March 11, 2025

Living with roommates can be an enriching experience, but it's not uncommon for conflicts to arise from time to time. If you find yourself navigating roommate conflicts, know that you're not alone, and there are resources available to help you address and resolve these issues constructively.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate roommate conflicts effectively:

Communication is Key: Open and honest communication is essential when resolving conflicts. Take the time to calmly discuss your concerns with your roommate(s) and listen to their perspective as well. Avoiding confrontation or letting issues fester can often make matters worse.

Set Clear Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries and expectations early on can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts down the road. Respect each other's personal space, belongings, and schedules, and be willing to compromise when necessary.

Seek Mediation if Needed: If you're unable to resolve the conflict on your own, consider seeking mediation through your residence hall’s residential staff (RA & RD). You’re also welcome to stop by the Office of Residential Experience in De La Salle 117 and we are happy to talk through your conflict with you. A neutral third party can help facilitate a productive conversation and find a mutually acceptable solution.

Practice Empathy and Understanding: Try to see things from your roommate's perspective and approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Recognize that everyone has different backgrounds, personalities, and preferences, and be willing to find common ground.

Take Care of Yourself: Dealing with roommate conflicts can be stressful, so make sure to prioritize self-care during this time. Take breaks, engage in activities that help you relax, and lean on your support network for emotional support.

Remember, addressing conflicts proactively and respectfully can lead to a healthier and more positive living environment for everyone involved.

2025-2026 Housing Application Info

The 2025-2026 Housing Application is now open! What does that mean for you?

Housing Application Process Timeline

March 4 - Housing Application Opens

March 25 - Housing Application Closes

March 28 - Students will receive via email their Room Selection Appointment

April 8-10 - In-person room selection (Soda Center)

How are Room Selection Appointments Assigned & Why is Room Selection In-Person this Year?

Based on feedback from the past two years, Returning Student Room Selection will continue to be IN PERSON and in addition to prioritizing earlier room selection appointments for students in larger roommate groups (groups of 6 go first, then groups of 5, etc.), Campus Housing will be dividing up room selection over 3 days based on room type preferences (eg. Upperclass students looking to live in a Townhouse on day 1, followed by those who want to live in Suite Style housing on day 2 (except for those looking for a single by themselves), and single/solo group students looking for single type rooms on day 3). 

Important Campus Housing Updates

Make sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions on our Housing & Dining Website that we’ll be regularly updating leading up to Returning Student Room Selection.

For this upcoming academic year, Campus Housing will be increasing the number of single room options for students by providing additional single occupancy rooms in some of Claeys North (regular suite singles, and then the suite doubles as single occupancy rooms called “deluxe suite singles”), as well as additional singles in some of Justin (traditional double bedrooms as single rooms called “deluxe dorm singles,” priority for single/solo rising sophomores). Also, new for this upcoming year there will be brand new washers and dryers across all the residence halls by our new laundry services vendor Smart-O-Mat Laundry!

Not sure how to apply? Check out our website HERE to learn more about the process, and HERE to start looking at all the different residence halls and room types we have to offer!  

Below are some key dates to mark on your calendars for this upcoming Housing Application & Room Selection Cycle.

2025-2026 Key Campus Housing Dates

• March 4th: Housing Application Opens

March 4th: Open House, After Dark (Residence Hall Tours)

• March 10th & March 19th: Campus Housing Q&A Zoom

Or come into our office to ask your questions!

• March 11th & March 19th: Roommate Finding Mixers 8-9pm
• March 25th: Housing Application Closes (Roommate Groups Close)
• March 28th: Room Selection Appointment Time Slots Emailed
• April 8th - April 10th: IN-PERSON Room Selection (Soda Center, Moraga Room)

In order to participate in Room Selection, students must have completed all health immunization requirements of SMC (most have completed upon first entering SMC). 

Fire Safety Compliance

Campus Housing has received notification from the SMC Facilities Team that the Moraga Fire Marshall will be back on campus Tuesday, March 11th 2025 starting at 9am to check fire safety compliance in the residence halls. They will be accompanied by Facilities Services staff members and residents will be notified via email prior to their buildings inspection.

