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Are McDaniel College students required to live on campus?
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Would you tell me a little about the residence life staff?
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How will I be paired with a roommate?
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When do I find out who my roommate will be?
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What do I do if I want a specific roommate?
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Do you recommend rooming with someone that I already know?
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What if I am not getting along my roommate(s)?
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What are my housing options as a first-year student?
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Will my room be cleaned?
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What furniture is provided?
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What are the room dimensions and furniture sizes?
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How do I get an extra long bed?
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Will I be allowed to smoke in my room?
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Is there a substance free living option on the campus?
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When do I move into the residence halls?
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Do I have to move all my belongings out of my residence hall room in December at the end of the fall semester?
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At what times during the academic year do the residence halls close for all residential students?
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What belongings should I bring to college with me?
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What belongings should I leave at home?
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Can I study in my room?
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What is the visitation policy?
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What are my student responsibilities while living on campus?
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What should I do if I need special housing considerations?
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Can I bring an air conditioner?
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Can I get phone calls in my room?
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Can I just use my cell phone to get calls?
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Do I have to bring a computer?
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How do I hook-up my computer when I get to campus?
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Will I have cable TV?
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Should I get extra insurance for my belongings?
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Is there a campus police or security group?
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How will I do my laundry on campus?
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How will I get mail?
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Can I bring my car to campus?
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Is there an ATM machine on campus?
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What if my parents send me a check?
Living on campus
1. Are McDaniel College students required to live on campus?
All students are required to live on campus for their first three years at the College. Exceptions are made for those who commute from a nearby parent’s home, are married, or are over age 24. For transfer students, residency is similarly expected for all except in the final year.
The residency requirement supports the College’s educational philosophy that emphasizes the value of community and close student interactions. In addition, the requirement is in keeping with the College’s policy of maintaining reasonable costs by maximizing occupancy of residence hall spaces.
All full-time undergraduate students are guaranteed college housing for four years. Students who wish to live on campus for a fifth year are assigned on a space-available basis after other returning and new students have been placed.
2. Would you tell me a little about the residence life staff?
One of the things that make living in the residence halls special is the staff. The Residence Life program is directed by five professional staff members and 31 Resident Assistants (RAs). RAs are specially trained student leaders who are peer advisers, mediators, and who communicate College policies to the residents in their areas. They also provide educational and social programs in the residence halls. The Director of Residence Life, four full-time professional Area Coordinators, a graduate assistant, and the RAs are responsible for the daily operation of all residence facilities. The Residence Life staff, along with the entire faculty and staff, assist in facilitating an environment providing challenge and support. Students are challenged by their out-of-the-classroom experiences as well as by their academic experiences.
A RA is on duty every night in each residence hall area. For emergencies, a professional staff member is on call every evening and the Department of Campus Safety is staffed 24 hours a day.
Roommate questions
3. How will I be paired with a roommate?
New students are often concerned about who their roommates will be. If a preference is not indicated, the Residence Life staff matches roommates based on the information provided on the Housing Application/Roommate Questionnaire. When filling out the questionnaire it is important to answer each question as honestly as possible. There will be opportunities to indicate which questions are the most important to you, as well as, the opportunity to list other information that would be helpful for matching you with a roommate.
4. When do I find out who my roommate will be?
The Department of Residence Life sends housing confirmations via your McDaniel College email address in early August. Included in the confirmation are your housing assignment, roommate’s name, address, phone number, and College email address. Once you receive this information, it is a good idea to contact your roommate(s) to start to get to know him/her and to decide who will bring the vital “stuff” (TV, stereo, etc.)
5. What do I do if I want a specific roommate?
Students have the option of selecting a roommate in advance by indicating their preference on the Housing Application/Roommate Questionnaire. Only mutual roommate requests will be honored.
6. Do you recommend rooming with someone that I already know?
That decision is up to each student. We do recommend that you talk with the person to truly decide how compatible you are. Perhaps you could go through the questionnaire together or simply discuss living habits. Please keep in mind that students tend to change living habits when they come to college. It may be a good idea to try living with someone that you do not know in order to meet new people.
7. What if I am not getting along my roommate(s)?
We hope that all roommates will get along and work out any conflicts or differences together. The first few weeks of school are important to building good roommate relationships. You will receive information on how to do that when you arrive to campus. Open communication is key. The Resident Assistants who live on each floor of the residence halls are available to discuss roommate difficulties individually or in a group with roommates. Roommates are encouraged to respectfully address interpersonal issues that sometimes arise from living together sooner than later. These conversations can take place individually or with the Resident Assistant present. If absolutely necessary, roommate changes will be considered no earlier than the first two weeks of classes.
