Hello Residential Students,

During the week of September 14^th to the 18^th, the Office of Residence Life will conduct health and safety inspections of all residence hall rooms, suites, and townhouses. As outlined throughout the Guide to Living on Campus, the Office of Residence Life conducts regular health and safety inspections to ensure that all residence hall spaces are clean and free of damage, and that fire safety and other safety concerns are identified and addressed. Please ensure your room is clean, all trash is taken to outside dumpsters, and there is no clutter blocking doors or free movement within rooms or suites. These monthly inspections also provide an opportunity for RAs and other staff to interact with residents and check in each month.

During health and safety inspections, Residence Life staff will also conduct a plain view check of each room, and any prohibited items will be confiscated and removed. Please review the list of prohibited items in the Guide to Living on Campus and make sure that all prohibited items have been removed from campus before health and safety inspections. Most confiscated items will be stored in the residence hall until the end of the semester when you will have an opportunity to bring them home for the semester break. Any items not collected by the last day of final exams will be disposed of or donated as appropriate.

Alcohol or other drugs and any related paraphernalia will be confiscated and disposed of and not returned. Burned candles, incense, or other items that pose a fire safety concern will also be confiscated and disposed of and not returned.

If you live in a double and do not currently have a roommate, you are expected to keep the second bed and the second set of furniture available for a new roommate at all times.

Lastly, during this round of health and safety inspections, Residence Life will also be looking to identify the most well-decorated and welcoming rooms in each residence hall. Residents of these rooms will be invited to have their room photographed and showcased on the Residence Life webpage and social media if they agree to do so. The attached flyer shares the same information. You may also nominate your own room for this opportunity!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (203) 392-5870 or send us an email at reslife@southernct.edu. We are open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Thank you,

Office of Residence Life

Hello Residents!

Our annual Sibling Night Event is right around the corner! This event is for both residential students and commuter students.

The Residence Hall Association will be hosting, in collaboration with the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development, an evening that is filled with a variety of fun events and activities. We will be kicking off Homecoming weekend with our annual Sibling Night program on Friday, October 9^th, 2026. Siblings, cousins, and friends are invited to Southern to spend some time with their favorite owl on campus.

Siblings, guests, and friends of Southern students registered for the event must be ages 5 to 15 years old to participate in the day events and ages 8 to 15 to stay overnight.

Event Time:6:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Residence Life Quad & Farnham Programming Space

Siblings ages 5 to 7 should be picked up by 9:00 pm at the conclusion of the event on Friday, October 9^th. Siblings ages 8 to 15 are permitted to stay the night in their SCSU sibling’s residence hall until 10:00 am on Saturday, October 10^th, 2026, with proper approval (Roommate Agreement Form, Parent Consent Form - Please see below).

Registration Date(s):Open now through 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 6^th, 2026.

How to Register:

• Click here for the event registration form.
• Once completed, look for a confirmation email with forms to fill out further for your registration.
• For siblings ages 8 to 15 who are staying overnight, the Roommate Agreement Form must be signed by the student host and their roommate(s). This form can be uploaded to the application or emailed, faxed, or dropped off at the Office of Residence Life in Schwartz Hall, Room 105. This form is due to the Office of Residence Life by 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 6^th, 2026.
• For all siblings attending the event, the Parent Consent Form will be emailed directly to the parent/guardian email address submitted in the application. This online form must be submitted by 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 6^th, 2026.

Helpful Information about Sibling Night:

• The visiting siblings will be given a special Sibling Night name tag, which will allow them access to the residence halls of their host and the ability to participate in activities and dinner on Friday night.
• Siblings must be between the ages of 5 and 15 to participate in this event. For safety reasons, only siblings between the ages of 8 and 15 are permitted to stay overnight. Students may only host up to two siblings.
• Students are responsible for their guests and must always accompany them.
• Siblings of any gender may stay in an SCSU student’s residence hall room with their roommate’s permission.

Sibling Night Activities May Include:

• Euro Bungee
• Stuff-a-Plush
• Face Painting
• Video Games
• Board Games
• Photo booth
• Raffle prizes
• Novelties
• T-shirt Giveaways
• Blanket Giveaways
• Crafts
• Meet Otus the Owl and so much more!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do we have to check in somewhere when we arrive?

Check-in begins on Friday, October 9^th, at 6:00 pm in the Farnham Hall Programming Space. SCSU hosts and their siblings/guests must go there to check in and receive their name tags. Games, crafts, and other fun activities will be going on in the Farnham Hall Programming Space from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Siblings who are staying overnight and guests will then go with their hosts for the night to their respective residence hall.

Do we have to check out?

