Student Housing

As members of the Office of Residential Life at Assumption University, we are dedicated to the development of an inclusive residential community that fosters individual growth and learning. We promote a safe and supportive living environment by encouraging mutual respect, and an openness toward individual differences, in support of Catholic teaching. We provide opportunities for leadership development, individual success, and social and moral responsibility. 

Ultimately, our mission is to provide a residential environment that extends the students' education beyond the classroom, emphasizes personal choice and accountability, establishes a network of support and guidance, and develops the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

The Office of Residential Life, located in Salisbury Hall, is responsible for administering the residence hall system which houses more than 1900 students in eighteen residence halls and townhouse complexes. The staff, comprised of the Director of Residential Life, Assistant Director of Residential Life, one Area Coordinator (AC), four Resident Directors (RDs), one Resident Director/Coordinator of COVID-19 Response, fifty-six Head Resident Assistants and Resident Assistants (HRAs and RAs), Peer Ministers, and the Residence Hall Association (RHA) who work together to ensure that on-campus living will be both enjoyable and educational. The Office provides a variety of administrative, referral, and programming functions. Examples include room assignments and changes, maintaining community living standards, liaison with campus maintenance and security offices, discipline and counseling referrals, and residence hall programming based on community service, cultural diversity, educational, social/recreational, and spiritual issues. Our goal is to create a community-oriented environment that maximizes a student’s potential for academic and co-curricular development. We look to our students to provide the enthusiasm and commitment to help us achieve a positive learning atmosphere within our University community.

The staff may be reached at 508-767-7505. 

Ben Kadamus
Director of Residential Life

Alana LeBlanc
Assistant Director of Residential Life

Zachary Lynch
Area Coordinator - Plough, South, and West Halls

Taylor Burke
Valley Area (Authier, Dufault, Moquin, and Dion Halls)

Hayden Butler
Resident Director - Salisbury Hall and Hill Area (Aubuchon, Bissonnette, Hanrahan, Nault, and Young Halls)

Desarai Liberty
Resident Director - The Living Learning Center (LLC) and Wachusett Hall

Hailey O'Brien
Resident Director - Alumni and Desautels Halls

Kadin deRuijter
Resident Director/Coordinator of COVID-19 Response - Worcester Hall

How are residence halls staffed?
Each residential area is staffed with  Resident Assistants, who are responsible for an individual floor or area. Resident Directors are full-time professional staff responsible for the overall administration of the residence halls. Resident Assistant positions are filled by upper-class and graduate students who have been chosen because of their leadership ability. They receive special training in areas such as community building, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention.

How are rooms/roommates assigned?
All first-year students who wish to live on campus in the fall are able to indicate housing preferences through an online housing survey.  This information aids in the process of matching first-year students with roommates and rooms. First-year students are also eligible to request and live with a specific roommate(s) if interested. New students are assigned to a residence hall after all orientation sessions have been completed. By the end of July, resident students will be notified of their room assignments and roommate(s) contact information. First-year student will live in one of the following residence halls, Alumni, Desautels, Salisbury, Worcester, Nault (substance-free housing) or Hanrahan Hall (honors housing). Because of Assumption’s very wide range of on-campus housing options, over eighty-five percent of the University's students live on-campus for all four years. After their first year, students are eligible to enter a housing selection process in order to secure housing and roommates for the following academic year.

How do I go about changing my room?
The Office of Residential Life recognizes that not all people are compatible and, at times, a room change may be a solution. Students contemplating a room change should begin by discussing the situation with their roommate(s) and seeking the assistance of their Head Resident Assistant /Resident Assistant, and/or Resident Director. The specifics of the room change policy are as follows:

• Every resident student signs a contract to occupy a room in a specific building or townhouse. That student is financially responsible for her/his assigned space for the duration of the contract.
• A room change is an amendment to this contract. A change of room requires the written approval of the Resident Director. All room changes must be initiated with the Head Resident Assistant/Resident Assistant, Resident Director of the student’s assigned living area.
• Housing Freeze: during the first week of each semester, no student-initiated room changes are allowed.
• After the first week of the semester, residents may change their rooms providing space is available. To initiate such a change these students must contact their Resident Director. S/he will assist them with the room change procedure and timeline for moving.
• The University reserves the right to change room assignments at its discretion.
• Unauthorized room changes will result in disciplinary action.