Some Questions to Discuss with your Soon to be Roommate...
- Do you usually fall asleep with the radio or TV playing?
- Do you need to have the lights on in order to get ready in the morning?
- How long does it take for you to get ready in the morning?
- Do you have a steady boy/girlfriend and will they be visiting?
- Do you think that you will mind if we share the snacks that we keep in our room?
- Can I use your computer/TV/radio?
- Will you study in the room or in the library?
- Do you plan to talk on the phone in the room a lot?
- Do you have allergies to anything I should know about?
- Do you like to go to parties? Do you usually drink?
- Will you have a job at school? Will you be working on or off campus?
- Do you plan to go home on the weekends?
- Do you play sports? Which ones?
- Do you sleep a lot during the day?
- Do you keep your room clean or are you a little messy?
- What kind of music do you like?
- Do you want to get carpet for the room?
- What’s your class, work, sports etc. schedule going to be like?
- (If you live close enough) Do you want to get together before school starts?
- What do you do for fun?
Your room
8. What are my housing options as a first-year student?
In order to provide a unique living/learning environment, first-year men will be housed in Rouzer Hall, first-year women will be housed in Whiteford Hall, and students in the Honors Program may choose to live in Daniel MacLea Hall. A brief description of each of these housing options is listed below.
Rouzer Hall: Rouzer Hall is the single-sex traditional corridor-style residence hall for first-year men, housing approximately 200 residents. Rouzer is complete with its own laundry room, vending machines in the basement, and TV unit with seating area located on each residence hall floor. Most rooms are double or triple occupancy; residents share common bathrooms located on each floor. Four Resident Assistants and one full-time professional live in Rouzer. (see pictures elsewhere in this section)
Whiteford Hall: The single-sex housing option for women is Whiteford Hall. Similar to Rouzer, first-year women reside in Whiteford. This facility houses approximately 200 residents and offers many amenities, including laundry facilities, vending machines, a study lounge with TV, and TV/VCR unit located on the first floor. Most rooms are double or triple occupancy; residents share common bathrooms located on each floor. Five Resident Assistants and one graduate assistant live in Whiteford. (see pictures elsewhere in this section)
Daniel MacLea Hall: Daniel MacLea Hall is a co-ed suite style building, designated for Honors and Affinity housing. This facility houses approximately 120 students and offers many amenities, including laundry facilities, vending machines, and a study lounge with a TV unit. Most rooms are double or triple occupancy; residents share common bathrooms located in each suite. Suitemates are responsible for the cleaning of their bathrooms. Two Resident Assistants live in Daniel MacLea. (see pictures elsewhere in this section)
9. Will my room be cleaned?
Your room will be cleaned when you and /or your roommate(s) have the need or desire to clean it. The Housekeeping staff clean the lobbies, stairwells, and common bathrooms daily. Residents in Daniel MacLea are responsible for cleaning the suite bathrooms. Trash bags and vacuum cleaners are available for use from your Resident Assistant.
10. What furniture is provided?
Residence hall rooms are equipped with a bed, mattress, desk, desk chair, dresser, mirror, and closet for each student. Some rooms have bookshelves. A microfridge (microwave/refrigerator combination) unit is installed in each room at no additional charge. College furniture may not be removed from residence hall rooms. Each room has at least one window with a pull down shade.
11. What are the room dimensions and furniture sizes?
Room dimensions: Standard double room is 12’ x 14’ (Daniel MacLea Hall has a common area in each suite that also measures approximately 12’ x 14’)
Window dimensions: Rouzer: 46” x 66”, Whiteford: 44 1/2” x 67” (4th floor: 38” x 53”), Daniel MacLea: --
Beds: 12” from floor in pull-out style beds (Whiteford Hall only),18” from floor, Rouzer and Whiteford Halls: Standard twin-sized mattress (A limited number of extra-long 80” mattresses are available upon request), Daniel MacLea Hall: Extra-long twin beds with 80” mattresses
Desks: 42” x 24” surface with three drawers
12. How do I get an extra long bed?
If you measure over 6’2” tall, please indicate that you will need an extra long bed on the Housing Application/Roommate Questionnaire
13. Will I be allowed to smoke in my room?
All college housing options are smoke free. There is no smoking permitted anywhere in any residence hall, house, or apartment on campus.
