Student Life FAQ

Are there support services for students of color at UMass Amherst?

Yes. The Office of Programs and Services for ALANA Students (OPSAS) is a multicultural and educational support agency that exists to serve the needs of African, Latino/a, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American students. By working closely with UMass Amherst departments, staff, faculty, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), OPSAS demonstrates a commitment to addressing issues of access, learning, and campus life for ALANA students. UMass Amherst also has four ALANA support programs:

• Bilingual Collegiate Program (BCP)
• The Committee for the Collegiate Education of Black and other Minority Students (CCEBMS)
• Native American Student Support Services (NASSS)
• The United Asian Learning Resource Center (UALRC)

What kind of services do these support programs offer?

The basic services offered by the four support programs are:

• Culturally sensitive personal counseling
• Financial aid counseling
• Student advocacy
• Peer mentoring and tutoring
• Referrals to other UMass Amherst offices and resources as appropriate

Are there cultural centers on campus?

There are seven cultural centers on campus. They are homes-away-from-home for students of common heritage, as well as students interested in cultures other than their own. They help educate student populations about diversity at UMass Amherst and work with the support programs to provide cultural programming. These cultural centers are: Anacoana Cultural Center, Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center, Latin American Cultural Center, Malcolm X Cultural Center, Martin Luther King Cultural Center, Sylvan Cultural Center, and Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center.

Are there support programs for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Students?

Yes. The Stonewall Center provides support for UMass Amherst’s LBGT community. They provide cultural and educational programming, video, audio, and text library holdings, educational resources, information and referral, harassment and discrimination response, advocacy, training and support, and community outreach through QueerE, the activities and information listserv for queer western Massachusetts.
Stonewall Center

Does UMass Amherst have a women’s support center?

Again, yes. Everywoman’s Center is a multicultural center that serves the very diverse cultural and linguistic populations at UMass Amherst. Their programs include information and referral on a variety of issues and concerns, 24-hour rape crisis service, counseling, support groups, training and community organization on issues of violence against women, as well as advocacy and cultural, educational, and social programs for women of color.
Everywoman's Center

Are there programs for student-parents?

Yes! Commuter Services offers a variety of programs and support services for student-parents and families. Visit the Commuter Services website to learn more.

Am I guaranteed housing?

All first and second year students must live on campus. There are a variety of housing options—from traditional small brick halls to high rises with great views. Special programs include: the Residential Academic Program and Talent Advancement Program (taking classes in your hall); the foreign language suites; and Special Housing Options (wellness, fitness, non-traditional, international, etc.). There are single rooms on campus, although most students live in doubles. After their second year, students may choose to remain in their room or move off campus.
Housing at UMass Amherst

How do I apply for housing?

During the New Students Orientation for the fall semester, all students submit their housing preferences on-line using the UMass SPIRE System. You can specify the residential area or the special housing option that you prefer.

Can I apply to live with a friend?

Yes. You may indicate on the Housing Application the name(s) of the person(s) with whom you would like to live. You and your proposed roommate(s) must request one another. UMass Amherst will attempt to match you with your selected roommate(s), but requested roommate assignments are not guaranteed due to space limitations. If you do not request a specific roommate, the Housing Assignment Office will assign you one.

Will I know who my roommate is before I move into a room?

Yes. Roommate information is included on the Assignment Status Notice mailed to all residential students in August for the fall semester, and in January for the spring semester.

When will I know my room assignment?

All residential students receive an Assignment Status Notice in August for the fall semester and in mid-January for the spring semester. These assignments are also available on the SPIRE Web site. Room assignments are considered annual contracts for both semesters of the academic year.

Are single rooms available?

There are approximately 650 designed single rooms scattered across the entire residence hall system. Single rooms are assigned to those students with the highest number of seniority points. Seniority points are earned through a combination of class year and the number of semesters in a particular residence hall.

Can I have a pet in my room?

The succinct answer is no, except for fish in ten gallon tanks. Other pets pose a health problem in high-density living situations. For example, dander from animal fur can easily debilitate residents who have respiratory problems. There are other health risks as well and we have been advised by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety to prohibit their accommodation. Please leave your pets at home. Exceptions to this rule will apply only to students who rely on service animals such as seeing eye or hearing assist dogs. These students should seek sanction through the Office of Disability Services.

Can I get kosher food on campus?

Kosher meals are available at the Kosher dining center, located in Hampden Commons in the Southwest Residential Area. They provide lunch and dinner Monday through Friday and throughout Passover. Hillel House and Chabad House also offer kosher meals on Shabbat and some holidays. Students can sign up for the kosher meal plan or purchase individual meals (at the Meal Plan Office in Franklin Commons).
More on Dining at UMass Amherst

Is public transportation available?

