Frequently Asked Questions—Freshman Students

smiling group of students

Third Floor is a co-educational community with single gender bathrooms. This community hosts our Duns Scotus Living Learning Community. Students who are accepted in the Duns Scotus Honors program are placed into the East wing with other honors students. This community has continually boosted strong GPA’s with an even stronger community. One current resident states, “I decided to live on campus because I felt it would be easier for me day to day; I also wanted to experience the ‘college life’ to its full extent.”

Fourth floor hosts our all-female community with three female resident assistants and one female peer minister. A resident assistant is an upperclassman student who is hired for their amazing ability to help students transition into college and through their residential experience. Many residents share that this community offers an amazing opportunity for them to make friendships during orientation and throughout the year. Also, fourth floor has held the title of cleanest and quietest floor for several semesters.

Second floor hosts our all-male community with three male resident assistants and one male peer minister. A peer minister is an upperclassman student who is hired for the ability to connect with residents and help them connect on campus. This student works with University Ministry to create astounding programming. Just to give you an example, this year there was a university-wide dodge ball tournament, weekly ping pong and pool games, and man talk.

Housing applications are available on the USF portal. New students do need their username and password to log in. The application may be submitted online https://stfrancis.erezlife.com/).

Students are encouraged to submit their application before June 1.

Roommates are assigned based on the answers to questions found on the housing application. Those individuals with similar interests and lifestyle habits are placed together to the best of our ability using the information from your application. Students may request a particular roommate by listing that person’s name on the housing application. In order to be placed together, both individuals must list the other as their desired roommate. Both students must have their application submitted by June 1.

Staff members begin making housing assignments for freshman and transfer students in April and continue through August. Letters that include room placement are mailed in April and in June. Please contact the Office of Disabilities Services (ODS) if you feel housing accommodations are needed due to a disability, including requests for an air conditioner. Questions about housing assignments may be directed to the Director of Residence Education at ccarver@stfrancis.edu.

Single rooms are limited and most house upperclassman students. However, a first-year student with a legitimate need for a single room should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 815-740-5060.

Move-in day for freshmen will take place on Thursday before classes start in the fall and the Friday before classes start in the spring.

The cost of your meal plan is included in your room and board charge. You get to choose between three meal options. Students are automatically placed into the 175 meals and $100 in Dining Dollars. They can request to be switched to 125 meals and $200 in Dining Dollars or 19 meals per week in the café when they arrive on campus and during the first two weeks of the semester.

Dining Dollars is money that is applied to your ID card. This money can be used at the university snack shop, café, Bernie’s Pub or Bistro by resident or commuter students, faculty, administrators or staff.

The dimensions of a Marian Hall double room are approximately 13’ x 15’.

  • Desk and chair for each roommate
  • Dresser for each roommate
  • Wardrobe for each roommate
  • Twin bed for each roommate
  • Recycling bin
  • Overhead light fixture
  • Internet connection
  • Microwave on each floor’s Social Lounge
  • Any specific disability accommodation requests should be sent to the Office of Disability Services.

Yes! Your room is your home on campus and you should make it feel that way. Some rules apply though, like only using removable, non-damaging adhesives, like white sticky tack and 3M Command Strips.

Yes, but university furniture must stay in its assigned room. Tower Hall residents are allowed to have approved lofts in which case the university provided bed can be removed.

Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day. All overnight guests are limited to three consecutive nights and 15 nights per semester. Guests should check in at the Marian Hall desk or with your resident assistant.

  • Bedding: extra-long twin sheets, comforter, pillow, mattress pad
  • Toiletries
  • Towels, hand towels, washcloths
  • Clothes hangers
  • Alarm clock
  • Telephone
  • Cable cord
  • Fan
  • Flip flops for the shower
  • Laundry supplies – laundry basket, detergent, fabric softener, etc.
  • Blinds (Each Marian room has windows that are 2’8’’ across by 4’2’’ high. 32” blinds will fit the window frames.)
  • Window treatments
  • Mini-refrigerator (optional)
  • For your convenience, we have partnered with Dormify to provide an easy, affordable way to purchase Twin XL bedding, room storage solutions, and everything else you’ll need and want for your new home away from home. Visit dormroom.com/frn to get move-in day ready and create your dream room!

  • Hotplates
  • Toasters
  • Toaster ovens
  • Electrical skillet and frying pans
  • Blenders with open blades
  • Air Fryers
  • Pressure Cookers
  • George Foreman Grills (including similar grills)
  • Large refrigerators
  • Space heaters
  • Hoverboards

*Appliances with open coils and other large kitchen appliances are not allowed