Welcome to Your 23-24 Academic Year!

Thursday, September 14th, 2023

Dear Student,

Good September!

Student Affairs has been focused on reorganizing and building this summer and we write today to reintroduce part of the division with our updated name – the Office of Community Living.  Our office, already referred to as ‘OCL’ by many, comprises three teams: the Community Safety Team, the Housing & Operations Team, and the Residential Engagement & Wellbeing Team.  We are located in offices at 38 Woodside Avenue and the Keefe Health Center.

Team Roles

The Community Safety Team - Six Community Safety Assistants and a Director work together and with other first responders to maintain a safe environment in our residence halls and the spaces most frequented by our student community.

The Housing & Operations Team - This team is responsible for housing assignments, procedures for moving into and departing from campus housing, and for the many opportunities to provide liaison between and among College offices and departments to deliver services to students that supports their connections to the residence halls and their facilities.  Always data driven, the ‘HOPS Team’ will correspond with you often to provide updates and tips for planning for the next transition.

The Residential Engagement & Wellbeing Team - This office is comprised of student and professional staff who join with our students to build community and to spread practices of self-care and care for others.  Community Advisors, Peer Advocates for Sexual Respect, Student Health Educators, Program Assistants, Resource Referral Assistants, and Community Development Coordinators are all members of the office. Keep yourself current on upcoming programs and events that center wellbeing!

Community Facilities Information

Submit a Service Request - If there is a physical deficiency in your assigned room, a common area, or a restroom, use this email address to log your concern and activate a response.

Submit an Environmental Health and Safety Report - Please use this form to report observations of conditions that could affect the environmental health or safety for members of our community.  All submissions are welcome-- please submit a report even if you are unsure if it’s necessary.

Room Condition Reporting - Our partners in Facilities and Custodial Services have worked hard to prepare your room for arrival. Your room has a full complement of College-issued furniture, which must remain in the room. We understand everything to be in good working order at this time, and ask that you verify that with us by completing this brief Room Condition Reporting Form before 12 PM on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

In the News

Residential Accountability Areas - In the event of a fire alarm in your residence hall, please evacuate the building immediately by the nearest exit, and avoid the elevator.  Refer to the gathering point, or Accountability Area, for your hall.  Keep a distance of 50 feet or more from the building to allow first responders to address the alarm and its cause.

Room Freeze - At the start of every academic year we institute a ‘Room Freeze.’ During this time we evaluate who has, and has not, arrived on campus.  After the ‘Freeze’ has thawed, you may connect with your Community Advisor (CA), or Community Development Coordinator (CDC) if you wish to explore a change of housing assignment. During a room change meeting, staff will discuss with you your concerns about your current room space, interpersonal relationships, as well as potential solutions before forwarding the information to the Housing & Operations team. Please note that not all room change requests will be accepted.  

Warmly,

Housing & Operations Team

What to Know for Mammoth Move-In

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023

Dear Student, 

We are so excited for your arrival in just 6 days! 

Today we are writing to share your assigned move-in appointment time for the morning of Tuesday, August 29. Time slots have been assigned based on scheduled Tuesday morning activities for you or your roommate(s), and the location of your room. 

Your appointment time to arrive at the before moving into Your Room Assignment  is XXXX. 

Getting to Campus:

• We suggest setting your GPS to 6 East Drive, Amherst, MA 01002. Each arriving student will be directed to proceed to the South Parking Lot.  

• Construction Abounds! Route 9, Route 116, and several surrounding local roads in Amherst and Hadley are under construction. Additionally, near Logan International Airport, the Sumner Tunnel (Route 1A South) Restoration Project’s first full closure continues through Thursday August 31, 2023. Please adjust your travel plans accordingly. 

• If you are arriving via Rideshare Service, please direct your driver to 6 East Drive, Amherst MA; however, you will not need a dashboard pass! Instead of following directions to the South Parking Lot, have your driver turn up Barrett Hill Drive directly to the First-Year Quad and to your residence hall.  

Arriving & Moving in: 

• At the South Parking Lot we will give each vehicle a dashboard sign for you to label with your housing assignment and cell phone number. Please complete this information to expedite your move-in process. 

• We will then guide you to your residence hall, where student leaders and staff will assist you with moving items from vehicles into student rooms. At your residence hall you will receive your room key, student ID, and other items to get you started this year. 

• As soon as your vehicle is unloaded, the driver will need to move off of the First-Year Quad to allow the next student to unpack their car and begin moving in. 

What’s Next?

• Parking will be available at the Dickinson, East, and South parking lots. A shuttle will help your guests travel between parking lots and Frost Library on the First-Year Quad. 

• Once move-in has concluded, families will be welcomed to join our incoming new students on the Valentine Quad for lunch and the first sessions of Orientation.

• For more information, check out the Orientation website: upcoming activities

As a reminder, please consult the packing list developed by the Office of Community Living as you prepare to return to campus. We encourage you to label all of your items with your name, building, and room number. As a reminder, each student room will contain one microwave and a refrigerator, and we ask that you do not bring your own.  

Please also remember to pack a mammoth quotient of good cheer and excitement for your first day on-campus! The Community Advisor (CA), and Orientation Leader (OL) teams look forward to seeing you very soon!

Sincerely, 

The Housing & Operations Team

Mid-Summer Check-in from Housing & Operations

Friday, June 30th, 2023

Dear Student,

We hope you are enjoying your summer wherever you are in the world! Construction for the Climate Action Plan and the New Student Center & Dining Commons are underway here at Amherst. We’re writing with a few reminders and updates for you. 

