Housing

On-Campus Housing

The University provides limited housing for graduate students. Graduate students wishing to live on campus should contact the Housing Assignment Office, Room 235, Whitmore Administration Building, as early as possible to ensure space will be available. Call (413) 545-2100 for an application or download one from the Housing Services website, www.housing.umass.edu.

Single Student Housing

At present, there is one residence hall located in the Southwest Residential Area designated for graduate housing. Prince Hall houses 200 graduate students in a four-story, traditional-setting residence hall building. Facilities include lounges and study areas on several floors, some with TVs and one with a pool table, a kitchenette area, a resident reading room, and laundry and vending facilities. The terms of occupancy are as follows:

1. Space in the building will be assigned on a full semester basis only.

2. Single graduate students will be admitted on a space-available basis.

3. Rooms are double occupancy and graduate students will have a roommate.

4. Room rent is commensurate with the charge for undergraduate residence halls. All students have the option of remaining in Prince House during the summer vacation periods at an additional monthly charge. Fees are set prior to the beginning of each semester, and the University reserves the right to alter fees whenever necessary.

5. Applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable $100 prepayment in U.S. currency (this amount is subject to change).

6. Graduate students are assigned to Prince House by the Housing Assignment Office. Once an assignment is made, students will be notified. If space is not available, the $100 prepayment will be returned promptly.

7. Policies and regulations outlined in the  Residence Hall Manual apply to all graduate students. Residence hall rules and regulations require that occupants assume responsibility for damage in or to their rooms. The University is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property unless there is negligence or wrongdoing on the part of the University. Students are well advised to secure a rider to existing home owners' policies or to purchase a renter's insurance policy in anticipation of possible problems.

8. Hot plates and other such equipment used in preparing hot food are strictly prohibited in student rooms. Information about renting Microfridges™ (combination microwaves and refrigerators) will be provided with other Housing materials. One kitchenette is available in Prince House for cooking snacks or meals.

Family Housing

The University owns and operates a limited number of apartments located adjacent to campus. All students who meet established eligibility criteria may apply for an apartment, but applicants should plan on having to wait at least a year because of the extensive waiting list, which is updated four times a year. A priority is given to students with dependent children in residence. There are also handicapped-accessible apartments for disabled individuals. For more information, contact the Family Housing Office, Wysocki House, tel. (413) 545-3115; email: family.housing@housing.umass.edu.

Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center

The Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center (formerly the Off-Campus Housing Office), 428 Student Union Building, tel. (413) 545-0865 and fax (413) 545-4751, offers the following services to graduate students:

A Free Rental Listing Service advertising a wide variety of housing options from vacant units and sabbaticals to homesharing situations.

Pre- and On-going Tenant Counseling on every aspect of the landlord/tenant relationship.

A Grievance Office with advocacy and support for students who believe they have been unfairly denied access to housing.

A Fuel (Oil) Buying Service that permits individuals, households, and businesses to purchase fuel oil at reduced cost through the Pioneer Valley Oil Cooperative (PVOC).

A Homesharing Program that allows householders and home-seekers the opportunity to exchange services for reduction or elimination of rent.

A Voter Registration Site where students and staff may register to vote during regular week-day hours.

The Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center also distributes an extensive selection of written materials ranging from housing and consumer issues to guides describing area rental housing, atlases and maps, and books on cooperative living. The staff assists clients both in person and by telephone, and provides referrals to other agencies and offices. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday evenings until 7 p.m., with extended hours during the summer.