MIT Undergraduate Housing FAQ's  19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Where is the housing website? And what information is found there? You can find out different information on this site such as the different dormitory buildings, how to change, cancel or apply for housing. General questions about housing and important housing dates. The Undergraduate Housing Website. 2. What is in the dorm room? Bed, mattress (Twin, Extra Long!) Pillow, dresser Desk and chair Telephone Bookshelves Wastebasket. 3. What is not allowed in the room? Microwave or hot plates Candles or Incense Open heating elements Illegal Drugs Weapons - Guns, Knives (See Dangerous Objects Section of Housing Standards) 4. What should I bring? Sheets- twin extra long (39 x 80"") Blankets Alarm clock Small fan Umbrella Towel and face cloth Soap, shampoo and other toiletries Clothes. including heavy winter coat and snow boots A good lock, if you bring a bike Laundry basket & detergent Message board for your door Dishes, silverware, drinking cups Bathrobe Rug or other floor covering Radio or stereo Surge protector Calendar Desk supplies (pens, paper, and desk lamp) Dictionary and thesaurus Small refrigerator 5. Are the dorms closed for vacations or school break? No, MIT dormitories are open all year round. 6. Who do I talk to if I am having a problem with my roommate, i.e. Noise, guest sleeping over, other issues? First. if you are having a problem with your roommate, you should talk to your Graduate Resident Tutor (GRT). Very often, the GRT will talk with the House Master and help resolve your problem, usually with a meeting of the roommates. It is important that you maintain an open line of communication with your roommate(s) so that you can talk about problems that you may be having like the adults you are. 7. What if I don't like the building that I am living in? You will need to fill out a housing change request form? You can fill out the form on-line at any time. You also need to realize that it probably won't be possible to move to every building at every time of the year, especially at the beginning of the fall. In fact, it may take more that a semester to switch buildings. 8. Is there a deadline for signing up for housing? No. When you apply for housing you get placed on a waiting list. 9. What happens if I want to move to off-campus? You will need to fill out a housing cancellation form and to inform your House Manager that you will be moving out. All keys should be turned in to the house manager, your room should be clean, and you should check out properly with the house desk. First-year students must petition the Housing Office to live off-campus 10. Is there a telephone in the room or do I need to bring my own telephone or answering machine? A telephone is provided but you can bring your own telephone or answering machine. All residence hall rooms are provided with a telephone. 11. Where do I find information about the telephone service? Is there voicemail? PaeTec's Campuslink is the new provider for the dormitories. Student rooms are equipped with an analog telephone. Students are limited to making and receiving on-campus calls unless additional service is purchased. For more information, you should visit the following site: http://web.mit.edu/is/tel/students.html 13. When does housing end for the year? Please refer to the Housing Calendar. 14. When will my housing bill be sent out? Freshman students will receive their bills after they get their permanent assignments. Upper-class returning students should receive their bill in August of starting semester. 15. What if I have a question about my Dining(Meal) Plan? Please call The TechCash Office at x3-2815. They will be glad to answer any questions you might have or you can visit them at: http://web.mit.edu/mitcard/techcash.html 16. How can I find out what things are in the dorm building? To find out about a particular dorm, click on the link and surf the site. http://web.mit.edu/housing/undergrad/residences.html 17. If I take a Junior Year Abroad or Domestic Year Away, will I be able to get the same room when I return to campus? If you leave an on-campus assignment to go to a Study Abroad program, a domestic study away program, or to do a Coop, you are guaranteed on-campus housing for the semester that you want to return to campus. We do not guarantee an individual room or even assignment to the same residence hall that you left. We do guarantee that you get an on-campus housing assignment. 18. Can I park on campus? All eligible students, except for first-year students can apply for a parking permit on-line at: http://web.mit.edu/parking/. Please refer to the Parking Office for Prices. 19. How many terms am I eligible for housing? Students are elgiible for eight terms of on-campus housing. Counted towards those eight terms are terms spent at another institution, terms spent at a JYA or DYA, terms spent at a Coop. Please see the Undergraduate Housing Eligibility further up in this document for a more comprehensive explanation of this policy.

last update: August 25, 2005