st cats hall

Housing & Residence Life

Living on campus is an exciting aspect of going to college. The Office of Residence Life is committed to providing a quality residential experience for each student at our beautiful campus in Lakewood, New Jersey.

We work to provide a safe, secure, well-maintained, and positive environment where you can learn, develop, and become independent. The residence hall environment is where you’ll relax and interact socially with one another, and there’s plenty of support as you pursue your academic program. Residence life also provides leadership opportunities through the resident assistant program, as well as the Residence Hall Association. Residential facilities are available for full-time matriculating undergraduate students.

The residential environment is based on the Mercy core values: respect, integrity, compassion, justice, and service. Both staff and residents work together to ensure a high standard of community living by taking an active role in being responsible and accountable for shaping and fostering a positive living and learning environment.

Residence Halls

St. Joseph Hall

This residence hall has been recently renovated and houses approximately 140 residents. It’s home to our First-Year Experience program, and serves as the location of the Gateway to the Arts, Outdoor Adventures, International Cultures, and Sustainability living-learning communities. It is a traditional-style residence hall with double-occupancy rooms and communal bathroom facilities. Each floor has a small kitchenette with a sink, microwave, refrigerator, and common area with lounge and television. In addition, there is a renovated game lounge, full kitchen, and laundry facilities located in the lower level of the building. The second-floor lounge is designated as a quiet study area where computers and a printer are available. The Office of Residence Life Programming and Community Development Suite is located on the lower level of St. Joseph Hall.

Maria Hall

This building overlooks the Italian Gardens on one side and the Japanese Garden on another, and accommodates approximately 210 residents. Maria Hall is the location of our new Sophomore-Year Experience program, situated on the second and third floors of the building. The first floor of the building houses upper-class residents and first-year transfer students. Maria Hall is similar in layout to St. Joseph Hall and has double-occupancy rooms with communal bathroom facilities. Each floor has a common area lounge with television, as well as a small kitchenette with a sink, microwave, and refrigerator. The second-floor lounge is designated as a quiet study lounge and has several computers and a printer for residents’ use. Located in the basement is a large common area student lounge with a full kitchen, television, foosball table, and laundry facilities.

St. Catherine Hall

Our newest residence hall, which houses approximately 82 residents, is for upper-class students and offers both single and suite-style rooms. Two single rooms share a private bathroom, while suites consist of two double rooms with a private kitchenette, bathroom, and living room. Each floor has several lounges, with a television, full kitchen, and laundry facilities. There is also a computer lounge on the second floor. The Office of Residence Life is located on the first floor of St. Catherine Hall (Room 108).

Mercy Hall

This building currently houses students in the Honors Program. Each double-occupancy room includes a bathroom, and the building has microwave, sink, and laundry facilities. There is also a lounge on the first floor with a piano and television.

Incoming Students

Can’t wait to live on campus? We are excited for you to join us! As a student in our residence hall community, you will be living in an environment intentionally designed to help you meet new people, learn new things, and actively participate in campus life.

Your residence hall is more than your new address; it will serve as a place where you socialize, engage in interactive activities, study and collaborate, and take advantage of everything that Georgian Court University has to offer.

Below, find a few things you’ll need to know about obtaining housing at GCU.

  • To sign up for housing, you must submit a $250 deposit to the Office of Student Accounts with a Housing Contract and Resident Information Form. If you are interested in a living-learning community, please specify that on your forms.
  • Housing is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, so submit your deposit and paperwork to the university as soon as you know that you will be attending and plan on living here.
  • The Office of Residence Life will notify you in mid-July of your room assignment and roommate’s information. Take this opportunity to get to know your roommate before the year starts! Talk to him/her about what to bring to make your room into your new home away from home. Not sure how to start the conversation? Here are some points to consider when getting to know your new roommate. You do not need to discuss all of these items before moving in, but you should be thinking about them as you are getting ready to live with this new person.
  • Check out the FAQ for commonly asked questions about living in the residence halls.

FAQ

As a member of a residence hall community, you will be living in an environment designed to offer many opportunities to meet new people, learn new things, and actively participate in campus life.  Your residence hall is more than your new address, it will be a place where you socialize, interact, study, collaborate, and take advantage of leadership opportunities.  Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions to help you prepare for your experience in the residence halls.

How are roommates assigned?

Your Housing Contract includes a Roommate Matching Form with questions about your preferences and interests (music, hobbies, sleeping habits). You can expect this information in mid-July. Roommates are paired based on those preferences.

When will I find out my housing assignment?

Once you have completed your Housing Contract, Resident Information Form, and paid your deposit, we will match you with another resident. We will mail this information to your permanent address. You can expect this information the beginning of August.

What happens if I do not get along with my roommate?

Living with someone is challenging and takes hard work.  The Residence Life Staff is available to mediate roommate conflicts if necessary.  If this does not bring resolution, you may change your roommate during the second week of the term.  All residences involved in the switch and their resident assistants must be in agreement.

