
Fairfield University is located in a charming coastal town in Connecticut, offering students the opportunity to live on the beach. Every year, around 400 seniors move into beach houses, close to campus, as part of their off-campus living experience. The university has a longstanding tradition of allowing seniors to immerse themselves in the local community and enjoy beach living. Students are encouraged to follow guidelines and be mindful of their neighbours to maintain positive town-gown relations. With its beautiful campus, coastal location, and easy access to nearby cities, Fairfield University provides an unforgettable educational experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students living on the beach | ~400 |
| Number of occupants per house | 4 |
| Number of rental units in the beach area | ~100 |
| Percentage of units occupied by students | 85% |
| Year when students can move off-campus | Senior year |
| Semester when students can submit their name for the "Off-Campus Boarders" lottery | Junior year, October |
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What You'll Learn
- Students at Fairfield University can live on the beach during their senior year
- Around 400 students live in beach houses, close to campus
- Students must enter a lottery to be allowed to live off-campus
- Students must wait to be released from campus by the Office of Residence Life
- Beach living is a longstanding tradition at Fairfield University

Students at Fairfield University can live on the beach during their senior year
Fairfield University is located in the charming coastal town of Fairfield, Connecticut, which boasts beaches, marinas, parks, shopping, and fine dining. The University guarantees housing for all four years, but students can choose to live off-campus during their senior year. This is a longstanding tradition, with around 400 students moving into beach houses close to campus each year.
Living on the beach is a perk that many Fairfield University students look forward to since their freshman year. Students can put down a deposit for a rental property as early as their sophomore year, although they are encouraged to wait until they are officially released from campus housing by the Office of Residence Life. The competition for beach houses is high, and students who are not granted permission to live off-campus may lose their desired rental to other students.
Fairfield University's proximity to the beach is a significant draw for prospective students. The beach area has roughly 100 rental units, 85% of which are occupied by students. Students typically live with three other roommates, as zoning regulations limit the rentals to four unrelated occupants.
Living in the beach area provides students with easy access to the town's restaurants and locally-owned businesses. It also offers a tight-knit college-town experience, with the added advantage of being within 50 miles of New York City, allowing for an easy commute to NYC or a day trip to Boston.
To maintain positive town-gown relations, Fairfield University has implemented initiatives to ensure that students are mindful of their impact on the residential area. This includes an orientation at the beginning of each year where town officials are invited to speak, as well as a guide outlining the rules and policies for students living in the beach area.
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Around 400 students live in beach houses, close to campus
Fairfield University is located in a charming coastal town in Connecticut, offering students access to beaches, marinas, parks, shopping, and fine dining, all within 50 miles of New York City. The university guarantees housing for all four years, but students can choose to live off-campus during their senior year, with around 400 students opting to live in beach houses close to campus.
Living on the beach is a longstanding tradition for Fairfield University seniors. The beach houses are located near the North Benson Road campus, along the shores of Long Island Sound. Students can enjoy the coastal lifestyle, with easy access to the water and breathtaking views. The beach living experience is a unique aspect of student life at Fairfield University, providing a memorable way to spend their final year of college.
To secure a spot in one of the beach houses, students typically need to enter a lottery system. The "Off-Campus Boarders" lottery is held in October of their junior year, and participation requires good academic standing and attendance at a mandatory OCB meeting. While the lottery helps manage the number of students living off-campus, it also creates a sense of excitement and anticipation for those hoping to win a spot.
The beach houses are highly sought-after, with students forming groups of four to rent the coveted properties. With approximately 100 rental units in the beach area, competition for the limited spots can be fierce. Students are encouraged to wait until they receive approval from the Office of Residence Life before signing any rental leases, but the demand for beach houses often leads to early deposits and a scramble for the most desirable locations.
Living in the beach houses comes with certain considerations, as students become part of an established residential community. Fairfield University has implemented initiatives to foster positive town-gown relations, including guides, orientations, and meetings with town officials. Students are advised to be mindful of their neighbours, respect zoning regulations, and maintain a good relationship with the local community to ensure a harmonious living experience during their senior year.
Overall, the opportunity to live in beach houses close to campus is a unique and appealing aspect of student life at Fairfield University. It allows seniors to immerse themselves in the local community, enjoy the coastal lifestyle, and create unforgettable memories during their final year of college.
