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First-Year Information

office of residential life

What if I’m a newly accepted student and I experience problems trying to complete my housing application on the Agora Portal?
The housing application will become available to students 1 to 2 business days after the enrollment confirmation fee has been submitted to BC. If you have received confirmation that your fee was received and you are still experiencing trouble, please contact the Office of Residential Life at 617-552-8582. If you are unsure if you have made payment or have not received confirmation of payment, please call the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 617-552-3100.
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When will I be receiving my housing assignment?
Housing assignments will be emailed out during the first week in August.
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What is the difference between Upper and Newton Campus?
Newton Campus is located about 1½ miles from the Chestnut Hill campus and is serviced by a continuous shuttle bus between the two campuses. About 800 Freshman students live in the six residence halls. The 40-acre Newton Campus has its own dining hall, mailroom, chapel, and recreational fields. For additional information on the BC shuttle, click here.
     Upper Campus houses about 1,400 Freshman students in 13 residence halls. The students on Upper will have access to the dining hall, mailroom, and chapel. Both campuses have laundry facilities, exercise rooms, and entertainment/recreation areas.
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What type of accommodations are available for Freshmen?
The majority of the rooms are traditional double accommodations. However, there are a limited number of single, 3-person, and 4-person rooms available on both the Upper and Newton Campuses. You can request one of these accommodations by completing the New Student Housing Form on the Agora Portal.
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I already did my housing application on Agora Portal. Can I change my preferences?
Yes. All changes must be made before July 13th.
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How can I request a roommate?
If you have someone whom you would like to live with, you must complete the Roommate Request step on the housing application on Agora Portal. You will need the name and Eagle number of the person you are interested in living with. The request needs to be mutual in order for the match to be considered. All efforts will be made to meet your roommate requests, but requests are not guaranteed.
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What if I meet someone at orientation whom I would like to room with?
Please refer to the answer above.
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Are the halls air conditioned?
No. None of the Freshman residence halls are air conditioned.
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What size is my room? What are the sizes of my windows?

  Room Sizes Window Sizes
Newton Campus Double rooms 18' × 11'
Single rooms 13' × 9'
Double-room windows 66" × 64"
Single-room windows 66" × 64"
Upper Campus Double rooms 16' × 12'
Single rooms 16' × 9'
Double-room windows 62" × 64"
Single-room windows 62" × 42"

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What is the size of my mattress?
Mattresses are extra-long twin size: 36" × 80".
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Can I bring my own mattress?
You cannot bring your own mattress. Students who have a medical need to bring their own mattress in the residence halls must submit medical documentation outlining a medical history demonstrating the need for a special mattress. The medical information will be reviewed by the Office of Residential Life. If approved, all mattresses must meet local and state fire regulations.
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What is provided for me in my room?
Each resident in the room has a bed and mattress; desk and chair; dresser; and individual connection for cable TV, telephone, voicemail, and internet. There is also a closet for each student, a window shade, a full-length mirror, and a dry-erase board on the exterior of the door. All rooms have wall-to-wall carpeting.
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What should I bring?

Mattress pad (no foam mattress pads;
   e.g., egg crate, memory foam, etc.)
Bed linens
Bedspread
Blankets
Pillows
Towels
Shower sandals
Bucket/tote for toiletries
Iron & ironing board
Laundry basket
Laundry detergent
Cleaning supplies
Dust busters/lightweight vacuum
Calendar/planner
Small fan
Desk lamp
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Touch-tone phone
Television with cable-ready connection &
  coaxial cable
Computer
Radio
Surge protector power strip
Grounded three-prong adapter (for
  Shaw, Medeiros, and Greycliff)
Hangers
Masking tape

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What can I not bring?
For a list of prohibited items, please read the Safety and Security Policies and the Conditions for Residency.
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How do I get into my room?
Residents gain access to their residence hall by swiping their BC ID through a small reader located next to the exterior doors. Once inside, residents use their private combination or key to enter their room. Your combination or key will be given to you at check-in.
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When and where can I check in for the Fall?
Check-in dates can be found on our fall opening page here.

Residence Hall Check-In Location
All Upper Campus halls Cheverus lounge
All College Road halls Roncalli 1st floor lounge
Cushing/Hardey Cushing Resident Director office
Duchesne East and West Duchesne East Resident Director office
Keyes North and South Keyes North Resident Director office

Students attending Orientation Session 7 will check-in to their room assignment for the school year.
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How do people send mail to me at school?
Each residence hall has been assigned a P.O. box number as well as a street address. Click here for mailing addresses.
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