Community Living

Living in the Residence Halls

We want you to know that the residence halls are more than dormitories (places to sleep).

Living in the Residence Halls is a wonderful opportunity to experience learning along with personal growth and development. You have the opportunity to meet new friends, explore new ideas and get involved in the campus community.

The purpose of the Residential Life Department at the University of San Diego is to develop effective communities to enhance and support the Mission of the University and facilitate student learning. Resident Students can expect to find supportive staff, along with a variety of resources and programs all focused on the University's Core Values. Here are just a few examples:

Academic Excellence:

Residents can expect to find environments conducive to studying. There are published quiet hours that residents should hold each other accountable for. There is Internet access in every room and group study areas in every residence hall. Live-In Resident Faculty provide students with tutoring and advisement assistance; as well as sponsor intellectually stimulating programs and events.

Knowledge:

The Newspaper Readership program provides three free newspapers for resident students on a daily basis- the San Diego Union Tribune, the New York Times and USA Today. The purpose of this program is to facilitate awareness of local and global events. Resident students can expect community dialogues about current issues to be held regularly in the residence halls.

Community:

Residential Life Staff are expected to facilitate strong communities. This includes knowing every resident personally and sponsoring social programs, so residents can get to know each other. Special Residential Learning Communities exist in each residence hall, so that students with common interests can live near each other. Residence Hall Association (RHA) offers opportunities for resident students to get involved in their communities, by offering programs and also voicing concerns about campus living.

Ethical Conduct:

Community Standards are upheld in residential areas by the Residential Life Staff. It is expected that resident students are respectful of each other and abide by the rules and regulations as outlined in the University's Student Code of Conduct. Students are held accountable for violations of the Student Code.

Compassionate Service:

Resident students regularly participate in community service events either in the community or through donation centers in the Residence Halls. Residence Life Staff and RHA are expected to sponsor community service events each semester. Resident Ministers live in each residential area and provide support for resident students in all aspects of their life in the residence halls.