1. Our office has moved - we are now located at 38 Woodside, formerly the Cadigan Center. We look forward to welcoming you there soon. 
2. Important dates for the 23-24 Academic Year 
3. Fall Housing 
4. Off Campus Housing Requests

Important dates for the 23-24 academic year: 

Fall 2023:

• Returning Student Arrival - September 2-4, 2023
  *Early arrival requests will be reviewed in late July and will only be approved for extenuating circumstances, or in support of the College opening*
• Classes Begin - Tuesday, September 5, 2023 
• November Break - November 18-26, 2023 (registration required) 
• Last day of Classes - Wednesday, December 13, 2023 
• Last day of Finals - Thursday, December 21, 2023 
• Fall Move-out -  by noon on Friday, December, 22, 2023
  *Students who are not residential in the spring must fully vacate their room at this time 

Winter Recess 2023-2024

• Winter Recess - December 23, 2023 - January 26, 2024
  *Registration will be required via form released in November
  *Spring residents only 

Spring 2024: 

• Returning Student Arrival - Saturday, January 27 & 28, 2024
• Classes Begin - Monday, January 29, 2024 
• Break - March 16 - 24, 2024
  *Registration will be required via form released in February
• Last day of Classes - Tuesday, May 7, 2024
• Last day of Finals - Wednesday, May 15, 2024 
• Non-graduating Student Move-out: by noon on Thursday, May 16, 2024
• Graduating Student Move-out: by 5pm on Sunday, May 26, 2024 

Transition 2024:

• Move-in: rolling basis between Thursday, May 16, 2024 and Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
  *Spring non-graduates who are directly supporting Commencement & Reunion initiatives only 

Summer 2024: (tentative dates)

• Move-in: Sunday, June 9, 2024
  *Residents must be actively enrolled to reside on campus 
• Move-out: Saturday, August 3, 2024
  *Students who are not residential in the Fall of 2024 must fully vacate at this time. 

Your current booking for the 2023-2024 Academic Year is: Lee-219-A
If you believe there is an error with this, please let us know as soon as possible. We in Housing & Operations are currently working to house students who are on the Waitlist and unmet housing accommodations and will share final assignments by Wednesday, July 19, 2023. If you are interested in exploring a room change for the upcoming year, please complete this form before 9am on Friday, July 7, 2023. We will have limited flexibility, but would be happy to meet potential requests prior to your arrival. 

Are you interested in living off campus?
If so, please review our website, and complete the request form today! Once through the request process and lease verification process - we work with Student Accounts to reverse housing billing and if you choose, meal billing.  

Have a wonderful summer,  

Housing & Operations

Gender-Inclusive Roommate Placement Opportunity

Friday, June 30th, 2023

Dear Student,

Thank you for submitting your New Student Housing Questionnaire! We are following up with you today because you selected “Yes” or “Unsure” in response to the question asking if you might be interested in learning more information about the gender inclusive roommate placement option. We are writing to share related Frequently Asked Questions, and a next step Questionnaire that further engages you about this opportunity. 

The gender-inclusive roommate placement option for first-years allows students to request housing with another first-year student in which the overriding/primary factor guiding placement into the same room need not be a shared gender/gender identity. The gender-inclusive roommate pairing option is open to any first-year student who wishes to participate.

New first-year students who would like to participate in this housing option should complete this webform by 8:00 am on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Sincerely, 

New Student Housing Questionnaire now Open!

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Dear Student, 

We are happy to be able to share the next step toward the beginning of your first semester on campus as a part of our Amherst College community. We use a web-based portal to interact with you about your housing opportunities. The Housing Portal is now open to all new students. Please complete each page of the questionnaire and submit your responses by Friday, June 30. This questionnaire will inform how we assign your room and roommate.  

Residential living goals for new students are intended to create opportunities for meeting new people and for building strong relationships. Please take note that we do not accommodate roommate requests nor requests to be placed in a specific residence hall. 

Roommates will be assigned based on your responses to the questionnaire. This questionnaire encompasses your routine and preferences, including but not limited to the time of day you prefer to wake up and go to sleep, smoking/vaping habits, preferred study environments, and preferences related to guest frequency.

Students seeking housing accommodations should reach out to Accessibility Services at accessibility@amherst.edu. Requests for medical accommodations and the substantiating documentation are due to Accessibility Services by Friday, June 23. You can learn more about accommodations for first year students on their website.

We will share your housing assignment for Academic Year 2023-2024 with you by Wednesday, July 26. Before you begin preparing for living at Amherst, be sure to check out our Recommended Packing List! Please note the College is not able to offer on-campus storage for items, including empty suitcases, or totes, so please pack mindfully. We look forward to your arrival the morning of Tuesday, August 29. We will be in touch to provide you with your assigned arrival window later this summer. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at OSAOPS@amherst.edu.

Sincerely, 

The Housing & Operations Team 

Summer Campus Conditions

Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

Dear Summer Sponsors and Summer Students,

The Summer 2023 landscape on our campus will look and feel different than recent summers as major construction projects like the Climate Action Plan and the new student center rev up!  We write to provide important information about how some of the changes may affect students so that all stakeholders can prepare and plan for the best experience possible.

Central Cooling:  The Climate Action Plan (CAP) will be knocking on the doors of the centrally cooled Greenways this summer.  All four halls will be unavailable for residency for the duration of the summer, resulting in the assignment of most Amherst students to residence halls across campus that do not have central cooling.  While students with a registered air conditioner accommodation can expect a cooling solution, students without an accommodation will not have bedroom cooling, and students will not be permitted to install their own air conditioners of any type.  

Keeping Cool:

• Turn off overhead lights, or desk lamps that give off heat
• Pull down shades during the day to keep heat from sunlight to a minimum
• Open windows at night to let cooler air in
• Use a fan in conjunction with your window– especially to encourage cooler air into the room on overcast days and at night

Noise and Dust:  The demolition of Merrill and McGuire and the excavation work that will accompany it and the CAP project will produce elevated levels of noise, vibration, and dust.  Student Affairs and Campus Operations will work with students to provide notices when particularly disruptive conditions could be expected.  Construction will typically begin at 7:00 am or later and conclude by 4:00 pm.

Please communicate with us if you have questions or concerns!  We on the Housing & Operations Team will work with our campus partners when necessary to bring you the best information and advice we can.

