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Frequently Asked Questions About Housing
Why should I live in the residence halls instead of living off campus?
Q: Is there an on-campus living requirement for students? A: All first and second year students are required to live on campus, with the exception of those who live within 30 miles of campus with a parent or legal guardian. To get an exemption from this requirement, those students who meet the noted criteria must request an exemption - in writing - from the Associate Dean of Student Life. Q: Is there on-campus housing for upper-class students? A: We do have a limited number of beds for those who would like to stay on campus past their sophomore year, though we do not have enough housing to accommodate all of our juniors and seniors. These students can enter the lottery process for housing, which takes place in the spring. Please note that Bushnell, P2 and Tisdale are designated for upper-class student housing. Q: What types of measures are taken to protect students' safety? A: The safety of our residents is our highest priority. All residential buildings are locked 24 hours a day. Campus Safety officers perform rounds around the campus living areas regularly, and Resident Assistants conduct rounds three to four times a night to make sure the doors are secured and to check on the activity level in the building. Each residential area is supervised by a Residence Director, who is a full-time, live-in professional able to respond to emergencies if they occur. In addition, each night a Residence Director is "on-call" to respond to concerns as they arise. Desk Attendants are assigned to the main desk area of each traditional residence hall from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. An escort service is provided by the Office of Campus Safety to accompany students when they travel from one point on campus to another during the evening hours. Please keep in mind, however, that no matter how many safety systems are in place, they are only as effective as the people who use them. If students walk alone instead of using an escort, prop doors for friends or delivery people, or give out room door combinations, the opportunity for criminal harm to come to innocent people or property is greatly increased. Keeping the community safe is everyone's responsibility. A: Not to worry. We have plenty of bedrails available for those who have never slept more than a few inches above the floor, and they are standard on all bunked and lofted beds. A: All residence halls (except for Pondside 2, the Bushnell Apartments & Tisdale Townhouses) are closed during Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks. Students wishing to stay in the Keene area for these breaks should consider contacting friends living off campus, or one of the local hotels.
A: Students starting in the fall semester agree to abide by the "Terms and Conditions of the Residence Hall" contract that binds them financially for the full academic year* (two semesters, August through May). Students starting the spring semester agree to a one-semester contract.
A: Every resident's room is connected to the campus computer network. If students are interested in getting on the network they should call The HelpDesk at 603-358-2532 for information regarding "Getting Connected at KSC." A: Roommates are matched by their requests whenever possible. First-year students are assigned to first-year buildings in order to provide them with the opportunity to meet and build bonds with their classmates. Every effort is made to assign students to their building preference. However, we cannot guarantee room/hall preferences to all students. The earlier housing applications are received the more likely a specific request can be accommodated. With specific roommate requests, students must request each other on their housing application. Please note that roommate requests take precedence over building preferences. Returning students select their rooms during the spring Housing Selection process.
A: The answer is a qualified yes. As professionals we realize how difficult it can be to live with someone you don't know. But we also realize the importance of students learning to broaden their views, to learn about people who do things differently than they do. This is the most important part of a student's education. Issues of race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, taste in music, etc., are not viewed as acceptable reasons to change rooms. And we have heard every way these differences can be rationalized into "life or death" situations. Yet the fact still remains that students need to learn to deal with differences, to compromise, and to work through issues. These are life issues students will face both on campus and off, in both their personal and professional lives. Taking the time to develop these essential skills now will have lasting effects long after students have left college. Though they may not realize it at the time, students can successfully share their space and their lives with someone they do not like. In fact, we often find that students who are friends before they live together don't stay that way - which is why we recommend that high school friends not room together - and students who do not know each other prior to becoming roommates often develop the best relationships. So, while room changes are possible, they are not automatic. We will work with the students to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding. As a last resort, a room change can be made anytime after the second week of the semester. This two-week rule is in effect so that the Residence Directors have time to figure out who has and who has not shown up and what, if any, spaces are available. A: Students are being housed in One Butler Court during the 2012 summer session. Summer rates are $150 per week and a mealplan - which is not required - costs $120 per week. A: Students can ride the City of Keene's bus system (City Express) for free. The bus route goes around the city of Keene and includes stops at the hospital, shopping centers, and various points downtown. Call 603-352-8494 for more information about the City Express. In addition, the Vermont Transit Lines bus station is within walking distance to the campus. Call 603-352-1331 for more information. For transportation to and from Boston, Manchester or Hartford airports, call Thomas Transportation at 603-352-5550. A: Many students bring their bicycles to campus and find them handy for going to class and riding in and around the area. Bike racks exist outside each residence hall and at various locations on campus. Campus Safety advises locking bikes to the racks at all times with a high-grade "U-Lock" (i.e. Kryptonite). Bicycles are allowed in residence hall rooms, although they must not block points of entry or egress. In addition, bicycles are not to be hung on hooks or nails in the walls
Q: How many credits do I have to take in order to live on campus? A: Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits in order to select a room on campus. Q: Do you have resources available for students who wish to live off-campus? A: The Office or Residential Life and Housing Services has information on our Off Campus Housing web site for listings provided to our office from landlords in the area. Also available is the publication entitled On Your Own: A Guide to Off-Campus Living, a valuable resource for students living on their own for the first time. If you have further questions you'd like us to answer, please contact Mandy Martin, Assistant Director for Housing Operations, at either 603-358-2339 or Mandy Martin.
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