Frequently Asked Questions

I want to appeal for an additional semester or year of on-campus housing. How do I do that?
Click here for information on the housing appeal process.

I think I want to do a room change. What do I do?
If you wish to change your room, please read our information on changing rooms.

How can I find out if I have three or four years of housing?
The information is available on the Agora Portal. Log on to the portal, click on "My Reslife," then "Web Forms," and finally "Assignment History."

How do disciplinary sanctions affect my housing?
Any student who has been sanctioned to an administrative assignment will not be able to participate in the Room Selection Process, but will maintain their eligibility to live on campus. Their room will be assigned over the course of the Summer, and the student is not eligible to submit a room change request. Any student who has been placed on University Probation or has been suspended from housing or the University will not be eligible for the Room Selection Process and will be administratively placed by the housing office staff.

What type of Special Interest Housing are available?
Details on the various Special Interest Housing programs are available here.

How does the Room Selection Process work?
Detailed information regarding the Room Selection Process can be found here.

How do I reserve a lounge in one of the residence halls?
If you are in a student group or club, you must first submit a room request form to SPO. Once they have approved it, you will be notified through their system about what space you have been granted. Please note that we do not reserve space in the residence halls past 10:00 p.m. and that performance groups are allowed to rehearse only in the Cabaret Room. If you are not a student group and would like to inquire about reserving lounge space, you can call 617-552-4824.

What are the financial benefits of being an RA?
RAs are compensated for their work with free room and board.

How do I apply to be an RA?
Applications are available online in the Fall semester, usually at the beginning of December. Selection takes place in the beginning of Spring semester. We hold seminar classes instead of traditional interviews, allowing candidates to learn more about the position and express themselves in a more relaxed setting.

I want to hang flyers in the residence halls. What do I have to do?
Please bring your flyers to the Office of Residential Life for approval and distribution. Up to 147 copies can be posted in the residence halls. The entire process can be found here.

How do I get my door combination or lock changed?
One person from the room, suite, or apartment needs to come to the Access Management Desk in the Office of Residential Life with their BC ID to officially request the change. A new combination will be issued immediately; however, the physical change will take up to 48 hours. Special consideration is given to high-priority needs. The person who makes the request is responsible for contacting all of the members of the suite to inform them of the new combination. The Lock Shop staff will leave a notice on the door when the change is complete. If the lock is being changed, the new keys will be available in the main office to pick up the morning the lock is changed. Each resident must get his or her own replacement key. A BC ID and the old key are required.

How much does a combination or lock change cost?
There is a $50 charge to change a suite combination or lock. Once you officially request the change, you may request a fee waiver from your RD. A fee will not be waived if a member of your suite shared the combination with someone not living in the room.

What should I do if my BC ID won't allow me into my residence hall?
Please contact the Office of Residential Life at 617-552-3060.

Whom do I contact if I have a question regarding the BC Shuttle Bus?
Please visit the BC Shuttle web site for all information.

I've heard ResLife hires students to work in the Summer. How do I find out what positions are available, and how do I apply?
Many positions are available in the Summer for BC undergraduate students. Click here for further details.

I already have a job planned for the Summer at BC. What type of housing is available on campus during the Summer for student workers, and how do I apply?
Information on Summer housing for student employees is available here.

What kind of housing is available for students taking classes in the Summer, and how do I apply?
Information on Summer housing for students taking classes in Summer Session I and Summer Session II is available here.

Oh, no! My toilet won't flush! How do I request a Work Order?
Work Orders need to be submitted online through Agora Portal.

What do I do if a washing machine or dryer breaks in the laundry room?
Please fill out Mac-Gray's online customer service form.

How do I recycle in the residence halls?
Recycling information can be found here.

Can I have a candle or grill in my room?
Please review Residential Life's Safety and Security Policies.

What kind of pets can I keep in my room?
Students may keep tropical fish in tanks no larger than 20 gallons. Except for seeing-eye dogs, no other animals or pets are allowed within the residence halls. Immediate removal of the pet and a minimum $50.00 cleaning charge will be imposed.

What are the "Conditions for Residency" that I should know about?
The Conditions for Residency are policies set by University regarding the administrative and safety issues of living in a residence hall. You can view them here to answer most of your other questions regarding life in the halls.

How do I find off-campus housing?
Visit our Off-Campus Housing web site for a complete guide to securing great off-campus housing.

Is there transportation on campus, such as a bus or subway?
There are two shuttle main BC Shuttle routes to facilitate transportation around and between campuses. The B Line of the MBTA's Green Line makes its final stop at the foot of the University.

How long is the trip from the Boston College campus to the city of Boston?
By car, it takes about 15–25 minutes to travel from Boston College to Kenmore Square. This depends very highly upon the traffic and time of day.

The MBTA also provides access to and from BC via its Green Line:

The B Line travels down long, winding Commonwealth Avenue, making 19 stops on its way to Kenmore Square. This can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, also depending on the time of day (by bus: 15–30 minutes, by foot: 40 minutes).
Alternatively, you can also catch the C Line in Cleveland Circle, which makes 13 quick stops along scenic, tree-lined Beacon Street before reaching Kenmore Square.
Faster still is the D Line, which you can pick up in Cleveland Circle as well. It makes only 6 stops to the same location, usually taking 20 minutes or less.

Finally, the campus is near various MBTA bus routes. The buses can bring you to other parts of the Boston Metro area, such as Harvard Square.

How do I appeal a fine I received from Residential Life?
Please click here to appeal a fine or charge you received. Please note: This form is only for charges received from the Office of Residential Life.

I've heard rumors about residence halls being renovated. What's the deal?
The campus-wide Master Plan for the next 10 years includes the construction of more residential halls. Plans have not been finalized yet, and we don't know the location of the new buildings yet, but you can be certain that BC is expanding its on campus housing.

For how long will the Mods will be called "temporary housing"?
The Modular Apartments (Mods) are planned to go in the next 3 to 5 years to allow space for new infrastructure on Lower Campus.

Do the residence halls have wireless Internet access?
Wireless Internet access is available in all residence halls. To learn how to activate your laptop for wireless, visit www.bc.edu/wireless.

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