Student Housing Options

Information specific to each residence hall is available by clicking the links to the halls at the right.

Click on the following heading to view a chart of our amenities:

• Residence Hall and Apartment Amenities

Click on the following headings or simply scroll down to view: 

• Disability and Medical Condition Accommodations
• 2008-2009 Special Interest Floor Locations
• First-Year Experience Communities
• First-Year Experience Weekend Activities Communities
• First-Year Service Learning Community
• Catholic Women's Community
• Catholic Men's Community
• Women in Math and Science
• Substance-free Communities
• Sophomore Year Experience Communities
• Wellness Community

Disability and Medical Condition Accommodations
The University of St. Thomas Policy for Students with Disabilities provides reasonable and appropriate housing options for physical accessibility in Dowling, Murray, John Paul II, Brady, Morrison and Selby Halls. Accommodations include rooms, restrooms and shower areas designed to accommodate students with disabilities.

Students with disabilities or medical conditions requiring special accommodations need to contact the Enhancement Program at (651) 962-6315.  All accommodations will be evaluated by them and will be sent to the Office of Residence Life upon approval.

Handicapped parking spaces are available through Parking Services at (651) 962-PARK. For more information, students with disabilities should contact the Enhancement Program directly.

2008-2009 Special Interest Floors Locations

Type	Hall	Floors
First-Year Experience	Dowling	1 North, 2 North and  3 North
(FYE)	John Paul II	3 and 5
	Grace	2 and 4
	Murray	4
	Brady	2, 3 and 4
	Ireland	All 3 and 4 North
	Cretin	3 and 4
FYE Weekend Activities	Dowling	4 North
	Brady	1
	Ireland	4 South
First-Year Service Learning	Dowling	4 South
	Brady	3
Substance Free	Dowling	2 South
	Ireland	Lower Level
Sophomore Year Exerpeince	Dowling	5
(SYE)	Brady	7
	2151 Grand	All Floors
Catholic Women	Dowling	6 North
Women in Math/Science	Grace	1

NEW THIS YEAR:

Type	Hall	Floors
Wellness	Dowling	2 South
Catholic Men	Ireland	2 North

First-Year Experience (FYE) Communities
The first year of college is an exciting opportunity for UST students to grow intellectually, morally and socially within the context of a supportive residence community.

First-Year Experience floors offer a unique opportunity for first-year students looking for a strong connection to campus life. These resident communities have been created to facilitate a successful transition from high school life to college living. Residents will be encouraged to participate in a wide range of events, programs and activities - both social and educational - that will enhance your learning outside the classroom.

One of the most attractive aspects of the FYE Communities is the focus on developing a sense of belonging in the residence halls and in the St. Thomas community. Students will find out what it means to be a Tommie socially, spiritually and morally.

The First-Year Experience communities provide an intentional learning experience that emphasizes the resources needed to make healthy and responsible decisions during the first year at St. Thomas.  The staff will provide a series of programs focusing on the basics of college life: relationships, healthy lifestyle choices, personal safety, diversity, academics and more.

First-Year Experience Weekend Activities Communities
The FYE Weekend Activities Communities will interact with and complement the 18 First-Year Experience Communities that already exist in the residence halls. Specifically geared for students who live outside the Twin Cities Metro Area, this housing opportunity will allow students to connect with each other and their new community in meaningful ways.  There are no limitations on who can sign up for this community.

The intent of the program is to strengthen students' sense of connectedness to the campus and to promote opportunities for social development and entertainment, particularly on the weekends. A lot of what happens in your college life at St. Thomas occurs outside the classroom and outside the normal academic and business day. Excellent opportunities for building relationships and the chance to try new things exist within residence halls, learning communities at St. Thomas, and the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul community.

First-Year Service Learning Community
The First-Year Service Learning Community is a living and learning program that combines special first-year courses and a unique residence hall community experience. The goal is to prepare for participation in our changing and interconnected world.