14. Is there a substance free living option on the campus?
All first year housing is substance free.
15. When do I move into the residence halls?
If you are not a member of a fall sports team, the residence halls open for new students (first year and new transfers) on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. Resident students may check in and pick up their keys between 8:00am and 11:00am. August Orientation begins on Wednesday, August 19th for all new first year students.
If you are a member of a fall sports team, you will move onto campus earlier than Wednesday, August 19th. The Department of Athletics will communicate with fall athletes during the summer about specific check-in dates, times and pre-season practice schedules.
16. Do I have to move all my belongings out of my residence hall room in December at the end of the fall semester?
No, you do not need to move out of your residence hall room in December. We do recommend that you take your valuable belongings home with you, but the majority of your things can stay in your room.
17. At what times during the academic year do the residence halls close for all residential students?
All residential students should make themselves familiar with the residence hall opening and closing calendar and make their travel plans accordingly. The residence halls do close to residential students three times during the academic year: Thanksgiving Break, Semester Break, and Spring Break.
For up-to-date BWI Airport and Amtrak shuttle service schedules and information, please visit this link.
18. What belongings should I bring to college with me?
(This list is not exhaustive.)
Recommended
- pillow
- blanket
- linens
- towels/washcloths
- soap & toiletries
- clothes hangers
- waste basket
- clock/radio
- desk lamp
- stereo/TV/VCR
- iron
- hair dryer/personal care equipment
- computer
- fan
- small vacuum cleaner
- rug
- curtains
19. What belongings should I leave at home?
- air conditioner (unless approved for medical reasons)
- hot plate
- halogen lamps
- water beds
- toaster/ovens
- *microwave ovens
- portable heater
- electric fry pans, crock pots, George Forman grills, other cooking appliances
- *refrigerators (other than College provided microfridge)
- firearms/weapons/facsimiles (including BB guns or air pistpls)
- pets (except fish in 20-gallon or less tanks)
- laser guns
- drums (can be stored in Levine Hall with permission)
- amplifiers for musical instruments (can be stored in Levine Hall with permission)
- candles
- stuffed furniture, such as couches or chairs
Residence hall policies
20. Can I study in my room?
Courtesy Hours are always in effect whereby students are expected to maintain reasonable quiet at all times. Reasonable quiet includes, but is not limited to containing noise to a student's own room. Quiet Hours are Sunday-Thursday from 10pm to 10am the next morning. On weekends, Quiet Hours begin at 1 am nightly. During Exam Week, 24-Hour Quiet Hours are in effect from the Friday before exams through the hall closing (Saturday).
21. What is the visitation policy?
McDaniel College has an open visitation policy as we have confidence in the ability and inclination of students to make mature decisions regarding their social behavior. We believe that no individual has the right to infringe on the freedom, privacy, or safety of another student. We expect that students will accept the responsibility that is inherent in such a policy. This should not be construed as permission for significant others to sleep overnight, or to conduct themselves in a way as to invade another person’s privacy. Students are permitted to have overnight guests for a maximum of 3 nights in a given month (in consultation with their roommate). Students are responsible for the actions of their guests.
22. What are my student responsibilities while living on campus?
Students are expected to contribute in positive ways as members of the College community. Each student has the right to live in a safe environment where privacy, personal property, and the need for study and sleep are respected. Each student is provided with a Student Handbook, which includes a copy of the College and residence hall policies and regulations. Students are expected and required to abide by them.
Students are not only accountable for their behavior, they are responsible for their physical environments. Students are held financially responsible for damages in individual rooms and will share in the responsibility for common damages in their respective areas. Students are expected to assist in identifying irresponsible behavior, thus alleviating their personal responsibility for damages caused by others.
Special housing requests
23. What should I do if I need special housing considerations?
On occasion, students have medical or other concerns that may require special room assignments, and/or equipment (including air conditioners – see next question). By July 1, 2009, any student requesting special room accommodations due to specific documented concerns (medical or otherwise) must submit a letter to The Office of Residence Life explaining the reasons for the special room. Requests will then be evaluated by the appropriate College office (Student Health Services, Counseling Services, and/or Student Academic Support Services) and a determination communicated with the student. Along with the written request, the student must include any supporting documentation from the appropriate clinician or psychiatrist regarding the need and a completed Special Housing Consideration Request form. All information will be kept confidential. Letters, documentation, and forms may be faxed or mailed to the Office of Residence Life. Although there is no guarantee, every attempt will be made to honor valid requests based on availability of space, and the ability to provide for the needs of the student.
