Residential Experience
The University of Rochester is a highly residential campus. On-campus living is a major part of the Rochester college experience, and most students call the campus home for their entire four years. First and second year students are required to live on campus.
First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE)
The First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) is a year-long, structured, residentially-based program for all first-year students designed to help them transition and acclimate smoothly. FYRE consists of peer leaders and staff who are dedicated to supporting you. You will have the opportunity to participate in activities, discussions, and traditions designed to meet the unique needs of your first-year experience. Please see below for more information about FYRE.
First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) (pdf)
FYRE Event Highlights
Study Groups: Study Groups : Collaborative Learning : Learning Center : University of Rochester Study Groups offer an opportunity to study collaboratively with classmates under the guidance of an upper-level undergraduate leader who did well in the same course.
FYRE is collaborating with the Learning Center to host Study Groups focusing on the math sequence classes in the first-year residence halls. Food will be provided
Days: Wednesdays
Dates: Beginning 2/12/25
Location: Friel Loung, Susan B. Anthony Hall
Time: 8-10pm
OR
Days: Thursdays
Dates: Beginning 2/13/25
Location: Gilbert Community Room
Time: 8-10pm
Study Zone at Night: Study Zone : Studying : Learning Center : University of Rochester
Is a quiet, low-distraction place to work. There is personalized peer support to help get past common barriers to turn academic goals into reality.
Days: Mondays
Dates: Beginning 2/3/25
Location: Harper Lounge, Susan B. Anthony Halls
Time: 8-10pm
Days: Thursdays
Dates: Beginning 2/4/25
Location: Lovejoy 117
Time: 8-10pm
Career Exploration Sessions with the Career Center
- Maximizing your Summer- Getting internships and research positions
Week of 2/24-2/29/25, specific date, time and location to be advertised
- Exploring Majors- Career and exploration before you need to declare your major.
Week of 3/24-3/29/25 before course registration, specific date, time and location to be advertised
Food for Thought
D’Lions and Fellows will host programs/discussions surrounding social and academic concerns. Dates and time to be announced by individual D’Lions and Fellows
RA Programs- as announced by your RA
Celebration of the Month- hosted by your D’Lion
Campus Housing
Campus housing offers:
- Traditional style residence halls
- Opportunities to form relationships with others, including classmates, upper-level students, graduate students, and faculty and staff
- Reliable connectivity (voice, video, and data)
- Convenient proximity to classes, libraries, and events
- Opportunities to participate in on-campus activities
- Energetic residential, academic, support, social, recreational, and resource programs
- On-site student and professional staff to help with transition and student support
The Office for Residential Life and Housing Services houses first-year students in traditional corridor style halls with engaging programming, supportive upperclassmen mentors, and comfortable spaces.
The First-Year Hill, including Susan B. Anthony and Genesee Halls, is located near Rush Rhees Library and features taller tower-style buildings close to athletics and dining services.
The First-Year Quad, including Gilbert, Tiernan, Hoeing, and Lovejoy Halls, sits on the traditional Residential Quad near Wilson Commons and the center of campus.
Most first-year students will share a double room with another first-year student; however, there also are a limited number of single rooms and triple rooms. Sometimes Lovejoy Hall is used as a first-year hall during large class size years. Students can also indicate an interest to live in affinity housing as a first-year student.
Housing for Transfer Students
Most University of Rochester students live on campus, and Rochester welcomes transfer students to join our residential undergraduate community as much as possible. However, we cannot always accommodate every transfer student who wants to live on campus.
Spring transfer students may find it easier to obtain housing on-campus. Transfer students are encouraged to fill out the application as soon as they receive it.
More Information
We encourage you to read the residential life materials carefully. They are designed to help you prepare for living at the University of Rochester.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to visit us at the Office for Residential Life in 020 Gates Hall (Susan B. Anthony Halls), call (585) 275-3166, or email us at housing@reslife.rochester.edu.