Residential Life
Living on campus at JWU Providence gives our students the opportunity to experience the best of the Creative Capital while living in a close-knit community.
Most of our residence halls are centrally located. The Downcity Campus, in the heart of Providence, houses students from all colleges. The Harborside Campus, which overlooks Narragansett Bay, primarily houses Culinary Arts students.
Our residence halls offer traditional rooms, suites and apartment community living. Whether you’re looking for a single or a suite, a social whirlwind or a close-knit atmosphere, there’s a hall to meet your needs.
“It’s my pleasure to welcome you to your new home at JWU. Whether this is your first year or you’re a returning resident, I am happy you’ve chosen to stay with us. We hope that you love living here!”Director Becky Budynkiewicz
Director of Residential Life Becky Budynkiewicz provides direction and oversight to universitywide Residential Life staff ensuring that department efforts align with university goals.
Associate Director of Housing Operations Andrea Mantilla directs and oversees Housing Operation staff, including student placements, system management and facilities.
Assistant Director of Student Housing Operations Ryan Ford oversees the management of the Residential Life office, including student placements, housing selections, relocation and student accounts and maintains housing system.
Assistant Director of Residential Education Nanetshka Vargas-Fernandez oversees Snowden Hall in addition to recruitment and training of student teams. In their position, they also lead initiatives for the residence halls to maintain a safe, educational, engaging, and welcoming environment for students.
Area Coordinators & Residence Directors
Area Coordinators and Residence Directors are live-in professional staff responsible for creating a safe, supportive, living-learning environment for residential students through supervision of the hall’s residence life team members and serving as first-level professional support for various student housing issues (roommate conflict, facilities-related concerns, etc.).
Area Coordinator for Harborside Village and Harborview: Lauren Anderson
Residence Director for McNulty and Xavier: TBD
Residence Director for South, East & West (the HUB): Jaya LaPrade
Can I change my room assignment now?
Once you have selected housing, you can join our room change process called Waitlist. We start work on the waitlist requests after housing selection and continue to process requests until August.
Can I change my room after I arrive? What if I want to switch my room with another person after I move in?
We offer room change requests a couple of times per year. The first opportunity is available over the summer. Once the academic year starts, Waitlist also opens up the 3rd week of every semester. During the Waitlist window, you can put in a room change request and we’ll do our best to fulfill your request.
All room changes need to be approved by residential life, so please do not change rooms without approval or without speaking to your building’s manager first.
After I arrive, can I just switch rooms with another person if they want to move, too?
Yes, you can, as long as you do it during the room change process that starts in week 3 and you inform your Area Coordinator about the change.
Can I move in early?
Yes. Via the Wildcat Housing System, we offer early move-in (up to two days prior to the official move-in day) for a daily fee. The fall semester application opens in late July. For the spring semester, early move-in is available up to one day prior to official move-in. We are unable to offer anything earlier than that.
I am in a triple, but there are only 2 people assigned to my room. Does that mean I will have extra space in my room?
If you have an empty space in your room, please keep it available for a new roommate to move in. This includes leaving the extra bed, closet, dresser and desk free of personal items and ready for a new occupant.
Can I ship my belongings ahead of time?
The residence halls are not able to receive mail or packages until the first day of classes of each semester. If mail/packages are sent ahead of time, they will be returned. Please plan for any and all shipments to arrive after you have moved into the residence hall.
How do I get a microfridge for my room?
Discuss microfridge options with your roommates, then make rental arrangements through College Refrigerators at 800-525-7307. The microfridge will be in your room when you arrive. If you are not able to secure a fridge prior to move-in day, you can reach out to receive one, based on availability.
What should I bring with me?
Review our recommended packing list.
What’s in my room?
The university provides each resident with a twin extra-long bed and mattress, a desk and a chair, a dresser, and an armoire or a closet space.
What’s in my hall?
Each hall conveniently provides areas for student use such as study rooms, TV lounges, game rooms, and laundry rooms. Each hall also features a printing station for residents to utilize to print materials for their course work.
Where can I do laundry?
Laundry facilities are located in each residence hall and are for res hall residents. If you have questions, reach out to your building manager.
What does my meal plan include?
JWU offers a range of meal plan options. For answers to your dining-specific questions, refer to Campus Dining’s Instagram or our Dining FAQ.
Is there a nurse or doctor on campus?
Health Services provides basic health care for students. There is no charge for treatment, and many medications are dispensed free of charge.
In the event of a medical emergency, dial 911 first for emergency assistance; then contact Campus Safety & Security at 401-598-1103. For more info, contact Health Services or see your hall team member.
Is there transportation on campus?
Yes. Your valid JWU ID allows you to use JWU transportation (also known as Wildcat Wheels) at no cost to you. Visit JWU Transportation for more information.
Can I park on campus?
You must obtain a university-issued parking permit to park on campus in designated locations. Parking permits can be purchased on a yearly or semester basis. You can purchase a permit from Student Academic & Financial Services, either online or in person.
Can I have pets?
Yes, we allow students to have pets on campus as long as you choose to reside in one of our Pet and Animal Friendly (PAF) communities.
You are limited to one pet only — meaning one pet per person. Your roommates may bring a pet as well, so there may be multiple animals in the room. We strongly encourage you to have conversations with your roommate(s) about your pets before arriving to campus. Review our Pet & Animal-Friendly Community Guide and our information about emotional support animals and service animals.
Note: A student does not need to have an animal in order to live in a pet and animal friendly community. For example, a student may want to live with a roommate who has a pet.
Where can I get more information about on-campus housing?
More information is available via Living on Campus.
How are residence halls secured?
All residence halls require card access to enter the hall. (Students use their ID card to gain access to their respective residence hall.) With the exception of the Harborside Village and a few upper-class and post-traditional halls, the front desk of every hall is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when the halls are open.
How do I send mail/a package to my student?
Hall addresses can be found in Living on Campus. Be sure to include your student’s hall name, address and room number.
Can I ship items ahead for my student?
We do not staff the residence halls until students arrive, so mail will not be accepted prior to move-in. If packages or mail are sent ahead of time, they will be returned. Please plan for any and all shipments to arrive after your student has moved into a residence hall.
How can my student select housing for the next academic year?
Learn more about how housing selection works.
Where can I get more information about on-campus housing?
More information is available via Living on Campus.
How can I become involved on campus?
Join our email list. You can also volunteer through JWU’s Parent & Family Advisory Board.