Frequently Asked Questions

For new students, you will receive an email with information related to the freshman housing process to your SHU email account. The emails are sent out in approximately mid-May.

You can either request a roommate that you might already know or meet at orientation. It is important to know that your room designation (double/triple) will come out in late May. Only students who are designated double can room together, while students who are designated triple can room together. A student’s double/triple designation is based on a number of factors including but not limited to a student’s specific admissions status, enrollment deposit date and any potential acceptance and participation in the Thomas More Honors program. 

If you don't know who you want to live with, you will be able to search for potential roommates in the housing portal when it is available based on compatibility. There is no requirement to match with a roommate–we will assign you a roommate(s) based on compatibility.

Visit our Items to Bring List to find what is acceptable to bring with you and what items are not allowed.

Each residence halls are staffed with a Resident Hall Director (RHD). The responsibility of the RHD is to oversee all operations of their particular building and supervise the education and well being of the students assigned to them. Each hall is also staffed with a number of Resident Success Assistants (RSAs). RSAs are responsible with helping their residents on their particular floor. RSAs take turns being on duty, which is described as being available each night, as well as conducting "community walks" throughout the building to ensure the well being of the residents.

All resident students are issued a campus box number when assigned to SHU residential housing. This mailbox is the student's official address for his or her time at Sacred Heart University. The campus box number indicates the student's address, not the address of the student's residence hall. Vital mailings such as grades, warning letters, telephone and student account bills are placed in these mailboxes. It is the student's responsibility to pick up his/her mail. It is important for all students to provide their families, friends, etc. with their correct address.

Proper Address Format

Student Name
MC#_ _ _ _ (ex.0001)
Sacred Heart University
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825

Look Up Mailbox Number

If a campus box mailbox is assigned to a resident student, the number can be found here:

• StarRez (housing portal)
• Log in and it will be displayed on the home page
• Student Planning and Advising (SPA)
• Looking Up Campus Box Number

In order to get a package delivered to you, use your mailing address, as listed in the prior question. Once the package has been delivered, you will receive an email from the Mail Center stating that your package has been delivered and that is ready to be picked up. The Mail Center is located below the Naclerio Commons on the ground floor.

Residential Life understands that there are certain reasons why you may need to move in before the official move-in date in August; however we only allow students with “urgent” needs to do so. No student is allowed to move in more than three days before the official move-in date unless for athletics or specific pre-fall program. If you would like to apply for early move-in status, you will need to fill out the Early Arrival Form on the Residential Life website. This form is available in early August.

Note: There is a per night charge for every night you on campus prior to the official move-in date.

If you are involved in an athletic program or a pre-fall program approved by Residential Life, you must make sure that your name is on the list of names from that specific program, i.e. contact your supervisor or coach.

Incoming first-year students cannot request to change their housing assignment prior to the first two weeks of the fall semester. If you are experiencing roommate issues, please contact your RSA or RHD to discuss your options. Depending on the time of year, housing changes may be harder to complete due to availability constraints.

Residential Life understands that from time to time roommates may not always get along. This can happen with first-year students and also upperclassmen. If you feel that you and your roommate have differences that can’t be settled, please contact your RSA or RHD to discuss your options.

Resident Success Assistants (RSAs) live within the community of each residence hall and are able to act as a resource for the residents. Residents should become familiar with the RSAs on their floor and in their building in the event an issue does arise. RSAs are on duty each day during the following hours: Sunday through Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

If you have an emergency, contact an RSA or your RHD. If you can’t reach anyone in the building, call public safety at 203-371-7995. If it is a crucial emergency, call the Public Safety emergency number at 203-371-7911.

Yes, you may have overnight guests. However, there are a few rules each resident must follow in order to do so. Overnight guests of the same gender are allowed to stay in the room of the host resident. If the overnight guest is of the opposite gender, it is the resident’s responsibility to find another resident of that gender to host the guest for the evenings. You will need to speak to your RSA or find an RSA on duty to fill out a request for an overnight guest pass.

Laundry facilities are located in each resident hall and are free for use. Once at the laundry facility, follow the directions for washing and drying your laundry. Note: Please be courteous to the other residents in the building who may be doing laundry at the same time.

No pets are allowed in the halls at any time. However, fish tanks of 5 gallons or less are permitted.

Each returning student who submits a housing deposit by the spring deadline is assigned a lottery number, which are generated randomly. This number signifies your number in line of succession to select your housing for the following year. The roommate with the lowest lottery number will be designated the group leader and will be able to select the room, apartment or suite at their assigned picking day and time.

The process begins in February, when a series of Housing Selection meetings take place. At that time information is given to all students about the selection process. The next step is to have your housing deposit submitted to the Student Accounts Office by the end of February. The process will then continue in late March/early April with General Housing Selection, in which each class will have an opportunity to select their housing for the next academic year over the course of a few days.

If you need help fining a roommate or a roommate group, please visit the Office of Residential Life for assistance. We can help you connect with other students looking for roommates. 

Yes, a mandatory deposit is needed to reserve a space for you for housing selection. The deposit is $500.00 and is due to the Student Accounts Office by late February.

If you are going to be a study abroad student in winter or the fall/spring semesters, contact Study Abroad to obtain any housing forms you may need. Note: Residential Life will not hold any housing for students studying abroad in the fall semester.

Only specific students with specific needs are allowed to reside on campus during a break. Students such as athletes and international or far-away students are some examples. You can inquire further by contacting the Office of Residential Life.

If you are taking a class on campus you can apply for Summer Housing. Residents of summer housing will be charged per week. Forms will be ready in the spring semester for you to apply.

Yes, students are expected to follow the rules set forth in the Student handbook, just like they would during the school year.

Resident Assistants are on duty during the summer months just like they would be during the academic year. If a problem should arise, contact your RA or Public Safety for any assistance.

Yes, the process and rules are the same for summer housing as it is for housing during the academic year. Overnight guests of the same gender are allowed to stay in the room of the host resident. If the overnight guest is of the opposite gender, it is the resident’s responsibility to find another resident of that gender to host the guest for the evenings. You will need to speak to your RA or find an RA on duty to fill out a request for an overnight guest pass.

It always happens! If you forget your key in your room and you are locked out, you will need to find your RSA or an RSA in your building to let you in. If you can’t find an RSA you need to contact Public Safety. There is a $5 charge if an RSA assists you with a lockout and a $10 charge if Public Safety assists you. If you lose your key, which is also your SHU card, you need to have a new one printed at the Campus Concierge. If you live in an area with hard keys and lose your apartment or building key, you will need to contact your RHD or the Residence Life Office to replace your key. There is a charge for each replacement key.

Please contact the Office of Student Accessibility (accessibility@sacredheart.edu) regarding the Disability Housing Accommodations process. 

If you are a commuter, wishing to become a resident, you can do so by contacting the Office of Residential Life.

If there is damage to your room, suite or apartment, it will be assessed and added to your final student accounts bill in May/June. You will then receive an email from the Office of Residential Life with a breakdown of your charges. If you disagree with any of the charges you will need to email the Office of Residential Life by the appeal deadline included in your damage email. The email will be reviewed and a decision will be emailed back to the student. If your appeal is denied you are responsible for the charges on your account. If your appeal is granted a credit in the amount will be applied to your account.

Students entering their sophomore year and above may apply for an RSA position. Informational meetings and packages will be available for students in January for the following academic year. For more information, please contact the Office of Residential Life.