Yes. UMass Transit Services and the Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority run buses between the campus and other parts of Amherst, Sunderland, and Belchertown. The Five-College bus system goes to South Amherst, South Hadley, and Northampton in order to service Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges. All buses are free to UMass Amherst students during the fall and spring semesters. There is also a shuttle bus that does a circuit around campus, and special transportation for students with disabilities.
More on Getting Around

What is University Health Services (UHS)?

UHS is UMass Amherst’s fully accredited health center, which provides care for students, faculty, and staff. UHS specializes in treating the health concerns of college students, features comprehensive care and referral services, and is open 24-7.

Do you have doctors at UHS?

UHS boasts an exceptional staff. They have physicians who are board-certified in Family Practice, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine, and specialists in areas such as orthopedics, surgery, and obstetrics/gynecology. There are also nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and certified medical assistants on staff.

Will my visit to UHS be confidential?

All UHS visits and medical records are confidential. No information will be released, either verbally or in writing, without the patient’s written permission. The restriction on information release applies to parents, faculty, friends, and UMass Amherst staff. Mental Health records are kept separate from the general medical records and are also governed by this strict policy.
More on University Health Services

Does UHS have mental health services?

Yes, UHS has comprehensive mental health services, located in a nearby building, Hills North. There are psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and an advanced practice nurse on staff. The staff is sensitive to student needs and is multicultural, with clinicians who speak Spanish and Portuguese. The department offers rapid assessment, brief and intermittent therapies (individual, couples, and group) and medication services. Emergency response is available 24 hours per day. They offer same day screening appointments that will allow them to match you with a service that meets your needs. For therapy services, up to six visits per semester are covered in full by the basic health plan. For medication services, a bill will go out to your third party payer. The basic health fee will absorb the any costs not covered by your insurance.
More on Mental Health Services

Is the campus safe?

UMass Amherst is a self-contained campus in a relatively safe and secure suburban-rural setting. Security features include: an escort service, emergency phone kiosks located throughout campus, security guards, and a professional police force on foot, horseback, mountain bikes, or in patrol cars (UMass Amherst Public Safety Department). All residence halls are locked after 8:00 p.m., and a security attendant is on duty. Using common sense by locking doors or walking in well-lit areas is the rule-of-thumb.
UMass Amherst Safety Overview

What special programs do you have for the students to protect themselves?

In their on-going effort to assist in the community, UMass Amherst Public Safety offers a variety of safety programs:

• Each semester they offer a free 24-hour program called R.A.D. or Rape Aggression Defense. You can find out more about this program by visiting the Public Safety website.
• The Problem Solving Unit is another very active and well-received division within the Department. Officers in the Problem Solving Unit are committed to addressing specific, on-going student complaints that a patrol officer may not have enough time to address in one visit.
• In addition, students can call to request a walking escort through Student Security. These escorts are offered to all students, but travel must begin and end within the confines of the UMass Amherst campus.

What measures are taken to ensure the security of the residence halls?

The residence halls are locked at all times. Access is granted by swiping a valid UCard (UMass ID) through a card reader at the front door. Only those approved to enter will be granted access. Additionally, ALL exterior doors of the residence halls are connected to a remote alarm system that is monitored 24 hours a day. Staff members are dispatched to investigate and resolve any doors that are propped or left open too long.

What is the situation with drug and alcohol use on campus?

UMass Amherst has in place a clearly articulated policy on illegal drugs and alcohol. Additionally, we promote educational efforts and offer substance abuse counseling for all students. Remember, students bring their home-nurtured values and morals with them to campus! Contact the Dean of Students Office for more information.
Dean of Students Office

What athletic division is UMass Amherst in?

UMass Amherst has 23 NCAA Division-I athletic teams. Football is Division I-AA. Coaches’ names and phone numbers may be found in the Guide to Undergraduate Programs.

What is a fraternity or sorority?

Fraternities (men) and sororities (women) are student associations—sometimes referred to as secret, Greek-lettered societies. Fraternities and sororities have been part of the higher education landscape for almost two centuries. The first fraternity at the UMass Amherst (then the Massachusetts Agricultural College) was founded in 1869, and the first sorority was founded in 1916. Most fraternities and sororities are affiliated with a national organization, although our campus hosts three UMASS-Amherst only chapters—often called “locals.” Social fraternities and sororities should not be confused with the many academic and honor societies that operate on the campus.
Go to the section on Greek Life for more.

Are there opportunities to do internships and co-ops?

Internships and Co-ops, as examples of experiential learning, are an essential part of your UMass Education, and we highly recommend them. Start with the Co-ops and Internships section of this site, and also visit Career Services and Community Service as well.