Austin College Bulletin 2022-2023
The philosophy of education supported by Austin College encompasses the whole person. It recognizes the importance of social and physical development as well as intellectual development. Association and interaction with individuals in the residence hall community promote significant growth and development. Residential living and other campus-wide experiences offer intentional, active learning opportunities and events to support and encourage student development.
Students admitted as first-year students must live in on-campus housing designated by Austin College for a minimum of six 14-week semesters, including January term, or the equivalent of three academic years. Students admitted as transfer students must live in on-campus housing designated by Austin College for a minimum of four 14-week semesters including January term, or the equivalent of two academic years.
Each long semester during which a student is enrolled full time while studying abroad in a location that is approved and documented by Austin College will count toward the number of semesters necessary to fulfill the Austin College residency requirement.
All students residing in on-campus housing are expected to be enrolled for the full-time equivalent of no less than three courses. Students residing in on-campus housing must subscribe to a meal-plan membership as provided by the college. All entering new students (freshmen) will be assigned at least a 7-day meal plan.
Exemption to the college residency requirement may be granted for those full-time students who are either married or have legal custody of a child that lives with him/her. Students who are 24 years of age or older at the time of matriculation will be granted a waiver of the Austin College residency requirement. Such exemptions will be granted upon receipt of related documentation and the completion of the Austin College Intent to Live Off-Campus form. For further information, refer to the Financial Aid section.
There are five residence halls on campus. Caruth Hall is designated as a women’s residence, while Baker houses male students. Dean Hall, Clyce Hall, and Jordan Family Language House are coeducational residences. The college operates Bryan Apartments, The Flats at Brockett Court, The North Flats, Johnson ’Roo Suites, and The Dr. Marjorie Hass Village on Grand, which are available to juniors, seniors, and graduate students, as available.
Assignment of Rooms
A housing application can be found online after an applicant has paid the matriculation fee. However, before making the actual residence hall assignment, the college must have received the student’s eighth-semester high school transcript, deposit, online housing contract, and online Myers-Briggs inventory. Notifications of roommate assignment generally occur by the middle of June.
Description of Rooms
Most rooms in the residence halls are double occupancy, with the cost higher for a single room, if available. First-year and sophomore students are expected to have roommates. Each room is furnished with the following items per occupant: a single bed, desk, chair, chest, wardrobe/closet, and a high-speed computer network port along with wireless Internet. Students must provide all linens and any other accessories. Free laundry facilities exist in all residential facilities. All correspondence concerning assignment of rooms in the residence halls should be addressed to the Student Life Office.
Residence Hall Staff
Residence halls are staffed by professional community coordinators, student resident assistants (RAs), and student resident managers (RMs). Community coordinators are responsible for the overall operation of the residential facilities. RAs are generally assigned to living areas that have a concentration of first-year students so that they can facilitate adjustment to college by serving as a positive peer influence. RAs assist all students in the residence hall with a range of concerns. Resident managers staff Jordan Family Language House, Johnson ’Roo Suites/Bryan Apartments, The Flats at Brockett Court, and The North Flats. The staff, as well as the hall councils, assists in providing social activities, recreational events, educational programs, and other experiential learning opportunities that encourage student success.
Residence Hall Government
All residence halls are organized using a similar general pattern. The elected hall officers represent residents in planning social functions, designing and maintaining an environment conducive to living and learning, and working to secure the extra services or equipment requested by the residents. The Residence Hall Council assumes some of the responsibility for the organized activities of the hall/complex by implementing guidelines and for helping to enforce regulations within the hall. Additional information about residence life can be found in the student handbook, Environment, on the Austin College website, or by contacting the Student Life Office.