Sincerely, 

The Housing & Operations Team

May Move-out, Storage, & Summer Housing

Friday, April 21st, 2023

Dear Student,

As we have consistently shared throughout the year, non-graduating students must move out of the residence halls by noon on Saturday, May 20, and graduating students must move out by 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 28. We are asking all students to share their May 2023 Campus Departure Plans by Monday, May 1. Why? We need your help! Families, alumni, and guests will utilize our residence halls very shortly after your departure, and we need to plan accordingly. Please note all students must return their key upon departure, drop boxes are located in each residence hall and in Keefe Campus Center. Leaving your room key in your room will most likely result in a lost key charge.

Please consider donating gently used items for Move Out to reduce waste - an initiative facilitated by the Office of Sustainability. Additionally, Custodial Services will knock on doors and facilitate “Trash & Bash” May 8-19, 2023 to gather trash and larger donation items directly from your room.

The Summer Housing Application is available now in the Housing Portal.

Summer housing requires both an application from students, and corresponding sponsorship from an Amherst College department. Graduating students are not eligible for summer housing.

This form will ask you about your anticipated housing needs, sponsoring host information, and possible roommate information. Summer housing request forms are due Monday, May 1.

It is important to note that most students engaging in any portion of the following segments of summer housing will need to change housing assignments during their stay. Summer housing is broken down into 3 major segments, each with their own eligibility criteria.

Spring-to-Summer Transition (5/22-6/10)
Located in Tyler, Seligman, Moore, Valentine, Humphries, Chapman, Plimpton, and Marsh.
Available only to those who are hired to work commencement, reunion, and select essential campus initiatives (housing available only during the period of employment), students for whom Amherst is their primary residence, and international students who cannot travel due to international limitations.
Ineligible students include domestic students who do not have a commitment to the College until after June 11.
Moving into transition housing will occur on a rolling basis as rooms are vacated and prepared. Residents must be prepared to move between May 22 and May 26. Alternative move dates will be discouraged and are unavailable without exceptional reasons.

Summer Housing (6/10-8/5)
Located in King, Weiland, Garman, Seligman, Chapman, Residence Hall A, Hitchcock, Humphries, Marsh, Moore, Morrow, Plimpton, and Tyler.
Eligible students who participate in Amherst College academic programs, student summer employees, students for whom Amherst is their primary residence, and those who cannot travel due to international limitations.
Ineligible students include all who were not approved via the Summer Housing Request process
Moving into summer housing will occur June 10 and 11 for the vast majority of students.

Summer-to-Fall Transition (8/7-8/11)
Located in students’ Fall 2023 housing assignments
Eligible students include students for whom Amherst is their primary residence, and international students, and students who have a commitment to the College beyond August 5.
Ineligible students include those who are studying away, or taking a leave for the Fall 2023.
Moving into fall housing will range between August 7 and August 11 in a rolling manner as fall rooms are prepared. These dates are determined based on programs and room readiness. Alternative move dates may not be possible, and will be discouraged without exceptional reasons.
Storage

The College has discontinued the on-campus storage program; however, we continue to partner with Boomerang Storage to offer door-to-door storage service at students’ expense. Students with high financial need, international students, and residents of AK, HI, or PR may qualify for a storage subsidy code (SSC) to cover the cost of registration and up to 4 boxes. If you anticipate eligibility for a SSC, please submit your request before May 1 and we will respond by May 4. Boxes for general use will be dropped off to all main common rooms the week of May 1, 2023.

Sincerely,

The Housing & Operations Team

What’s Next?

Summer Housing Requests due May 1 by noon
Trash & Bash - May 8-19, 2023
Move-out for non-graduating students is Saturday, May 20 by noon
Move-out for graduating students is Sunday, May 28 by 5:00 pm
Campus Departure Plans form due Monday, May 1 by noon
Fall 2023 Move-in for returning students begins Saturday, September 2, 2023
Classes begin Tuesday, September 5, 2023

May Move Out

Friday, April 21st, 2023

Dear Student,

As we approach commencement, we are writing to remind all graduating students that move out for the spring semester is on Sunday, May 28 by 5:00 pm.

We are asking all students to share their May 2023 Campus Departure Plans by Monday, May 1. Why? We need your help! Families, alumni, and guests will utilize our residence halls very shortly after your departure, and we need to plan accordingly. Please note you must return your key upon departure in the drop boxes are located in each residence hall and in Keefe Campus Center. Leaving your room key in your room will most likely result in a lost key charge.

Students who are not graduating will receive an email today sharing information about summer housing and storage. Our records indicate you are graduating in May, and therefore are not eligible for those processes. Please let us know if we are incorrect. Please also consider Donating items for Move Out to reduce waste - an initative facilitated by the Office of Sustainability.

Sincerely,

The Housing & Operations Team

What’s Next?

Move-out for non-graduating students is Saturday, May 20 by noon
Move-out for graduating students is Sunday, May 28 by 5:00 pm
Campus Departure Plans form due Monday, May 1 by noon

Waitlist Information

Friday, April 14th, 2023

Dear Student, 

As the rising sophomore housing selection process wraps up this evening, we are writing to share some preliminary information about the Waitlist Process now that the final selection time has been activated.  All students will receive a housing assignment well before the beginning of the fall semester– we aim to solidify all returning students’ assignments by late July.

The waitlist form has been activated in the Housing Portal.  This form will ask you to share with the Housing & Operations Team your hall, floor, room, and roommate preferences.  Please complete this form prior to May 1, 2023.  The Waitlist Process will be a placement process, not a selection process.  This means that once you complete the form, there will be no further action required by you.  

Housing Selection Times Released

Thursday, April 6th, 2023

Dear Student, 

Housing selection times have now been generated for next week! 

Your Housing Selection Time is: April XXX, 2023, XXX PM EDT. The room selector will close to you 12 hours after your selection time. 

When to log in: Approximately 5 minutes prior to your Selection Time

Don’t forget! Questions during HSP? 

• Housing & Operations will be reachable by text during HSP.  You will have an opportunity to update your cell phone number in the Housing Portal.  We will send a text to all participants an hour before the start of the process on their selection day. We are eager to answer your ‘in-the-moment’ questions about HSP this week via text, not email.   