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Students must enter a lottery to be allowed to live off-campus
Fairfield University is a residential campus with around 5,000 full-time undergraduate students living on campus in residence halls, townhouses, and apartment complexes. The university is located in a charming coastal town in Connecticut, offering students access to beaches, marinas, parks, shopping, and dining, all within 50 miles of New York City.
While the university encourages students to live on campus, it does offer seniors the opportunity to live off-campus. To be allowed to live off-campus, students must enter a lottery system, and approximately 400 seniors move into homes on the beach close to campus each year. The Office of Residence Life manages the release of students from campus housing, and students are encouraged to wait for their approval before signing a rental lease.
Fairfield University provides resources to support students in their transition to off-campus living. The university's off-campus housing hub offers information on searching for rentals, finding roommates, local realtors, and transportation options. Students are also advised to be considerate of their neighbours, respecting their lifestyles and maintaining a good relationship by offering help and being mindful of noise levels.
Living off-campus provides students with a unique experience and a chance to explore the local community. Fairfield's downtown area, with its restaurants and locally-owned businesses, is within easy reach, and students can also take advantage of the nearby beaches and the vibrant city life of New York City or Boston. The university encourages students to tailor their campus experience to their lifestyles, offering various dining and housing options to create a well-rounded and memorable college journey.
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Students must wait to be released from campus by the Office of Residence Life
Fairfield University is located in a charming coastal town, offering students the chance to experience college life by the beach. The university is within 50 miles of New York City, providing an easy commute to the city or a day trip to Boston.
Students at Fairfield University have a variety of housing options, including residence halls, townhouses, apartment complexes, and living communities. The university guarantees housing for all four years, with all first-year students living together in traditional-style halls, and most sophomores sharing this arrangement. Sophomores may also have the option of living in suite-style halls. Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to live in the townhouse complexes or apartments, allowing them to learn self-responsibility and shared responsibility.
For students wishing to live off-campus, it is recommended that they wait to be released from campus by the Office of Residence Life before signing any rental leases. The Office of Residence Life is responsible for administering the housing lottery and selection processes, creating a sense of community, and ensuring a high quality of life in the living spaces. Students can contact the office with any queries regarding housing and can access it from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fairfield University provides a range of amenities in its residence halls, including twin XL beds, desks, wardrobes or closets, and access to campus Wi-Fi. Each residence hall is also equipped with a laundry facility, except for Kostka and Claver Halls, which share a single facility. The university promotes a sense of community and engagement among its students, encouraging them to get to know their neighbours and be considerate of their lifestyles. Additionally, the university utilizes an emergency notification system, StagAlert, to notify students, faculty, and staff in the event of a significant emergency.
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Beach living is a longstanding tradition at Fairfield University
Fairfield University's location offers a unique college-town experience with access to beautiful Connecticut beaches, such as Penfield Beach, and the convenience of an easy commute to New York City or a day trip to Boston. The university's proximity to the beach is a significant draw for many students, providing an unforgettable educational experience. Approximately 400 seniors at Fairfield University move into homes on the beach each year, often sharing rentals with three other roommates.
The opportunity to live on the beach during their senior year is a highly anticipated milestone for many Fairfield University students. Some students even put down deposits for beach houses as early as their sophomore year, taking a risk by committing to a landlord before knowing if they will be selected in the "'Off-Campus Boarders' lottery". The lottery system helps manage the number of students living off-campus, with priority given to those in good academic standing.
Over the years, the popularity of beach living among students has created some tension with year-round beachside residents. To address this, Fairfield University has implemented initiatives to foster positive town-gown relations and ensure students are mindful of living in a residential area. These initiatives include releasing guides outlining rules and regulations for beach living and hosting orientations where town officials are invited to speak. The university strives to maintain a collaborative partnership with the Town of Fairfield and improve the quality of life for all residents, including students and permanent beachside residents.
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Frequently asked questions
Students at Fairfield University can apply to live off-campus during their senior year. Around 400 students are released to live off-campus each year, and many choose to live on the beach, close to campus.
Beach living is a longstanding tradition for Fairfield University seniors. The university is located in a charming coastal town, and the beach is within easy access.
Students can submit their names for the "`Off-Campus Boarders`" lottery held in October during their junior year. To be eligible, students must be in good academic standing and attend a mandatory OCB meeting.
Beach living has caused some tension with year-round residents due to noise complaints and differences in lifestyles. Fairfield University has implemented initiatives and processes to improve town-gown relations, such as providing a guide with rules and policies for students and residents to follow.











































