Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Life
When may I move into my residence hall?
Date will be posted online soon. The move in date for the fall semester can also be found in residence hall assignment letters.
How do I apply for Housing?
The Application for Student Housing, a $200 tuition deposit, and a $100 room deposit must be submitted to the College before a space in the residence halls can be assigned to a student. Although rooms assigned to new students or selected by returning students generally remain as first designates, the College retains the right to assign and reassign rooms when such is deemed necessary by the Student Development Office.
How do you match roommates?
Each resident applicant receives a Housing Questionnaire (preferences) which is used to match students together. It’s important that students take the time to answer all questions honestly and truthfully in order for us to make the best matches. We make a special effort to keep first year students together. First year students may have any where from one to three roommates.
When will I receive my roommate and housing assignment information?
Housing assignments and roommate information (name and address) are mailed out in mid July. In your letter you will also receive your on-campus mailing address and mailbox number (two students to a box), on-campus phone number, items to bring, prohibited items and a letter from your RA. Please get in touch with your roommate(s) to discuss what items to bring (TV, VCR, stereo, fridge etc.) Space in rooms is limited; therefore, two of everything may not be comfortable.
What do I do if I don’t get along with my roommate and I want to move?
When placing students, we are looking to match students together who can maintain understanding, civility and respect based on some lifestyle similarities; therefore, it is not our expectation that roommates become best friends. In order to get off to a great start with your roommate, begin your living relationship with an open discussion on what makes you comfortable (communication, music, study habits, sharing food/supplies etc.) There are also a few resources available that you should familiarize yourself with prior to moving into the residence halls: Guidelines for Giving Effective Feedback, Basic Strategies to Conflict Management and Roommate Bill of Rights. Getting off on the right foot is the best way to minimize roommate conflicts.
If you find you and your roommate(s) are not getting along, we ask that 1.) Communication between roommates occurs first, in an effort to rectify the problem. If after that conversation, roommates cannot work their problems out 2.) Speak with your Resident Assistant about mediation. If mediation isn’t successful 3.) Speak with your Resident Director about a room change.
Does my room have Internet Access? What about a phone and cable television?
All rooms have a data jack (High speed internet, phone and cable Access). All you need is to have an Ethernet card in your computer and an Ethernet cord to connect your computer to the network. Most new computers have Ethernet cards installed in them. If you have additional and more specific questions about Technology, please contact Information Technology at (617) 879-2309 or email them at helpdesk@wheelock.edu.
You will need to bring your own phone. In your assignment letter, you will receive a campus phone number. All rooms have free local calling service and voicemail. For long distance, Wheelock offers Calling card dispensers which are located in Peabody Hall near the dining facility which is are available 24 hours a day. It’s important that all resident students set-up their voicemail as it’s an important means of communication campus wide. Additional information may be given upon your arrival.
All rooms are cable ready. All you need is a cable cord and a television.
Can I bring a fridge?
Residents are allowed to have one fridge per room and no more than 2 cubic feet in size. Remember, microwaves are not allowed in rooms, therefore, microfridges are not allowed!
What size sheets should I bring?
All mattresses fit extra long twin size sheets.
What can I bring and what is not allowed?
Please see Packing Tips/What to bring and what is prohibited.
Where do I do my laundry?
Washers and dryers can be found on the first floor of Peabody Hall and the basement of Pilgrim House (for the use of Pilgrim, Longwood and Riverway House residents). To both wash and dry the cost is $1.25. Broken machines should be reported to a Resident Assistant who will notify the Facilities Office. Residents can find change machines in the basement of Peabody Hall and in the Student Center.
Any Housekeeping notes?
All residents are responsible for cleaning their own rooms. Housekeeping staff cleans hallways, common areas and community style bathrooms (Peabody residents clean their own bathrooms). If you are a Peabody resident (as your bathrooms are more privatized) please bring cleaning supplies.
Are there vacuums available?
Vacuums are available in each residence hall; however, residents are welcome to bring small vacuums.
Is storage available?
Students who plan to return to the residence halls in the fall after summer vacation or after a study abroad program, may store on a first come, first serve basis, one bulk item (e.g. fridge) or one container (e.g. trunk, box) if their permanent addresses is in New England and three bulk items/containers if their addresses are outside New England. All stored items must be clearly labeled with the date, student’s name, residence hall, and room number. The Office of Residence Life will post times in the spring when staff will be available to open the storage area for student access. All stored items must be removed from storage upon the students return to the College, regardless of whether the student returns as a resident or commuter student. Any exceptions to these policies must be approved in advance by the Director of Residence Life. If a student fails to claim stored items when he or she returns to the College, the College will dispose of the items at the student’s expense. The College is not responsible for any loss or damage to stored items.
Can we have pets?
Only tropical and gold fish are allowed in the residence halls, all other pets are prohibited. Please be sure fish are contained in a bowl or tank no larger than 8 gallons.
Can I smoke?
Wheelock College is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is prohibited in any College building, INCLUDING residence halls.
What kind of meal plan do I have? Can I change mine?
All first year students are required to be on the 19 meal plan (3 meals per day). Sophomores, juniors and seniors may opt for the 14 meal plan (2 meals per day plus $20 in flex cash per semester.)
What do we do in the event of an Accident or Emergency?
Accidents and emergencies of a medical or psychological nature should be referred to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For more detailed information, refer to the Health & Wellness page. At all other times, students should call Security, who will then page the Resident Assistant or Resident Director who is on call. In the event of a serious accident, Security staff will call an ambulance for immediate transport to an area hospital.
Can I cook in my room?
Use of food preparation appliances such as hot plates and coffeepots is strictly forbidden in Residence Halls. See What can I bring and what is not allowed? above for prohibited items in the residence halls.
What do I do if I get locked out?
A student who is locked out of his/her room during daytime hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) will need to request that personnel from either the Office of Residence Life or Facilities to unlock their room for a $5 fee.
Lockouts which occur during evening hours (5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) are handled by calling Security at ext. 2151 to contact the Resident Assistant on duty. Students should be aware that the Resident Assistant will charge a fee of $10.00 for all lock-out’s which after hours (11:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.).
Guidelines for Effective Feedback
- Focus on the behavior rather than the person.
- Describe, don’t evaluate.
- Be specific rather than general.
- Consider timeliness.
- Direct comments toward behavior that the roommate can do something about.
- Allow some freedom of choice to change.
- Be direct rather than indirect in expressing feelings.
- Avoid the use of absolutes, such as "always" or "never".
- Focus on sharing information rather than giving advice or evaluating the person.
- Ensure clear communication.
- Acount for the needs of all roommates.
Basic Strategies to Conflict Management
Talk - Most problems between roommates involve a lack of communication. Talking can help prevent differences from being blown out of proportion.
Listen - Learn to listen carefully. Strive for understanding by listening without evaluating or reacting immediately.
Be Flexible - The way you feel about a given situation today may differ a great deal from the way you will feel tomorrow.
Be Understanding - Do not expect your roommate to view things exactly as you do.
Cooperate - Make an honest attempt to allow the relationship to work. When you collaborate, the chances of mutual satisfaction are greatly increased.
