FAQ
House Teams
What is a GRT?
A Graduate Resident Tutor (GRT) is an MIT graduate student (and in some cases, his or her spouse or partner) who lives with undergraduate students as a friendly, approachable resource, role model, and source of support.
What is a Housemaster?
A Housemaster is an MIT faculty member (and in some cases, his or her spouse or partner) who lives in a residence hall, supervises the GRT’s, and takes a lead role in building community and supporting and advocating for students.
What is an RLA?
A Residential Life Associate (RLA) is a full-time employee of the Division of Student Life who collaborates with the Housemasters, GRT’s, House Managers, and students to provide the residence halls with opportunities for personal development and wellness programming.
What is a House Manager?
A House Manager is a full-time professional who works to maintain a residence building that is safe and healthy for all residents. He or she oversees the front desk operation and general house repairs.
Student Leadership
What is an RAA?
A Resident Associate Advisor (RAA) lives in one of the residences that facilitate the Residence-Based Advising Program (Next House, Chocolate City, Spanish House, and McCormick Hall). He or she is an experienced MIT undergrad who works alongside Freshman Advisors to support first-year students. RAA’s also organize monthly programs for the entire community.
What is JudComm?
Your residence’s Judicial Committee (JudComm) is a student judicial body that helps to resolve conflicts and re-enforce rules.
What are MedLinks?
MedLinks is a residence-based peer health advocacy program comprised of student representatives (called MedLinks) who have been trained in First Aid, CPR, and a variety of health-related issues. MedLinks help connect students to the many campus health resources available at MIT. They also educate students about the policies and the services of MIT Medical. Find out who your MedLink is here.
What is the Purpose of House Government?
To build dorm community. Officers are elected to represent their floor or entry’s issues, to bring people together for events, and to address concerns.
What is DormCon?
The Dormitory Council (DormCon) is a student government body, attended by the president of each dorm, to review policies and programs that affect all undergraduate residential students.
Sharing Space
What does the front desk of our residence do?
The front desk is the control center for the residence. It provides security, informational, and operational services for the residents, such as guest registration, reporting facility concerns, and holding packages for pick-up.
What does the first year residency requirement mean?
Every first year student is required to live in one of the eleven Institute residences. For more information about the requirement and/or exceptions, please visit the MIT Housing web site.
Can I be a part of my dorm and fraternity/sorority/independent living group at the same time?
Yes, since not everyone can live in a fraternity/sorority house, students are often members of both a dorm and a fraternity/sorority—in some cases they even play leadership roles in both.
If I want to have a party in a common area, what do I need to do?
Contact your RLA. He or she will have forms for you to fill out.
My roommate and I are not getting along. Can I switch rooms?
It depends on the situation. First, get help from your JudComm representative or your GRT to try to resolve the conflict. If that does not work, contact your Housemaster and your House Manager about other options.
My floor/wing/entry is too noisy/social for me to study. How can this be changed?
Try speaking with your fellow residents directly about the noise level and quiet hours, or seek out your JudComm representative or GRT for help.
My roommate is constantly kicking me out so he or she can have sex. What do I do?
Use of your shared room for private time is something that you should discuss at the very beginning of the year with your roommate. If these issues arise in spite of the agreements you made, you should speak with your GRT.
I feel isolated from my dorm and/or roommates. What can I do?
Try meeting one-on-one with your GRT to talk about your concerns. He or she can connect you with other students who have similar interests, or may suggest attending study breaks as an icebreaker into the dorm/floor community. Keep an open mind and try new things!
Health and Safety
I am worried about the safety of myself and/or my friend(s).
For any emergency or immediate safety issue, contact MIT Police by dialing 100 from any campus phone or 617-253-1212 from any phone. For less urgent issues, your GRT, Housemaster, and RLA are all available to help you with a listening ear or by getting you connected with the many campus health and safety resources, such as MIT Mental Health or Environmental Health & Safety.
I just cut/burn/scraped my skin and can’t find a first aid kit.
The MedLink in your building can help! Find out who your MedLink is here.
There are some sketchy characters hanging around my dorm. What do I do?
Do not approach them. If you feel they pose a threat to people or property, call MIT police immediately. After making the call, inform your GRT or housemasters of the situation.
I suspect something was stolen out of my room.
If you suspect you have been the victim of theft, please call MIT Police and speak directly with an officer (police reports cannot be filed over e-mail.) You may also want to inquire at the front desk, and let your GRT or RLA know.
I suspect someone is stalking me. What do I do?
If you feel that you may be in immediate danger, call MIT police. If you do not feel that you are in immediate danger but you still have concerns, the counseling deans at S^3 can help you address them and connect you to the many resources available on campus. If you need help after regular business hours, contact the Dean on Call.
I am very ill and I have an exam. Should I still take it?
If you are concerned that your health may affect your academic performance, contact your GRT or S^3 during regular business hours, or the Dean On Call after hours. Speak to them before you miss an exam. They can advise you on how to proceed and can contact your professors if necessary.
I have a family emergency and need to leave campus.
Notify your GRT, Housemaster or RLA. They can help you coordinate the personal and academic concerns you have with regard to leaving campus.
What happens if someone under twenty-one becomes inebriated?
If you are concerned about someone’s health or safety, you should call MIT police immediately for medical help. If you call for help on someone else’s behalf, you will not be subject to disciplinary action unless the situation involves serious conduct issues such as violent behavior, sexual assault, or hazing. The inebriated person will also not be subject to disciplinary action unless the situation involves serious conduct issues, but he or she will be required to attend a confidential health and safety assessment.
