Resident Resources

Hawk Hill

Students have access to Xfinity On Campus when connected to the campus network. Xfinity on Campus is a streaming service that allows you to use your Saint Joseph’s login credentials to access TV shows, movies and live sports from any device and 20 hours of DVR storage to download when you’re offline.

Accessing this streaming service is easy:

1. Download the XfinityStream app or visit xfinityoncampus.com, then download Xfinity Stream.
2. Search for Saint Joseph’s University in the search field.
3. Log in using your SJU credentials.
4. Once authenticated, start watching.

Though logging in through computers, phones and other portable devices is easy, older or non “smart” televisions may need additional devices to begin receiving streaming service. View an up-to-date list of compatible devices.

University City

Residents at University City can access cable TV by connecting with a coax cable. View an updated Channel Lineup.

All residential areas have their own laundry facilities that are equipped with modern and efficient washers and dryers. All machines are free for the building residents.

Machine Information

All of the washers currently in place are efficient machines that use less water and need less detergent. Please follow the all instructions carefully to ensure proper cleaning of your laundry. Please remember that using too much detergent is not good for your clothing or for the machines.
Also, overloading the machines can result in poor washing and rinsing and damage to both your clothing and the machines.

General Policies

Please be considerate when using the laundry facilities in the residence halls by promptly removing clothing from the machines and folding counters. Laundry rooms are routinely monitored and clothing left in rooms will be removed and discarded.

Residence Hall Washer/Dryer Repair

Washer and dryer problems should be directed to Facilities Management through the SchoolDude Work Order System or at 610-660-3000. Those living in Pennbrook can contact pennrepairs@sju.edu to report washer and dryer problems. Have the following information ready when requesting service:

• Building Address
• Laundry Room Number (or location)
• Specified machine (if more than one in the room)
• Description of Problem

The Mail Services Center handles all incoming, outgoing, interoffice mail and packages for faculty, staff and students. They are located in the basement of LaFarge Hall. The Center recommends that all student mail and packages are addressed to the appropriate dorm building tow which they reside. Learn more about their mail services for students on their website. 

Some residence halls and apartments are air-conditioned with either central air conditioning or window units. In buildings that are not equipped with air conditioning, students may not install room air conditioning units.

Students who have a documented need for air conditioning will be assigned to an air-conditioned residence hall or apartment. Medical conditions do not guarantee the selection of a specific room assignment, but only an assignment the meets the specific needs. Actual room assignment will be made by the Office of Residence Life.

The following buildings have air conditioning:

LaFarge
Living & Learning Commons
McShain
Osol
Sourin
Villiger
Lannon
Rashford
Moore
Townhouses
Merion Gardens

The following DO NOT have air conditioning:

Quirk
St. Albert’s
Xavier
Hogan
Ashwood
Pennbrook

Saint Joseph’s University does not offer on-site storage for students. Below are some off-campus storage solutions in the area.

Students may choose to utilize a company that provides residence hall pick-up in the spring, storage for the summer and delivery to a new residence hall in the fall. Saint Joseph’s University will not facilitate access to residence hall rooms/apartments. Students must work directly with the chosen company and all questions or concerns should be directed to the company. Students are responsible for coordinating item pick-up and drop-off with the outside company in compliance with the published University move-in dates and the University guest sign-in policy. 

The following is a list of companies that have provided their information to share with students. Please note that the University DOES NOT ENDORSE any of the companies listed below. The names are provided for your convenience at the request of the outside vendors.

• All College Storage
• Campus Storage
• StorageScholars
• SchoolStorage
• Storage Squad

It is important for residents to be mindful of general health and safety guidelines to prevent unwanted pests in the residence halls. Below are some tips:

• Do not leave food out overnight; keep all food stored in a refrigerator or in insect-proof containers made of plastic, metal or glass with tight-fitting covers.
• Remove all food or spilled drinks from surfaces with soapy water.
• Take the garbage out regularly.
• Remove boxes, especially if they’re made from corrugated cardboard, newspapers, bags and other unnecessary items that can clutter rooms.
• Submit a work request for any concerns so that the issue can be treated in a timely manner.

Bed bugs are a nuisance and have become more common in this region of the country. Every summer, each residence hall is thoroughly inspected by a team of contractors and dogs trained in bed bug detection. This allows us to resolve any possible concerns prior to students' arrival on campus. We understand that we are in an urban location and that these situations can be brought back into the building after students move in. We take these concerns very seriously and, when identified, complete a thorough treatment of the spaces.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. Adult bed bugs are about the size, shape and color of an apple seed. They can be found where humans sleep and feed mostly at night.

How can I tell if I have bed bugs?

• Bites on your body. It can be difficult to differentiate bed bug bites from other insect bites or skin irritation. Bed bug bites often occur in a line of three bites and usually occur in places where clothes rest close to the skin.
• Tiny dark red or brown spots on bed linens. Bed bugs excrete as they feed, leaving these marks behind.
• Discarded skins. Bed bugs molt multiple times as they grow. Their shed skins retain the bed bug shape.