One more time - we are available to serve as a proxy for you! 

• In class? At practice? Ask us to serve as your proxy in the Housing Portal

Quick access links:

• Housing Portal 

• Portal Video Series - information about roommate pairings 

• Frequently Asked Questions

Single or Double Room Assignment 

Juniors and sophomores should plan to select a double-occupancy room.  

Selecting Double Rooms

• Verified roommate pairs should select at the earlier selection time of the two participants. 

• Participants can form, verify, and break roommate pairings throughout the process until a room is selected.
  
  

How will it work? 

• Every minute, 1 student’s portal selection ability will be ‘activated’ 

• HSP runs from 2:00 pm until all selection times are activated each evening 

• Your ability to select remains active until you have chosen an assignment, or the process closes 12 hours after your selection time.  

• If you want to select at the same time as a friend you can wait to select at the later time 

• If you want to see if singles will still be available at your selection time, you can, and then form a roommate pairing during HSP if there are no remaining singles 

See you next week: 

• Tuesday, April 11 

• 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Drop-in hours for questions 

• 2:00 pm - 8:30 pm Rising senior HSP

• Wednesday, April 12

• 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Drop-in hours for questions 

• 2:00 pm - 8:30 pm Rising junior HSP

• Thursday, April 13

• 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Drop-in hours for questions 

• 2:00 pm - 8:30 pm Rising sophomore HSP

Sincerely, 

Housing & Operations 

What’s Next?

• April 25 - waitlist forms open in the Housing Portal 

• May 20 - Move-Out by noon for all non-graduating students 

• May 28 - Commencement; Graduating students move-out by 5:00 pm 

• June 11 - Summer Housing Move-In 

• August 5 - Summer Housing Move-Out

• September 2 - Returning Student Move-In

HSP Is Next Week!

Suites and Triples Selection Process (STSP)

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

The Suites and Triples Selection Process (STSP) registration form is now available. The STSP event will be held on Wednesday, March 22 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm via Zoom. (Note: all times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)).

How does registration work? 

• Please select one group leader to submit your group's registration form.
  (multiple submissions will delay staff processing your submission) 
• Your STSP group leader submits the registration form by March 12, no later than 11:59 pm .
• All group participants will receive an automated confirmation email from OSAOPS@amherst.edu encouraging suite/roommates to review the application and to reply if it is incorrect in any way. No action is required by group participants unless the original submission is incorrect.
• The Housing & Operations Team 
• Assumes group participants agree to the group members and configuration unless we receive a dissenting email from a group member. 
• Will verify group members’ eligibility, will average group members’ Selection Numbers, and communicate with all group members the averaged STSP Selection Number and Selection Window by Friday, March 17. This email will include the Zoom link to the STSP Zoom event. 
• Will serve as a proxy upon request for any group where no members are able to participate in Selection Day.  Send proxy requests to OSAOPS@amherst.edu 
• Regarding eligibility: 
• Students who have accepted a Theme or Language housing assignment or a CA position are not eligible for the STSP. 
• Please discuss study away plans with potential suitemates or roommates. Vacancies created by students planning to study away must be refilled within one week of notice.  

Available suites: 

• Jenkins: 10-person and 6-person suites
• Greenways: 4-person suites 
• Mayo-Smith: 5-person and 3-person suites
• Residence Hall A: 5-person suites 

Available natural triples: 

• Chapman 203
• Moore 106
• Plimpton 113
• Valentine 244
  
  

All students are welcome to register with a group for each suite size, but no student may register as part of more than one group per size. Groups with students who have registered for more than one group of the same size will be disqualified. This means you may register a 10-person group and a 3-person group, but not multiple 5-person groups. 

All registered participants will receive confirmation of the schedule of events, an appointment time for all groups that applied for each suite-type, and the link to access the selection Zoom.  For more information about the process and to access the registration form starting on March 22, please visit the Suites and Triples Selection page on our website.

What’s Next? 

• Theme & Language Housing waitlist applications continue to be considered 
• Suites & Triples Selection Process (STSP) Applications are due on Sunday, March 12 by 11:59 pm, and the process will be held on Wednesday, March 22 
• General Housing Selection runs from April 11 through April 13 
• Move-out for non-graduating students is by noon on Saturday, May 20 and for graduating students on Sunday, May 29 by 5:00 pm 

Sincerely,

The Housing & Operations Team

Housing Selection Process

Friday, February 17th, 2023

Dear Student,

The Housing Selection Process has begun for the 2023-2024 Academic Year! Those who have applied for Theme Housing will hear from us next week with the results of their application.  If you missed the deadline - don’t worry - you can apply for Theme & Language Housing Waitlists!

There are four major processes in the overall Housing Selection Process:

1. Theme & Language Housing - Application Open: 12/8/22 Closed: 2/6/23 
   *Waitlist applications continue to be accepted until 8/1/23 
2. Suites & Triples Process - Application becomes available Monday, March 6, 2023 
   Application closes Sunday, March 12, 2023 
3. General Housing Selection Process - 
   1. Rising Senior HSP - Tuesday, April 11, 2023 
   2. Rising Junior HSP - Wednesday, April 12, 2023 
   3. Rising Sophomore HSP - Thursday, April 13, 2023 
4. Waitlist Housing Process - All Amherst College students should anticipate on campus housing for the academic year, however, every year there will be a group of students who are not able to secure specific housing assignments until the summer.  

For more information about the HSP, visit our Frequently Asked Questions, and check your email often! 

Your Housing Selection Number:XXXX

All eligible students have been randomly assigned a Housing Selection Number according to their dates of enrollment at the College.  