What if my roommate and I don't see eye-to-eye?
successfully sharing a room with another person requires communication and compromise. While most students live well together, there are times when conflict arises. We encourage you to turn to your Resident Assistant for assistance. They can serve as a neutral third party to help come to a favorable compromise for all parties involved. As a last resort, the Resident Director of the area can assist a resident with a room change. However, a moving resident must do so voluntarily.

What is provided for me in my room?
Per occupant, each room is equipped with one bed/bed frame, one desk and chair, and one wardrobe/dresser. In addition, the room is also equipped with window shades, towel racks, overhead lighting, and one phone jack. Each room has one cable TV port and enough Internet computer ports for one per person. Wireless access is also available in all residential areas. Computer access from your room is ideal, however, there are computer rooms on campus for everyone’s use.

What is your policy on alcohol?
In conformity with Massachusetts law, only students who have attained the age of (21) twenty-one are permitted the use of alcoholic beverages in their private residences, within approved residential areas and at officially authorized campus functions. Massachusetts’s law forbids the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages to persons under (21) twenty-one years of age. All students, faculty, administrators, and staff are expected to abide by such law. Illegal and/or unauthorized possession of alcoholic beverages in any form, intoxication, and possession of alcoholic beverage containers, whether empty or full, is considered grounds for disciplinary action under the University Conduct Code.

Which residence halls prohibit alcohol regardless of age?
Alumni, Desautels, Salisbury, Worcester, Hanrahan, and Nault Halls are all dry residence halls where alcohol is not permitted.  Alcohol is allowed in other halls provided residents of the room/apartment are of legal drinking age.

How to protect your personal property?
Always keep your room locked, but in the event that something happens to your personal property (i.e., theft, fire, accidents), it is always better to be safe than sorry because the University does not assume that liability. Residential Life recommends you invest in renter insurance through Grad Guard. They provide a student personal property plan and can be found at www.gradguard.com. You can also check with your family's home owner's insurance policy to see if you are covered in the event something happens.

What if I lose my room key?
On the first day of occupancy on campus each resident student will be issued a building/room or townhouse key. Should students become locked out of their room, they can, after trying to find their roommate(s), call Public Safety/Campus Police, extension 7225, to open the door. 

In the event a student should lose a key, s/he must report it to the Office of Residential Life at extension 7505 or Building and Grounds at extension 7391. In the event that a student loses their building key, s/he must report it to the Office of Residential Life. 

How do I request a repair in the Residence Hall?
Maintenance repairs in your room (i.e.: malfunction of a light, broken window, etc.) should be reported to Buildings and Grounds at 508-767-7391, or via email to maint@assumption.edu. 

Who cleans my room?
Students are expected to clean their rooms. Students are asked to remove trash from rooms to common areas trash receptacles. The Buildings and Grounds Staff cleans all public areas (bathrooms, stairwells, hallways and lounges).

Where can I do my laundry?
Each residential area is equipped with washers and dryers located in the laundry rooms. Laundry is free and included in tuition. Students use their Assumption University ID Card to operate washers and dryers.

Do I need to have a meal plan?
All first-year students are required to purchase a meal plan.  Please visit the Dining Services website for more information.

Can I stay on campus during the break periods?
During periods in which the University is closed, the Residential Areas are also closed. It is expected that students will leave campus at the time designated by the Residential Life Office. Students who believe they have a valid reason to remain in campus housing during an interim period may submit a formal request for Break Housing through the Residential Life Office. Information on Break Housing will be available to residents prior to each break. 

Assumption University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all students with disabilities including housing accommodations. Students who wish to request a residential accommodation should contact reslife@assumption.edu for the most current Housing Accommodation Application. Housing Accommodation Applications are due for review by the Student Accommodations Committee at the following times: 

• Incoming Students: Application due prior to the final June Orientation session
• Returning students: Applications due at the end of January

Know that the University will work with you to find an appropriate placement. 

