Common New Student Questions
Who can I talk to with questions about my room, hall, or events on campus?
Most Halls on campus have one Resident Advisor on each floor. These fellow students are leaders on campus and are in tune with campus events, groups, and policies. Use them as a resource!
When can I move in?
See the Fall Orientation for dates and the schedule of events for new students.
If I have questions about my assignment or want to change it what should I do?
You can send an email to [email protected] to contact the Residential Life staff. This email address is monitored by the entire department so any one of us can offer help.
Why was I not placed with my requested roommate?
We have honored every MUTUAL roommate request that we received. This means that if you and a roommate(s) requested each other you have been placed together. However every year we receive requests that are not reciprocated. When that happens, we typically do not place those students together. Sometimes one part of a roommate group also decides to change their plans for the fall, and in that event, we cannot place someone with you who has not yet committed to be here.
How should I contact my roommates?
The email that contains your room assignment also has the names of your roommate(s). You can navigate to your Wheaton College Gmail account and search for their name in the “to” field of a new email if you would like to contact them prior to moving in.
What should I pack?
You can use the 2022-2023 Packing Guide to help guide your packing. Make sure to coordinate with your roommate(s) and check our What’s Not Permitted page for more information to ensure that all your items meet safety standards.
Our office of Health Services has created a First Aid Essentials list for residential students.
How big are the rooms?
At Wheaton there is no standard size for a residence hall room and for many of the rooms we do not have dimensions readily available. To give you a sense of the size, average square feet are as follows:
Single – 100 square feet
Double – 150 to 170 square feet
Triple – 180 to 200 square feet
Quad – over 225 square feet
What items come with my room?
All rooms have a desk, chair, bed, dresser, trash can, and closet. There is an overhead light and blinds. Most rooms, particularly in the First Year student areas, have tiled floors.
Do I need to bring an Ethernet cable?
Nope! We are a wireless campus.
Should I bring a printer, ink, and paper?
Students are provided with free black and white printing on campus, so it is your choice if you would like a printer in your room.
Can I visit my room over the summer?
Unfortunately no, many of the halls are used for summer Conferences and Camps during the summer months.
When is move-in? Can I arrive early?
Due to staff limitations and final preparations to the residence halls, we cannot accept early arrivals prior to the morning of move-in day unless you are participating in an Early Arrival program or preseason Athletics.
See Wheaton Orientation Programs for more information.
Additional Common Questions
How do I apply for housing accommodations?
Information on how to apply for housing accommodations can be found here: Housing Accommodations.
What is my mailing address?
To ensure proper delivery of mail, magazines, packages, etc. to you at the college please use the following address format:
Student Name
Box W####
Wheaton College
26 East Main Street
Norton, MA 02766
See Campus Mail Services for more information.
What floor am I on?
The first number of your room denotes the floor you will be living on. For example, room 102 is on the first floor, 202 is on the second floor, 302 is on the third floor, etc.
If I don’t like my roommate(s) what should I do?
We always want you to give your roommate(s) a chance, especially if they seem very different from you. College is about learning from others and your roommate can be an incredibly (and positively) impactful to that experience. So we do ask that you at least give living with them a shot before you request a move. That being said, sometimes people are just the wrong roommates for each other, and when that happens we do everything we can to help.
**Please note: There are housing freezes that last for three weeks at the beginning of each semester.**
How big are the beds?
Bed dimensions are typically 39 inches wide by 80 inches long. We suggest bringing twin XL bed sheets so the fit around the mattress won’t be too tight.
Can I move into my room early?
Due to the logistics of managing all of the different early arrival groups, we are unable to change the pre-set arrival dates to make them earlier. Students are only permitted to return to campus early if they are participating in a program related to Wheaton (i.e. performing research, working for an office, participating in a leadership group, etc). Residential Life will contact students to let them know what the early arrival date will be each semester. Students that are NOT working in an office or participating in a Wheaton-related activity are only permitted to arrive on the posted move-in day.
Is there any way to vacuum my floor?
We suggest bringing a small vacuum for your use. Some halls have vacuums that the Hall Staff can let you borrow.
Are there laundry rooms in the residence halls?
All residence halls have commercial washers and dryers. Every residential student is charged a yearly fee for laundry, so you don’t need change to operate the machines.
Is there somewhere I can cook?
Yes. Most residence halls have some sort of kitchenette that includes a stove, oven, and microwave.
Can I remove furniture from my room?
Students are prohibited from removing college furniture from their rooms for any reason. The College does not have storage for room furniture, so it must remain in the room.
Can I have a refrigerator in my room?
Yes, up to 3 cubic feet.
What is not allowed in my room?
In order to help maintain a healthy and safe living environment that is compliant with local fire regulations, we do restrict some items from the residence halls. Please visit our What’s Not Permitted page for more information.
Can I paint my room?
No, students are unable to paint or physically modify the walls of their room.
Can I use nails to hang up my pictures?
No, items may not be screwed, nailed, bolted, or glued to the walls or woodwork in the residence halls or the houses. We suggest using 3M brand removable products or sticky tack.
Can I switch rooms and/or get a new roommate?
Yes, all room change requests should first be discussed with your roommate(s), then your RA, and finally the Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) of your area. If you don’t know who the RLC for your hall is, check out our staff page!
I’ve locked myself out of my room, how do I get back in?
Students who get locked out of their rooms should call Campus Safety for assistance (x8213). Although Campus Safety will provide this service, students must realize that other duties may take a priority, and the service may not be delivered immediately. Lock-out fees can be assessed. For more information go to Inside Wheaton => Campus Life = Campus Safety = > Lockouts.
I’ve lost my keys, what should I do?
Lost keys should be reported to Campus Safety and/or the College Locksmith in Physical Plant immediately. Please view the Key, Card and Access Policies for more information.
Why can’t I get access to any other residence hall?
Maintaining the safety and security of the residence halls is the responsibility of all those who reside within. The front doors of the residence halls are locked at all times. Students are issued a key or utilize their student ID (depending on the hall they reside), which enables them to gain access to their residence hall. These doors should never be propped open.
What happens to my room during breaks?
During mid-semester breaks, you must vacate your room.
Can I store my belongings on campus over the summer?
See Student Storage for more information.
Should I carry personal property insurance to cover loss, theft, or other damage to personal property?
Yes. The College does not ensure students’ personal belongings. You should arrange to have your items insured before you come to school through homeowners’ insurance.
What happens if I break the rules?
The College has established a judicial process for the purpose of adjudicating violations of the honor code, community standards, and college policies. Most students who break the rules have their cases heard by the Area Coordinator (AC) of their quad.
If I have other questions or need to talk to someone how should I contact Residential Life?
You can email [email protected] and someone from our office will be happy to help!