Are you an incoming student hoping to experience life in the residence halls? Are you excited to meet the future friend you’ll be rooming with? Are you interested in attending events hosted by your RA, sharing dinner with your suitemates, or seeing live performances in the Siena Arboreto? You’re in luck – the housing selection process is only a few weeks away!
On March 15th at 9 a.m., Bellarmine’s Housing Portal will invite you to fill out a brand-new section: your Housing Preferences! The profile you design will connect you with a potential roommate who’s just your style. You’ll be asked whether you prefer the room to be hot or cold. Do you listen to loud or soft music? Later, you can filter your search for a roommate based on these preferences. If you can’t stand an early bird, don’t sleep in and miss out! You can absolutely use the Housing Portal’s roommate search to find someone you’re compatible with.
If you’ve already met someone you’d love to live with, you can also use the Housing Portal’s search bar to find them! Simply ask your friend for the username they chose, and you can join a Roommate Group – this keeps the two of you partnered together, so you’re guaranteed to receive the same room!
Still, looking for a roommate to call your own? You’ll meet tons of potential friends throughout Bellarmine’s summer programming, such as Admitted Student Day and Knight U: Bellarmine’s Academic Orientation!
Grace Long, a third-year Communications major, has stayed with the same roommate her entire college career and cites her roommate as a major source of her social success at Bellarmine.
“We were placed in the same tour group during Knight U and simply hit it off. We didn’t have roommates yet, so it just worked out perfectly,” Long said. “I think both of us were just as nervous as the other about making friends and living with a roommate, and honestly, those shared nerves helped us bond.
While many students report feeling nervous about meeting their new roommate for the first time, it’s just as likely to hear success stories about strong friendships – many of which follow students much further than just their first year. Your roommate can link you to an entirely new side of campus that you might not discover otherwise, like Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), events, and students!
“My first year specifically was shaped by our friendship. Having that support on campus encouraged my involvement and overall experience.” Long reported.
Long also recommends first-year students prioritize meeting new people through many of the brand-new ways Bellarmine provides: “Introducing yourself during events like Knight U, campus tours, or even the Bellarmine Bound Instagram account is the first step you can take. Being proactive about the roommate process will serve you well if you are nervous about living with a stranger.”
Once assigned a roommate, you’ve completed one of the most exciting parts of the housing process! Next, you’ll need to know which residence hall you’ll be living in. There are four residence halls for first-years, each with unique perks.
Siena Primo and Secondo are located along the upper campus. While Primo hosts male students and Secondo hosts female students, they share a few things in common: easy access to Palio, Bellarmine’s Food-on-Demand dining hall, and the fire pit and Arboreto! Living in Sienas also puts you near certain events, such as Bellaroo and Bellarmine’s annual music festival.
Located along the lower campus, Kennedy Hall and Newman Hall are connected by the Crossover: a lounge area boasting a ping pong table, an air hockey table, and a television. If you’re feeling sniffly in the fall or need access to over-the-counter medication, don’t worry – the Office of Health Services is right next door. Don’t worry about scrambling to pick up your packages, either! Kennedy and Newman Hall are a short walk from Petrik Hall, where the Office of Housing & Residence Life awaits your mail.
No matter where you live or who you live with, Bellarmine provides an amazing community perfectly suited to welcoming and empowering first-year students. Students can expect guidance and support from their Resident Assistants (RAs) throughout the year and additional programming to bolster fun and community among neighbors in the hall!
If you have any additional questions about what you (or your student) should expect when moving to campus this fall, contact reslife@bellarmine.edu.