March 18, 2025

Happy Tuesday!

As we find ourselves in the midst of midterm season, we wanted to take a moment to check in and offer some words of encouragement. We know this can be a stressful time and we want to remind you that you're capable, resilient, and equipped to tackle whatever challenges come your way.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate through midterms successfully:

1. Stay Organized: Keep track of important dates, deadlines, and exam schedules. Creating a study plan or using a planner can help you stay organized and manage your time effectively.

2. Take Care of Yourself: Remember to prioritize self-care during this busy time. Get enough sleep, eat healthily, and make time for activities that help you relax and recharge.

3. Break it Down: Break down your study materials into smaller, manageable chunks. Focus on one topic at a time, and don't forget to take short breaks to avoid burnout.

4. Utilize Resources: Take advantage of resources available to you, such as tutoring services, study groups, the library, or professor office hours. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you're struggling with course material. The Tutorial & Academic Skills Center provides free tutoring and has some great resources including testing taking strategies, reading strategies, & time management strategies. Check out those resources here!

5. Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset and believe in yourself. You've worked hard to get to this point, and you're capable of achieving great things.



Remember, your well-being is just as important as your academic success. Don't be too hard on yourself, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need support or encouragement.

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

•  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 18 - Aquinas

Thursday, March 20 - 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

Thursday, April 10 - Ageno East & West

Upcoming Campus Events

Come to Wednesday's 9 a.m. send-off and wish our Gaels well as they head to the NCAA tournament and March Madness!

The team will board its bus at 9:30 a.m. outside of UCU Pavilion, and we’re calling on all Gaels to come give a proper send-off! We will begin gathering at 9:00 a.m.

Join us every Monday for Movie Night!

9:00 - 11:00 PM

Dryden

Sponsored by the Residence Hall Association

Roommate Finder Mixer

Wednesday, March 19

8:00 - 9:00 PM

Hagerty Lounge

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

Transfer Student Happy Hour & Roommate Finder Mixer

Thursday, March 20

5:00 - 6:30 PM

1928 Pub

Appetizers provided! Beverages & alcohol available for purchase

The Residence Hall Association has moved offices and is now located on the 2nd floor of Ferrogiarro Hall! Need to get in touch? Come say Hi! send an email to rha@stmarys-ca.edu or DM the group on Instagram at @smc_rha!

Let's save lives together! Roll up a sleeve and help patients at the Saint Mary's College Blood Drive! 

To make an appointment visit: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=STMARYS or download the Red Cross Blood Donor app! 

Make sure to select St. Mary's College! 

Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: Soda Center

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

Dining Information for Spring Break

Oliver Hall will have limited hours during Spring Break

Meal plans are not active but students can purchase a meal using cash, credit, or flex dollars.

No late night on Thursday, March 27, 2025

Last meal prior to Spring Break for meal plan holders:

Lunch on Friday, March 28, 2025 (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

First meal post Spring Break for meal plan holders:

Dinner on Sunday, April 6 (5:00 - 8:00 PM)

For students wishing to pay with Cash/Credit or Flex Dollars, Oliver Hall will have the following hours:

Friday, March 28

Dinner (5:00 - 6:00 PM)

Saturday, March 29 - Saturday April 5

Breakfast | 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Lunch | 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Dinner | 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Sunday, April 6

Breakfast | 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Lunch | 12:00 - 1:00 PM

1928 Pub – Closed during Spring Break

Coffee Shop

Friday, March 28 | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday, March 29 - Sunday, March 30 | Closed

Monday, March 31 - Friday, April 4 | 8:00 - 2:00 PM

Saturday, April 5 | Closed

Sunday, April 6 | 12:00 - 4:00 PM

Normal operations resume: Monday, April 7, 2025

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