• Rising Seniors: 1-530
• Rising Juniors: 531-1085
• Rising Sophomores: 1086-1594

Each HSP subprocess makes use of Selection Numbers 

• Theme & Language Housing - varies by community, however most assign from lowest number to highest number. 
• Suites & Triples Process - uses the groups averaged Selection Number, which dictates the groups Selection Time
• General HSPs: 
  • HSP# determines Selection Time for individuals 
  • Lowest HSP# in a pair determines Selection Time for roommate pairs  
• Waitlist Housing Process: up to 125 students may be on the waitlist to be housed over the summer.  More information will be provided as each HSP subprocess is completed.  

Other Important Dates & Information: 

• Housing Accommodation Registration due Wednesday, March 1, 2023
  Please also review the Housing & Operations Accessibility Information
  Questions? Please contact accessibility@amherst.edu.
• Study Away Approval Checklist Part 1 due: April 1, 2023
  *Students planning to study away in the Fall are disqualified from Housing for the Fall 
• Off Campus Housing Interest - Intent form open now  

What Else? 

• March 11 - 18: Spring Break 
• May 20 - Move Out by noon for all non-graduating students 
• May 28 - Commencement & Graduating students move-out by 5PM 
• June 11 - Summer Housing Move-In 
• August 5 - Summer Housing Move-Out
• September 2 - Returning Student Move-In   

Theme Housing Applications DUE!!!!

Friday, February 3rd, 2023

Dear Students, 

Theme & Language Housing Applications are due by 9am on Monday, February 6.  

Amherst College offers several different housing opportunities to live with peers who are interested in living in a curated community.  Theme and Language Housing includes: 

• Sylvia Rivera Community (Moore) 
• Asian Culture House (Morrow)
• French Language House (King)
• Charles Drew Memorial Cultural House (Drew) 
• Marsh Arts House (Marsh)
• German Language House (Porter)
• Russian Language House (Porter)
• Humphries House Co-op (Humphries)
• Latinx Cultural House (Newport)
• Spanish Language House (Newport)

Theme Community Applications can only be accessed through the Theme Community Pre-application, due by 9am on Monday, February 6, 2023. The Pre-application asks applicants to rank all of the theme communities they intend to apply for in order of preference. This information will not be shared with Theme Community leadership (decision makers) -- it will only be shared with the Office of Community Living.

Not interested in Theme Housing? Suites & Triples Process is up next - applications open Monday, March 6 and close Sunday March 12.  Stay tuned for more information! 

Stay warm!! 

Housing & Operations

Welcome Back & Theme Housing Information

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Dear Students, 

With the start of classes in just a few days - Monday, January 30, 2023- we are writing with a few key pieces of information.  

Welcome Back! 

Please plan to arrive to campus on or after Thursday, January 26, 2023.  If you are returning from a leave, please pick up your room key from Keefe Campus Center 101 during business hours.  If you arrive outside of business hours please contact Dispatch at 413-542-2291 to have a Community Safety Assistant meet you in Keefe.  As you prepare for the start of classes please get tested for COVID-19 before you return to campus to ensure that you do not travel while you are sick. Consult CDC guidelines for up-to-date travel and health guidance. Students returning to campus should take a rapid antigen test immediately upon return. (Kits will be available in the Valentine Dining Hall.)

Now let’s get ready for Fall 2023! 

Engaging in the Housing Selection Process will quickly be an important part of your spring semester.  We will send regular communication about this process over the next few months outlining the process in detail.  All students anticipated to return in the fall will be randomly assigned a Housing Selection Number (HS#) by Wednesday, February 15, 2023 by class year.  You will then have several opportunities to engage in the process: 

1. Theme & Language Housing opportunities detailed below.
   Applications due by 9am on Monday, February 6, 2023. 
2. Suites & Triples Selection Process (STSP) - 
   Applications open on Monday, March 6, 2023 and are due on Sunday, March 12, 2023. More information will be sent out in mid-February about this process. 
3. General Housing Selection Process (HSP) -
   Rising Seniors will select rooms on Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Rising Juniors will select rooms on Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Rising Sophomores will select rooms on Thursday, April 13, 2023
More information will be sent out in March about this process. 

1. Waitlist Housing - all Amherst College students seeking housing for the fall semester will be housed, however some students will not receive finalized assignments until the summer months.  Students who do not select an assignment through any of the above mentioned processes will be housed through the waitlist process. 
   More information will be sent out in early April about this process. 

Theme & Language Housing Information: 

Amherst College offers several different housing opportunities to live with peers who are interested in living in a curated community.  Theme and Language Housing includes: 

• Sylvia Rivera Community (Moore) 
• Asian Culture House (Morrow)
• French Language House (King)
• Charles Drew Memorial Cultural House (Drew) 
• Marsh Arts House (Marsh)
• German Language House (Porter)
• Russian Language House (Porter)
• Humphries House Co-op (Humphries)
• Latinx Cultural House (Newport)
• Spanish Language House (Newport)

Theme Community Applications can only be accessed through the Theme Community Pre-application, due by 9am on Monday, February 6, 2023. The Pre-application asks applicants to rank all of the theme communities they intend to apply for in order of preference. This information will not be shared with Theme Community leadership (decision makers) -- it will only be shared with the Office of Community Living.

See you soon!

Sincerely,

The Housing & Operations Team

Important Closing Procedures

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Dear Students,

Professional staff will be checking rooms after your departure from campus to ensure that rooms have been closed properly. All students are expected to depart by noon on Monday, December 19 unless explicitly granted an exception for an extended stay in writing.

Staff will be conducting Health & Safety Checks for any visible safety violations, as well as verifying compliance with the following checklist (a consolidated checklist is also available on door hangers recently placed on of each residence hall room’s door knob):

• If you are not returning to campus in Spring 2023, pack and remove all personal belongings from your room
• Pack and bring with you any essential chargers, passports, medications, laptops, and phones
• Remove all garbage and recyclables
• Remove all perishable food
• Leave college-issued refrigerators and microwaves plugged in
• Unplug all other electronic devices
• Where applicable, set the room’s thermostat to 60°F
• Close and lock windows, close all window shades
• Turn off all room lights
• Close and lock your door
• Take your room key with you; doors will be locked following your departure!