What do I do if I think I have bed bugs?

Contact Facilities Management or the Office of Residence Life. We will work with the exterminator to do a full inspection of your room and provide any treatment necessary for the space. If you suspect that you have bites, you may also visit the Student Health Center. Bed bug bites generally cause only minor irritation and are not serious.

If bed bugs are confirmed in your space:

• Residence Life and/or Facilities will call you to confirm if bed bugs are found.
• Residence Life and Facilities will schedule a treatment for your room. The complete treatment typically takes 7-10 days. Residence Life will provide you and your roommate(s) with a temporary space on campus where you may stay for the duration of the treatment.
• Treatment includes fumigation of the room. You may not return to the room during the treatment process. Detailed instructions regarding the preparation of the room will be provided to you.
• Mass communication of bed bug occurrences is generally not required. Residence Life does not share any detailed information regarding specific locations of possible situations unless it is an extreme case that may affect the larger community.

The timeline of the damage billing process will begin at Spring Semester Closing and conclude over the summer in early July. Students will receive an email about their bill and timeline to appeal in their SJU email. Below are the general dates of the damage bill process. Please note that some dates may change in the process. All dates will be included in email communications.

• Final Exams Week: Students will be checking out either via express check-out or in-person check-out. If in-person checkout is scheduled, a Resident Advisor (RA) or professional staff member may walk the space with the student. Staff will write down any concerns but no charges will be determined at this time.
• 1st Week of June: Damage billing notification letters are sent to student's SJU emails and students may begin to appeal decisions. The damage bill appeal sheet is the only way appeals will be accepted from students only. Any calls to the office will be directed to the email with the appeal instructions.
• June 30: All appeals must be submitted via the damage bill appeal form. No appeals will be accepted after this time.

1st Week of July: Damage charges will be applied to student accounts and notified via email. Balances due will be able to be paid through Student Accounts.

To ensure a correct checkout of your space, your RA will be placing checklists on your room/apartment doors. These guides are useful to make sure you and your roommate(s) clean and prepare your space to be checked by staff. You can download your checklist for your building type by clicking on the links below:

• First Year Traditional or Suite Style Communities
• Campus House Communities
• Apartment Style Communities
• Living & Learning Commons (LLC)

Parents are welcome to call and ask our central office questions about a student's damage bill or the process. However, students are expected to fill out the damage appeal and participate in the process. Here are some things to be aware of as parents in the damage bill process.

• During the checkout process, your student's RA will not be able to determine if damages are going to be added to your student's account or how much it will cost if they are added. Any questions can be addressed with your student's Residential Area Manager.
• Please do not reach out to your student's RA about a damage bill. Any questions should be directed to the Residence Life main office 610-660-1060.
• Any appeals must be done through your student and the link your student was sent with the damage bill. Any appeals will be handled by the student's area manager during the process. Students will receive either a response of an approved appeal, modified appeal or denied appeal.
• All students who receive a damage bill will be emailed directly to their SJU email and given an opportunity to appeal.
• If your student does not receive a damage bill, that means they properly checked out and did not have any issues.

Am I able to appeal my damages? 

Yes, you are able to appeal your charges if you do an in-person checkout. Those for elect for an express check-out are not eligible to appeal. The deadline to appeal any damages is June 30th.

How do I appeal my damages?

If you receive a damage bill email, you will have a link included in the email to appeal to any charges you wish to dispute. Phone calls or emails to our office will not be accepted forms of an appeal. All appeals must go through the link.

How do I take responsibility for damage in my space?

Students are encouraged and able to take responsibility for any damages that they have created during the year. Forms for taking responsibility for specific damages can be found in your Residential Area Manager's (RAM) office. If no one takes responsibility for a charge, the cost may be evenly divided among the students in the space.

What type of charges might appear on my bill?

Below are some common charges you may see in your room/apartment but are not limited to these.

• Broken blinds 
• Command strips, mirrors or stickers on walls/doors/windows 
• Excessive cleaning needed/removal of items (includes removing non-SJU furniture) 
• Common room/lounge furniture not returned to its original configuration
• Broken ceiling tiles 
• Missing/broken common room/lounge furniture 
• Damaged walls requiring patch/painting
• Failure to remove a rug

What if I lost my key?

If you have lost your key, you can fill out a lock change request form in your RAM's office when you go to check out. If students do not turn in their room keys, they will receive an email with a strict deadline to securely mail the key back to our office. If there are any issues with the key arriving by mail, students will be charged for a new lock.

What if I forgot to return my key?

You will not be officially “checked out” of your space until your key is returned. Students who do not return a key at move out will receive one email and a strict deadline to return the key to our office via mail or in person. If the student does not respond to the email or return it by the deadline, lock changes can not be canceled. Any keys lost in the mail while sending back will result in a lock change charge.

Who determines the prices for my damage bill? 

Prices for all areas are predetermined by the University. Pennbrook prices are set by Aquinas management.

How do I pay my damage bill? 

Bills will be added to your student account between July 7-9. You may pay the bill through the Nest anytime after that.