What’s the goal of the MCLA on-campus housing program?

The overall goal of the College housing program is to set the stage for learning by providing a living environment conducive to academic pursuits, personal growth and the development of friendships. Since we believe the on-campus living experience is an integral part of the educational process, MCLA maintains a residency requirement requiring all freshmen, sophomores and juniors to live on-campus. With so many benefits associated with living on campus, the College also offers on-campus housing to students who live within commuting range and seniors who are interested in living on campus.

What are my housing options?

Berkshire Towers is a suite-style, twin-towered residence area that houses returning students, transfers and freshmen. Each floor of the Towers has three suites with separate living space for male and female students. Each suite has three to five bedrooms, a bathroom and a lounge. The majority of rooms in the Towers are doubles, however, a limited number of single rooms are also available. Berkshire Towers is smoke-free and alcohol-prohibited. 

The Towers is currently undergoing a $3-million dollar entryway project that will renovate existing space and add new common area space. Take a look at "A New Look for Berkshire Towers" section of our website for more information about this exciting project. 

Hoosac Hall houses the majority of freshmen and is ideal for students who prefer living in a traditional residence hall setting. Each of the six student floors has eighteen double rooms, two bathrooms and two lounges. Hoosac Hall is smoke-free and alcohol-prohibited.

The Flagg Townhouse Apartment Complex is reserved exclusively for transfers and returning students who prefer apartment-style living. Five to seven students share an apartment with a full kitchen, a living/dining area and private bathroom facilities. Rooms within each apartment are designed to accommodate from one to three students. The Flagg Townhouse Apartment Complex is smoke-free and alcohol consumption is limited to apartments where all residents are 21 years of age or older.

How do rooms get assigned?

The new student housing assignment process materials will be available on the College website on Wednesday, June 18th. To access the materials, you will be able to click on this link: New Student Housing Assignment Materials.  

The new student housing assignment section of the website will contain the following documents: The Housing Assignment Guide, Our Three Residence Areas, What's So Special About Special Interest Housing?, From Dorm Room to Your Home Away from Home and links to the various vendors who sell items to enhance your room like linens, rackraisers and safes. Most importantly, you will find copies of the Residence Area Occupancy Agreement (RAOA) and the Housing Assignment Preference (HAP) Form. The RAOA form indicates that you agree to the financial and behavioral responsibilities involved in living on campus. The HAP form allows you to specify your preferred room type, roommate and any special housing needs you may have.

Both the HAP and RAOA forms will be due to RPS no later than Wednesday, July 9th. If you return your forms by the due date, you will receive your housing assignment and other important information about the check-in process during the week of August 4th. When we send you your assignment, we will also send you the name and address of your roommate. Students are strongly encouraged to make contact with their roommates prior to arriving on campus.

May I choose where I want to live? May I choose my roommate?

The Housing Assignment Preference (HAP) Form provides the option of identifying a specific roommate. We do our best to accommodate these requests. Assignments are completed in order of the date you pay your acceptance deposit to the Admissions Office. You can increase the chance of receiving your ideal housing assignment by submitting your acceptance deposit as early as possible and, if you are trying to live with a specific roommate, by making sure that you and your roommate’s acceptance deposits are received within a similar timeframe.

What happens when I arrive in the fall?

Check-in for new students takes place at the front desk of the residence area to which you are assigned. At check-in, you receive the keys you will need to access your residence area and your individual room. You also receive The Resident Student Handbook (which contains all the information you need to assure a successful on-campus living experience) and other pertinent information about the beginning of the semester. Immediately following the check-in process, all new students participate in the First Days Program. You will receive additional information about this program at a later date.

What will I find in my room when I arrive?

Each student room contains a bed with mattress (36” x 77”), dresser, desk with desk chair, bookcase or bookshelf and closet per occupant. In Hoosac Hall and Berkshire Towers, each student room also comes equipped with a complimentary MicroFridge, an innovative multipliance that combines a microwave and refrigerator. (Stand-alone microwaves are not allowed in Berkshire Towers or Hoosac Hall.) While each room contains overhead lighting, students are strongly encouraged to bring a desk and/or floor lamp. All windows in student rooms are equipped with shades and a curtain rod. All residence area bedrooms have tile floors. You are welcome to bring your own throw rug or area carpet.

How can I decorate my room?

You can find a copy of From Dorm Room to Your Home Away from Home: A Packing & Decorating Guide for MCLA Resident Students on the RPS website. This publication contains a helpful packing list with items you should definitely bring with you when you come to campus (and a few things you should definitely leave at home!). It also contains floor and window dimensions and ideas on how to make your room into your home during the year to come. U.L.-listed coffee pots and hot pots with a safety “shut off” mechanism are the only cooking appliances allowed in Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall. Other types of cooking appliances may be used in the kitchen area of the Townhouses. Many students bring a television, MP3 player or other small sound system, wall decorations and other small items for their room.

