When your student looks back on their Biola experience ten years from now, they’ll remember so much more than just papers and group projects — I know that's true for me! When I (Kaiden) think back to my time as a Biola student, I remember dinner in the Caf with my dorm floor every night at 5:15, late night coffee runs to Heritage before bunkering down in the Library reading room, and hours of Exploding Kittens in the Horton lobby with my Torrey Honors cohort.

The place your student lives is where they’ll study, form relationships with fellow Biolans, and, in many ways, become an adult in these incredibly formative years of their life! We want them to have the tools they need to thrive here.

Check out the recording of our “Ask Me Anything: Housing, Res Life and Food” Webinar and explore the answers and links provided in the list we’ve compiled below to help make sure your student is ready for their new life on campus.


Food

Meal plans — what are Biola’s options?

  • Students living in the dorms are required to purchase a minimum 10-meals-per-week plan. Meal plan options and details can be found on our dining services webpage. The meal plans available to residential students are:

    • 20 Flex: 20 meals per week, $150 flex dollars per semester

    • 15 Flex: 15 meals per week, $150 flex dollars per semester

    • 12 Flex: 12 meals per week, $150 flex dollars per semester

    • 10 Flex: 10 meals per week, $150 flex dollars per semester

    • 175 Block: 175 “any time” meals per semester, $150 flex dollars per semester

  • Commuter students can take advantage of meal plans too! In addition to the meal plans listed above, commuters have the following options:

    • 5 Flex: 5 meals per week, $50 flex dollars per semester

    • 20 Block: 20 “any time” meals per semester, $350 flex dollars per semester


Cafeteria food — what options are available in the cafeteria?

  • The Biola Cafeteria (“The Caf” to students!) has many different stations available. These include:

    • Pizzeria: always available with 3 kinds of pizza

    • Chef’s Table: global themed. Typical meal options are things like stir fry, noodle dishes, curry, etc.

    • Home Cooking: typical American comfort foods

    • 6th Street Grill: features a daily special and burger / veggie burger options

    • Salad and Soup Bar: always open with build your own salads and hot soups

    • Deli Bar: always open with build your own sandwich and panini options


On-campus dining — aside from the Caf, what other food options are available on campus?

  • Common Grounds: cozy coffee shop serving locally roasted coffee and bakery items.

  • Heritage Café: coffee and juice bar serving Starbucks beverages, smoothies, acaí bowls, sandwiches and more.

  • Eagle’s Nest: classic diner and grill serving burgers, burritos, salads and more.

  • Students can use their flex dollars at any of our on-campus eateries. They can also take advantage of a meal exchange program with Eagle’s Nest, exchanging one cafeteria meal for the daily featured meal at Eagle’s Nest.


Cafeteria hours — when is the Caf open? Are their food options on campus 24/7?

  • During the school year, the cafeteria is typically open at the following times:
    • Monday – Thursday:

      • Open all day: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

    • Friday:

      • Open all day: 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

    • Saturday:

      • Brunch: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

      • Dinner: 5 – 7:30 p.m.

    • Sunday:

      • Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

      • Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

      • Dinner: 5 – 7:30 p.m.

  • Cafeteria hours can be found on the Caf website.

  • There is a grab and go vending machine in the Student Union Building that offers grab and go sandwiches, pastries and other items that is available to students 24/7.


Dairy free milk — are there multiple options in the cafeteria?

  • The cafeteria offers oat milk, almond milk and lactose-free dairy milk.


Food allergies — what kind of accommodations does Biola offer students?

  • The cafeteria features a gluten free station for students that offers gluten free breads, muffins, donuts and more.

  • The cafeteria menu also features icons indicating items that are gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, etc.

  • Students can also use a tool on Bon Appetit’s website to filter out dishes that contain certain allergens.

  • Students who have severe allergies and dietary restrictions are advised to meet with cafeteria staff to set up special accommodations.


Meal plan changes — can plans be changed mid-semester if needed?

  • Students may upgrade their meal plan at any time, however, the last opportunity to reduce their meal plan is Friday, October 18 for Fall 2024 semester and Friday, February 28 for Spring 2025 semester.


Dorm Living

Be sure to check out our blog post “Dorm Room Shopping: Your Questions Answered”

Move-in — what is the process and schedule?

  • Our Fall 2024 Move-In Day for most students is Friday, August 30.

  • Students and families will arrive to campus and check in to New Student Orientation.

  • Students will be guided to their dorm building where they will have help unloading cars and moving into their dorm.

  • Visit the New Student Orientation schedule for full details.


Furniture and bedding — what is provided in each rooms? What bedding supplies do the students need to bring?

  • Biola provides a twin sized bed, desk, desk chair, wardrobe or closet, bookshelf and dresser for each student. Size details for these items can be found on our Housing webpage.

