Residence Life Commuter Information

Residency Requirement

Bridgewater College was founded as a residential college and is committed to remaining a residential institution. The College believes that participation, engagement and incorporation into campus life through the residential experience are key elements to the holistic development of every student and integral to our liberal arts tradition of education.

Although there are exceptions, the expectation is that all full-time students will live on campus.

A student will be allowed to live off campus if one of the following conditions is met:

1. The student lives at home with his/her parents or legal guardians at the parents' or guardian's principal residence in one of the following counties: Augusta, Highland, Page, Rockingham and Shenandoah.
2. The student is 23 years of age or older at the start of the school year at issue.
3. The student is/was a member of the armed forces.
4. The student is married or is a custodial parent.
5. The student is a transfer student from another institution who has accumulated 24 credits or more.

In addition, a student may request a special waiver from the associate dean of students if the student has a documented medical, physical, mental or health need that cannot be met by any of the housing options available on campus. The special waiver is effective only for the year in which it is granted; the request must be renewed each year in which the waiver is sought.

When a student living off campus no longer satisfies one of the conditions permitting off-campus residence, he/she will have the option of either moving to campus or being reduced to part-time status (less than 12 credit hours). Returning students should note that an exception to the policy will not be permitted simply because a student (or his/her parents) signs a lease on rental property, or owns a residence locally which is not the parents' principal residence.

This policy will apply to all returning students, entering freshmen, and transfer students. The policy is not intended to cause difficulty for any student. It is simply intended to clarify who we are as a campus community and our commitment to the importance of the residential experience.

Off-Campus Housing Request

To apply to be a non-resident student, an off-campus housing request form must be completed and turned in to the department of student life. You may send your completed form to:

Department of Student Life
Bridgewater College
402 E. College Street
Bridgewater, VA 22812

After reviewing the request, the department of student life will notify the student in writing concerning the outcome.