What is the purpose of Residence Life?
Our mission in the Residence Life Office is to create educational communities which engage students in learning and personal development. Our residence halls are more than a place to live. They are vibrant and exciting communities where students learn, grow, and develop. Students make friends, develop conflict resolution skills, expand leadership skills and learn to understand others. Students who choose to live on-campus are likely to have better grades and also more likely to graduate than their counterparts who live off campus. A review of respected national research supports these statements.

What are the benefits of living on-campus versus living off-campus?
St. Edward's University Residence Life fosters a spirit of community through planned activities, programs and service events, as well as the opportunity for all students to get involved in planning those social and educational programs. Students have told us that our residence halls/apartments provide the best and fastest way to meet other people. Many residents get to know each other by interacting with others in the dining halls — creating a friendly community to live in and adding to the feeling of being an integral part of St. Edward's University. The residence life staff creates experiences that foster academic and personal development. Numerous programs and services have been developed to support you by enhancing your academic skills. In addition, the staff provides a variety of opportunities to connect with fellow students, faculty, and SEU staff from all across campus. The residence halls/apartments increase your ability to interact with members of different cultures and backgrounds — an essential element for success in today’s global marketplace. Residence life staff members facilitate the community development in the halls/apartments. Resident assistants (RAs) and residence directors (RDs) work together to maintain a pleasant and positive atmosphere for study, recreation, and social as well as educational development. They are available to initiate involvement in hall/apartment activities, facilitate roommate concerns and assist in emergencies. They are also trained and ready to listen and serve as informational resources and peer counselors.

Can I indicate a preference for the hall I would like to live in?
Yes - You can request which hall/apartment you would like to live in. The Residence Life housing sign-up process allows for you to indicate your top five choices. Room assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. The sooner you submit your application, the better your chances are of getting the hall/apartment of your choice.

Which is the best residence hall to live in?
It really depends on your interests and needs. There are three factors that seem to impact a student’s choice:

• Type of bathroom: suites, where bathrooms are shared by two residence hall rooms; semi-private rooms, where each residence hall room has its own attached bathroom, and floors where there are community bathrooms
• Co-ed halls or single gender floors
• Location on campus

For more information on each of the residence halls, please visit Residence Halls.

Is it possible to request a different roommate?

Once you receive your room and roommate assignment during the summer,  you may no longer request a different roommate. If you have not received your assignment, you may request a roommate in writing.

Initially, it is important for roommates to discuss the use of the room and determine how the space will be shared. Communication between prospective roommates during the summer is helpful, in order to begin discussion about items for the room and each student’s personal style. The residence hall staff is available to help facilitate discussion between roommates and help resolve any conflict or concerns.

We understand many incoming students will take advantage of the numerous social networking communities (such as Facebook, Myspace, etc.) to learn about their new roommate(s). While the Office of Residence Life encourages students to connect with one another before arriving on campus, we also caution students from making judgments about other students before coming to campus.

The Office of Residence Life has worked diligently with Institutional Technology to match new roommates based on compatibility derived from the online questionnaire each new student completes. It is our hope that the students fill out the questionnaire honestly, and not the parents. This gives each student an equal opportunity to be matched with a compatible roommate.

It is our standard policy that the Office of Residence Life does not make any roommate changes until after the 12th class day of the fall semester. Instructions for how to submit a roommate request will be provided by residence life staff after fall check-in.

What is a Residence Director and Resident Assistant?
Overseeing the creation of a vibrant community in each hall is a Residence Director (RD). Each of these full-time, professional staff members live in the residence halls and are concerned for the well-being of every resident, applying years of Residence Life experience, and providing educational and leadership opportunities for their residents. One Resident Assistant (RA) works and lives with residents on each floor. These full-time, upperclass students provide assistance and programs to create a safe and happy environment in the residence halls.

Is there an overnight guest policy?
Residents may have guests stay overnight for no more than three days if the guest is of the same gender as the student. Roommates should be consulted before a guest arrives. If a student has a visitor of the opposite sex come to visit, the guest must stay with someone of the same gender.

Are microwaves, TVs, stereos, etc. allowed?
Yes! All electrical equipment must have an approved "UL" rating. Appliances or equipment (e.g., ceiling fans) may never be directly wired to a residence hall wall or ceiling. Space heaters, cooking appliances with an open heating element are not allowed in the residence halls. Cooking in student rooms is prohibited for fire safety and ventilation reasons. Microwaves and small fridges are permitted in student rooms.

How can I find out the dimensions of my room?
For more information on room dimensions, please see the residence hall information page.

Can I have a loft ?
Lofts are not allowed in the residence halls.

What if I have a question or concern?
Each residence hall and apartment community has a professional live-in Residence Director (RD)who is responsible for the leadership and supervision of the hall/apartment area. RDs' responsibilities include:

• supervising student staff
• managing and administering the hall facilities
• developing programs to meet the developmental needs of students
• advising the Resident Event Planner (REP) groups
• adjudicating and resolving student conduct issues
• building community
• helping students make the transition to college

A Resident Assistant (RA) lives on each floor of the residence hall, as well as in the on-campus apartments. One of their roles is to create and maintain an environment which promotes academic and personal development for the residents. All residence life staff are available to answer questions or address concerns.

What dining services are offered on campus?
Information about the various options for on-campus dining can be found at Campus Dining Services.

What meal plan options are available?
All students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan each semester that they reside in the halls. There are a number of meal plans to choose from. More information about the various plans can be found here. Please address questions and change requests to Auxiliary Services.

What is Topper Tender?
Topper Tender is money on a debit card system attached to your student ID card that can be used to purchase meals, use in laundry facilities, and in vending machines. See Auxiliary Services for more information.

How can I send mail or a package to my student?
Address items to:
Student's Name
St. Edward's University
3001 S. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78704

Who do I contact if I have a question or concern?
If you have questions concerning roommate and community living concerns, student conduct issues, leadership and employment opportunities and residence hall/apartment programs, facilities, services, assignments, move-in / move-out information, billing and contract obligations call:

Office of Residence Life
(512) 448-8419
(512) 428-1021 (fax)
email: residencelife@stedwards.edu

The Office of Residence Life is located in Community Building 1 in the on-campus apartments, directly behind Le Mans Hall.

How much does it cost to live on campus?
See Rates.

What Should I bring?
Before you buy a new television, microwave, or invest in a mini-fridge, you may want to consult your future roommate. Toaster ovens, space heaters, electric blankets, hotplates, waterbeds, electric frying pans, halogen lamps, candles and fireworks are all prohibited for safety reasons. When deciding what to bring, here are a few items you might want to keep in mind:

• Computer
• Pillows
• Towels
• Extra-Long Twin Size Sheets
• Bedspread/Blankets
• Personal Items
• Iron
• Hangers
• Desk lamp
• Laundry and Cleaning Supplies

What are visiting hours?
Opposite-gender visitors are permitted in your rooms during the following times:

Freshman Visitation

• Sunday-Thursday: 10am- 12 midnight
• Friday and Saturday: 10am- 2am

Upperclassman Visitation

• Sunday-Thursday: 10am- 12 midnight
• Friday and Saturday: 24 hours (ends Sunday at midnight)

Am I allowed to have a pet?
The only pets allowed are fish in a tank smaller than 30 gallons.

Can my sibling of the opposite sex spend the night?
No, there is no opposite gender cohabitation.

Am I able to have alcohol in my room if I'm 21?
Yes, but only if there is not a minor in the room.