Housing Accommodation Online Application

• Student Application Form
• Physician Support Document

Housing Accommodation Policy

Service Animals

Assumption University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all students with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Assumption University permits the use of a Service Animal by individuals with a disability in any area open to the general public. 

The policy applies to any Service Animal whose user or handler is participating in the University’s programs or activities or who is on the college’s campus, including University Housing.  This policy includes students, employees and third parties.  The policy applies to all Service Animals, including working Service Animals, Service Animals in training and Service Puppies. 

Assumption University Service Animals Policy

This policy does not apply to “Assistance Animals”, see information below and separate policy. 

Assistance Animals

Assumption University (AU) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all students with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (“ADA Amendments Act”), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Fair Housing Act.  The University engages in an interactive and collaborative process with students in order to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations, including the accommodation of Assistance Animals.   Assumption University reserves the right to amend this Policy as circumstances require.  This policy applies solely to “Assistance Animals” (defined within policy) which may be necessary in Campus housing.  It does not apply to “Service Animals” as defined by the ADA Amendments Act. 

Assumption University Assistance Animals Policy

As you prepare to pack for campus, please see below a list of items to bring with you for the fall semester. We ask that students pack lightly and limit your belongings to one carload. We also ask that you pack in plastic bins that can be re-packed quickly in case the University needs to adjust any facet of on-campus living due to COVID-19 infection rates on campus, in Worcester or, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Students need to bring to campus the below items: 

Health and Wellness:

• Several double-layer face masks or washable face coverings (5-7 cloth masks is preferred) 
• Thermometer 
• Health insurance information (insurance card, primary physician's phone number)
• Hand sanitizer (60 percent alcohol or greater) 
• Prescription medicines
• Tylenol (Acetaminophen) 
• Cough suppressant: Mucinex DM or Delsym (or generic equivalent) 
• Cough/throat lozenges
• Refillable water bottle 
• Gatorade or Pedialyte 
• First aid: Band-aids, topical antibiotic cream/ointment, heat pad (microwave preferred), ice packs 
• Non-bleach wipes and other cleaning supplies 
• Paper products, including tissues and paper towels 
• Paper plates, disposable cups, silverware 
• Extra laundry detergent, soap, and other hygiene products

Classroom supplies:

• Computer – laptop preferred 
• Cell phone
• Power strip
• Ear buds
• School supplies (backpack, notebooks, pens, pencils, calculator)
• Extra power strip and extension cord

Personal Items:

• Alarm clock
• Britta Water Filter
• Clothes drying rack and/or sweater dryer
• Flashlight with batteries
• Laundry supplies (laundry bag or basket, detergent, bleach, fabric softener, stain remover, dryer sheets)
• Linens (extra-long twin sheets, pillows, blankets, comforter, mattress pad 80 inch by 36 inch or "college size").
• Plastic under-bed storage containers
• Reusable shopping bag
• Reusable water bottle/coffee mug
• Seasonal clothing and hangers
• Toiletries, towels, bathrobe, shower caddy
• Umbrella
• Fan
• Microwave (700 watts maximum)
• Refrigerators (3.7 cubic feet maximum)
• Television and cable cord
• Wipe-off message board for your door

What to leave at home:

• Air conditioners (including portable air conditioners)
• Alcohol containers (even if they are empty and used for decoration, alcohol containers are a violation of the alcohol policy in the underclass residence halls)
• Candles (whether they are decorative or have sentimental value)
• Cement blocks (single beds may be elevated with leg lifters)
• Cooking elements; such as toaster ovens, toasters, hot pots, rice cookers, skillets, hot plates, Foreman-type grills (in underclass halls)
• Furniture, rugs, etc.
• Halogen lamps
• Incense and potpourri burners
• Outdoor grills
• Pets (only fish are allowed)
• Space heaters
• Prohibition of large pieces of personal furniture (i.e. couches, large cooking supplies, etc.) that would make it challenging to move out 
• Discouraging extensive decorating, including limiting wall postings, so they can be removed quickly in case of an emergency

Please click on the below link to access My Hound Housing.