Fall Family Weekend 2009
Residence LifeFrequently Asked Questions
When may I move into my residence hall?
The move-in date will be posted online during the summer. The move-in date for the fall semester can also be found in residence hall assignment letters as well as in the Summer News Bulletin.
What will my room look like?
Rooms in the residence halls are either singles, doubles, or triples (single rooms are reserved for upper-class students) and each room is equipped with the following: a twin bed, a desk with a chair, a dresser, blinds on the windows, an overhead light, smoke detectors, closet space (limited), connection to cable TV, and computer network access.
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 Office of Student Life.
How do you match roommates?
Each resident applicant will receive a Student Housing and Roommate Questionnaire which is used to match students together according to their living habits and expectations. It is 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 anywhere from one to three roommates.
When will I receive my roommate and housing assignment information?
Housing assignments and roommate information (name and address) will be e-mailed out in mid-July. Please get in touch with your roommate(s) to discuss what items to bring (TV, DVD player, stereo, fridge, etc.). Space in rooms is limited; therefore, two (or more) of everything may not be comfortable.
What is my mailing address?
Each student, whether a resident or a commuter, is assigned a personal, on-campus mailbox. The address to be used for all student correspondence is:
Student Name
Wheelock College
Mailbox Number
150 The Riverway
Boston, MA 02215
Students will receive their mailbox number when they arrive on campus.
What should I do if I have roommate problems?
We encourage students to talk to their Resident Assistant or Resident Director for their floor or building, and they will attempt to mediate and resolve any roommate problems.
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 a) communication between roommates occurs first, in an effort to rectify the problem. If after that conversation, roommates cannot work their problems out, b) speak with your Resident Assistant about mediation. If mediation is not successful, c) speak with the Director of Residence Life about a room change.
Does my room have Internet Access? What about a phone and cable television?
All rooms are equipped for Internet access. Rooms in the CCSR and Riverway House are completely wireless, while rooms in Peabody, Longwood, Pilgrim, and Colchester have a data jack for high speed Internet. If you are in a room with a data jack, 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. All rooms are cable ready - all you need is a cable cord and a television. If you have additional and more specific questions about Technology, please contact Information Technology at 617.879.2309 or e-mail them at helpdesk@wheelock.edu.
Can I bring a fridge?
Refrigerators with capacities of four cubic feet or less are also allowed in rooms. Only micro-fridges rented through the Office of Residence Life are permitted in the residence halls.
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.
Where do I do my laundry?
Washers and dryers can be found in Peabody Hall, Pilgrim House, Riverway House, Colchester House and the CCSR; Longwood House residents can use the Pilgrim House laundry facilities. The cost is $1.50 for a wash cycle and $1.50 for a dryer cycle; students can use either FenwayCash or quarters to do their laundry. All laundry machines are equipped with LaundryView technology, so students are able to check machine availability and the status of their laundry through www.laundryview.com. LaundryView also provides a text alert service that allows students to request a text message when their washer or dryer has finished its cycle.
How often are rooms cleaned?
All residents are responsible for cleaning their own rooms. Housekeeping staff cleans hallways, common areas and community style bathrooms. Some rooms aand suites are set up with more privatized bathrooms; students in those rooms are responsible for cleaning those facilities.
Are there vacuums available?
Vacuums are available in each residence hall; however, residents are welcome to bring small vacuums.
Can we have pets?
Only non-carnivorous fish are allowed in the residence halls; all other pets are prohibited. Please be sure that 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 all areas of campus, 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 210 Meal Plan - a block plan of 210 all-you-care-to-eat meals plus $90 Dining Dollars and $25 Fenway Cash per semester. Sophomores, juniors and seniors may opt for a different plan, details for which can be found on at www.wheelockdining.com.
Can I cook in my room?
Use of food preparation appliances such as hot plates and coffeepots is strictly forbidden in residence hall rooms. See Packing Tips for a list of items prohibited in the residence halls.
Where can I prepare my own food?
Each residence hall has a common area microwave that all residents are permitted to use. Additionally, Riverway House is equipped with a full community kitchen, including a sink, refrigerator, stove and microwave.
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 Public Safety 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. - 8:00 a.m.).
What do we do in the event of an Accident or Emergency?
In the case of an emergency, students should call Public Safety, who will then page the Resident Assistant or Resident Director who is on call. In the event of a serious accident, Public Safety staff will call an ambulance for immediate transport to an area hospital.
Additional Information:
If you have any other questions about living and learning in the residence halls, please feel free to contact the Director of Residence Life at reslife@wheelock.edu.
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.
- Account 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.
