UMass FAQ For Freshmen & Transfers

What is a RAP?
About RAP | Residential Academic Programs | UMass Amherst

What RAPs are available?
Programs | Residential Academic Programs | UMass Amherst

How to join?
How to Join a RAP | Residential Academic Programs | UMass Amherst|

“Defined Residential Communities (DRCs) are communities in residence halls where students can live with hall mates who share similar interests, backgrounds, and identities. The DRCs were originally created by UMass Amherst students and today serve as living and learning communities that support personal growth and academic success.

These communities are not restricted by major and are open to all sophomore, junior and senior students interested in the particular focus area. DRCs are an ideal choice for students who are looking for a dynamic, hands-on way to learn about the variety of cultures and lifestyles represented at UMass Amherst.”

Defined Residential Communities | Living at UMass Amherst

These are saved for upperclassmen though usually.

Central Area | Living at UMass Amherst

“Close to mid-campus lies the Central Residential Area which is made up of nine traditionally-styled buildings. All Central residence halls are coed. However, Van Meter Hall has several female-only floors and male-only floors; Brett Hall is barrier-free and fully accessible for students with disabilities. Brett also offers Break (9-month) Housing (September through May).”

FEATURES:
- 4 first-year halls Butterfield, Gorman Hall, Van Meter Hall, Wheeler Hall
- 5 multi-year halls Baker, Brett, Brooks, Chadbourne, Greenough
- Specialty housing: Spectrum residential community
- Greenough Sub Shop (student-run business)
- Josephine White Eagle Native American Cultural Center in Chadbourne
- New Africa House New Africa House | The W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies (umass.edu)
- there’s also an art gallery in here!

Pictures: Facebook

Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community | Living at UMass Amherst

“The first of its kind at UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community (CHCRC) sits in the heart of campus, close to classrooms, the main library, and the Recreation Center. CHCRC creates a place for honors students to call home and for all of the campus to enjoy.”

FEATURES:
- 2 first-year halls: Oak and Sycamore
- 4 multi-year halls: Birch, Elm, Linden, Maple
- honors advising center
- CHC dean’s office and staff office
- faculty office
- 9 classrooms (in Elm)
- Roots Cafe

CLOSE TO:
- library
- recreation center (gym)
- student union
- Mullins center
- fields
- Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center

Multi-year halls have suites (suite-style and apartment-style). Suites have private bathrooms (toilet, shower, 2 sinks, large mirror) and common rooms. They are made up of double-style rooms and single-style rooms in each suite. Apartment-style suites come with a kitchen (fridge, oven, stove-top, kitchen sink, countertop, cabinets, microwave) as well as a kitchen table with 4 chairs. These are often not available to freshmen. Sophomores+ usually get this.

Northeast Area | Living at UMass Amherst

“The Northeast Residential Area is comprised of nine traditionally-styled buildings that form a quadrangle around a large grassy area known as the "Quad". Knowlton Hall has a barrier-free and accessible entrance.”

FEATURES:
- 6 first-year halls: Crabtree, Dwight, Hamin, Leach, Mary Lyon, Knowlton
- 3 multi-year halls: Johnson, Lewis, Thatcher
- DRC: Asian/Asian American Student Program in Lewis
- Volleyball court

CLOSE TO:
- Campus Center
- College of Engineering
- College of Education
- School of Public Health & Health Sciences
- Totman Gym
- Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center
- Worcester Dining Commons

Pictures: Facebook Pictures

Orchard Hill Area | Living at UMass Amherst

“Overlooking campus, amid rolling hills and apple trees, is the Orchard Hill Residential Area. The area consists of four residence halls surrounding a central grassy area known as "The Bowl." Each residence hall has seven floors with two corridors on each floor branching off from the lobby/elevator area in the center of the floor.”

FEATURES:
- 2 first-year halls: Dickinson, Webster
- 2 multi-year halls: Grayson, Field
- Sweets n’ More (student-run business) in Field

CLOSE TO:
- Morrill Science Center
- University Health Services (UHS)
- Franklin Dining Commons
- Worcester Dining Commons

The double rooms feature: long desk (cannot be removed), floating shelf, 2 beds, 2 walk-in closets (hanging-bar, vanity w/ mirror, 3 drawers, cubbies), 2 windows (w/ blinds, can be opened), 2 rolling plastic chairs. OhillDouble Video that shows an old dorm 360 – no furniture is included except for what is mentioned above.

Pictures: Facebook

Southwest Area | Living at UMass Amherst

“The Southwest Residential Area, the largest on campus, houses 5,500 students in its five high-rise towers, and eleven low-rise residence halls. All buildings are coed, although many offer single sex floors. Break Housing is available in James and Prince.”