Residential Programs & Services works with several vendors who sell room enhancement products. These vendors include OCM which sells extra-long bed linens and other useful room accessories and the RackRaiser company which sells an item designed to increase your in-room storage capabilities by safely raising the height of your bed. In Hoosac Hall, we have partnered with SafeDecisions to offer an in-room safe rental program to residents . You will receive additional information about all three companies and their products with your housing assignment mailing.

Are there quiet hours in the residence areas?

There are both quiet hours and courtesy hours. Quiet hours begin at 10:00 p.m. on weeknights and 12:00 midnight on weekends. They end at 9:00 am the following morning. Courtesy hours are in effect 24-hours a day. Students are expected to keep noise levels to a minimum at all times in order to ensure the most conducive atmosphere for studying and sleeping.

What services are available in the residence areas?

Every room on campus is equipped with one telephone jack that provides unlimited local calling access and voicemail. All you need to do is plug in your own touchtone phone to access these services. You may use a calling card or sign up for an account with Paetec to access long distance service.

Each residence area room is equipped with a computer port per student which provides a direct link to the Internet, e-mail, computer bulletin boards and library services. The exact hardware and software requirements to access this service will be sent to you with your housing assignment materials. Cable TV service is also provided in each room. Students must provide their own TV to access the 60+ network, cable and campus stations.

Debit card-operated laundry rooms and food vending machines that operate with both a debit card and coins are located in each residence area. The main desk in each residence area provides equipment and games for loan. Your student ID card allows you to borrow a vacuum cleaner, VCR, iron & ironing board, recreation equipment or board games.

May I bring my car to school?

Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for a parking permit. Returning students receive their parking permits through the spring housing assignment process. All other eligible students participate in the parking permit lottery which takes place during the first week of each semester. Students awarded a parking permit must register their vehicles with the Department of Public Safety. Students who do not receive a parking permit through this process are placed on a waiting list and notified if a permit becomes available. (Resident student parking permits are $100 per semester.)

Freshmen are not allowed to park vehicles on campus. A limited number of exceptions to this policy are granted each semester. To be considered for a fall semester freshmen parking permit exception, a letter explaining the need for the exception must be written by the student and sent to Residential Programs & Services no later than August 1st. If applicable, the student’s letter should be accompanied by written documentation from the individual or individuals best able to verify the need (e.g. employer verification of a job or doctor verification of a medical issue). Exception decisions are announced two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester. Exceptions are granted on a semesterly basis. Prior to the spring semester, students must reapply for a permit. A current letter and documentation, as well as, a minimum 2.0 GPA and a record of good campus citizenship are required to reapply.

How can I get around if I don’t have a car?

MCLA runs a free shuttle service to local stores, the nearby mall, movie theatres, the local bus depot and other local attractions. The shuttle schedule is distributed to students at the beginning of each semester. RPS also runs a series of bus trips to the Boston area on long weekends and mid-semester breaks.

May my friend visit me and stay overnight?

With prior permission from your roommate and the residence area staff, a student may apply for an overnight guest pass. Overnight guests are limited to a two-night stay within any seven day period.

What does my meal plan provide?

The College dining facility, the Centennial Room, offers a wide variety of menu choices in a food court-style service area which features pizza, a pasta bar, hot entrees, grilled foods, international favorites, vegetarian dishes, a salad bar and more. “All-you-care-to-eat” meals are available at dinner and weekend brunches. A la carte meals that may be purchased with cash or “points” are available at weekday breakfasts and lunches.

Students with a residency requirement must participate in the College-designated meal plan. Seniors living on campus (without a residency requirement) may choose any of the dining options offered. You will receive more information on the College’s 2008-2009 academic year meal plans at a later date.

Are the residence areas safe?

Residence area policies and residence area staff serve to maximize safety in each of the residence areas. Locked main doors and main area desk staff assure that only residents and their visitors are able to enter the residence areas. The residence areas also have state-of-the-art fire alarm and sprinkler systems with a direct connection to the local fire department.

The College’s Public Safety department is staffed by full-time professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Upon request, Public Safety officers will escort students around campus and the surrounding vicinity. If an emergency need does arise, MCLA is conveniently located two miles from the local hospital and one mile from the fire station.

Ultimately, your personal safety and the security of your belongings is up to you. Remember to lock your room, to refrain from letting strangers into your residence area and to always use common sense when walking both on- and off-campus.

Important Dates for New Students to Remember: Summer & Fall 2008

If you have additional questions about living on campus, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 413-662-5249. We can also be reached by fax at 413-662-5004 or by e-mail at reslife@mcla.edu