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 and fill out an online housing application. Use your GCU ID and PIN to login. Be sure to review how to check your GCU email, it’s where all communications will take place.
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.
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). 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 email this information to your GCU email. 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?

No, all resident students are automatically placed on a 7 meal plan.

Are single rooms available?

Single rooms are available to upperclass students as space permits and for an additional fee of $1,300 per semester.

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. Programs are offered throughout the semester to help students build friendships and community, and to learn and succeed at GCU and beyond. There is one late-night weekend program every week, to provide fun night-life at home. Please speak to your RA if you have questions about programs offered or with programming ideas.

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.
Coordinator of Residence Life: This is a live-in student life professional who manages operations and programs. He/she supervises the hall directors, handles any disciplinary matters, and are available as a resource to students.
Hall Directors (HDs): These are live-in graduate students who are responsible for the overall daily function and safety of their hall. They supervise the RA’s and are often students’ first point of contact. HD’s serve in a 24/7 on call rotation to support in case of an emergency. 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.
Each year, the Office of Residence Life hires approximately 15 students to work in the main office and assist with regular functioning.

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)