Residents in this community participate in a semester long program that connects them with the broader urban community and with our newest Minnesota residents. Students are enrolled in two introductory-level core courses for fall semester. These courses are part of our 'paired courses' program and meet requirements that all students need to fulfill. Students will also register for one or two additional courses that are not part of this program to fill out their schedule.  Additional information is available at www.stthomas.edu/servicelearning. 

 
Catholic Women's Community
The goals of the Catholic Women’s floor are to foster a sense of community among the women on the floor and reach out to the UST community. Programs and events will help women develop and grow in their own faith and share it with others. Programs may include attending Sunday Mass and brunch together, evening prayer, bible studies and accountability groups. Additionally, the women of the floor are encouraged to get involved in the UST community and the Twin Cities community. They are also encouraged to join clubs and groups of their own interest, as well as, provide service for the communities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Recognizing that college is a busy and stressful time, time commitment to things outside the floor will be respected. To build community on the floor there will be some programs that the women will be expected to attend such as the brief prayer services at night. The idea was born out of a desire to encourage and improve the fellowship among Catholic women on campus. Anyone can live on this floor, however, the floor will have many Catholic elements such as attending Mass together, praying the Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration. The floor community is open to all faiths.

Catholic Men's Community
The mission of the Catholic Men's Community is to inspire, equip and support residents in living as men of faith and virtue.  The men will meet weekly for a short time of prayer, and will also be given the opportunity to participate in the Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Daily Mass, and other Catholic events across campus. The community is respectful and open to men of all faiths, regardless of vocation or academic major, who seek to live a holy life.

The floor is integrated into the many traditions of Ireland Hall, and is closely tied to the rest of the St. Thomas community. The men are encouraged to become involved on campus through co-curricular programs.
 
Women in Math and Science Community
A floor in Grace Hall has been designated for female students pursuing a major in the sciences, math or QMCS. This residential learning community program, which was established nearly a decade ago, is a valuable social and academic resource for many female students. A Resident Assistant with similar academic interests oversees the residents and creates programs and activities that enhance the overall St. Thomas experience for students.

Previously the community has included a St. Thomas faculty member working closely with the program and helping to coordinate programs for the floor. These opportunities range from educational discussions on careers in science to making homemade ice cream with the help of liquid nitrogen.  A computer lab on a nearby floor is shared with members of the Sophomore Year Experience community. While activities often center on science programs, the residents are engaged in all aspects of St. Thomas student life, and the residents are able to use the Women in Matjh and Science floor as a common ground from which to explore all that the campus has to offer. 
 
Substance-free Communities
Substance-free communities have been created to offer a living arrangement for residents who actively choose a lifestyle free of tobacco, alcohol, and nonprescription drug use. Both residents and their guests choose not to use these chemicals in their communities. Substance-free lifestyle living options are available in Dowling and Ireland Hall.

The primary goal at St. Thomas is the positive development of students. The Substance-free housing option exists to support and nurture a social environment where the consumption of alcohol is not necessary and where healthy lifestyle choices are encouraged.

Substance-free housing programs emphasize activities and events that are free of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Some examples of activities are: movie nights, game nights, and taking part in activities in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul community. 
 
Sophomore-Year Experience Communities
During the second year of college, students often find themselves starting to take courses in their major, exploring study abroad options, and looking forward to internship opportunities.  An apartment building at 2151 Grand Avenue houses 40 students and floors in Brady and Dowling halls have been designated for sophomore students to live together.  Amenities include common kitchen, interactive and updated lounge space and updated living accommodations.

Wellness Community

The Wellness Community is provided through a partnership between the Wellness Center and Residence Life.  The community is for students who want to create a healthy lifestyle and live in a community that promotes wellness.  Focusing on the connection between mind, body, and spirit, residents will learn through programs and activities about the seven dimensions of wellness: physical, social, occupational, intellectual, emotional, environmental, and spiritual.  Examples of programs and activities held during the year for residents may include; initial health and wellness assessment, fitness programs, nutrition programs, stress reduction programs, mind body and spirit retreat, physical health education.