All siblings must check out with a staff member in the Farnham Hall Programming Space by 9:00 pm on Friday, October 9^th. Siblings ages 8 to 15 who are staying overnight must check out by 10:00 am at the front desk of their SCSU sibling’s residence hall on Saturday, October 10^th, 2026.

Where do siblings sleep?

Siblings will stay in the same room as their college student sibling.

What should siblings bring?

Bring a sleeping bag and pillow, warm clothes, and a toothbrush. You might also consider extra money for late-night pizza and any items related to the options for the weekend.

Is this only for younger siblings?

All siblings are welcome from ages 5 to 15; there will be activities during Siblings Night that are appropriate for all ages.

Will food be provided?

On Friday evening, catered food options will be available.

What is Owl Family Day?

Each fall, SCSU invites parents and families of students to attend Owl Family Day on Saturday, October 10^th, 2026, a special day on campus during one of New Haven's most beautiful seasons. Family Day is a part of our Homecoming festivities where alumni, families, and students celebrate the spirit of Southern. This annual event provides an opportunity for you to visit your student's campus home, talk with university faculty and staff, tour downtown New Haven, cheer the SCSU football Owls to victory, and meet other SCSU families.

Click here for more information about Owl Family Day!

We look forward to having an enjoyable night filled with fun, laughter, and sibling bonding. If there are any questions, please call the Office of Residence at (203) 392-5870. We are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Thank you,

The Office of Residence Life

Dear Resident, 

We hope you are doing well! As we settle into the start of the fall semester, we are reaching out to share our break dates and information with all international students living on campus.

 Thanksgiving Break:

• Residence Halls close at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, November 24^th, 2026 for the Thanksgiving holiday break. 
• Residence Halls will reopen at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 29^th, 2026.
• Any international student needing to stay must complete the Thanksgiving Break Form in their MyHousing. This application will be available to students starting at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 28^th. The application closes at noon on Wednesday, November 18^th. Students will be emailed this information in late October.
• We DO NOT charge international students to stay during Thanksgiving break.

Fall Semester Closing:

• Residence Halls close at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 11^th, 2026, for the winter break. 
• We will offer a late check-out option to all students. The late check-out options are as follows:
  • Check out by 10:00 pm on Friday, December 11^th.
  • Check out by noon on Saturday, December 12^th.
• Any international student needing to check out late must complete the Late Check Out Form in their MyHousing. This application will be available to students in late November. Students will be emailed this information when the form opens.
• We DO NOT charge international students for a late check-out.
• However, any student who needs to stay past noon on Saturday, December 12^th, must complete the winter housing application and will be billed a $40 nightly fee for this request. The winter housing application will be live in late November and will be emailed to students once available.

We hope you find this information helpful. Please pay attention to your Southern email, as we will provide more details for each of these breaks closer to the dates.

If you need further assistance regarding your housing assignment, please feel free to contact us at (203) 392-5870 or send us an email at reslife@southernct.edu. We are open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Thank you,

Office of Residence Life

We hope you are settling in and your first week of classes is going well! We understand that not all students were able to select their desired residence hall during room selection. In response, we will be offering an online room change process on Wednesday, September 9^th between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm for students who are interested in changing rooms or residence halls.

Before opting into this room change process, please read the below in full:

• Please be aware that space in North Campus Midrise, Schwartz, Brownell, and the West Campus Suites are extremely limited, and these spaces may not be available for selection.
• It is unlikely that vacant double bedrooms will be available during this room change process.
• This room change process is designed for individuals to select a different space on campus and not for matched roommates to move together. Roommate matching is not available for any room change process.
• Important: If you select an empty room, you will be relocated to a space with another student to consolidate spaces.
• If you choose to select a room, once you confirm your bed assignment and click submit, your room change is final, and you are no longer entitled to your previous room.
• Roommate matching is not available during any room change process. You will need to remove any roommate matches you may have on your account before the room change process.
• Please be aware that we cannot guarantee preferred roommate(s) or residence halls during the room change process.
• In some cases, your meal plan will be adjusted depending on the room type selected.
• West Campus is not open to first-year students except students accepted into the honors college program. Should a first-year student select West Campus, they will be relocated to an appropriate residence hall.

How to opt into the room change process:

Students who would like to participate in this online room change process must complete the Room Change Request Form in their MyHousing. This form is live under the Applications tab and closes at 8:00 am on Wednesday, September 9^th.

Students who do not complete this form by 8:00 am on Wednesday, September 9^th will not be able to participate in the room change process.

Students participating in this room change will be removed from their current assignment and must select a room during the process.

Students who opt into the room change process but do not select a room during the process will be assigned by our office to the next available bed. Students who opt in are no longer entitled to their previous housing placement.

The Room Change Process:

On Wednesday, September 9^th between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm, you may log into your MyHousing to participate in the room change process.

