Since Trinity’s founding in 1869, the University has aimed to make students feel at home.
Today, the Residential Life Office offers a developmental program tailored to the needs of all residents. It not only provides a safe living space but goes beyond that by creating a growth-oriented, lively, and educationally stimulating residential environment, meant to help students learn both inside and outside the residential halls. Students are encouraged to bond with one another while exploring opportunities on campus to become well-rounded graduates ready to take on real-world challenges after college.
The face of residential life as we know it has seen many stages. In 1869, with no residential facilities on campus, students sought boarding accommodations in the homes of faculty members and other families in the immediate vicinity at monthly rates ranging from $10.00 to $12.50. Once on-campus residential facilities were established, the segregation of male and female students into separate housing units on the east and west sides of campus prevailed from 1952 until 1970, when co-educational residential halls opened and became available to students who chose that option.
Resident students in the 1950s lived under regular adult supervision. Although men had no curfews, their rooms were subject to unannounced inspections and could be suspended for leaving campus without notifying their supervisor.
By 1984, the administration decided to transform Trinity from a mixed residential-commuter campus to a primarily residential university. All first-year students were required to live on campus in residence halls beginning in the 1985-86 academic year.
With the current residential life model, new students are housed together in the first-year area, with a supportive environment to help them transition to college life. In the award-winning Sophomore College, second year students live in vibrant communities that emphasize studying abroad, selecting majors, service, and social justice to help them maximize their opportunities on campus. In the upper-division area, students enjoy a community-based environment where programs about career development and life after college are offered. Every residence hall is assigned to a resident assistant (RA) who regulates policy, organizes engaging social events, listens to concerns and conflicts, and offers students a doorway to all the resources available at Trinity to help them pursue their passions.
"The most memorable parts of my experience in Res Life have been watching students I have worked with succeed. Their success come in a variety of fashions ranging from theater plays, to award ceremonies, to business pitches, and more. I am always incredibly proud to see what our students accomplish." - Michael Logan ’19, Residential Life Coordinator.
In addition to the grade-specific dormitories, Trinity offers themed residence halls that group together students with common interests. HOPE Hall is a student-created a living learning community focused on service learning related to San Antonio's homeless population. Students bond with each other as they volunteer at sites around the city to enrich their understanding of the value of giving back to the community. Similarly, Swashbucklers is a substance-free community with students across different majors. It is known for its whimsy pirate theme and interactive group events, such as movie nights and gaming tournaments.
No matter what your passions are, Trinity’s responsive and nurturing approach to residential life ensures that you will find a space on campus that feels like home.
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