What time is it at Notre Dame? Notre Dame is in the Eastern Time Zone and adheres to Daylight Savings Time.
How's the weather in lovely South Bend? One word: Unpredictable. Come prepared for all temperatures and all forms of precipitation! Here are average monthly temperatures for South Bend, IN: January: 31°F, February: 36°F, March: 47°F, April: 59°F, May: 71°F, June: 80°F, July: 83°F, August: 81°F, September: 74°F, October: 62°F, November: 48°F, and December: 36°F.
What do I wear? You'll find a variety of styles here at ND. In classes, women's attire ranges from skirts to warm-ups to khakis to PJs. Students wear A LOT of ND gear. Jeans and sweatshirts can cover you for class, but so can dressing up from there. However you dress at home, your style will fit right in here at Notre Dame!
What goes on during Welcome Week? Welcome Week is designed to give you time to meet other students outside of class, introduce you to University resources that will help you feel supported and succeed during your time here, and introduce you to life in your residence hall and with your new roommates. You'll also attend a few formal presentations about University policies and guidelines, as well as celebrate a welcoming Mass together with the university administrators. An amazing and helpful Hall Staff and Welcome Weekend Staff will welcome you to the Farley community. More information can be found under the "New Students" page on this website!
Where can I buy things for my room during Welcome Weekend? Here's a list of local stores to make your shopping trips easier. Bed, Bath & Beyond offers the option to delay pick-up of your online purchases or things you bought in your hometown until you get to South Bend. Most of the stores near campus are in Mishawaka--about a 5-10 minute drive from campus.
Bed Bath & Beyond Super Target Meijer University Park Mall 5802 Grape Rd. 155 E University Drive 5020 Grape Rd. Grape Rd. & S R 23 Mishawaka, IN 46545 Granger, IN 46530 Mishawaka, IN 46545 Mishawaka, IN 46545 (219) 271-0709 (574) 243-7442 (574) 273-3510 (574) 271-5531
Wal-Mart Supercenter ...and many more! 316 Indian Ridge Mishawaka, IN 46545
What is an SYR? An SYR is an informal dance that each residence hall hosts once a year. SYRs are one of the most time-honored undergraduate traditions, and the term 'SYR' originally stood for "Screw Your Roommate," as in, 'set them up with a very random dance partner'. While it is up to you to decide if you or your roommates will select your dance guest, we now understand that every member of the Notre Dame community would be lucky to be invited by you, and that you will have fun no matter who you go with! (Many people go in groups as well!) SYRs are held in both on- and off-campus venues, and range from casual to formal in attire. Many SYRs are themed, so be sure to bring all of your most ridiculous outfits! Farley will have an SYR, but nothing compares to POP FARLEY WEEK in January. Celebrating the birthday of the man for whom we're named, we plan a week's worth of evening activities including a dorm dinner, section skits, and hall decorating, and culminate the celebration with a formal dance.
Do we have to be varsity material to compete for Farley in athletics? Far from it! We admit that interhall sports can be pretty intense at ND, but in Farley, we're just out to have a good time! We have teams for flag football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, ping pong, cross country, tennis...and MORE! No experience necessary; we'd love for you to join anything you can find the time for. The one thing that is required is proof of insurance; the RecSports office won't let you play without it, so come armed with your provider's name and policy number.
Where can I get a job on campus? A decent number of ND offices and departments are willing to hire first year students (especially if you qualify for work-study), but you'll want to be on the job hunt ASAP. Try your luck at this link or seek out a job in your first few days at school...otherwise there is always a need for workers in the dining hall!
What about banking? Notre Dame Federal Credit Union (NDFCU) has a branch office on Douglas Road just outside the campus. The First Source Bank has its home in the basement of LaFortune Student Center. There are also numerous ATMs scattered around campus, such as in the Main Building, LaFortune Student Center, South Dining Hall, North Dining Hall, the Bookstore, and the JACC.
How can I stay in shape? There are two main workout facilities for students: Duncan Student Center, which is a bit closer to Farley, and the Rockne Memorial Gym on South Quad. Both offer an assortment of bikes, steppers, elliptical and free weights, as well as basketball courts. You can also sign up for a variety of fitness classes for a small fee. If swimming is your thing, there is a small pool in the Rock. The tennis courts can also be used by students, and there are plenty of scenic routes to run on and around campus (the lakes are among the most popular). And of course Farley has its own gym in the basement, where you can find treadmills, ellipticals, weights, and a rowing machine. If all else fails, you can make friends in Carroll and claim the hike to their dorm as exercise!