Submit the check out form upon departure
https://tinyurl.com/DecMovedOut

Sincerely,

The Housing & Operations Team

Spring Housing Selection Information

Friday, December 2, 2022

Hello,

As a student returning to campus from leave or study away, you are eligible to participate in the Housing Selection Process Spring 2023. Please read the following message in its entirety, as we address several key components of your return to campus.

Housing Selection

The Spring Housing Selection Process will run between 1pm and 3pm on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. The only students who are eligible to participate in this process are students returning from leave or study away.

How it works:

• Your Selection Number is ****. This number was assigned to you last spring for this academic year, or was randomly assigned to you following your return from leave.
• This Selection Number dictates your Selection Order and Selection Time. Your Selection Time is 12/13/2022 **:**.
• You can begin pairing with a roommate who is also returning from leave.
• The list of available rooms for selection will be released shortly before the selection process. Single- and double-occupancy rooms will be available. Some double rooms will have a pre-existing occupant, and others will be fully available.
• You will gain access to the room selection function in the housing portal at your Selection Time. If you miss your time slot, you will continue to be able to select until the end of the process. Students who miss the selection event entirely will be randomly assigned to an available room after the close of the process.

More detailed information about selecting a room and frequently asked questions can be found on the OSA Operations webpage.

Housing Accommodations
If you are seeking housing accommodations, or want to confirm accommodations you already hold, please reach out to Accessibility Services at accessibility@amherst.edu. We will work with students who intend to use their registered accommodation to select a room that meets their accommodations through standard selection, or pre-placement, depending on individual accommodations.

Theme & Language Housing
Students who are on a waitlist for Theme or Language housing will be emailed soon regarding availability. Students who accept a placement in Theme or Language Housing will not be eligible to participate in the December 13 Housing Selection Process.

Off Campus Housing
If you are intending to live off campus, we appreciate the timely response to the off-campus housing application by 9am on December 9, 2022. Late requests will also be accepted.

Returning to Campus
Students returning from leave are welcome to return to campus beginning January 26, 2023. Detailed information about arrival will be distributed in mid-January. Returning students are not eligible for January Recess housing.

Sincerely,

Housing & Operations Team

What’s Next?

• Fall Move-Out: Monday, December 19, 2022 by noon
• This is the final date to fully vacate your room for all students in the Class of 2023E and all students studying away in Spring 2023
• Spring Move-In: Thursday, January 26, 2023 through Sunday, January 29, 2023 from 9am to 4pm
• May Move-out for non-Graduates: Saturday, May 20, 2023 by noon
• May Move-out for Graduating Seniors: Sunday, May 28, 2023 by 5pm

Removal From Campus Housing

Tuesday November 29, 2022

Dear Student,

Our records indicate that you will not reside on campus in the Spring of 2023, and will be Graduating/Studying Away/Taking a Leave in Spring 2023.  The Housing & Operations Team automatically absorbs all forthcoming vacancies into our inventory and then reallocates them through several processes - including the Spring Housing Selection Process.  This means that your current housing assignment is not transferable by you, nor are you able to retain your room for future occupancy.  

All students who are not residing on campus for the Spring of 2023 must fully vacate their room by noon on Monday, December 19, 2022.  You are not eligible for housing during the December Closure or January Recess periods, as the College needs this period to prepare your room for the next occupant. 

If our records are inaccurate, and you do plan to enroll in Amherst College classes in the Spring of 2023 and require on campus housing, you must respond to this email by 9:00 am on Thursday, December 1, 2022.  

We hope that this next chapter goes smoothly for you! 

Sincerely, 

The Housing & Operations Team  

December Move-out, December Closure, January Recess, and Spring Move-in 

Wednesday November 9, 2022 

Dear Student, 

With November Break right around the corner - it’s time to begin planning for the upcoming housing transitions.  Please read the following information carefully, as you are responsible for the contents.  The dates below are firm and have been shared since July.  Below you will find information about: 

• December Move-out, and the Late Departure Request Form 
• December Closure, and the December Closure Residency Registration Form  
• January Recess, and the January Recess Residency Request Form  
• Spring Move-in Primer 

Sincerely, 

The Housing & Operations Team  

December Move-out:

All students must depart campus following finals by noon on Monday, December 19, unless explicitly approved to remain on campus.  In December, we will ask you to share your December departure plans - so please start making your travel arrangements. In the event that you have an international flight scheduling conflict or other extenuating circumstances, please complete the Late Departure Request Form by noon on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.  

December Closure: 

The College is closed from 4 pm on Friday, December 23, 2022 until 9 am on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.  During this time all services will be limited, including Dining, Custodial, and Student Affairs staffing.  Campus residency during this time is limited to: 

• Students who are unable to return home due to international travel restrictions 
• Students whose home of record is Amherst College
• Required in-season student-athletes 

Eligibility is dependent on both fall and spring residency.  The December Closure Residency Registration Form is due by noon on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.  

January Recess: 

January Recess begins at 9 am on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, and concludes at the start of classes.  During this time residency is limited to the following groups: 

• International students 
• Students whose home of record is Amherst College
• Students engaged in faculty-approved academic work 
• In-season winter student-athletes 
• Students employed on campus
• Participants in Loeb Center programs 
• ACEMS trainees 

Eligibility is dependent on being enrolled for spring semester, and confirmation of on-campus engagement by a faculty or staff member involved in that engagement.  The January Recess Residence Request Form is due by noon on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. 

Spring Move-In 

Students are welcome to return to campus on or after Thursday, January 26, 2023.  Classes begin on Monday, January 30, 2023. In early January, we will ask you to share your arrival plans should you need to arrive after the start of classes.  If you are enrolled in classes at Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, or Smith Colleges - we will reach out to you in order to develop an Early Arrival plan. 

Welcome to Campus

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Greetings, 

We have spent the last month eagerly preparing for your arrival - welcome! As an early arriving student we are reaching out before the rest of your peers with a few important things to share with you for the coming year. Your peers will hear from us later this week.   

