Living on our main campus in Lakeland, Florida, means more than just a place to stay; it’s an immersive experience that shapes your time here. With our many residence halls, dining areas, and more, SEU provides a supportive and engaging environment for all students. Whether you’re an incoming or returning student, you’ll find your community at SEU. Let’s explore what makes campus living so special.
Residence Halls
We offer a variety of residence halls, each with its own unique character and amenities, to enhance your on-campus experience. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect from each one.
Bethany & Bauer — Bethany Hall and Bauer Hall are popular among incoming students, the former used to house our female students and the latter our male students. The buildings, adjacent to each other, are nearly identical in layout, each including two-person rooms, communal bathrooms, and several common spaces. Bethany even has access to a private courtyard! Tour Bethany and Bauer here.
Buena Vida — Buena Vida consists of two connected buildings: Buena Vida East (female dorms) and Buena Vida West (male dorms). These are eight-person suites consisting of two bedrooms (four to a room), a common space, and a bathroom. There are also communal common spaces on each floor to be shared by all of the residents. The Buena Vida residence halls are in the same building as the Buena Vida Food Court and overlook Lake Holloway. You may even have some of your classes in Buena Vida East or West, which means that you won’t have to walk very far to get to class — you won’t even have to leave the building! Tour Buena Vida here.
Aventura — Aventura Hall consists of eight and four-person suites for female students, with common areas on the first and second floors. An eight-person suite consists of four rooms (two to a room), a shared bathroom, and a common space. A four-person suite consists of two rooms separated by a shared bathroom. The rooms in a four-person are larger than those of an eight-person suite due to the lack of a common room. Aventura is located near our main campus dining hall, Tuscana Ristorante. Tour a four-person or an eight-person suite.
Esperanza — Esperanza Hall is identical in layout to Aventura, with eight and four-person suites for female residents. This residence hall is located near our sand volleyball court and the football field. Tour a four-person or an eight-person suite.
Destino — Destino Hall, located across from Esperanza, includes eight and four-person suites for our male residents. Destino and Esperanza share access to the quad, a fire pit, and the sand volleyball court. Destino is the residence hall nearest to the football field. Tour a four-person or an eight-person suite.
Valencia & South Pointe — Our Valencia and South Pointe residence halls include four to five-person studio style residences. Valencia, for our female residents, is located near the food court and the intramural and soccer fields. South Pointe, for our male residents, is located near the tennis/pickleball court and laundry room. Tour Valencia and Southpointe here.
On-Campus Dining
We have plenty of food options for you to choose from without needing to leave campus! Grab a bite to eat with a friend, enjoy coffee with a professor, or create memories over dinner with a Discipleship Group. Here’s where:
Tuscana Ristorante — Our main campus dining hall with homestyle meals.
Chick-fil-A — Located in the Mi Casa food market in the center of campus, you can enjoy all of your favorite chicken entrées, waffle fries, and more.
Portico Coffeehouse — Grab coffee, tea, smoothies, and açai bowls on the go, or pull up a chair to study or relax.
Buena Vida Food Court
- Backyard Burgers — Burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels —Bagels, sandwiches, coffee, and pastries.
- Papa John’s Pizza —Freshly made, personal-size pizzas.
See meal plan options here.
What to Bring Checklist
Starting college is an exciting time, and you’ll want to be well prepared before you arrive. If you’re a first-year student spending the summer getting ready for your arrival at SEU, check out this Dorm Checklist, which includes some handy tips and a list of things to consider bringing.
Why Live on Campus?
Community and Connection — Living on campus means you’re always close to classes, the library, campus dining, and other essentials. Plus, it’s much easier to meet new people, join clubs, participate in campus events, and find community.
Convenience — All residence halls are within walking distance to everything on campus! With all-inclusive utilities (including unlimited use of washing machines and dryers), maintenance services (including housekeeping), and dining options and classrooms right nearby, on-campus living offers unmatched convenience. You’ll be able to focus more on your studies and campus involvement and less on commuting.
Support and Resources — Living on campus ensures you have access to multiple resources whenever you need them. Resident Assistants (RAs) and our Community Coordinators are always available to provide support, from academic support to spiritual guidance.
Safety — SEU places a high priority on student safety. With secure entry systems, regular patrols, and emergency protocols, you can feel secure in your campus home.
Note: All campus-based students are required to live on campus except in specific, approved circumstances. View the SEU housing policies here.
Make Yourself at Home!
Living on campus at SEU is an experience that extends beyond the classroom. From our multiple housing and dining options, and the sense of community and convenience it offers, there’s no better way to immerse yourself into the Fire Family. So get ready for an exciting journey at SEU — we’ll see you on campus!
Learn More
Reminder: Get Fire Ready before Welcome Week!
Only students who are Fire Ready can get a move-in appointment when they open up later this summer, so don’t wait!
By: Mia Golding, Student Writer
