Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Listed below are questions frequently asked of our staff by new or current students and their families:

Do you have freshmen-only residence halls?
Yes, freshmen live together. Currently, freshmen will be assigned to live in Dolan Hall (except for some single rooms selected by upperclassmen), Campion Hall, Gonzaga Hall, and Regis Hall.

Are the student residences co-ed or single-sex?
All residence halls are co-ed, either by wing, floor, or suite. Individual townhouse and apartment units are single-sex.

What amenities are provided in the room?
All rooms have campus network connections for each resident assigned to that room. A complete list of amenities, including what to bring and not to bring, is available here.

What about laundry facilities?
Each residence hall, except for Kostka and Claver Hall which share one facility in Kostka Hall, is equipped with a laundry facility. Each resident student is given an allotment of wash/dry cycles per semester (e.g. two wash/dry cycles per week) and utilize their StagCard to activate the machines. Laundry cycles beyond the allotment amount can be paid for with StagBucks.

What size linens are needed for the beds?
Almost all beds have extra-long mattresses. Therefore, students should purchase extra-long, twin sheets. For more information, contact the Office of Residence Life.

Can we bunk the beds in our room?
Yes. On move-in day, there will be extra frames available to allow students to bunk, loft, or elevate their beds. Some frames require the assistance of maintenance staff. In those cases, students can inform their RA or Manager of their request, and maintenance staff will come to the students' rooms during the first week or two of the semester.

When will I find out my room assignment?
Freshmen will receive their room assignment and roommate(s) information at the beginning of August. There may be the need for the Office of Residence Life to change a particular room assignment and students will be notified individually if this occurs. Students should contact their roommate(s) after receiving this information to introduce themselves and determine who will bring what items, in particular those that will be shared (e.g. telephone, television, rug).

What if I don't get along with my roommate?
Communication and consideration are the key elements in a successful roommate relationship, and it may take a couple of weeks to develop a rapport. RAs are a good resource can facilitate helpful discussions. Room changes are not permitted during the first three weeks of the semester to allow roommates enough time to establish a working relationship.

When will I know what my mailing address will be?
The Office of New Student Programs (Orientation and Freshman Year Experience) will send incoming students their mailbox assignment and mailing address in August, along with other information about moving in and the Orientation program in September. Once you know the mailbox assignment, use the following format to address all incoming mail:

Student Name
Box (insert assigned number)
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT  06824

Do I need to be on a meal plan?
Yes, all students living in one of the eight residence halls must purchase and participate in a meal plan. Contact Dining Services for more information.

Where do students eat?
The main dining hall is located on the fourth floor of the Barone Campus Center. Additional cash locations (which accept Dining Dollars and StagBucks) include the Stag snack bar (deli, SkyRanch Grill, and Rob & Iggy's), Jazzman's Cafe, and the Canisius Hall coffee/snack bar. Mike's Pizza in the Levee is independently managed and accepts only StagBucks.

What are "Healthy Living" floors?
Fairfield University's policies reflect the laws of the State of Connecticut. Therefore, in most cases, residence halls should be free of alcohol or other drugs. In addition, it is state law and University policy that smoking is prohibited in student residences. However, we also sponsor special, "substance-free" floors for students who not only intend to adhere to University policy but also agree that alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs will play no part in their lives or impact the residential community. Freshmen may request such a housing assignment. Students are required to sign an agreement pledging to adhere to the expectations of the floor and may be reassigned to another room for violating that agreement.

Do people stay on campus during the weekends?
Absolutely! Fairfield is place where students stay on campus during the weekends. Among the Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA), Office of Student Life & University Activities, Office of Residence Life, Recreation Department, Athletic Department, Quick Center for the Arts, other student clubs and organizations, as well as the local town and New York City and New Haven areas, there are always things to do.

How are the buildings secured?
All outside doors are locked 24 hours a day. Students have access to the residence halls with their StagCard. Students can access any residence hall from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. In between, they can access only their own residence hall. Each townhouse unit has an exterior door or doors; therefore, there is no card-access to the townhouses. Card access is necessary to gain entry to the Apartment Complex. There is a call box outside each building for students who wish to visit other students and need to be let into the building.

The best safety precautions students can and should take are not to allow unknown individuals to enter buildings, not to prop open doors to buildings, and to lock their rooms or townhouses/apartments whenever they leave them and when they go to sleep at night.

What is the smoking policy in the student residences?
State law and University policy prohibit smoking in any of the students residences. Students who wish to smoke must go outside to do and are required to be a reasonable distance away from the building so as to prevent smoke from entering the hall or rooms through open windows or doors.

What are "quiet hours"?
Quiet hours have been established to help create an environment that is conducive to sleeping and studying. Quiet hours are 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays, and midnight to 10 a.m. on weekends. At all other times, residents are expected to be considerate of their neighbors, and noise from the room should not enter the corridor.

What do I do if I lose my key?
Residents should report lost keys to a staff member immediately, so that a lock change may be done. The student's account will be charged for the lock change, and all occupants of the room or townhouse/apartment will receive new keys.

What appliances can I bring to campus?
Please check the list of what to bring for suggested as well as prohibited items.

Is there storage space available?
Fairfield does not provide or have available storage space for student belongings during holidays, semester breaks, or over the summer. During the academic year, students must store all their belongings in their room, townhouse, or apartment, and all furniture provided by the University must remain in the room, townhouse (except for the basement), or apartment unless removed by maintenance staff. Therefore, students should plan on bringing only what is necessary.

What do I do if some of my personal belongings get damaged?
The University does not assume responsibility for loss of property or damage to personal belongings. All residents are advised to consider personal property insurance and check with their family's homeowner's insurance policy for possible coverage.

How do I report a maintenance problem?
Maintenance needs should be reports to an RA or Townhouse/Apartment Manager. For maintenance needs representing a true emergency requiring immediate attention so as not to risk further damage, residents should contact the Office of Residence Life during normal business hours and Public Safety outside of normal business hours.