Policies & Procedures: Frequently Asked Questions

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housing@haverford.edu
Chase Hall, Suite 213
Telephone: 610-896-1298
Fax: 610-896-4960

Housing Preferences & Assignments

Where do first-year students live?

First-year students are assigned to one of three locations: Barclay Hall, Gummere Hall, or the Haverford College Apartments (HCA). Barclay Hall is a coed residence hall with single and double rooms. Some singles open directly onto the main corridor; others are grouped in three-person suites. Gummere Hall is a coed residence hall with single rooms. Most singles are located within a suite of four. The Haverford College Apartments (HCA) are coed by floor and each apartment is single sex. Each first-year apartment has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a common room, and a kitchen (equipped with a stove and refrigerator). Four first-year students are assigned to an apartment. First-year students are not allowed to live off campus so that they may take part in the Customs program and become acquainted with the Haverford community. All first-year students must be on the full meal plan.
How are first-year students housed? Are they housed on a first come, first served basis?

All first-year students complete the Housing Questionnaire form, at the same time, in early June, so they are not housed using the first come, first serve basis. Instead the Housing Director and/or two upperclass students who are affiliated with the Customs program assign students to customs groups and then place the group in one of the first-year areas. There are six (6) customs groups in Barclay, nine (9) in Gummere and seven (7) in HCA. The emphasis is on the make-up of the customs group.
Why can't I request to live in a particular residence hall?

This is a popular question every year. While we understand there are numerous reasons students might want to request a specific residence hall, we place a greater value on the people who will shape your community rather than the building in which you will be living.
How and when will I get my housing assignment? And the name of my roommate?

First-year students will receive their housing assignment letter in July via email to their Haverford College email account. The name and address of your roommate or the other students sharing your suite or apartment will be included in this letter. While first-year students are allowed to submit names of people they would like to live with, there is no guarantee that such requests will be honored, especially for students from the same hometown.
Can I contact my roommate or other first-year students? And how do I?

Yes. The College will provide a class directory, listing the names of all first-year students and contact information they have given permission to be included. The directory will be sent electronically to all first-year students. For more advice about dealing with a roommate, read College Board's "Roommate Rules."

Arrival Dates & Visiting Residence Halls

Can I come by in the summer to see my room?

Unfortunately, no. Haverford College's residence halls are in use throughout the summer by Conference Services and so we are unable to allow students access to their room before the residence halls open for first-years on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009.
When can I move in?

First-year students may arrive and move in on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 starting at 8:30 am.
Can I arrive early?

Generally, no. However, there are a few exceptions. If you are arriving early for athletics, you will receive information from your coaches about when you should arrive on campus and how to check in. First-year students who are traveling directly from a long distance (e.g., the West Coast) or out of the United States, to Haverford may request permission to arrive a day early. Please contact the Housing Office (610-896-1298 or pharris@haverford.edu), no later than August 3rd to request permission.
I am a first-year student participating in the Tri-Co program. When can I move in to my room?

Tric-Co will take place at Swarthmore College this year. You will be receiving further information about this from the Tri-Co program.
Can I ship things to Haverford prior to my arrival?

Yes, but packages may not arrive at Haverford earlier than August 19th, 2009. You may ship things to yourself at the following address:

(YOUR NAME)
Haverford College
370 Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, PA 19041-1392

Please note your campus mailbox number is not part of your address.

Room Amenities

What is provided in each room in Barclay or Gummere?

The College provides each student with the standard bedroom furnishings - a bed*, desk, desk chair, desk lamp, small bookshelf, and a dresser. For those rooms without closets, a wardrobe is also provided. All windows have shades. Each Barclay and Gummere room is carpeted. Learn more about Barclay & Gummere.
(* mattresses measure 36" by 6" by 80" and need EXTRA-LONG sheets.)
What should I bring if I am living in Barclay or Gummere?

