First-Year Housing
Living on campus at UMass Amherst is frequently your first time living away from home. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to create your own living environment and to develop a lifestyle that contributes to your academic and professional success.
What to Expect
Living with students in a residence hall is an experience that is educational, enlightening, and at times challenging, but offers a number of rewards and positive experiences. Living with others from a variety of cultural backgrounds, you will soon discover, is an education in itself, providing you with new insights and perspectives.
There are a number of resources in the residence halls that cater to the diverse needs of the students who live on campus. Every traditional-style residence hall has live-in Resident Assistants who ensure the safety and security of residents, provide educational and social opportunities, and work to promote an inclusive and respectful environment for all who live on campus.
All first-year students who are enrolled as full-time (12 credits) are required to live on campus and are automatically billed for room and board.
What to Bring
Once you know the room type of your on-campus assignment, view the corresponding 360° Room Tour to get a better idea of what it looks like so you can start getting excited about your new space!
Your room will have basic furniture including:
- Single bed frame and mattress
- Desk and chair
- Bookcase
- Bureau
- Wardrobe or closet
More about your room and what to bring
Deciding Where to Live
At UMass Amherst, residence halls are a lot more than a place to sleep.
Each residential area houses classrooms, recreational and social centers, kitchenettes, and cultural centers in addition to the bedrooms, study areas, laundries, television rooms, and dining facilities you might expect. Each residential area also has its own student governing body and is, in effect, a community unto itself.
The Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community (CHCRC) offers you the ability to live and learn with fellow Honors College students. However, there are many other residential choices.
For more information about housing options, follow the links below:
- View all the Residence Halls on campus and the features of each community.
- Learn more about Residential First-Year Experience (RFYE)
- Explore the different Living-Learning Communities and Special Housing Options offered on campus.
- Get details about Honors Residential Academic Programs (RAPs).
Living with Roommates
One of the most important experiences of your first year on campus is living with a roommate. Ideally, your roommates will be the source of long-lasting friendships. However, having a good relationship between roommates, as in any relationship, takes conscious effort. The Office of Residential Life at UMass Amherst has developed an Online Roommate Agreement to help you and your roommate(s) negotiate living and learning together.
Learn more about the Roommate Agreement
Living Sustainably
While you are at UMass Amherst, you are part of a community motivated to live more sustainably. Take advantage of the resources to learn about and develop your own sustainable practices. Learn more about Sustainable UMass and be a part of this community effort!
Living sustainably in the residence halls
Tips for Successful Residential Living
No matter where you live on campus, here are some important guidelines to follow:
- Keep your room and the residence hall clean. Throw away your trash and pick up after yourself when you are done using common spaces.
- Keep your room locked and don't let strangers into the building. Residence hall security is everyone's responsibility.
- Keep an open mind. Living in a residence hall means being a part of a diverse and dynamic community. Things may not always be perfect, but the staff in Residential First-Year Experience halls are available to help you every step of the way.
- Residence hall staff members are great resources to help you sort out any of the challenges that come with living in a residence hall community.
Read the Residential Life Community Standards
Housing Costs
Room rates are set by the Board of Trustees. These fees fund the operation and maintenance of the residence halls. All housing fees will appear on the university bill that is sent to students by the Bursar's Office. The Residential Technology fee is included as part of the Base Room Fee and does not appear as a separate fee. These fees have been combined to simplify the Bursar bill.
Learn more about Housing Costs
Applying for Housing
Students who live on campus must sign the Residence Hall Contract and submit the Housing Profile. New undergraduate students must request on-campus housing using the Housing Preference Application on SPIRE.
