How-To: New Student

You will receive your assignment at the beginning of August. This information will include the dorm and room number, phone number and name(s) of your roommates(s). We encourage you to get in touch with your roommate(s) before arriving on campus. 

Each dorm on Bryn Mawr's campus is unique in style and architecture. Each dorm, with the exception of Batten House and Enid Cook '31 Center, houses a mixture of all undergraduate classes. First-years are placed into dorms in groups called "customs groups." Upperclass students participate in Room Draw each spring to determine which room they will have during the next academic year.

The dorms are not air-conditioned. Students are encouraged to bring fans for use during the occasional hot day at the beginning and end of the academic year. Students may not install room air conditioners.

Yes. Each dorm has its own laundry facilities. The cost of laundry is incorporated into your fees, so the machines are not coin-operated.

All dorms on campus contain a mixture of classes. There is no dorm on campus that only holds first years, sophomores, juniors, or seniors.

Bryn Mawr College's policies are the only administrative structure that must be abided in each dorm. Every dorm is governed by its own community. A dorm president is in charge of holding dorm meetings where residents vote on various dorm issues. Customs people are in each hall and work with first-year students. Hall Advisors are on each floor as a resource for all students, but none of these positions is responsible for policing dorm life.

While this is not an exhaustive list, you should plan to bring the following items:

• lamp
• extra long bed linens
• pillow
• wastebasket
• towels
• fan
• umbrella
• flashlight
• paper towels for cleaning

The vast majority of beds on campus are extra-long, with mattresses measuring 36" x 79”. It is recommended that students bring extra-long sheets that can fit on any size bed on Bryn Mawr's campus.

Bryn Mawr contracts with On Campus Marketing to provide a convenient resource for purchasing linens; however, you may buy linens anywhere you choose.

Each student is given a bed (single or bunked), desk, chair, bookcase, or shelves, and a dresser or drawers built into the bed. All rooms have window blinds or shades, a mirror, and a closet or wardrobe for each resident. Please note that all College-provided furnishings must remain in the room and that furnishings may not be exchanged.

No.

No.

Due to extremely limited storage space and the wear and tear of moving furniture, the College won't permit you to remove furniture from your room. While some rooms are large enough to accommodate additional types of furniture, it would be better to wait until after you've arrived to make that decision.

Each hall is unique; therefore, some rooms are carpeted and some are not. The majority of our rooms are hardwood floors with no carpeting. If your room is carpeted, you will have access to a vacuum for cleaning. You should wait until you see your room before deciding whether or not you will require additional carpeting or an area rug.

Part of the collegiate experience is learning to co-exist with many different kinds of people. Students are encouraged to resolve conflicts and differences among themselves. If a resolution cannot be reached, a room change may be possible.

Room changes are only given in certain situations. These situations include but are not limited to, unresolvable roommate conflict or problems with the structural integrity of a room. Any student interested in a room change must fill out the appropriate paperwork, which is available beginning in early October at the Residential Life Office in Campus Center 202. Once the paperwork has been filed, each individual case is reviewed by members of the Residence Council. All concerned parties are interviewed, and a decision is made. There is an opportunity for appeals, as well as an opportunity to re-file a room change request later in the year.

Please refer to our guest policy.

Full-time students residing in Bryn Mawr College residence halls may remain on campus during Fall, Thanksgiving, and Spring breaks. Additional arrangements must be made at additional cost during winter and summer breaks to stay in the dorms. During these times, there are restrictions that apply to residents remaining on campus. For more information, visit Vacation Break Housing.

Due to limited space on campus, the College cannot offer students summer storage. However, students may choose to contract directly with College Butler, a local company that can meet a student's summer storage needs for a fee.

Since you live on campus, you must participate in a meal plan, which means that you can eat in any of our dining halls. You can also purchase food at the Uncommon Grounds cafe in the Campus Center or buy snacks at the bookstore in the Campus Center. Check out the Dining Services website for more information.

The College does not endorse a particular bank, but we do have one ATM on campus which is a TD Bank ATM. This ATM is located in the basement of the Campus Center near the Bookstore. Most students find it very convenient to have a local bank and it may reduce the amount of finance charges you incur from ATMs. Also, if you plan to hold a job on campus, you must use direct deposit for your paychecks which will often require an account at a local bank.

The Residential Life and Student Engagement Office is on the second floor of the Campus Center, in Campus Center 202. 

Some years, we hire several students to help with administrative duties in the office. Positions usually fill quickly, so contact the Residential Life Office at reslife@brynmawr.edu at the end of each school year to inquire about open positions in the fall.

HAs are selected each year from a field of applicants. To learn more about the HA position, contact the Residential Life office at reslife@brynmawr.edu.