Frequently Asked Questions

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?
SEU’s housing system fosters that spirit through planned activities, programs and opportunities to participate in hall/apartment government, service organizations, and university service projects are examples of activities which involve our residence hall/apartment students. 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 room — 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 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 Office Contract allows for you to indicate your top three 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:
a.) type of bathroom; suites, which have their own facilities, or floors where there are community bathrooms
b.) co-ed halls or single gender halls
c.) location
For more information on each hall, please see the Residence hall information page.

Is it possible to request a different roommate?
Once you receive the assignment during the summer orientation for the residence halls indicating where you will be living, you can no longer request a different roommate. If you have not received your assignment, you can request a roommate in writing.
Initially, it is important for roommates to discuss use of the room and determine how the space will be shared. Communication between prospective roommates during the summer is helpful, 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.

Roommate Matching Policy
We understand many incoming students will take advantage of the numerous online 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 we also caution students from making judgments about others 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 requests will be provided by the hall directors after fall check-in.

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. The students must get approval from the Residence director. If a student has a visitor of the opposite sex come to visit, the guest must stay with someone of the same gender. All guests must register at the front desk.

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. 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 who is responsible for the leadership and supervision of the hall/apartment area. Their responsibilities include:
o The supervision of the student staff.
o Managing and administering the hall facilities.
o Developing programs to meet the developmental needs of students.
o Advising the hall/area council.
o Adjudicating and resolving student conduct issues.
o Building community.
o Helping students make the transition to college.

On each floor and in the apartment community, there is a Resident Assistant. 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?
For information about dining services, hours of operation and meal plans contact Auxiliary Services at 512-448-8601.

What meal plan options are available?
All students living in the residence halls, Casitas or the Casa are required to purchase a meal plan each semester that they reside in the halls. Apartment residents are not required to purchase a meal plan. There are three dining plans available to students:

• Plan I is $1400 per semester.
  
• Plan II is $1550 per semester.
  
• Plan III is $525 per semester, and is ONLY available to students who have completed 31 St. Edward's University credit hours.

What are Topper Tenders?
Topper Tenders is money on a debit card system that can be used to purchase meals, use in laundry facilities, and in vending machines. Contact Auxiliary Services.

What type of long distance service will I have in the hall?
Each student is assigned a personal authorization code through Bestline Telecommunications. A monthly bill for each long-distance call made using the assigned code will be sent to you. For more information contact Auxiliary Services at 512-448-8601.

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.
Campus mail box #
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:
Residence Life Office
(512) 448-8419
1-800-555-0164
(512) 428-1004 (fax)
email: residencelife@admin.stedwards.edu

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

What Should I bring?
Before you bring a stereo or TV, you might want to consult your roommate. Toaster ovens, coffeepots, hotplates, waterbeds, electric frying pans, halogen lamps and fireworks are prohibited. When deciding what to bring, here are a few items you might keep in mind:

• Computer
• Pillows
• Towels
• Twin Size Sheets
• Hangers
• Bedspread/Blankets
• Personal Items
• Iron
• Desk lamp
• Telephone/ Answering Machine
• Laundry Supplies
• Wastebasket

What are visiting hours?
Visitors are permitted in your rooms:
Sunday-Thursday: 11am- 12 midnight
Friday and Saturday: 11am- 2am

How is my roommate chosen?
You will receive a housing application with your acceptance packet. Based on your living habits, you will be matched with a roommate with similar interests.

Who is a Residence Director and Resident Assistant?
Overseeing the creation of a living-learning community in each hall is a Residence Director (RD). Each of these professionals will live in the 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 the residents on each floor. These full-time students provide assistance and programs to create living-learning communities in the residence halls.

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.