Students need to provide their own bed linens (mattresses measure 36" by 6" by 80" and need EXTRA-LONG sheets), towels, pillow(s), waste basket and telephone. Beyond this, the answer to this question varies between individuals. There are pre-made lists available out there as revealed by a quick internet search and are often published by magazines and newspapers at this time of year. We have compiled a brief list of things to strongly consider bringing, to be found here, and a more exhaustive list can be found at CollegeBoard.com. Basically, think about what you use and ask yourself if you will need that item when at college.
Should I bring furniture if I am living in Barclay or Gummere?

Generally the college discourages first-year students from providing additional furniture if living in the residence halls due to the small size of the rooms. Most singles have enough space for the student to provide an additional small chair. Some doubles in Barclay however are large enough for some extra furniture, but students should consult their roommate before hand. First-year halls have a common room with furniture and lounge space.
What is provided in each room in HCA?

The College provides each student with the standard bedroom furnishings - a bed*, desk, desk chair, desk lamp, small bookshelf, and a dresser. All windows have shades. Each bedroom has an attached closet. The living rooms are furnished with seating for three or four, a coffee table and a lamp. In the kitchen, there is a full-sized refrigerator with a freezer, a stove, a sink with a garbage disposal, and storage cabinets. Vacuum cleaners are available for use through the HCA office. Apartments are either fully carpeted or have hardwood floors with area rugs. (* mattresses measure 36" by 6" by 80" and need EXTRA-LONG sheets.)
What should I bring if I am living in HCA?

Aside from a few essentials, such as bed linens (mattresses measure 36" by 6" by 80" and need EXTRA-LONG sheets), the answer to this question varies between individuals. However, students in the apartments are also expected to supply their own dishes, utensils, pots and pans, etc. There is plenty of room for plants and extra furniture. We have compiled a brief list of other things to strongly consider bringing, to be found here, and a more exhaustive list can be found at CollegeBoard.com. Basically, think about what you use and ask yourself if you will need that item when at college.
What are the things I SHOULD NOT bring?

Our residence halls are not designed to handle high-wattage appliances. Prohibited from College residences are hot-plates, large refrigerators (in dorms without kitchens), space heaters, halogen lamps, and other major electrical appliances that can easily overload the electrical system or are known fire hazards and a source of serious college fires. Only safe low-wattage appliances may be used in College housing.

Students are prohibited from having any fur-bearing animals in the residence halls. It is a good idea to leave your pets at home, however if you must have a pet, you are permitted to have fish, birds, and small reptiles as long as roommates and/or suitemates do not object. Keep in mind that you will be very busy throughout the year and that it will be a burden to take care of a pet. Policies concerning animals needed by those with disabilities can be obtained by contacting the Housing Office or the Office of Disabilities Services.

Satellite dishes are not permitted in or around any of the residence halls, including HCA.

Students may not have air conditioners unless there is a documented medical need. Portable air conditioners are not allowed.
How can I decorate my room?

Students are encouraged to bring pictures, posters, and other decorations to personalize their dorm rooms. However, no painting is allowed, and the room must be returned to its original state by the end of the year.
What is the size of the mattress?

Mattresses measure 36" by 6" by 80" and need EXTRA-LONG sheets.
Are there places to do laundry?

There are laundry rooms in both Gummere and Barclay basements. Each apartment building has one washer and one dryer in the basement. Each load of laundry costs $1.25 to wash, $1.50 for large loads, and $1.00 to dry, $1.25 for large loads. Change machines are available in the Campus Center. Students may place money on their OneCards to use with laundry machines, for more information on this function visit the OneCard Information Site
What kind of telephone service does Haverford provide in the residence halls?

Each incoming first year student will be assigned to a jack in his or her room with their own telephone number. The College uses STC services (please see the Telephone Services website for more detailed information). Students are responsible for providing their own telephone.
Should I bring my own landline phone?

Yes. Students who wish to use a landline are responsible for providing their own telephone.
Can I just use a cellphone and not use a land line?

Many students only use their cellphones.
How can I find out information on cellphone companies in the area? What works best?

Check out the article in the Bi-Co News (PDF) about the various cellphone companies and which offers the best services.
What kind of internet connection does the college provide?