Can I change my meal plan?

Yes, meal plans may be changed during the first two weeks of the semester.

Are single rooms available?

Single rooms are available to upperclass students as space permits and for an additional fee of $1,000.

What size beds are in the residence halls?

The residence hall beds are standard twin beds—not extra long.

Can I bring a refrigerator, microwave, or other appliances?

You may bring a small refrigerator (less than 4.4 cubic feet). All other appliances must be used in the common kitchen areas, where microwaves are available for student use.

Is parking available for residents?

Yes, parking is available behind the residence halls. Contact the Office of Security for more information. If you have already registered your car, you will receive your parking permit when you check into your residence hall.

Programs

The Office of Residence Life understands that different students have different needs and goals. Our mission is to bring together residents together to form a community, influence personal growth, and assist with academic and professional success. Our programs are offered based on your class level, which allows us to best meet your needs at various stages during our time at Georgian Court University.

  • First-Year Experience Program: The focus of the First-Year Experience program is to provide first-year Georgian Court University students the opportunity to become a part of our community. St. Joseph Hall is the heart of our FYE program, and living there you have the opportunity to meet others new to GCU with the support from resident assistants and graduate assistants living in the building. We recognize that the transition to college is filled with new experiences and expectations and seek to ease this transition through a number of social and educational programs. From social activities to how-to sessions on topics such as doing your own laundry, dorm room cooking, and navigating campus resources, our resident assistants provide a plethora of programs to help our first-year residents get adjusted to life at GCU.
  • Sophomore-Year Experience Program: This program continues to support our second-year residents as they take on leadership positions, choosing a major, and finding their niche at GCU. Maria Hall’s second and third floors are the home of our SYE program. Community building is a continued focus, with all sophomores living in a concentrated area and carrying their community from St. Joe’s to Maria Hall from the first to second years with more fun along the way.
  • Upper-class Area Program: Our Upper-class Area program recognizes that juniors and seniors have unique needs. At this juncture, you’re probably focused on student teaching, internships, study abroad planning, and job-searching! Our goal is to make these last years here at GCU the best they can be. With the majority of our upper-class students living in St. Catherine Hall, they are provided a more quiet and private setting to focus on their academics and experiential learning components of their studies. The programs continue with a greater focus on self-reflection and goal setting, job-searching skills, leadership, and wellness, and of course, community building and social programs when you need that break from studying!

Meet Our Team

The Office of Residence Life is made up of students and professionals who strive to deliver an exceptional campus living experience.

We are located on the first floor of St. Catherine Hall (Room 108) with the Programming and Community Development Suite on the lower level of St. Joseph Hall. There is also an RA office in Maria Hall.

Your Residence Life Team

  • Director of Residence Life: The director of residence life is responsible for the development of a comprehensive residence life and housing program focused on the overall resident student experience.
  • Coordinators of Residence Life: These are live-in student life professionals who manage operations and programs. They supervise the resident assistants, handle any disciplinary matters, and are available as a resource to students.
  • Graduate Assistants (GAs): The GAs provide leadership to the four living-learning communities. Additionally, they assist with some administrative support functions.
  • Resident Assistants (RAs): These are fellow GCU students who have completed an extensive selection and training process and live and work with residents to create a safe, supportive environment. RAs plan educational and social programs, advise students with both scholastic and personal difficulties, and serve as the frontline for emergency needs and crisis intervention. While they are there to enforce campus policies, the RAs’ primary role is to build a community on campus and ensure a pleasant experience.
  • Desk Assistants: Each year, the Office of Residence Life hires approximately 30 students to work as desk assistants in each of the four residence halls.

Resources

We have put together a few more resources to help with all of your housing needs. As always, feel free to contact us if you have additional questions.

Housing Forms & Applications

Handbooks

General Information

What to Bring

Things you may want to bring:

  • Bedding for a twin XL
  • Back rest/floor pillow
  • Under-bed storage bin
  • Laundry basket
  • Laundry detergent
  • Drying rack
  • Wastebasket
  • Drawer liners
  • Iron
  • Towels
  • Bathrobe
  • Flip-flops for the shower
  • Shower caddy
  • Command hooks
  • Dry-erase message board
  • Desk lamp
  • Power strip
  • Can opener
  • Dishes, utensils, pots/pans
  • Coffee maker with automatic shut off

Things you may want to coordinate with your roommate:

  • Refrigerator
  • Rug
  • Television
  • Gaming systems

Things not to bring:

  • Curtains
  • Halogen lamps
  • Microwaves
  • Other cooking appliances
  • Candles
  • Hoover boards
  • String lights
  • Pets (except fish)
Housing & Residence Life

St. Catherine Hall, Room 108
732-987-2533
reslife@georgian.edu

Office Hours

Monday - Friday:
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.