What is the Moreau First Year Experience? You'll have your first Moreau course during Welcome Weekend, where they'll explain all about it. Basically, it is a two-semester graded course designed to assist with your transition to Notre Dame, connect you with faculty and students you otherwise might not meet, set you up for holistic success at ND, and ground you in the five pillars of Holy Cross Education (mind, heart, zeal, family, hope).
What are 'parietals'? Parietals are when the 'visiting hours' of the residence halls end for people of the opposite sex. These hours are midnight to 9 AM on weeknights and 2 AM to 9 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. During these times, men may not be in women's residence halls and women may not be in men's residence halls, whether ND students or not (exception: 24-hour designated public lounge spaces in each hall).
What about the dining halls and meal plans? Our dining halls are among the best in the country! There are two: North Dining Hall and South Dining Hall - but you'll probably go to North the most since it's right next door to Farley. As far as meal plans are concerned in your first year, you have three options:
The first (default) option is the Block 250. This will give you up to 250 dining hall meal "swipes" per semester and $500 in Flex Points which you can spend at on-campus retailers in the LaFortune Student Center, Duncan Student Center, and other cafés on campus. LaFortune is home to Starbucks, Subway, Smashburger, "TacoHut" (a Taco Bell / Pizza Hut store), and the Huddle Mart (a small convenience store). Duncan Student Center also has amazing food at the Hagerty Family Café, Star Ginger, and Modern Market - just be sure to ration your flex points because these places are a bit pricier!
The second option is the Block 250 Upgrade, which still has 250 swipes per semester, but only $360 Flex Points and an additional $360 Domer Dollars. This is a $282 upgrade per semester to the typical rate for room and board. Domer Dollars can be used to buy school supplies and ND gear in the Bookstore.
The third option is the unlimited plan, which consists of unlimited dining hall swipes and zero flex points. Note that most students prefer to have flex points, because the on-campus food retailers are incredible! More information about all these meal plans can be found here.
What is the difference between Flex Points and Domer Dollars? Domer Dollars is money that you put on your ID to be used anywhere on campus, and some select locations off-campus (like Eddy's street). It works in much the same way that a debit card works, and there is no limit to how much money can be put on it, and how many times it is replenished. Flex Points are money that can be spent in most of the same on-campus venues that you can spend Domer Dollars on, however the difference is that this money comes with your meal plan. If you buy the standard plan, you automatically receive $500 in Flex Points. If you do not spend all of your flex points in the fall semester, they simply roll over into the spring semester. However, if you do not spend all your flex points by the end of the spring semester, they don't roll over into the next school year. Domer Dollars, since it is your own money that you put on your card, cannot be lost. If you don't spend all your Domer Dollar in the Fall, they carry over in the Spring; if you don't spend all your Domer Dollars by May, they roll over into the new Fall semester, or the summer session if you are on campus. If you graduate and still have Domer Dollars left, a check will be mailed to your home with the remaining balance. For more information on meal plans, Flex Points, and Domer Dollars, visit the Food Service's FAQ page: dining.nd.edu/services/meal-plans/on-campus-undergrads/
What are the rules about drinking? Any person under the age of 21 years of age is underage in the State of Indiana and may not lawfully possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is prohibited in the corridors and common areas, even for those who are 21 years old, and no student is allowed to have hard liquor (alcohol in excess of 14% alcohol by volume). Kegs are prohibited. Intoxication by any student, of any age, whether in public or private, is prohibited. (You will be thoroughly briefed on the alcohol policy during orientation! We strive for a community of wellness and care for each other, and we ask that you look out for each other!)
Where can I worship? For students who are not Catholic, there is a Welcome Weekend presentation to give you resources and orientation for navigating life here at a Catholic university, and to connect you with resources, places to worship in town, and a means of transportation to get there. Campus Ministry and your Farley Hall Staff are delighted to support you throughout the year, so please do not hesitate to reach out! You can find us in the Hall, check out the Campus Ministry website (https://campusministry.nd.edu/mass-worship/interfaith-resources/), or speak with one of their staff members in Co-Mo (the Coleman-Morse building where spirituality/faith resources are housed on campus). Since Notre Dame is a Catholic university, there are many places to engage in Catholic worship on campus (which all are welcome to join in on!), from the Basilica, to its crypt, to the chapels in each dorm. The Farley community celebrates Mass together weekly, as listed under the 'Events' tab on this website!