FEATURES:
- 8 first-year halls: Melville, Thoreau, Pierpont , Moore, James, Emerson, Kennedy (tower), Cance
- 8 multi-year halls: Coolidge (tower), Crampton, John Adams, John Quincy Adams (tower), MacKimmie, Patterson, Prince, Washington (tower)
- DRC: Harambee (African Heritage Student Program) in Coolidge, El Barrio Community in Washington
- Student Leadership Center in Moore Hall

CLOSE TO:
- Hampden Student Center
- Latin American Cultural Center
- Malcolm X Cultural Center
- Southwest Area Government offices
- Boyden Gym
- Isenberg School of Management
- Hampshire Dining Commons
- Berkshire Dining Commons

Pictures: Facebook

Sylvan Area | Living at UMass Amherst

“Sylvan Residential Area offers suite-style living in a shady wooded area. Each residence hall contains 64 suites. Some suites are all-male, some all-female and some are co-ed. Each suite is a mixture of double and single rooms, a common bathroom, and a common living room. Suites accommodate from six to eight residents. Break Housing option is available in Cashin Hall. ”

FEATURES:
- 3 halls: Brown, Cashin, McNamara
- suite-style halls (6-8 people each)
- transfer/RFYE (residential first-year experience) in McNamara
- basketball court
- Sylvan Snack Bar (student-run business) in McNamara
- wooded trails

CLOSE TO:
- College of Education
- Totman Gym
- Worcester Dining Commons

Pictures: Facebook

North Apartments | Living at UMass Amherst

“Imagine living on campus, with all the UMass Amherst resources close at hand, but with the independence of apartment living.

Transportation is easy when you can walk out your door and be right in the center of campus. A kitchen equipped with microwave, stove, and a full sized refrigerator means you can cook and eat exactly what you like. Four bedrooms and two bathrooms allow for convenience and privacy, plus a fully furnished living room to study and socialize.

If you are interested in an apartment, but don't want to give up the convenience of living on campus, learn more about the UMass Amherst North Area Residence Apartments. Call the Student Services Office at (413) 545-2100.”

Essentially just apartments on campus. Find furnishings, facilities, occupancy period, payment schedule, cooking & dining, etc. on the above website.

Pictures: Facebook

Bring a shower caddy (with shampoo, conditioner, other bath stuff…), towels, and shower shoes to the bathroom to shower. Showers have hooks or at least places for you to put these caddies because you’re not allowed to leave anything in the public bathrooms. You can put your stuff on the hooks/other places while you shower.

Make sure the caddy is mesh or some breathable material because you don’t want mildew to grow. Something like this: Amazon.com: Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy for College Dorm Room Essentials, Hanging Portable Shower Tote Bag Toiletry for Bathroom Accessories : Home & Kitchen

Shower shoes are a MUST because you have no idea where people’s feet and what people’s foot hygiene looks like when you step into the communal showers. PLEASE bring these – and make sure they’re not foam (something like rubber is good). Amazon.com | shevalues Shower Shoes for Women Quick Drying Pool Slides Beach Sandals with Drain Holes | Slippers

Also, when I lived in places with public bathrooms, I would try to squeeze in showers at odd times because sometimes the showers on your floor fill up later at night and you have to wait for someone to be done.

Please be courteous and don’t leave anything in the showers or leave the showers in disarray.

Bring laundry detergent (either actual detergent or tide pods). Fabric softener and dryer sheets are optional.

There are laundry rooms in each residential area – with both washers and dryers.

Cost?
$1.40 for 1 cycle of washing/drying if you pay with your UDebit balance (on your UCard). $1.50 if you pay in quarters.

Time?
30 minutes for washing, 55 for drying – may depend on what type of soil/cycle/temp you use.

WASHING MACHINE (30MIN)
1. Put laundry in a washer machine.
2. Tap/scan your UCard onto the machine/panel on the wall (this will subtract funds from your UDebit account to pay for laundry).
3. Select which number (#) machine you put your laundry into.
4. Follow the instructions on the panel.
5. Go to the washer, select your washing options, and hit go.



DRYER MACHINE (55MIN)
1. Put laundry in a dryer machine.
2. Tap/scan your UCard on the wall machine again.
3. Same instructions as washing machine essentially.

“Resident Assistants are live-in student staff members in our residence halls. Resident Assistants (RAs) play an important role in Residential Life and are a vital resource for many members of the campus community. They serve as role models and leaders on the floors in all of our residence halls on campus.

RAs are primarily responsible for community development and student learning initiatives with a focus on promoting community engagement, academic preparedness, cultural competence, and personal responsibility. These goals are accomplished through building individual connections with residents, creating engaging informational bulletin boards, and hosting initiatives in the halls.

RAs also serve on duty in the residence halls, responding to incidents to provide support and referrals to residents in need.”

Resident Assistant Position | Living at UMass Amherst

Basically money that comes with your meal plan that you can use at different places around UMass.

There are places on campus that do not accept dining hall meal swipes that come with residential meal plans: Blue Wall (almost restaurant-style food), Harvest Market, and different Cafes around campus. You need to use dining dollars, UDebit, or your own money (cash, credit) for these places.

>Blue Wall food: Campus Center | UMass Dining

Paying for random things (i.e. UMass store, cafes, Blue wall, vending machines), laundry, and printing services.

Add more to your balance here: GET - Overview - UMass Amherst (cbord.com)