students who select this housing option can expect to participate in events such as: a year-opening reception with department faculty, organized discussion regarding current events, an election-night event to follow the returns, day trips to the U.S. Constitution Center, to Washington DC, and/or to New York City. These general examples are illustrative, and a good portion of the hall’s activities will be student-driven and student-focused to meet the specific needs and interests of the hall’s residents.
The Politics and Law/International Relations housing option also offers students unique career preparation benefits, with opportunities to interact with Saint Joseph’s alums who work in law, politics and government. These opportunities happen through networking nights, at special programs that host alumni and special guests of the University, and through receptions that are sometimes part of the day trips.
The option is ideal for students who fit one or more of the following interest areas:
Political Science/International Relations Hall students are expected to:
- Have a declared major, minor or interest in Political Science or a declared major, minor or interest in International Relations, History or Economics
- Have an interest in a career in politics, law, international relations, international business, economics or international law
- Participate in an ongoing discussion of politics, the economy, society and public affairs
- Learning about foreign cultures and languages
- Contribute to a positive academic and social hall community
- suggest events or experiences they need, either as a group or one-on-one
- attend programming and events designed to complement the academic and social goals of the hall
The Psychology Hall provides students who have declared a major or a minor in psychology, or who are contemplating declaring a major or a minor in psychology, the opportunity to live in a community of peers who share common academic, interpersonal and career interests.
The primary goal of this academic housing option is to build an academic community among students and between students and their professors (current and future). As such, two unique dimensions of the Psychology Hall offer students an enriched academic and social experience:
Enrollment in a common Introduction to Psychology course
Special faculty-led programming
Experience has shown greater academic success and better learning when students who live together take a common class. The community that develops in the residence hall enhances the community of the classroom. Additionally, by encountering faculty at events (issue-oriented and social) outside of the classroom, students can begin the important process of developing relationships with faculty—who ultimately will advise students on interest areas, career plans and graduate school preparation.
Psychology Hall students are expected to:
- Experience out-of-class interactions with faculty
- Enrollment in a common Introduction to Psychology course
- Attend programming and events designed to specifically enhance the academic success and career preparation of psychology majors
- Become involved in community activities outside of Saint Joseph’s University
- Join group study opportunities
- Suggest events or experiences they need, either as a group or individually
The Science Hall supports science majors who seek a community with a common academic interest, a collective respect for individual study habits and an understanding of the benefit of collaborative study.
This housing option provides student and faculty interactions through academic, programmatic and experiential opportunities, and supports students who are preparing for post-graduate work in medicine, dentistry, health care, teaching or research. This housing option has the added benefit of a faculty member who lives on the Science hall and provides individual tutoring, support and advising to science majors.
As one of the most long-standing academic housing options, the Science Hall has a proven track record of helping students develop the personal and academic focus. Such focus is invaluable given the rigor of science course work, lab requirements and study skills. The Resident Assistants who supervise the Science Hall are often science majors themselves. Thus, complementing the faculty resident, they bring an additional level of advising, tutoring help and encouragement to those who reside on the hall.
While many students who opt to reside on the Science Hall have pre-med intentions, others do not. The Science Hall’s activity roster supports a variety of science interests, from medicine to teaching to research. Students who live on the Science Hall can take advantage of the Science Networking Night, for example: an event that allows students to meet a variety of science professionals to see a broad example of potential career paths.
Science Hall students are expected to:
- Commit to academic excellence
- Develop effective study habits—and form study groups
- Participate in programs designed to prepare students for graduate programs or for careers
- Contribute to a positive, supportive community that appropriately balances academic focus and social interaction
- Attend hall programs and programs hosted by the science departments
- Utilize the tutoring and advising assistance offered by the faculty resident
- Incorporate the University’s mission and focus on excellence in work, study and interpersonal relationships
Undeclared Social Sciences (Freshmen)
The Undeclared Social Sciences Hall is a residential community for undeclared social science majors: sociology, psychology, economics, political science, education, health education/health services.
This learning community is provided to help students clarify their specific academic and career interests in the social sciences. In short, this hall is designed to help students find the right social science major and begin taking general education and core courses that are specific to that major—all early on in the college experience. This prevents students from taking unnecessary courses and from having to venture through the process of finding and declaring a major on their own.
Students who reside in the Undeclared Social Sciences Hall can expect significant contact with the Career Development Center, which will conduct personal and career interest workshops to help students through the process of finding a major that is right for them. Additionally, faculty will assist students by hosting “major fairs” at which students can pose and receive answers to questions. Representatives from the Dean’s Office of the College of Arts and Sciences will provide general advising overviews to help students prepare for advising sessions and, ultimately, select appropriate courses.
Undeclared Social Sciences Hall students are expected to:
- Pursue academic and personal excellence
- Contribute to a positive academic and social hall community
- Commit to career preparation, including internships and study abroad
- Make independent decisions about major selection and career paths—learning to rise above the influences that family and friends can have on such decisions
- Attend hall events
- Form study groups
- Develop relationships with faculty—and seek faculty for advising and assistance
- Participate in Career Development Office events
- Incorporate the University’s mission and ideals into work, study and conduct