What if I get physically injured or sick? When a couple of aspirin won't do the trick, you can go to the student health center. University Health Services is located in Saint Liam Hall, right behind the Dome between Keenan and Lewis. They accept walk-ins, but if you want to secure a shorter wait time, make sure to call in ahead of time to get an appointment with one of the doctors. Their website is on our Helpful Links Page!
What if I need mental health support? Notre Dame has a network of support services for either one-time and/or ongoing support needs, ranging from less-serious to serious in nature, in order to help you not only survive, but thrive, during your time here as a student. Your Hall Staff can connect you with these resources, and there will be introductions to them throughout Welcome Weekend and during your years here. The University Counseling Center and McDonald Center for Student Wellbeing are two of the main ones for all students to engage in, and both have websites with more information on them. (Find those links on our Helpful Links Page!)
How do I send and receive mail? Farley has a mailroom in the basement and you will have a key to a mailbox for your room. There is a box down there where you can put outgoing mail as well. If you need more services, Notre Dame has its very own post office and several mailboxes around campus. And you can also delight in the fact that companies like FedEx and UPS will deliver right to your room! For friends and family wanting to send you mail, your address will look like this:
[Name] Room ### 100 Farley Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-5609
How do I know what books to buy and where do I get them? You can find out what books you need by going to the website of Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore. They will have a database from which you can choose your course number (ex. POLS 30040-01), and it will then show you what books you'll need for the class. If your professor has not sent info to the bookstore, nothing will be listed - but no worries, the syllabus you receive on the first day will list texts. A word of caution: while buying your books from the campus bookstore is extremely convenient, it is also notoriously expensive. Usually you can buy used copies - or even new ones - from a different source (ebay.com, amazon.com, betterworldbooks.com), but this takes effort and you have to be careful to buy the correct edition. In general, it is easiest for first semester freshmen to bite the bullet and buy from Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore. Then, as you progress in your years here at ND, you'll become much more astute about how and where find better deals than at the bookstore.
What about housekeeping? Farley has a team of wonderful housekeepers who clean the common areas of the building daily, including the bathrooms on each floor. However, the Finest are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, including vacuuming and emptying the trash into the dumpster behind Farley. In an effort to go green, each room comes with a recycling bin, and we ask that every resident put their recyclables in the containers in the main hallway on their floor. Vacuums are available on each floor as well. Be sure to bring all of your other favorites - Windex, rags, Comet, a sponge, spray carpet cleaner, etc.
What about safety? The University of Notre Dame Police Department (NDPD) is fully authorized as a police agency by the State of Indiana. Officers maintain a 24-hour patrol of campus every day. In addition to the patrol section, officers are assigned to an investigation unit, a crime prevention and technical service unit, and a parking services and special event security unit. A number of emergency call stations are positioned around the campus for use in contacting security, and telephones are located at the main entrances of all residence halls. The Notre Dame Fire Department (NDFD) is also a full-service fire department for use in emergency situations. When walking on campus after dark, call 634-BLUE for an escort from the men and women of Notre Dame SafeWalk. A SafeWalk employee will meet you and walk with you to or from any point on campus. The service is free and confidential. SafeWalkers are student employees of the Security Police department, have photo-ID cards, and are in radio contact with the Security Police Communication Center.
What about computers and printers? Computers are not required; however, many ND students elect to bring a personal computer to campus. Laptops are a popular choice for their convenience and ability to connect to the wireless Internet available across campus. Students may also bring their own printer if they so choose. However, each student does receive $10 in print quota to use on campus printers, and you can buy more if you ever run out (although that is a good start as each printed page is only a couple of cents). There are many printers around campus - Farley has one in the study room - and all you have to do is connect your computer once you're on campus. Instructions for doing this can be found on the OIT website (oit.nd.edu), and Farley's Technology Liaison will also be available to assist with computer needs.
How do I get around campus and off-campus? On campus, walking is the most popular option (or running on those days you forgot to set your alarm). Our campus is relatively small, and Farley is surprisingly "centrally located" even though it may not appear to be. However, some people have bikes and find that it cuts down a great deal of travel time. If you choose to bring a bike, register it with NDPD and get a good lock. In the event that someone "borrows" your bike, NDPD can work to locate it if you had it registered. Over the winter, there is free bike storage. Some people also opt to use other things like skateboards or razor scooters, though bikes are most popular.