Off Campus Student Life Resources

University Resources

Contact Information for on-campus resources for Saint Joseph's University students.

• Off Campus Student Life - 610-660-1045
• Office of Community Standards - 610-660-1046
• Office of Residence Life - 610-660-1060
• Public Safety and Security -  610-660-1111 (Emergency: 911)
• Student Outreach & Support - 610-660-1149

SJU Safe is a customized safety app that consolidates existing resources, like the emergency plan and campus map, and adds a number of new features including virtual walks, mobile BlueLight activations and push notifications for breaking safety alerts. Sign in with your SJU credentials to get all the features. Download the app TODAY!

City of Philadelphia Resources

Philadelphia Police 19th District
Wynnefield, Overbrook Farms
61st & Thompson Street
Philadelphia, PA 19151
215-686-3190 (Emergency: 911)
police.co_19@phila.gov

Philadelphia Police 5th District
Manayunk, East Falls
Ridge Ave & Cinnaminson Street
215-686-3050 (Emergency: 911)
police.co_05@phila.gov

COVID-19 Considerations

STAY INFORMED. Stay informed on current COVID-19 guidance, including stay-at-home orders and mitigation procedures:

• Latest Guidance from the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office
• Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia COVID-19 Resources

STAY SAFE. During your move out, it is important that you stay safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as other agencies, have recommended putting distance between yourself and other people. Think about how many people will be in your house at a given time during your move-out. You may want to limit the number of people who are helping you move out and coordinate move-out times with your roommates to avoid contact. 

WEAR A MASK. You should wear a mask or face covering to avoid the spread of the virus between people. 

HELPERS. You should follow the CDC guidelines and avoid asking those who are at a higher risk for severe illness or who are sick to assist with your move out.

General Move Out Tips

CLEANING. Make sure you clean your residence thoroughly – including the oven, refrigerator, bathroom, etc. If you do not do this, your landlord or property manager may deduct money from your security deposit. Coordinate with your roommates on who is responsible for the cleaning of shared areas/appliances. Bring any cleaning supplies and trash bags you may need to fully clean your residence.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR TRASH. Remember to take care of your trash. You should NOT leave trash in your yard or on the driveways/sidewalks adjacent to your house. Trash left inappropriately on your property or outside of the collection schedule referenced below will result in neighbor complaints and follow-up by the University. Please consider the impact that such complaints can have on the community during this time, as well as the resources needed to respond. Try to time your move-out date with your trash collection date. For more information on trash pickup, and to understand any impact that COVID-19 and Memorial Day will have on your collection schedule, please visit Collection Schedules.

OVERSIZED ITEMS AND DUMPING. Bring dollies or carts to move larger items. Unless alternative arrangements have been made, you should plan to remove all items from your residence which were not furnished by your landlord or property manager. For many students, this includes large bulk items or furniture. You should NOT leave these items outside unless you are doing so in compliance with the City of Philadelphia’s guidance found at Oversized Items and Dumping. Sanitation Convenience Centers are currently open during the City’s COVID-19 response (although this is subject to change). Sanitation Convenience Centers are available – and free – for Philadelphia residents only.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE. Take pictures of your residence upon move out and save them for your records. You may want to send these photos and a written description to your landlord or property manager to document your move-out condition.

FINAL TASKS. After you move out, be sure to return your keys to your landlord or property manager. Also, provide your landlord or property manager any forwarding information, as appropriate. You should contact all utility companies to terminate your services or check with your landlord or property manager.

Other Helpful Resources

• PA Office of Attorney General: Unemployment Rights and Resources for COVID-19
• U.S. Department of the Treasury: Learn more about the Government CARES Act
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 Prevention and Social Distancing Tips
• Tenants’ Rights in Philadelphia
• Moving During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Here’s What You Need to Know
• I want to move out. What steps should I take?

We are Here if You Need Anything
Saint Joseph’s University has no higher priority than the health and safety of our campus community and we are grateful for your partnership. Should you have any questions, please let us know. Our office remains open remotely. You can contact us (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) by emailing offcampus@sju.edu or by calling (610) 660-1045.

The Victim of Crime Resource guide can be found on the Office of Community Standards website.

In 2002, the City of Philadelphia passed what is commonly referred to as the Educational Housing District Law (EHDL). The law presents requirements and regulations for all Educational Housing Districts. This includes the 4th City Council District (includes the neighborhoods of East Falls, Roxborough, Manayunk, West Allegheny, West Philadelphia (north of Market Street), Overbrook Farms and Wynnefield). The Saint Joseph’s University campus is located within the 4th District, as are most off campus student residences.