  • A mattress is provided on each twin bed, but students must bring their own sheets, comforters, pillows, blankets and mattress toppers. Twin XL beds are provided for students upon request on their housing application.


Community programming — what kind of programming is available for students within their dorms?

  • First year students live in dorms with fellow first year students to help them connect with other students who are in the same stage of their college journey. First year students participate in practical events like roommate workshops and fun, community oriented events like Glow Roll (glow-roller skating). RAs also plan community events for each floor and are available to connect students with on-campus resources.


Resident advisors — what role do RAs play on their dorm floors?

  • RAs (Resident Advisors) are student workers who live on each dorm floor. Their job is to curate communal experiences, create a welcoming environment on their floors and help connect students to resources on campus. These student workers plan events, meet one on one with their residents and help to mediate roommate conflicts that can be resolved without directly involving a Resident Director.


Guests and visitation — what are the policies? Are there specific hours during which guests are allowed?

  • Each Biola residence hall houses both men and women, but floors within those halls are limited to a single sex. Opposite sexes are only allowed on each other’s floors during open hour periods, which are currently:

    • Thursday: 2 – 11 p.m.

    • Friday: 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.

    • Saturday: 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.

    • Sunday: 2 – 11 p.m.

  • Overnight guests of the same sex may stay overnight in a student’s room for up to three nights, so long as the student has filled out an Overnight Guest Form. Overnight guests must be a minimum of sixteen years old.


Appliances — do students have access to a fridge, appliances like microwaves and cooking utensils?

  • Mini fridges are allowed in dorm rooms, up to certain wattages (details can be found in the housing handbook). Full size fridges are available in common area kitchens. Students may store food in these fridges if they are labeled with their name.

  • Microwaves are provided in common area kitchens. Students are not allowed to bring their own microwaves.

  • Though some kitchen utensils are sometimes present in common area kitchens, we recommend students bring their own cooking utensils (pots, pans, spatulas, etc.) to accommodate any cooking they expect to do.


Printers — are they recommended? What access is there to a printer if a student does not have one?

  • Many assignments and papers are now submitted online through Canvas.

  • Students may bring their own printer if desired.

  • Printer stations are also available in the Library for students to use. Instructions can be found on our Library’s webpage.

  • Students can also utilize the Biola Print Shop for larger or special printing needs.


Renters insurance — does Biola require or provide it?

  • Biola does not require or provide renters insurance, but students are welcome to have their own renters insurance.


Storage — is there any available on Biola’s campus during the summer time?

  • Biola does not have storage available to students during the summer. Students are welcome to contact the Housing Office (undergrad.housing@biola.edu) with questions about local storage options.



Roommates

Roommate pairings — how are roommates matched up? How are lifestyle preferences factored into the matching process?

  • Biola’s Housing Office asks students pertinent questions when they fill out their Housing Application that help to match students with a roommate who will live well with them. Our housing office takes into account things like temperature preference, waking and sleeping times, interests and hobbies, etc. Roommates are carefully paired with each other and prayed over by the Housing Office.


Finding a roommate — what are the best ways for students to find their own roommate for the fall?

  • Admitted students are invited to join us on Zeemee. There they will be connected to fellow future Biola students. Students can also reach out to the Housing Office (undergrad.housing@biola.edu) to ask about other students who are looking for roommate pairs.

  • We encourage students to think not just about who would be a good friend but who would make a good roommate. Consider things like living preferences, expectations for friendship, etc.


Room changes — is there a process for changing rooms if needed?

  • If a room change is needed, students will work with their Resident Director (professional staff member living in their building) to discuss options and find different accommodations.

  • There is also a roommate change open house that happens at the beginning of each semester where students can look into changing rooms if needed.


Laundry

Laundry facilities — what is available in Biola residence halls? How are laundry machines operated?

  • Multiple laundry machines are provided in each dorm building.

  • Laundry machines can be operate using the PayRange app or with quarters. Instructions can be found on our Student Handbook page.


Irons and ironing boards — does my student need their own?

  • Ironing boards are provided in the laundry room of each dorm building. Irons are not provided and must be brought, if desired, by your student.



Mail

Mail and packages — how do I send things to my student?

  • Students can pick up mail from the Biola Store. When a package arrives on campus, your student will receive an email notification from Biola Mail Services.

  • When sending mail to students, please use the following address format:

    • First Name, Last Name
      Box Number or Mail ID (provided to students once enrollment is complete)
      13800 Biola Avenue
      La Mirada, CA 90639


Advanced shipping — can dorm items be sent to Biola ahead of move-in?

  • Yes! Students are welcome to begin sending items to Biola during the summer before they move in. Simply send these items using the address format listed above. Items will be held on campus until they are picked up during move-in.


ID Cards

ID card setup — how does my student get their student ID?


ID options — are their digital options?

  • Most Biola students use a digital ID card on their phone. Physical ID cards are available for students to have printed in the Biola Library.