Student Life FAQ

First-year students live in designated first-year halls — McDonnell, Smith, Swartz and Vedder — most likely in a double-occupancy room. They have the option of choosing to live in a Residential College within a first-year building. Residential Colleges are themed living-learning communities — signups take place during fall course registration, which is due by June 15.

After completing the housing questionnaire, first-year students are matched with a roommate based upon their answers. Housing Services conducts roommate matching and assignments for first-year students.

First-year students are not able to request or choose their roommate. Roommate matching is done using the housing questionnaire. Based on your responses, you'll be matched with a roommate who shares similar living characteristics — for example, your preferred bedtime, guest preferences, etc.

Students with mental health disabilities can request an emotional support animal accommodation through the housing accommodation request process. You can review the University's Emotional Support Animal Policy here.

Housing and Residence Education have prepared a great list of what to bring and what to leave behind.

First-year students are not permitted to bring a car to campus.

First-year students who are cited for bringing their car to campus may lose parking privileges for their sophomore year. Public Safety does not grant parking accommodations for first-year students. If you are a first-year student with accessibility needs, please reach out to the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR). Additional information about parking permits and regulations can be found here.

The University operates a shuttle service with routes that include (there are multiple shuttle routes now) campus, downtown Lewisburg, Walmart and the grocery stores located on Route 15. Short-term vehicle rentals are available on campus through Enterprise CarShare, and a variety of campus and local services exist to assist students with travel to medical appointments. We also offer transportation to airports and train stations during University breaks and at the beginning and end of the fall and spring semester. More information about transportation can be found here.

"Pre-O" refers to our themed Pre-Orientation programs, which take place right before Orientation starts. They're a great way to settle into the University community, connect with classmates and enhance your leadership skills in a program of activities designed to jump-start your Bucknell experience. You can learn more about Pre-O programs and sign up here. Registration is open until June 30 and is first-come, first-served.

New Student Orientation for incoming first-year students will be held Wednesday, Aug. 20, through Sunday, Aug. 24; transfer students Orientation will be Thursday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 24. Please visit the Orientation page for more information about this exciting introduction to life at Bucknell.

Students look forward to many annual University events — here are a few examples:

• Convocation and Candlelighting
• Welcome to the Neighborhood
• Activities Unlimited
• Fall Fest — annual carnival and outdoor concert
• Center Stage — comedian performance
• Black Student Union Stomp Out and Fashion Show
• Bison Sound
• Senior Sunset
• Festivus
• Christy's A Capella Concert
• Canoe Battleship

You will find that Bucknellians are broadly engaged in activities and projects on and off campus. Students are incredibly focused on their academic success and yet make time to socialize, work out at the KLARC, and develop their leadership skills through involvement in clubs and organizations.

Students participate in more than 200 student organizations, events planned by the CAP Center and CORE team, Outdoor Education & Leadership trips, and a wide variety of intramural activities offered through Recreation Services. They're also engaged in an array of service opportunities — from volunteering at the Bucknell Farm to assisting community agencies through the Center for Community Engaged Leadership, Learning & Research.

If you don’t find what you're looking for, you can even start your own club or organization. Requests for new clubs are reviewed by Bucknell Student Government — learn about the process here.

Learn how to get involved at Bucknell

Lewisburg offers great outdoor opportunities on the Susquehanna River, the local rail trail (for walking, running and biking), countless hiking spots and nearby ski areas. Favorite local student destinations include Knoebels Amusement Park, Ard's Farm (featuring hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze and more), the Little League World Series, Penn's Cave and much more. Of course, Lewisburg has some incredible restaurants, coffee shops, stores and downtown events!

If you need some city time, you'll find that Bucknell is centrally located between New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Explore the Lewisburg area

All first-year students are automatically enrolled in the Anytime Access meal plan. This provides access to Bostwick Social House, an all-you-care-to-eat facility, as well as $75 in Dining Dollars. Dining Dollars can be used at any dining location on campus, including 7th Street Café, the Bison, the Library Café, the Commons Café and even concession stands at athletics events.

In future years, you can choose from other plans that include a weekly balance of swipes for entry into Bostwick and varying amounts of Dining Dollars. Anytime Access is the only meal plan available to first-year students.

Bostwick Social House is where you'll eat most often as a first-year student. There are a variety of stations in Bostwick that offer varied menu options all day long.

Bison Kitchen offers dozens of delicious options to meet specific dietary and nutritional needs, including food allergies. Consultations with a staff nutritionist are also available.

Students who meet the Federal Work-Study Program requirements will receive work-study positions as part of their financial aid package. Questions about this program may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.

Many work-study positions are on campus; however, Bucknell's work-study eligible students can also participate in the Community Service Federal Work-Study Program. This program matches students with nonprofit organizations to do work that benefits local residents and the public good. Contact the Center for Community Engaged Leadership, Learning & Research to learn more.

Students can also seek non-work-study jobs on campus. To find out more about open jobs, search in Bison@Work. Contact Student Employment for more information.