- STEP 1: Follow Us – Follow our Instagram for updates on Move-In and closings, housing options, fun activities, residence hall resources, job posts, how to get involved, and much more!
- STEP 2: Sign Up for NSO – Register for New Student Orientation.
- STEP 3: Complete Enrollment Checklist – Complete the Enrollment Checklist.
- STEP 4: Explore Housing Options – Find next steps on applying for campus housing by checking out the tabs below.
First-Year Housing Options
Housing Options for First Year Students
Living at UMass Amherst, you will find it easy to get involved with campus activities, get to know faculty, and find leadership opportunities. You will live in a community environment in which collaboration leads to academic success. You will have access to resources, informed professionals, and supportive student staff who can answer questions, help you navigate campus, and much more.
Explore our diverse on-campus living options below to help you find your community at UMass Amherst. If you are not planning to live on campus, please view the Housing Requirement and Exemption information for first-year students.
Residential First-Year Experience
Nearly all first-year students will participate in the RFYE. It is a unique living experience that combines educational, social, and developmental opportunities for first-year students.
Residential Academic Programs (fall semester only)
Residential Academic Programs (RAPs) are academic learning communities that offer first-year students a truly rich university experience. RAPs provide first-year students an opportunity to enroll in a course or seminar with students who live in their residence hall. Most RAP classes have 30 or fewer students and are taught in the residential area, allowing strong relationships to develop among peers and faculty.
Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community
Commonwealth Honors College students have the opportunity to live with other Honors students in a residential setting that compliments their academic experience. Honors communities are in close proximity to Honors advisors, classrooms, activities, and meeting places.
Singles
First-year students have the option to request single assignments in multiple areas of campus. The majority of singles in first-year halls are located in Southwest Residential Area.
Break Housing
Students who need on campus housing during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Winter, or Spring Breaks are encouraged to consider Break Housing in a first-year hall in Central or Southwest residential areas.
Special Housing Options
Options for living arrangements such as quiet floors and gender inclusive housing are available in specific residential locations. Please note, these communities are in multi-year residence halls.
First-Year Housing Choices
At UMass Amherst, residence halls are a lot more than a place to sleep. The fifty-one residence halls and apartment buildings are grouped into seven separate and distinct residential areas. Each area is characterized by its unique location, architecture, and availability of different cultural or academic living/learning programs.
As you explore the different areas of campus and weigh your housing choices, be sure to review the Room Rates & Fees associated with different assignments. Single rooms, the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community, and North Apartments are billed at a higher rate.
Southwest
RFYE Residence Halls
Cance, Emerson, James (Optional Break Housing), Kennedy, Melville, Moore, Pierpont, Thoreau
Multi-Year Residence Halls
Coolidge (Harambee: African Heritage DRC), Crampton, John Adams (Designated Transfer Student Floors), John Quincy Adams (24-hour Quiet Floor), MacKimmie, Patterson, Prince (Break Housing), Washington (El Barrio: Latinx Heritage DRC)
Northeast
RFYE Residence Halls
Crabtree, Dwight, Hamlin, Knowlton, Leach, Mary Lyon
Multi-Year Residence Halls
Johnson, Lewis (Asian/Asian American DRC), Thatcher
Orchard Hill
RFYE Residence Halls
Webster (Gender Inclusive Housing), Dickinson
Multi-Year Residence Halls
Grayson (Break Housing), Field
Central
RFYE Residence Halls
Van Meter, Wheeler, Gorman (Optional Break Housing), Butterfield
Multi-Year Residence Halls
Baker (Spectrum: LGBTQA Community DRC, Gender Inclusive Housing), Brett (Optional Break Housing), Brooks (24-hour Quiet Floor, Alcohol-Free), Chadbourne, Greenough
Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community
RFYE Residence Halls
Oak, Sycamore
Multi-Year Residence Halls
Birch, Elm, Linden, Maple
Sylvan (Suite Style)
RFYE/Transfer Residence Hall
McNamara
Multi-Year Residence Halls
Brown, Cashin (Break Housing, Gender Inclusive Housing)
Multi-Year Residence Areas
North Apartments
Multi-Year Residence Halls
North Hall A, North Hall B, North Hall C, North Hall D (Gender Inclusive Housing)
First-Year Roommate Life
New students may make specific roommate requests and we do our best to assign students together as long as the request is mutual and there is space available for the assignment. All students, even those with a roommate request, will need to complete the five-question Housing Profile.
