Need to Know: FAQs for Parents & Families of New SHU Students

The Office of Student Accessibility provides academic and developmental support for all students and coordinates reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services to students who disclose a disability to the University. Please visit the page for more information and directions on the process.

The student must provide authorization using the Student Record Release option in Student Planning & Advising (SPA) for the parent to have access to academic, disciplinary and/or financial information.

Student Advising & Success offers support and resources for students to help them navigate academic struggles. Student Success Coordinators are available by appointment to help students through periods of difficulties. The Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) provides free academic support for all SHU undergraduate and graduate students.

Undergraduate student payments are due July 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester. For more information or payment plan options, visit the Student Accounts page.

Student Accounts representatives may only speak to the student regarding the student account details, unless you identify authorized payers. Only students can set-up authorized payer(s) and/or adjust authorized payer(s)’ password(s) by logging into their student accounts.

The Student Financial Assistance website has information on scholarship and grant opportunities as well as information on financial literacy.

Students should visit the Work Study & Student Employment website and select “Work-Study Job Listings.” Work Study helps provide students with working experience. There are other on campus jobs available not funded through financial assistance.

Students can use the roommate finder called MyCollegeRoomie to create a profile and search for potential roommates. They answer questions regarding their preferences that can have an impact on roommate compatibility. It is important to remember that your student does not need to be best friends with their roommate. The goal is for your student to be in a situation that will be most conducive to their personal and academic success. Students also have the option to request specific roommates by listing their information on their housing application.

Housing and roommate assignments are distributed via email to students’ Sacred Heart email addresses in early August. We are unable to provide assignments over the phone or by any means other than email and we cannot provide this information prior to distribution of the emails. More information is available on the Residence Life Housing  page.

Yes, visit our “What To Bring” and “Living on Campus FAQ” websites.

The Residential Life staff is well-trained to handle roommate conflicts. While each situation is unique, your student should first reach out to their Resident Success Assistant (RSA), who will help to mediate the situation. We also have professional staff, a Resident Hall Director (RHD) living in the residence halls, to assist when necessary. Sharing a space and working through differences is part of the college transition. Please encourage your student to contact the Residence Life resources if they are struggling with a roommate situation. Housing switches are not always granted.

The First 50 Days is a signature program featuring over 400 events and activities in the first eight weeks of the semester. They include dances, athletic events, trips, interest meetings, food trucks, entertainment and more. At their first FYE class, students receive the First 50 Days booklet, which will provide information about the many events happening on campus. They can also learn about events via social media, posters throughout campus and emails.

With more than 80 clubs, 13 fraternities and sororities and 33 club sport teams on campus, there is something for everyone.  Encourage your student to attend the Involvement Fair to learn about the different involvement opportunities and try something new! You never know! 

In addition, Campus Ministry offers first-year retreats each fall to foster connection with each other and the community.

Information about study abroad can be found at the Office of Global Engagement. Students can study at our campus in Dingle, Ireland, and many other locations worldwide.

The Athletics Ticket Office manages ticket sales for all varsity events. Learn more on their website. Students can attend all athletic events for free.

Open to all students, the intramurals program offers a variety of activities for recreation and healthy competition on campus. Students may register with a group of students or as a “free agent” and be placed on a team.

The Department of Rec Sports supports more than 33 club sports. Learn more about the available programs on their Club Sports website.

The Valentine Health & Recreation Center is open seven days a week. Check out the Rec Sports website for the most current hours. The Center offers free fitness classes to all full-time students.

We follow the guidelines set by the state of Connecticut. Students must turn in a record of their immunizations before arriving on campus for their first year. Visit our Immunizations Requirements web page for more information.

To schedule a visit at the Student Health Center, the student should use our online scheduler or call 203-371-7838 during normal business hours.

Sacred Heart University has partnered with Yale New Haven Health’s Northeast Medical Group (NEMG) to provide student health care. At student health services, visits are billed through your insurance directly. Students are responsible for keeping their health insurance information current. This can be done on MyChart. Students should also make sure they have a printed copy of their insurance card when they go to Student Health Services for care. Medical services received in student health services will be billed to the student’s insurance company by Northeast Medical Group and covered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the student’s insurance plan, including applicable copays, deductibles and coinsurance.

If you are seeking emergency medical care, or need medical assistance when Student Health Services is closed or there are no appointments available, we have a list of nearby emergency rooms and urgent care centers.

Students receive a certain amount of swipes and dining dollars each semester that they are responsible for balancing. Many of the dining locations offer meal swipe exchange instead of using dining dollars. Additional money can be added to the student’s SHUCard. More information on meal plans can be found on the SHU Dining website.

Dining Services works diligently to address students’ specific needs, especially those with food allergies, Celiac disease or special dietary needs. They meet one-on-one with any student who has individual dining needs to ensure that the dining experience is safe, delicious and social.  Visit SHU Dining’s Allergy Awareness page for more information.

The top reasons for visits at the Counseling Center include anxiety, depression, homesickness and social challenges. Other top reasons include: academic concerns, substance use, trauma and identity issues. Students don’t need a referral to make an appointment to talk with a Personal Counseling staff member. First appointments can be made by calling 203-371-7955. The student should leave a message with name and number on the confidential voicemail box if assistance is not immediately available.

For full-time undergraduate students, there is no charge for appointments with Counseling Center staff. Students are responsible for all costs associated with off-campus referrals and prescriptions.

After hours, on weekends or holidays, students can call Public Safety at 203-371-7911 and they will assess the situation and contact the crisis counselor on call the Residence Life Director on Duty. There is a crisis counselor for psychological emergencies on call after hours and on holidays and weekends when school is in session.

On-campus parking is available for commuter students. Freshman resident students are not permitted to have cars on campus. Visit the Campus Parking website for more information.

The Shuttle Service is available for students travel between campuses and the local area. Students simply need to show their SHU ID to make use of this service. Specific information about transportation options is available within the Ride Systems app or the Shuttle tracking website.

Visit the Academic Calendar for dates and deadlines.

Please use the address below for student mail and packages.

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

If a campus mailbox is assigned to a resident student, the number can be found on our Looking Up Campus Box Number website. 

Students can print in the print lab located in the Academic Center. You can add printing funds to your general account using SHU card deposits on the MySHU portal.

Check out the list of local restaurants close to campus.

Know that some adjustment and angst is a normal part of the college experience. You know your student best.  Whenever you feel uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to call the Dean of Students Office. If things are getting difficult for your student – they are showing signs of mental stress, are not eating, attending class, etc. – we have a Student Care team to intervene and connect them with resources.