Below you will find a few important points noted within the EHDL related to off campus students. This webpage is not intended to be a full representation of the law.

Notification Requirements:

(1)    Each student living or intending to live, in an Educational Housing District while attending school must:

(a)    before signing a lease or becoming a tenant of a property located in an Educational Housing District, notify his or her property owner or manager that he or she is a student, provide the property owner or manager with the name of the school he or she attends and advise the property owner or manager whether the school is in an Educational Housing District; and

(b)    provide the college or university that he or she attends with his or her local address no later than September 1 of each year or in accordance with the adopted policy of the college or university for the provision of local addresses in order to assist the college or university in its efforts to contact students in the event that the college or university needs to notify them of matters involving danger or threats to health, safety or the general welfare, respond to local or national emergencies, or respond to any lawful government inquiry. The student shall notify the college or university within five (5) days of any change in that address (see below).

Zoning Compliance:

(1)    No student may live in any dwelling which is in violation of the Zoning Code, including any dwelling in which more than three unrelated persons are living as a single household unit without a valid use registration permit.

Registering your OFF-CAMPUS ADDRESS through The Nest

OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS are required by the City of Philadelphia and University policy to register their off-campus address with Saint Joseph’s University.

Step 1: Log into ‘The Nest’ at https://nest.sju.edu

Step 2: Click on the ‘Update Profile" link under your name

Step 3: Click on ‘Personal Information'

Step 4: Click on ‘General Profile’

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to add a new or edit an existing off-campus address

Tips when entering your off-campus address:

• Off-campus addresses are ONLY intended to be used by students residing off-campus, and not commuting from their family home (ex: a junior who previously lived on campus, but now lives in an apartment/house off-campus with friends).
• If you live at your family home and commute to classes, you do not need to enter an off-campus address. Your permanent address will be considered your off-campus address.
• If you live off-campus in an apartment building or complex, it is recommended that you enter the address for the complex in the Address Line 1 box, and your Apartment Number in the Address Line 2 box (ex: Line 1: ### City Avenue; Line 2: Apt A100). This will help the University know precisely where you are residing off-campus.
• It is important that you provide accurate information when registering your off-campus address with the University.

Given off-campus address registration is required by Philadelphia law and University policy, failure to register your off-campus address or dishonesty through this process may be addressed by the Office of Community Standards. Students who do not fully comply with the Educational Housing District Law may be prohibited from participating in student organizations.

Remember to take care of your trash. You should NOT leave trash in your yard or on the driveways/sidewalks adjacent to your house. Trash left inappropriately on your property or outside of the collection schedule will result in neighbor complaints and follow-up by the University. Please consider the impact that such complaints can have on the community, as well as the resources needed to respond. Trash can significantly impact the quality of life, and attract animals. Do your part by keeping your neighborhood clean and safe.

Trash and Recycling

• Trash and recycling should be set out between 7:00 p.m. the night before collection day or 7:00 a.m. the day of collection.
• Place all trash in trashcans or sealed plastic bags filled no more than the 40 pound limit.
• Recycling day is the same day as trash day. Recycle glass, aluminum cans, newspapers and 1 and 2 plastic in the blue container (or any container marked recycling).
• Place all trash in trashcans or sealed plastic bags filled no more than the 40 pound limit.
• Avoid clear trash bags, black bags are preferred.

Bulk Items and Tires

• The trash truck will NOT pick up tires, appliances, water heaters, mattresses and other bulk items as part of curbside collection.
• To remove these larger items, you will have to hire a private hauler to dispose of these items or residents may bring no more than 2 items to a Sanitation Convenience Center.

Leaf Control and Lawn Care

• Grass should not grow in excess of 3 feet and the property should be free from weeds.
• Bag leaves separately and put them in large brown paper bags or clear bags and set out on your regularly scheduled trash day.

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Saint Joseph's University Community Clean-Up Program!

Community Clean-Up Days take place throughout the academic year as a service opportunity open to both on-campus and off-campus students. Taking time to ensure our neighborhood is clean and beautiful is an important and valuable service to our neighbors.

Contact Michelle Smith-Lewis if you would like to schedule a group clean-up on a date not listed. Trash bags and gloves will be provided.

There are no Community Clean-Up Days currently scheduled.