Here are some of general fire safety compliance guidelines:

•  Discontinue use and remove extension cords & multi-tap adaptors (non-UL listed)

• Additionally, make sure surge protectors are not overloaded, and that extension cords are not being plugged into other extension cords
• Possible Solution: The surge protectors that can be used for non large appliances (refrigerators or microwaves) like cell phones etc. need to have a reset button or similar like below - Attached is a photo of the type that should be utilized.

•  Remove candles and wax hot pots

•  Remove non-battery decorative and string/holiday lighting

• Only battery powered string lights are permitted

•  Ensure all fire safety equipment (smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, etc.) are not obstructed, covered, or have any items hanging from them

Thank you for your continued cooperation in ensuring SMC is fire safety compliant. We anticipate re-inspections a few weeks after the initial inspections to follow up on any violations they noted, but will re-notify the building when we are made aware of this. Campus Housing will be working with Facilities and the Fire Marshall post-inspections to assist with educating residents on fire safety requirements and areas of improvement.

Anticipated Inspection Dates

Tuesday, March 11 - Ageno A

Wednesday, March 12 - Ageno B

Thursday, March 13 - Ageno C

Friday, March 14 - Ageno East & West

Tuesday, March 18 - Aquinas

Thursday, March 19 - Augustine

Tuesday, March 25 - Assumption

Thursday, March 27 - De La Salle

Tuesday, April 1 - Becket & Freitas

Wednesday, April 2 - Claeys North & South

Friday, April 4 - Guerrieri East, West & Justin

Tuesday, April 8 - Mitty & More

Wednesday, April 9 - Sabatte, Syufy & Thille

Upcoming Campus Events

Join us every Monday for Movie Night!

9:00 - 11:00 PM

Dryden

Sponsored by the Residence Hall Association

Roommate Finder Mixer

Tuesday, March 11

8:00 - 9:00 PM

Hagerty Lounge

Looking for a roommate for next year or looking to expand your roommate group? Join us for pizza and mingling!

Join RHA, CAB, & Gael Force for a Saint Patrick's Day celebration at the 1928 Pub! Free food and drinks for purchase!

Thursday, 3/13

6:00 - 9:00 PM

See you there!

Looking for On Campus Employment?

Good Eating Company (Campus Dining) is looking for student workers! Apply here.

Passionate about sustainability? Good Eating Company (GEC) is looking for a student intern this spring to support our sustainability initiatives, including boosting participation in the campus reusables program, reducing food waste, and expanding carbon labeling in Oliver Hall. This paid position is flexible (2–8 hours/week) to fit your schedule. If you're interested or know someone who might be, please use this link to apply! Feel free to share with your network.

Dining Updates

Observing Lent in Oliver Hall

Why does Saint Mary's participate in Meatless Fridays during Lent?

As a Lasallian Catholic Institution in the context of the United States of America, it is tradition to abstain from eating meat during the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays.

In the US, meat is greatly integrated into our diets as the "main source of protein." It is readily available to us and is not the only source of protein. As an act of love and penance, we are encouraged to go without meat to see where God is working in us and see a reflection of the sacrifice Jesus made.

During the Lenten season we encourage you to consider:

Where are you finding the divine/the good working in you?

Oliver Hall will not be serving meat on these dates:

Ash Wednesday | Wednesday, March 5

Friday, March 7

Friday, March 14

Friday, March 21

Friday, March 28

Friday, April 4

Friday, April 11

Questions? Please contact Mission & Ministry

South Arcade | (925) 631 - 4366

Want to see improvements in Oliver Hall? Want to win an Apple Watch? Take the Spring Dining Survey to share your feedback and enter for a chance to win!

Residential Resources

Toilet Paper is Available

If you are in need of toilet paper, you are welcome to stop by the Office of Residential Experience, Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM to pick up supplies.

Did you know we offer Xfinity On Campus to residential students?

For XFinity On Campus Streaming Log into 

https://xfinityoncampus.com/ with your SMC Email ID and single sign-on password. You can also download the XFinity Stream App to watch from most devices!

Facilities Work Order Requests

Is something broken or not working properly in your residential space? Are you noticing pests or moisture in your room? Make sure to submit a work order!

As a reminder make sure to store food properly in air tight containers to avoid ants and other pests!

Need to get in touch?

Office of Residential Experience | reslife@stmarys-ca.edu | 925-631-4236

Campus Housing | housing@stmarys-ca.edu | 925-631-4241