UMass Logo2002/03 Undergraduate Course Catalog Banner
[Home][Courses & Programs][Academic Information][Undergraduate Admissions][General Information][Site Index] [APPLY NOW]

Department & Program Listings
[Program Listings: A-D]
[Program Listings: E-L]
[Program Listings: M-R]
[Program Listings: S-Z]
[Program Listings: Show All]

 

 

Housing

Policy

Recognizing the educational advantages of both classroom instruction and co-curricular experiences, and the great extent to which residence hall living can contribute, the Board of Trustees of the University has adopted a policy which requires that entering students and soph-omores be housed in University residence halls. Refer to the Code of Student Conduct, Undergraduate Rights and Responsibilities for specific expectations, and for specific residency information.

Housing Assignments

The Housing Assignment Office, 235 Whitmore Administration Building, is responsible for all assignments for undergraduate and graduate students to on-campus housing. It also facilitates processes for assignment changes both during and between academic semesters and manages the rent refund process.

To reside on campus, each student must sign a housing contract each year. This contract will be active for as long as the student lives in the residence halls. Upperclass resident students have the opportunity to select rooms in the spring of the preceding year. Notification of assignment for entering students is made in late August (or late January for the spring semester).

Students interested in living on campus should contact the Housing Assignment Office, tel. 545-2100, or visit www.housing. umass.edu.

Exemptions

Exempt from this policy are married students; veterans of the U.S. Armed Services; members of fraternities and sororities who have been authorized to reside in their respective houses (within approved maximum capacities); juniors and seniors; and students who live in and commute from the home of their parent(s) or court-appointed guardian(s) within a 40-mile radius of the campus.

All non-exempt students requesting permission to live off campus are to submit requests to the Housing Assignment Office, 235 Whitmore, tel. 545-2100.

Living Options

The University provides a variety of living arrangements. It offers four basic systems: "traditional" residence halls, suite-style residence halls, the sorority/fraternity "Greek" system, non-traditional aged, and family housing. All plans offer opportunities for intellectual, cultural and social activities and include coeducational units.

Residential Areas

The Central and Northeast Residential Areas consist of 18 coeducational and single sex residence halls housing approximately 1,269 students. Halls in Northeast and Central are generally smaller than those in other residential settings.

The Orchard Hill Residential Area accom-

modates approximately 3,220 students in four coeducational residence halls. Each of the units has staff and faculty residents who provide several cultural and academic programs and who coordinate the collegiate aspect of the Residential Academic Program.

The Southwest Residential Area houses 5,228 students in both high-rise and low-rise buildings. A variety of academic and cultural programs are provided within the "complex," tending to provide effective small-group identities and maximum contact between students, faculty, and staff.

The Sylvan Residential Area houses 1,319 students in suite-type residence halls, affording students an opportunity to build close living relationships within small groups by sharing quarters in a suite-style arrangement.

All residential areas offer a wide range of edu-cational programs within the halls including three-credit courses, workshops, and colloquia.

Residents of a hall may, in consultation with the Housing staff, work toward establishing characteristics, programs, and facilities unique to that hall.

Residence Life Staff

Area Directors. Each residence area is administered by an Area Director to whom hall staff in the area report. Area Directors are responsible for the planning and direction of all student personnel administrative activities in their assigned residence halls, for the supervision of professional and student staff, for advising elected student officers and committee chairpersons, and for appropriate individual and group advising.

Residence Directors are professionals who work with their hall (or cluster) staffs, and Area Directors in the operation of residence halls (or clusters). They provide leadership and support to the residence hall student staff, facilitate the work of elected house government officers and committee chairpersons, serve as resource persons and uphold University expectations; provide individual and group advisement out of concern for the welfare of the students within the residence halls; and carry out administrative responsibilities associated with the operational aspects of residence halls.

Assistant Residence Directors are graduate students who share responsibilities with the Residence Director and function primarily in the areas of supervision, management of judicial caseload, community development, and general administration.

Resident Assistants are undergraduates who receive direct supervision from the Residence Directors. Their duties include helping to establish a climate in which students feel free to seek assistance and in which the educational goals of the University are emphasized; advising individual students in personal, social, and academic matters; working jointly with their supervisors and house governments in providing for the daily operation of the residence halls; interpreting and maintaining regulations with respect to student life on campus; and assisting with administrative tasks in the residence halls.

Maintenance and Operations

Staff are responsible for the management of buildings in specified residential areas. Opera-tions Managers coordinate facilities work in each residential area. Maintenance and Opera-tions staff work collaboratively with Residence Life staff in the coordination of maintenance and custodial activities, and on such matters as interior design, residence hall openings and closings, furniture replacement and inventory, key control, recycling, and project planning.

Furnishings

Students are assigned furnishings for use during the period of occupancy. These furnishings may vary from hall to hall, but include at least a bed frame and mattress, desk unit and chair, and wardrobe or closet.

All residence halls are served by a University telecommunications system that includes local calling service, access to long distance telephone service, voice mail, and high-speed data. Residents are required to provide their own telephones.

Insurance

It is not possible for the University to carry insurance to compensate students or their families for losses suffered on the campus due to such hazards as fire, theft, or water damage. For most families, insurance covering potential loss is highly desirable, either as a rider to their current home insurance policy or as an independent contract.

Room Rent

The halls are managed by the Housing Services Office, which provides for the daily maintenance and cleaning of all facilities. Rents are set so as to provide a fund sufficient to pay operating costs and capital repair costs. In order to ensure the minimum possible room rent, the University endeavors to maximize hall occupancy. This requires that a student be held financially responsible for room rent once registering for and occupying a room in a residence hall.

Family Housing

The University owns and manages two apartment complexes for eligible students. Apartments in North Village are unfurnished. Lincoln Apartments feature a small number of furnished studio and one-bedroom units. These units would typically include a table/desk unit, several chairs, a couch, a dresser, a bed and mattress. The additional monthly charge for a furnished studio is $25 and $30 for a one-bedroom apartment. All Family Housing apartments are equipped with a stove and a refrigerator. Utilities are included in the rent. Assignment of apartments is made through application (earliest application date given first consideration). A tenant is expected upon commencement of the lease (one year) to pay the first month's rent in advance, and a security deposit equal to one month's rent. Applications and specific information may be obtained from Family Housing, Wysocki House, 911 North Pleasant Street, tel. 545-3115.

Off-Campus Housing

A card file of off-campus house, apartment and room rentals is maintained by the Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center. Also provided is information about local realtors, garden apartment developments, classified newspaper rentals, and persons seeking roommates. Specific information may be obtained from the Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center, 428 Student Union, tel. 545-0865.