Accommodations and Meals:Living on Campus
University life is most alive when you stay at one of our three campus residences. Here you’ll join 1200 other students on our attractive campus in the south end of Halifax. It’s a safe environment, with security in each building. It’s also a convenient environment, with indoor pedways and walkways connecting all academic university buildings. Just as important, it’s a fun environment with a strong sense of community and spirit. Social programming often includes such things as movie nights, bowling, varsity events, intramural sports, holiday parties, and more. The possibilities are endless.
The University provides, at no extra cost, phones and local phone service, as well as cable TV service and access to unlimited internet on the university network. Each residence has All-You-Care-to-Eat healthy meal plans with special meals (such as vegan or halal) available. Other food-service locations can be found all across campus.
Each residence also has Residence Assistants on every floor as well as a Residence Coordinator. They are there to help students as needs arise.
Saint Mary’s offers traditional dorm-style single and double rooms and apartment-style rooms to accommodate student needs. Our residences are linked to our academic buildings, creating a convenient, connected community. You’ll have easy access to your classrooms, cafeterias, the library, and our new global learning commons, which means you’ll live in a safe and convenient environment. This is all possible because our compact campus is located within one city block.
It is important to remember that the Application for Residence is separate from the application for admission to the University, so if you wish to live on campus, be sure to complete both forms when you apply.
Saint Mary’s provides housing to more than 1200 students in three on-campus residences: Loyola, Vanier, and Rice:
Loyola Residence: a 22-storey high rise with a mix of same gender and co-ed floors. Each floor contains four suites, each with one double and four single rooms with semi-private washrooms. Senior Suites are available for senior level students who prefer a private room and the option of cooking their own meals.
Vanier Residence: A low-rise building with same gender and co-ed floors. Each floor has a common lounge and three suites, each with two single and two double rooms and semi-private washrooms.
Edmund Rice Residence: A 17-storey high-rise featuring self-contained two-bedroom apartments, each with two double rooms, a living room, kitchen, and washroom, shared by four students.
To ensure your university experience is the best it can be, each floor in residence has a Residence Assistant (RA) who is trained to be aware of all campus services available to Saint Mary’s students, and holds floor meetings to ensure students are respecting residence guidelines. An RA also plans social activities to ensure all floor mates are getting to know one another. Whether you prefer a single, double, or apartment style room, your residence experience will enable you to learn more about yourself and your new friends!
Of course, living on campus is not for everyone. Our Off Campus Housing Office can assist you with your search for off campus housing in Halifax.
For more information about your on campus housing options, please visit our Residence Life website.
Eating on Campus
Saint Mary’s is pleased to offer a complete food service program during the academic year. Our fresh market style setting allows all you care to eat dining in a comfortable setting where the food is made fresh before your eyes.
FREEDOM PLAN: This plan offers maximum flexibility for dining at Saint Mary’s. With the Freedom Plan, you enjoy unlimited access to the Dockside dining hall during regular hours of operation. The plan also includes $150 Flex Dollars per term that can be spent at food outlets across campus.
5-DAY FREEDOM PLAN: The 5-Day Freedom Plan offers maximum flexibility for students on campus Monday to Friday, with unlimited entries into the Dockside for all-you-care-to-eat dining. This plan includes $150 Flex Dollars each term that can be spent at food outlets across campus.
14 PLAN: With the 14 Plan, you enjoy up to 14 all-you-care to-eat Dockside entries per week. Plan-holders may enter the Dockside dining hall up to 14 times, whenever they choose during the week’s operating hours. With this plan, you also have $150 Flex Dollars per term that can be spent at food outlets across campus.
10 PLAN: With the 10 Plan, you enjoy up to 10 all-you-care to-eat meals per week. Plan-holders may enter the Dockside up to 10 times, whenever they choose during the week’s operating hours. You also have $50 Flex Dollars per term that can be spent at food outlets across campus.
All four meal plans have 4 guest passes per term. Students can invite a friend or visiting family member to a meal in the dining hall.
Additional flex dollars can be purchased on all 4 plans and these are tax free and be spent at food outlets across campus.
For information on meal plans and advice on nutrition and making healthy choices go to www.smu.ca.campusdish.com