Room Condition Reporting 

Our partners in Facilities and Custodial Services have worked hard to prepare your room for arrival. Your room has a full complement of College-issued furniture, which must remain in the room. We understand everything to be in good working order at this time, and ask that you verify that with us by completing this brief Room Condition Reporting Form before noon on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. 

Room Key Acknowledgement 

Upon arrival this year, all students are completing a short Key Acknowledgment Form.  This form allows for you to have a record of receiving your room key.  If you have not completed this form but, we will follow up with a link to complete soon.  Please be aware, failure to return your key when changing or vacating your currently assigned room will result in a lock change charge. 

Upcoming Critical Dates

• Fall Move-Out: Monday, December 19, 2022 by noon
  (This is the final date to fully vacate your room for all students in the Class of 2023E and all students studying away in Spring 2023.)

• Spring Move-In: Thursday, January 26, 2023 through Sunday, January 29, 2023 from 9am to 4pm 

• May Move-out for non-Graduates: Saturday, May 20, 2023 by noon  

• May Move-out for Graduating Seniors: Sunday, May 28, 2023 by 5pm 

What can you expect to hear about from us next? 

• Storage Access - Please use this Calendly link to sign up for a time to gather your items. Please be sure to include your full name, mobile phone number and storage location in your reservation. Please note that Student Affairs staff are not able to help you move your items, so please bring a friend, cart, or vehicle if you need.

• Room Change process begins: Tuesday, September 13, 2023.  We will share more information next week! 

Welcome!

Student Affairs Operations Team

New Student Housing Assignment

July 15, 2022

Hello <<Chosen Name>>,

We are pleased to be able to share your Fall 2022 housing assignment with you. 

Your assignment is <<Room>>.

Your room is a <<Occupancy>>, and your roommate is <<Roommate>>.  We encourage you to make outreach to your roommate at <<Roommate Email>> for introductions, to share plans, questions, and excitement about your arrival to campus. 

[GENERAL] Arrival Day!
You are scheduled to arrive on campus on <<Arrival Date>>, at <<Arrival Time>>.  In order to reduce wait times for everyone, arriving during your designated window will expedite your arrival process. Classes begin on Thursday, September 1, and you will be busy with Orientation until then!  Please consult our packing list as you prepare to arrive on campus.  Each student room will contain one microwave and a refrigerator, and we ask that you do not bring your own.  In early August we will send another message with more specific arrival information about your arrival on campus.  

 [Pre-O] Arrival Day!
As a participant in International Student Pre-Orientation, you are scheduled to arrive on campus on August 20, 2022, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. If you will arrive outside of those hours please let the CISE office know at CISE@amherst.edu.  Classes begin on Thursday, September 1, and you will be busy with Orientation until then!  Please consult our packing list as you prepare to arrive on campus.  Each student room will contain one microwave and a refrigerator, and we ask that you do not bring your own. Please continue to correspond with the Center for International Student Engagement about your arrival plans.

 [Athlete] Arrival Day!
At the recommendation of the athletic department, you are scheduled to arrive on campus on <<Arrival Date>>, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.  Classes begin on Thursday, September 1, and you will be busy with Orientation until then!  Please consult our packing list as you prepare to arrive on campus.  Each student room will contain one microwave and a refrigerator, and we ask that you do not bring your own.  Please continue to be in contact with your coach about your arrival plans.  

Shipping Items to Campus 

Amherst College Mail Services will receive packages for you to pick up when you arrive on campus. You will receive an email from postoffice@amherst.edu in the coming weeks with your campus box number, box combination, and address information. Please try to time your delivery such that it is proximal to your arrival. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I find out more information about my room?

You can visit the floor plan of your assigned residence hall to learn where in the hall your room is located.  Some floor plans show dimensions and measurements, some do not.  We have access only to the data that you see there and will be unable to provide other data at this time.

Can my room assignment be changed?

Housing placements were created with great care and attention to students’ needs and housing questionnaire responses.  We are not able to accept room change requests at this time.  Beginning on Tuesday, September 13th, our staff will begin to respond to change requests. We will share information about that process after your arrival.  

How were assignments made?

Your responses to the New Student Housing Questionnaire are the most important factor in crafting your assignment. Requests for single-gender or gender-inclusive floors, and floors with a gender-inclusive restroom also received consideration. 

We are looking forward to your arrival on campus in just a few weeks and are pleased to begin sharing details about the fall arrival process with you. 

Sincerely,

Student Affairs Operations Team

Dean Gendron, Kelsey Mongeau, Liz Brozski and Marie Lalor 

Gender-Inclusive Roommate Placement Opportunity

July 1, 2022

Greetings,

Thank you for submitting your New Student Housing Questionnaire! We are following up with you today because you selected “Yes” or “Unsure” in response to the question asking if you might be interested in learning more information about the gender inclusive roommate placement option. We are writing to share related Frequently Asked Questions, and a next step Questionnaire that further engages you about this opportunity.

The gender-inclusive roommate placement option for first-years allows students to request housing with another first-year student in which the overriding/primary factor guiding placement into the same room need not be a shared gender/gender identity. The gender-inclusive roommate pairing option is open to any first-year student who wishes to participate.

New first-year students who would like to participate in this housing option should complete this webform by 8:00 am on Monday, July 11.

Warmly,

Student Affairs Operations Team

Please complete Housing Questionnaire ASAP

July 1, 2022

Greetings!

Yesterday was the deadline to complete your housing questionnaire for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. Please log into the Housing Portal ASAP to complete your application.

Housing Portal

Don’t forget to share your responses in order to confirm the following:

• Your daily routines related to sleep, study, organization, and smoking. This allows us to pair you with a roommate with similar routines.
• Your interest in living on a gender-inclusive or single-gender floor.
• AND MORE!

Please log into the Housing Portal by Wednesday, July 6 to complete your responses. Housing assignments will be shared on Wednesday, July 15.

Sincerely,

The Student Affairs Operations Team

The OSA Operations Team
OSAOPS@amherst.edu

We are: Liz Brozski, Dean Gendron, Marie Lalor, and Kelsey Mongeau.