Roommate requests are not guaranteed, however Residential Life staff make every effort to assign matched roommates together whenever possible. If you and your roommate(s) apply on time but we cannot place you together, we will try to assign you to the same residence hall.
Requesting Your Roommate
To complete a mutual roommate request you and your preferred roommate must do the following.
1. Sign the Residence Hall Occupancy License and Submit the Housing Profile on SPIRE
2. Request your preferred roommate on the Preference Applications by:
- listing identical housing preferences
- adding your preferred roommate to the roommate preference section
Living with a Roommate
For many students, living in a residence hall can be one of the most unique experiences in your life. It may also be the first time sharing a room with someone who is not a family member. Hear what other students have to say about preventing and dealing with roommate conflict in the videos below.
First-Year Applying for Housing
First Steps for All New Students
- Follow the instructions to submit your UCard photo.
- Sign the Occupancy License on SPIRE under Housing > Room Selection > Occupancy License
- All students must sign the Residence Hall Occupancy License before applying for housing and living in a residence hall. This is a yearly license, legally binding enforceable agreement, which will remain in force for the duration of residency and includes financial responsibility for the entire contract period. You can read and sign the license online on SPIRE.
- Submit the Housing Profile on SPIRE.
- Confirm your Emergency Contact Information on SPIRE.
- Complete the Preference Application between Thursday, June 3, 2024 through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2024 with the instructions to apply for the Residential First-Year Experience below. Assignments will be released on SPIRE under Assignment Notification on Monday, August 5, 2024.
Video Tutorials
Step by step video tutorials of the application process are available to help guide you. Watch how to submit area and living option preferences, and request break housing!
View the Preference Application Video Tutorials in the Video Tutorials tab to see all of the tutorials offered on YouTube and Youku.
Canceling Your Application
If you decide not to live on campus you can cancel your preferences in SPIRE through July 1, 2024. After July 1, contact Residential Life Assignments by email at @email to cancel your housing application/assignment immediately. Depending on when you cancel, you may be subject to a cancellation fee.
First-Year Making Connections
Engage in the campus community experience!
Students can get involved with organizations on their floor or in their hall, and choose from hundreds of additional options such as Registered Student Organizations, intramural teams, community service opportunities, or student government associations. Campus engagement is your chance to learn leadership skills, develop friendships and make connections based on what you are interested in.
First-Year Resources
As part of your transition to university life, you will become part of a diverse living and learning community. All new students, regardless of background, will find a number of resources for their individual interests or needs.
Residence Hall Staff
Residence Hall staff members can provide assistance close to home. Your Resident Assistants and Residence Directors are available to provide advice and support as you transition into life at UMass Amherst. They can also connect you directly to a wide range of campus resources.
Welcome to the U!
The Fall Welcome to the U! program helps facilitate your transition to living on campus. Your Residential Life staff will share information about living in the halls and help you make connections in your new community. You’ll meet your Resident Assistant, your neighbors, and get comfortable in your new home.
Cultural Centers
Engage with students, faculty, staff, and the local community at one of our four cultural centers on campus.
Inclusion & Support
Student Affairs and Campus Life offers services and programs for support as well as advocacy opportunities.
UMatter at UMass
This campus-wide program is about creating a community of care, compassion, connection, and active engagement. Learn what it means to Listen Up, Show Up, Stand Up, and Follow Up at UMass Amherst.
Additional Resources
The University provides a variety of services for students who have documented and emerging physical and mental health needs. Students and families can engage with Disability Services, University Health Services and the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health for assistance and services. The Dean of Students Office is also a great place to check in.
Through UMass Amherst’s relationship with our approved vendors, students receive discounted options for company products such as linens and combination microwave and refrigerator rentals. Student emails and permanent addresses are provided to our approved vendors in order to send informational mailings. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list please email @email.
Learn more about Living at UMass.
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