Types of Housing
There are a few different types of housing at UMass Amherst. You may live in a traditional style room with a roommate or two, or in a suite—a mix of doubles and single with a common bathroom and living room. Married students may consider unfurnished and furnished apartments in family housing. Fraternities and Sororities are also an option, (though you need to be a sophomore to live in your chapter house). The section on Greek Life will tell you more.
Types of communities
UMass Amherst offers 41 different residence halls and 4 apartment buildings grouped into six separate and very different residential areas:
Each possesses its own distinctive characteristics, inspired in part by location, by architecture, and by the different cultural or academic living/learning programs housed within. You can opt for traditional residences on a centrally located quad, suites on a wooded hill, a high-rise urban experience or apartment-style housing.
Residence hall perks
The residence halls at UMass Amherst come furnished with all of the comforts of home. Your room or suite will have furniture (usually a bed, desk and chair, bookcase, bureau, and wardrobe or closet) and your building will have in-house laundry and kitchenettes.
Technology
Technologically, the residences are completely up-to-date. Each offers Ethernet connections to the campus fiber-optic network for direct, high-speed access to the Internet, e-mail, and other computer resources. Students also get telephone service with features such as voice mail, call waiting, call transfer, and conference calling. (These options don’t leave any excuse for not keeping in touch with your parents). You’ll also get Cable TV with access to over 60 channels of news, information, entertainment, and educational programming
Working Out
You’ll also be able to workout in some of the residence halls, which may help prevent gaining the “freshman fifteen.” Housing Services has four Wellness Centers. Student membership allows access to any and all centers and the trained staff will help keep you fit. The Residential Wellness Centers are separate from the campus recreation programs operated in the Boyden and Totman facilities, which are included in your student fee.
Resident Assistants (RAs)
One of the best things about residence hall life is that help is literally around the corner (or next door, or across the hall). Every floor comes equipped with its very own RA, an undergraduate like you who knows everything. RAs are a great source for peer counseling, guidance, information, and referrals. Get to know them and take advantage of their presence.
Visit the Residence Hall Services website for more on the perks of living on UMass Amherst’s campus.