Helpful Forms
Previous Emails
Housing Portal

Contact us for support and resources related to your residence hall building, arrival to and departure from housing, your room key, card access, student storage, and other logistical questions about living on campus.

Housing Questionnaire Now Open

Jun 15, 2022

Greetings,

We are happy to be able to share the next step toward your first semester on campus as a part of our Amherst College community. The Housing Portal is now open to all new students. Please complete each page of the New Student Questionnaire and submit your responses by 11:59 pm EDT on Thursday, June 30. This questionnaire will inform how we in the Student Affairs Operations Team assign your room and roommate.

Housing Portal

The housing process for new first year students is designed to create opportunities for new students to meet multiple members of the class and begin building strong relationships. For this reason, please know we do not accommodate roommate requests nor requests to be placed in a specific residence hall.

Roommates will be assigned based on your responses to the Housing Questionnaire about your daily routines and other preferences. These routines and preferences include the times of day you prefer to wake up or go to sleep, smoking/vaping habits, preferred study environments, and preferences related to guest frequency.

Students seeking housing accommodations should reach out to Accessibility Services at accessibility@amherst.edu. Requests for medical accommodations and the supporting documentation are due to Accessibility Services by June 24th. You can learn more about accommodations for first year students on their website.

We will share your housing assignment for Academic Year 2022-2023 with you by Friday, July 15. Before you begin preparing for living at Amherst, be sure to check out our Recommended Packing List! We look forward to your arrival the morning of Friday, August 26. We will be in touch to provide you with your assigned arrival window later this summer. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to us at OSAOPS@amherst.edu.

Sincerely,

The Student Affairs Operations Team

The OSA Operations Team
OSAOPS@amherst.edu

We are: Liz Brozski, Dean Gendron, Marie Lalor, and Kelsey Mongeau.

Helpful Forms
Previous Emails
Housing Portal

Contact us for support and resources related to your residence hall building, arrival to and departure from housing, your room key, card access, student storage, and other logistical questions about living on campus.

Fall 2022 Arrival Information

August 11, 2022

Hello, 

We are working hard to prepare for your arrival in just a few weeks! All returning students who are not directly supporting the arrival of new students through the affiliation with an office are expected to arrive between Monday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 31 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Please complete this brief arrival form to help us prepare for your arrival by completing this form by Thursday, August 18, 2022.  

As shared on August 5, 2022, all students are strongly encouraged to test for Covid-19 before traveling to campus. Upon your arrival at Keefe Campus Center, we will issue you your room key, as well as an antigen test for you to self-administer.  Please bring a mobile device, logged into a web browser with your Amherst College credentials to acknowledge receipt of your room key.  

Sincerely,

Student Affairs Housing & Operations

Fall Room Vacancy Options

June 25, 2022

Good Afternoon,

According to our records, your originally chosen roommate will no longer be living in your room, and you are now the resident of a room that is partially occupied. As a result, we wish to offer you the opportunity to review options related to your shared occupancy of .

Students with vacancies can use this webform to choose from one of three options regarding your room assignment for Fall 2022:

Option 1: Name a chosen roommate to be placed in your room

If you and another student wish to be placed together as roommates in , you may share the name of this student through the webform. The form should be completed by the student who is already assigned to the room with the vacancy, not the student being newly placed into the room.

Option 2: Remain in the room and be assigned a new roommate

If you do not have another roommate in mind, but you would like to remain in your current room, you may choose to retain your assignment to and to be paired with a student awaiting a room through the Waitlist Placement Process by Student Affairs.

Option 3: Give up your current room assignment to join the Waitlist Placement Process 

If you are interested in changing your room for the upcoming year, you can choose to forgo your current assignment to be placed in another room through the waitlist. All students participating in the Waitlist Placement Process will receive a room assignment. For more information about the Waitist, please review the information currently available on our website. Please note: the waitlist process is a placement process, so students will share their ranked preferences via the application and be assigned a room and likely a roommate.

Please use the webform to indicate your choice by 5:00 pm on Friday, July 1. If you do not respond to the webform, you will be defaulted to Option 2.

Sincerely,

The Student Affairs Operations Team

Steam Shutdown

June 14, 2022

Good Morning,

Some of you have reached out regarding the absence of hot water in your residence halls. At this time, the campus is affected by the annual Steam Shutdown. Steam Shutdown began on Sunday, June 12 and will continue through Monday, June 20. During this time, there will be no hot water throughout most of the campus. Also, please note that the following buildings will not have any air conditioning:

• Alumni Gymnasium
• Webster Hall
• Johnson Chapel
• Arms Music
• Converse Hall
• Frost Library
• Kirby Theater & Holden Theater

Attached, please find the project description published by Facilities.

Sincerely,

The Student Affairs Operations Team

The OSA Operations Team
OSAOPS@amherst.edu

We are: Liz Brozski, Dean Gendron, Marie Lalor, and Kelsey Mongeau.

Helpful Forms
Previous Emails
Important Dates

Contact us for support and resources related to your residence hall building, arrival to and departure from housing, your room key, card access, student storage, and other logistical questions about living on campus.

Card Access Issues

June 13, 2022

Greetings,

Over recent days, many of you have made us aware of card access issues impeding your ability to enter your assigned residence hall. We have been working with IT to find a resolution. We have provided a temporary solution to all residents, and will continue to explore the issue with IT to ensure that you have access to locations like Valentine, Frost, Keefe Campus Center, and other critical campus locations.

If you are still unable to access your assigned residence hall this evening, please send an email to OSAOPS@amherst.edu and AskIT@amherst.edu to request additional assistance.

Sincerely,

The Student Affairs Operations Team

The OSA Operations Team
OSAOPS@amherst.edu

We are: Liz Brozski, Dean Gendron, Marie Lalor, and Kelsey Mongeau.

Helpful Forms
Previous Emails
Important Dates

Contact us for support and resources related to your residence hall building, arrival to and departure from housing, your room key, card access, student storage, and other logistical questions about living on campus.