Each student is assigned an individual high speed ethernet connection jack in the dorm or apartment room. You will need a computer that has an ethernet connection and an ethernet cord in order to get on the internet. For more information about using computers on campus, visit the Academic Computing Center's website.
Is Wireless Internet avaliable in the dormitories or apartments?

No. Wireless Internet is available in most academic buildings and on many of the greens on campus. Some rooms may pick up on these wireless signals, but in general wireless is not available in the dorms.
Can I have a television in my room? What about a satellite dish?

Yes, students may have televisions in their room. However, cable television is not available in Barclay or Gummere. Students living in the apartments are permitted to contact the local cable company if they would like cable television in their apartment. Satellite dishes are not permitted in or around any of the residence halls, including HCA.
Can I purchase cable tv?

Students living in the apartments are permitted to contact the local cable company if they would like to purchase cable television in their apartment. Cable television is not available to students living in Barclay or Gummere. However, there are a number of lounges around campus with cable or satellite TV, including on the first floor of Barclay, in Gummere basement and in Ryan Student Center (Gym).
Are the residence halls air conditioned?

The residence halls are not air conditioned.
Can students have room air conditioners?

Only students with a documented medical need for air conditioning are permitted to have air conditioners in their dorm rooms. If permission is granted for an AC, the student is responsible for providing his/her own air conditioner and s/he will receive further information about AC installation requirements and charges from the Housing Office.
If I have a medical need for an air conditioner, what type of medical documentation is needed ?

Every year a current letter from your physician, specifically stating the medical need for air conditioning must be filed with the Housing Office. Please submit the necessary documentation by July 27th. No AC installations will be permitted until the documentation is received. Only the windows in Barclay and the apartments can accommodate an air conditioner.
Can I use a portable air conditioner?

No. Portable air conditioners are not permitted in the residence halls.

Residence Hall Living & Social Policies

Are bathrooms coed in the residence halls?

Most of the bathrooms in Barclay and Gummere are coed. During Customs Week each customs group makes a collective decision regarding the showers and bathrooms on the hall. Many halls have more than one bathroom/set of showers and some customs groups choose to designate one bathroom for males and the other for females. If the hall has only one set of bathrooms/showers other alternatives can be arranged such as specific bathroom hours for each sex. In essence, the customs group works as a hall community in order to arrange a situation that fits everyone's level of comfort.
Does Haverford have Resident Assistants?

No. First-year students living at Haverford rely on the Customs program for academic, social, and moral support. Each hall or apartment floor of first-year students is assigned a team of upperclass students consisting of Customs people, Upper Class Advisors(UCA), Honor Code Orienteers (HCO), Peer Awareness Facilitators (PAF), and Ambassadors of Multicultural Affairs(AMA). Customs people always live on the same hall or same apartment floor. In most circumstances, the UCA also lives on the same hall or in the same apartment. For further information, see the Customs Program website.
What is Haverford's policy regarding overnight guests?

Students living in college housing are permitted to have guests stay in the residence halls but they must check with all roommates/apartment-mates and have their consent before inviting anyone to stay. Students are responsible for their guests at all times and must be sure they know and are willing to comply with all rules, including the Honor Code.
What is Haverford's smoking policy?

The College has designated all nonresidential buildings as "smoke-free areas". Students' Council has determined that smoking should be permitted in residence halls not designated as smoke-free, so long as no other resident(s) object. Smoking is a privilege, not a right and smokers must respect the rights of others who want a smoke-free environment. Please read the full Smoking Policy .
What is Haverford's alcohol and drug policy?

Haverford complies with all federal, state and local laws. The use of alcoholic beverages by students under 21 years of age and the use of illicit drugs are prohibited on campus and at campus-sponsored events. Specific guidelines are provided to students at the start of each fall term. Also, educational programs about drug and alcohol abuse are presented during new student orientation each year. Read the full Alcohol Policy.
What is Haverford's Social Honor Code?

For more information on the Honor Code, please visit the Honor Council website, or read the full Honor Code.

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Policies & Procedures: Frequently Asked Questions

Housing Preferences & Assignments

Arrival Dates & Visiting Residence Halls

Room Amenities

Residence Hall Living & Social Policies

Other Questions Related to Living at Haverford