To view the available rooms that you are eligible for:

• Select the Room Selection tab.
• Click Select a Room/Suite.
• Choose (No Filter) from the drop-down menu.
• Click on Find Available Rooms.

Please note: if you choose to select a room, once you confirm your bed assignment and click submit, your room change is final, and you are no longer entitled to your previous room.

• Students who have submitted a room change request must move out of their current assignment between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12^th, and into their new assignment between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12^th.
• Please be aware that if you have a vacancy in your room, you must keep the space open and clean for a roommate to be assigned at any time.
• Further, if you choose a different room type, your bill and meal plan will be adjusted, and you will need to pay any additional balance by September 18^th.

Meal Plans:

As a reminder, residents who have a housing assignment with a kitchen in their suite/apartment are now eligible to upgrade their meal plan in their MyHousing by Friday, September 11^th.

All meal plans are final after Friday, September 11^th, 2026.  

To upgrade your meal plan or view the available options, select the Meal Plan tab in your MyHousing, then select Fall 2026 and choose the meal plan you prefer.  

If you have been reassigned to or selected a housing assignment with a kitchen, please verify that you are on your preferred meal plan; we do not automatically change your meal plan.   

Please be aware that your housing assignment does affect your meal plan options. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact the Office of Residence Life at 203-392-5870 or reslife@southernct.edu. We are open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Sincerely,

Office of Residence Life

Hello Owls, 

All residents in a housing assignment with a kitchen in their suite/apartment are eligible to upgrade their meal plan in MyHousing starting today, July 1^st until 11:59 PM on Friday, September 11^th, 2026. All meal plans are final after Friday, September 11^th.

According to our records, you are assigned to the Full Meal Plan.

If you have been reassigned to or selected a housing assignment with a kitchen, please verify that you are on your preferred meal plan; we do not automatically change your meal plan.  

Please be aware that your housing assignment does affect your meal plan options.  

Please see below for all meal plan options: 

• Full Dining Plan (All Residents are Eligible) 
  • Dining Locations: Connecticut Hall 
  • Food Loot Included: $150 
  • Total Plan Cost: $3,637.00 
• Full Dining Plan Plus (All Residents are Eligible) 
  • Dining Locations: Connecticut Hall 
  • Food Loot Included: $150 
  • Total Plan Cost: $3,815.00
• 30 Meals Per Semester (Only Residents with Kitchens are Eligible) 
  • Dining Locations: Connecticut Hall and ASC Food Court 
  • Food Loot Included: $150 
  • Total Plan Cost: $496.00 
• 60 Meals Per Semester (Only Residents with Kitchens are Eligible) 
  • Dining Locations: Connecticut Hall and ASC Food Court 
  • Food Loot Included: $100 
  • Total Plan Cost: $765.00 

If you have questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life at (203) 392-5870 or send us an email at reslife@southernct.edu. We are open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sincerely,  

The Office of Residence Life 

Dear Residential Students:

This message serves as a reminder of important policies related to the health and safety of our residence hall community.

Summary:

• Use of THC/cannabis is prohibited on all SCSU property regardless of age or medical prescription under both federal law and SCSU policy
• Smoking/vaping any substance is prohibited in the residence halls and on all SCSU property per university policy and it is disrespectful to the community around you
• Candles, incense, open flames, and the burning of any substance are prohibited in the residence halls per university policy
• Windows should remain closed during freezing weather to prevent heat loss and frozen pipes
• Covering smoke detectors is illegal, dangerous, and a violation of SCSU policy

The use of THC, including smoking or vaping cannabis or the use of edible THC products is prohibited on all SCSU property, regardless of age or medical prescription. SCSU, like all other colleges and universities in the United States, must comply with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, which prohibits the possession or use of THC/cannabis on all school property. The use of THC is not without risk and the odor is disruptive to the shared living environment of the residence halls.

The university has encountered several instances of students covering or tampering with smoke detectors in their rooms. Tampering with fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors is a illegal in Connecticut under Sec. 53a-115. Criminal mischief in the first degree and is a Class D felony. It is also a violation of SCSU policy, and most importantly, it endangers the health and safety of our entire community.

SCSU is a tobacco and vape free environment as per university policy.

Candles, incense, open flames, and the burning of any substance are prohibited in the residence halls per university policy.

Violations of any of the policies mentioned above will be addressed through the student conduct process, and may result in your separation from university housing.

Additionally, as we are in a cold stretch of weather, it is important to keep residence hall windows closed, particularly at night and any time you leave your room. Besides the obvious loss of heat from the building, open windows tax our heating systems and can lead to significant damage should a pipe freeze, and subsequent flood occur. Please keep all residence hall windows closed.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we move forward through the spring semester!

Sincerely,

The Office of Residence Life