Where do I get safer sex supplies?
Safer sex supplies are available for free from the Center for Health Promotion & Wellness located in E23-205. Some free supplies are also available for free from your GRT. Safer sex supplies are available at the MIT Pharmacy for a small fee.
The hygiene of my roommate and/or floor is starting to concern me. How can I help them improve it?
Talk to your GRT—he or she has received training specific to this kind of situation, and his or her knowledge of the individuals involved will help determine the best approach.
I am having trouble eating healthy on campus.
MIT Medical’s Nutrition & Fitness page has a number of resources including a pamphlet on how to eat healthy at MIT. You can also talk with a nutritionist or health educator at MIT regarding other ways to eat healthy on campus.
I have not seen my neighbor/roommate in a while.
Check in with your GRT or Housemaster. They can assist you in making sure that your neighbor/roommate is located and given help if needed.
I’m starting to feel sick, but am not sure if I need to go to Medical.
Check with your MedLink—he or she may be able to help you decide. If you’re still unsure, it’s better to be on the safe side and go.
Getting Help
Who is the Dean on Call? (And how do I contact him or her?)
The Dean on Call is an after-hours emergency response staff member who can respond to academic and personal concerns of both undergraduate and graduate MIT students. To contact him or her, call MIT Police and then ask for the Dean on Call
What is S^3?
Student Support Services (S^3) in 5-104 is a team of counseling deans (including trained psychologists and social workers) who can help students dealing with personal, administrative, or academic problems.
If I need someone to talk to in my dorm, who is available?
There are many people to whom you can turn! Your GRT, RAA, Housemaster, and RLA are all more than willing and capable of listening to your concerns. (See the “House Teams”section above for more info on these roles).
Something in our residence is broken. What should I do?
If it is during the day, contact your House Manager. If it is an evening or weekend, fill out a repair form online. If it is an emergency, call FIX IT at 3-4948.
When should I go to my GRT?
Speak to your GRT about any questions or concerns that do not fit into your Medlink or JudComm representatives’ specific areas. For example, if you cannot sleep, are not doing well in a class, or need advice on a serious situation, your GRT may be able to help. But GRT’s are not only there to hear about problems—feel free to share positive news and updates with them as well! They want to keep track of how you’re doing, good or bad.
What if I have difficulty connecting with my GRT?
You can try attending more study breaks and events hosted by your GRT to connect. But not everyone will be close to their particular GRT-– there may be another GRT or RLA in your building whom you connect with more easily. Don’t be afraid to reach out!
When should I go to my house Judicial Committee?
Speak to JudComm about noise issues, roommate issues, and other basic conflicts.
I’m having problems with my UROP/TA/Professor, where do I go?
For problems with a professor or TA, go to your GRT for advice first. If you are having a problem with a UROP, speak to the staff at the UROP office in 7-104. For serious problems, speak to S^3.
My friend is acting differently… should I be worried?
If you are concerned about a friend try speaking to them directly about your concerns. Your GRT, Housemaster or RLA can also assist you in determining the best course of action.
It has been a long time since I saw my friend eat, and she is becoming very thin. Should I be worried?
Your GRT can be an excellent resource for advice on this type of situation. The counseling deans at S^3 are also available to help.
My friend is in a relationship where his/her partner is rude/mean/controlling and/or physically abusive. What should I say or do?
If you are concerned that your friend may be in immediate danger, you should call MIT Police immediately. If you need advice about how to talk to your friend about the situation, your GRT or the counseling deans at S^3 are available to help. MIT Medical also houses a new program with a specific focus on violence prevention and response; you can reach them at vpradvocate@mit.edu.
If someone sends something offensive over a dorm listserv, whom do I talk to?
There are several people you could talk to: your GRT or RLA, the president or chair of the house or dorm, or your Housemaster.
I am questioning my sexual orientation.
The Rainbow Lounge in 50-005 is a good place to find someone to talk to, including two staff-members who are there to help. You can also e-mail LGBT@mit.edu to ask for support, join the issues group, or join the newsletter listserv. For more resources check out the Lavender Guide .
I think I have overcommitted myself to activities and student life at MIT. What do I do?
It’s a good idea to sit down and make a list of everything you are doing, and then think critically about the roles you play in each activity or group. What is the most important to you? Why did you get involved with each activity? Perhaps talk to the head of each organization to see if there is a way you can remain involved but not in such an active role. You can also speak to S^3, your RLA or GRT, or someone from the Student Activities Office who has experience working with student groups.
Someone made a racist/sexist/homophobic remark. What do I do about it?
Talk to someone whom you trust about your feelings. If the remark happened in your residence, try speaking with someone on the House Team.
Getting Involved
Where do I go if I want to start a new student group?
Go to the Student Activities Office (SAO) in W20-549.
If I want to become more involved with my dorm, what should I do?
Attend a house committee meeting, talk to your GRT about planning an event, attend study breaks on your friends’ floors… the sky’s the limit!
I would like to run an event for the dorm. Who can help me plan/pay for it?
Your RLA or Housemaster can help you plan and/or pay for the event. Each dorm also has a House Council or government by a different name composed of students that could also assist you in funding or planning the event.
How do I apply to be an RAA or Summer RA?
The application processes for the RAA and Summer RA positions occur during the Spring Term. To find out more information contact your RLA or the Residential Life Programs office at 617-252-4280 or rlp-info@mit.edu.
Please contact us at 617-452-4280 with any other questions.