24. Can I bring an air conditioner?
The residence hall rooms are not air conditioned. Students may request to bring an air conditioner for medical reasons only. These requests must be evaluated and approved by the Office of Residence Life. The Special Housing Consideration Request forms must be completed by July 1, 2009. Supporting documentation must also be obtained from your private physician regarding the medical need. All information will be kept confidential. Documentation may be faxed or mailed to the Office of Residence Life. Although there is no guarantee, every attempt will be made to honor valid requests based on availability of space, power limitations, and the ability to provide for the needs of the student. Students who receive approval for an air conditioner will be assessed a $150.00 fee for additional use of electricity.
Phones, TV, and computer
25. Can I get phone calls in my room?
Residence hall rooms are equipped with a Rolmphone 120 prior to the student’s arrival on campus. Service includes unlimited on-campus dialing and unlimited local calls within the Westminster calling area. All phones are equipped with phone-mail, conference calling, station speed dialing, automatic redial, hold, transfer (on-campus only), and callback camp-on (on-campus only). Other telephones (analog or digital) and answering machines will not work with the McDaniel College digital telephone system. As an alternative to answering machines, phonemail is provided.
26. Can I just use my cell phone to get calls?
While we acknowledge that most students have a cellular phone, the College staff uses the resident’s on-campus extension to contact them regarding College business. We suggest that all students set-up their phone mail account and check their phone mail messages daily. Students may miss vital information by not using the phone mail system. Instructions on using the telephone system will be available during August Orientation.
27. Do I have to bring a computer?
Personal computers are not required of McDaniel College students. All students may use our computer labs. The main student computer lab is located on the main floor of the Hoover Library and is accessible 24 hours a day during the regular semester. E-mail accounts are provided and mandatory for all students.
28. How do I hook-up my computer when I get to campus?
Should a student bring a computer to McDaniel, access to the Internet through personally-owned computers is provided in each room for each student living in the room. For those students bringing computers to school, an information packet will be available at arrival to guide the student through the steps to get “on-line.” Look for new areas on campus where wireless web access is available.
29. Will I have cable TV?
Cable services are available to all residential students. The cable network provides 60 stations, including Arts & Entertainment, ESPN, MTV, and several “superstations.”
Safety concerns
30. Should I get extra insurance for my belongings?
We suggest that students carry the appropriate personal insurance. Some homeowner or rental policies may cover personal belongings while attending college. McDaniel College is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage to a student’s personal property.
31. Is there a campus police or security group?
The Department of Campus Safety (DoCS) is located in Winslow Hall. The officers make routine rounds of the campus and offer education programs and services on personal safety. Campus Safety officers are trained to assist in medical emergencies and maintain close communication with Residence Life staff and local emergency services. Should problems develop, Campus Safety may be reached by calling 410/857-2202.
General stuff
32. How will I do my laundry on campus?
On-campus laundry facilities are provided for resident use. You can wash a load for $1.25 and dry for $1.25. Students may add money to their All-Card and use the card to access laundry appliances.
33. How will I get mail?
Each student is assigned a post office box through the College Post Office. Mail should be addressed as follows:
Student’s Name
McDaniel College
Box ##
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157-4390
34. Can I bring my car to campus?
First-year residential students are not allowed to have cars on campus. A limited amount of parking is available to upperclass students. Parking permits, which are required, cost $60.00 and must be obtained from Campus Safety upon arrival to campus. First year students seeking an exception to the parking policy will need to contact the Department of Campus Safety to have their situation reviewed. Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to published parking regulations, which may also be picked up at the Campus Safety Office. Tickets are issued for violations.
35. Is there an ATM machine on campus?
An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is serviced by BB&T and is affiliated with the MOST and PLUS networks. If you have an account with BB&T and a PIN (Personal Identification Number), there will be no charge for your ATM transaction. Otherwise, transaction charges set by your bank apply. There are, of course, a number of other banking institutions in close proximity to the College.
36. What if my parents send me a check?
The Cashier’s window is open 12:00 noon-3:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. The Cashier’s Office will cash one-and two-party checks, up to $100.00, for students with a McDaniel College ID card. A check cashing fee will be charged on personal and two-party checks (College checks are exempt from this fee). A $20.00 returned check fee is assessed to all checks returned from the bank.
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