SJU: Student Life - On Campus Housing

Housing Terminology	Commonly Asked Questions	Special Needs Housing
Housing Terminology
Extended Housing When class size increases beyond the normal capacity of bed spaces, we use “Extended Housing” as a means to provide housing for all incoming students. Extended housing is a residence hall space that has expanded capacity to accommodate one additional resident (i.e. double becomes a triple; triple becomes a quad). Lofted bed units are provided in most extended housing rooms. Students in extended housing receive a $50 per week rebate until such time that the occupancy drops to normal capacity.
Housing PIN Number For increased security measures, each student will be given a unique PIN number only to be used when making a housing selection. This PIN is your safety net to ensure no one makes a housing selection for you without your consent. Therefore it is imperative that you do not give your Housing PIN Number to anyone unless you are ready to choose a room with them.
Housing Selection Times Selection times are assigned at random in equal two minute intervals. On July 6, 2009, contracted students will be able to log into "MySJU" to find out their housing selection date & time, and Housing PIN number.
Commonly Asked Questions
Are First and Second Year students required to live in university housing? Yes. Residential living is a valuable part of a student’s social and educational experience; therefore, first and second year students are required to live in University housing. If there are extraordinary financial or medical needs, which require the student to live at home with a parent or guardian, first and second year students can request an exemption to this residency requirement? Requests for an exception must be submitted in writing to the Housing Contract Review Committee, c/o the Office of Residence Life, and include supporting documentation.
Is the Housing selected for one semester or the entire year? For the entire academic year.
How are housing selection times assigned? Housing selection times are randomly assigned to all incoming freshmen who will reside on campus.
Does the deposit date affect my selection time? No. A computer program randomly assigns housing selection times to all students who completed a housing contract.
Does the date I complete my housing contract affect my selection time? No. Selection times are not affected by the date the housing contract is completed. As a reminder housing contracts must be completed on-line from June 1-12, 2009.
How do I get out of my contract if I do not get the room I want or find a cheaper place off-campus? Once you have contracted for on-campus housing, this is NOT an option. All first and second year students are required to live in on-campus housing. Be forewarned, the housing contract is binding. You cannot enter into a University contract and then decide to commute from home if you do not get placement in your preferred building choice. If you do so, you will be held financially responsible to the cost of the University's Housing Contract.
How do I select my housing assignment/roommate? The housing room and roommate assignment process for incoming first year students starts with the Housing Contract, which is to be completed online (via MYSJU) in early June. The actual room and roommate assignment will be an on-line self-selection process, which will occur in late July (after orientation).
Can I choose my roommate or will one be assigned to me? The selection process will allow an incoming freshmen to select a preferred roommate. If a roommate is not preferenced then the open space in the room will be available for another student to select.
What happens if I do not complete a housing contract and/or select housing? A selection will be made for you by the Office of Residence Life after all other students have participated in the housing selection process.
What is the best way to introduce myself to my roommate? When a student selects his/her room assignment, they also receive the home address and home telephone number of their roommate(s). Students are encouraged to call their roommate prior to arriving on campus. If you are assigned a single room and would like the contact information of your next door neighbors, please contact the Housing office to request this information.
Now that I have selected my room, can I come to campus to see my room? We know after selecting your room assignment, you may want to begin planning out your living environment, but unfortunately due to summer conference, cleaning and housing schedules, the residence halls are not open for touring. You can find basic floor plans the Residence Life housing information page webpage.
What if I do not get the housing choice I prefer? Housing selection is a random order lottery process and there is only so much available space in each building however; every building has its own unique and positive community. We ask that you give your building/community a chance, and we will work with you on a room change the second week of classes, once you have arrived and have experienced the residence hall communities.
What if I do not like my roommate? We understand that you may be uncertain about whom you may be living with or that you may talk to your roommate and question whether you will like him/her. We ask that you give the person a fair chance (they have feelings too, Would you like to be judged only by your Facebook page???). If you decide that a change must occur, room changes are permitted after the second week of classes (if space is available).
What size are the rooms - i.e. if I want to buy carpet? Room sizes vary from building to building and house to house. The average size carpet that we recommend that students purchase is 9' x 12.' Carpet can be purchased on opening day on campus.
What kinds of things should I plan to bring with me for living on Campus? All rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, dresser, and closet per person. Suggested items to bring include on the Move-in newsletter (mailed out Aug. 1^st).
When do I check-in? Freshmen will move-in on the Saturday, August 29th, 2008. Upperclassmen move-in on Sunday, August 30st (specific date will be assigned by area). More specific check-in information will be included in your Housing Assignment mailing (mailed out Aug. 1^st).
Can I park my car on campus? Because of the limited parking available on campus, Freshmen and Sophomores are not permitted to have cars on campus. Further questions regarding this should be directed to the Office of Public Safety and Security (610) 660-1111.
What should I do about a refrigerator and a microwave? It is a good idea for students to contact their roommate(s) before move-in to ensure that no unnecessary (duplicate) microwaves and/or refrigerators are brought. Only one refrigerator and microwave is permitted per residence hall room. A refrigerator/microwave rental service is available through MicroFrige ( http://www.campusspec.com/ ). More information regarding refrigerator/microwave rentals will be provided in the Residence Life August 1st mailing.
What size sheets should I bring? Standard Twin size sheets. Extra long sheets will not fit. If you require an extra long mattress, please contact the Office of Residence Life. Residence Life has a very limited supply of "extra-long" or 36" by 80" mattresses, which are available upon request and based on need. Students who would like to request and extra-long mattress should email ResLife@sju.edu . Please include the following information with your request: full name, student ID number, and reason for the request
What is an RA, and what will my relationship be like with them? An RA, or Resident Assistant, is part of the Residence Life staff at the University. Normally, there is one RA assigned to live on each floor. They are usually upperclass undergraduate students. RAs provide advice, assist students with personal matters, refer students to other offices when appropriate, help mediate any conflicts among residents advise the community councils, and assist in planning educational and social programs They also enforce policies designed to protect the rights of all individuals, so that an environment conducive to academic pursuits can be maintained.

Special Needs Housing for Medical Reasons We want to ensure you are fully knowledgeable about your options for 2009-10 housing, should you have a medical need that would necessitate a specific housing accommodation. Option #1 Our recommendation to guarantee placement in a space that meets your medical need is to be administratively placed prior to the self selection process. To request administrative placement, you must contact the Office of Residence Life at 610.660.1060, by 5:00 PM, July 3, 2009. Additionally our office will be able to accommodate mutual roommate requests however placement will be made based on your medical need and not your building preference. Option #2 If you prefer to participate in self-selection it is your responsibility to select a room that meets your medical need. If the self-selection process has ended (on or after July 24, 2009), and you were not able to select a space in a building that would meet your medical need, the Office of Residence Life can administratively reassign you. It is important to understand that an administrative reassignment is only given to the person who has a medical need for a specific accommodation; preferred roommates will not be given an administrative reassignment. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to place a student in any available accommodation necessary including non-traditional first year buildings in order to meet their medical need.

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