Undergraduate living
All WashU first-year students live on campus. As a first-year, you’ll get to live in one of 10 residential communities on a part of campus we call the “South 40”.
The South 40
The South 40 is like its own small town, complete with a student government, dining facilities, a fitness center, a technology center, meeting rooms, intramural fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts, and more. A gift shop, a convenience store, a mailroom, and several student-run businesses are located there too.
Community Living
As a member of the residential community, you’ll get to know others and become involved in numerous activities and organizations. You’ll be encouraged and supported in your intellectual development and your relationships with others, including students, faculty, and staff.
Residential Community Resources
Our residential communities have social lounges, study rooms, personal computing labs, and recreation rooms. Each residential community also has faculty, student, and staff members dedicated to helping you pursue your personal and educational goals. Resident Advisors (RAs) are highly trained upperclass students who live in the the residential communities, who you can count on as leaders, confidants, resources, and friends. In addition, each college also has a Residential Community Director (RCD), a professional staff member who works with you and your RAs to provide support and manage day-to-day operations. Each community also has its own dedicated housekeeping and maintenance personnel.
Student Leadership
Through the Congress of the South 40 (CS40), you’ll have the opportunity to participate or even lead community programming within your residential community. You’ll elect representatives who work as part of individual residential community councils to address your needs and plan community building programs throughout the school year.
CS40 sponsors and produces many events on the South 40 – including large sporting events, outdoor music festivals, a formal dance, outings to St. Louis attractions, community service activities, and more – throughout the year.
Residential Options
Residence houses located on the South 40 are either modern or traditional buildings.
Modern buildings consist primarily of double rooms, with some triple and single rooms. Most room layouts consist of two double rooms adjoined by a restroom.
Traditional buildings have single, double, and triple room options on each floor. Each floor community shares common restrooms. Some traditional halls are configured in a suite style with double and single rooms, a living area, and a shared restroom.
What’s in a Room?
Your room comes equipped with an extra-long twin bed, a desk, a chair, a dresser, bookshelves, and a closet. All rooms also have mini-blinds and are air-conditioned. Over the summer, you’ll receive Bear Facts, a guide that will include average room dimensions and a list of items to bring to campus.