Housing
Residence Halls
WPI provides its undergraduate students with a variety of housing options, both on and off campus. The WPI residence halls offer students a choice of single, double, and triple occupancy rooms as well as suites designed for four and six persons, and two- to seven- person apartments. In addition, WPI owns and staffs four houses located just a short walk from the campus. Off-campus housing alternatives include rooms in homes, apartments, fraternity/sorority living, and commuting from home.
Residence hall living at WPI offers opportunities that can be a valuable part of higher education. For this reason, on-campus housing is guaranteed to all first-year students who request it by June 1 as stated in their admission letter. First-year students admitted for Term A are guaranteed housing in the residence halls for that entire academic year.
Upperclass students may apply for those residence hall spaces not reserved for incoming first-year students. The Housing and Food Service Contract is a legally binding contract which extends from the beginning of Term A through Term D as long as the student is enrolled at WPI.
Residence Hall Staff
Resident Advisors (RAs) are the core of the residential life staff in the residence halls. RAs serve as a source of assistance in resolving students’ academic, personal, and social concerns. They plan and implement social and educational programs in the halls, and enforce all WPI policies and regulations in an effort to develop an effective living-learning environment in the residence halls.
The administrative responsibility for the operation of the residence halls rests with the professional staff in Residential Services. They counsel and advise students, work with maintenance and dining hall staffs, and handle many administrative processes for students living on campus.
Occupancy
Residence halls normally open at 9:00 a.m. four days before Term A begins and close at 12:00 noon on the day following the last day of classes for Term D. Housing and food service privileges are not transferable, nor may any person take up de facto residence without paying rent. The residence halls will be closed during the December recess period.
Furnishings and Facilities
Students are responsible for the neatness and cleanliness of their rooms. Residence halls are furnished with a twin-size bed, a desk and chair, closet space, and drawer space for each student. All residence halls are smoke free environments and all buildings have complete sprinkler systems in all student bedrooms and common areas. Data network services, telephone, and cable television are included in room rates. Residents provide their own pillows, linens, blankets, and other personal furnishings. Coin-operated laundry facilities are available at four locations
on the campus.
The following are not permitted in the residence halls:
• Sale, use or possession of illegal drugs
• Pets, except small fish
• Refrigerators larger than 4.3 cubic feet in size
• Gambling
• Use of alcoholic beverages in violation of Massachusetts State Laws
• Firearms, weapons, explosives, incendiary or toxic chemicals, starting pistols, paint ball guns
• Cooking, except in kitchen areas provided
• Candles or other flame-emitting devices
• Smoking
Mail and express packages should be addressed to the student by name, and box number, WPI, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280.
Roommates
One of the most memorable aspects of campus life can be the relationship you will build with your roommate(s). Roommates often find that a meaningful relationship is developed through the sharing of thoughts and feelings; in other words, communication. We encourage you to be as open as possible so that you and your roommate can begin early to create a relationship based on respect and understanding. This relationship can help make residence hall living one of the most enjoyable part of your college career.
Room Charges
Since room and board rates for 2008-2009 were not established at the time of this publication, they will be announced separately.
Room Rates for 2007-08
(Note: Room rates listed are for the entire academic year)
| Standard Double, Triple, Quad | $6,104 |
|---|---|
| Standard Single | $6,458 |
| Founders | |
| Double | $6,240 |
| Single | $6,650 |
| Ellsworth/Fuller | |
| 2 person | $6,402 |
| 3 person | $6,070 |
| 5 person | $5,768 |
| 7 person | $5,226 |
Note: Each apartment is equipped with basic furnishings including stove and refrigerator.
Payment for housing and food service fees are made in two installments, one each at the beginning of Terms A and C. Reduced charges, if applicable, will be processed according to the established withdrawal policy of the college. Students entering the residence halls other than at the beginning of Term A or C will be issued a prorated billing for the period. This bill must be paid in full prior to occupancy.
As part of the room charges for the first term of residency, the student is assessed a $150 damage deposit. Students are expected to care for the physical facilities of the residence halls. Damage to the facilities beyond the normal wear and tear shall be the financial responsibility of the residents. The security deposit, less any outstanding charges, will be credited to the students account and appear as a credit on their next bill.
First-year students can expect to receive a Housing and Food Service Contract in early May, after their $500 tuition deposit is received by the Office of Admissions. On this contract, they will indicate their room preference for the residence halls.
All students wishing to live in the residence halls must submit a signed WPI Housing and Food Service Contract.
Meals
All residence hall students (with the exception of Fuller/Ellsworth apartment residents) are required to participate in one of the four meal plans. The MEALS PLUS PLANS are a combination of traditional meal plans plus additional funds to be utilized at the students discretion.
Once a student has contracted for food service, this is a legally-binding agreement, and students are obligated to assume financial responsibility for the entire academic year.
Board Plan Rates for the 2007-08 academic year
(Note: Students are required to be on a meal plan for the entire academic year)
| 19-Meal PLUS $ 75 in Bonus Points | $4,564 |
| 14-Meal PLUS $ 175 in Bonus Points | $4,564 |
| "The 190", plus $100 in Bonus Points | $4,306 |
| "The VIP", plus $100 in Bonus Points | $5,326 |
Descriptions of the board plans are available at the Dining Services webpage.
Off-Campus Living
After the first year, on-campus housing may be at a premium; so if you decide to look for an off-campus apartment, make plans well in advance. Residential Services, located in Ellsworth 16, can be a valuable resource for you as you begin your search for off-campus housing. Residential Services maintains a listing of available housing in the Worcester area, as well as an on-line apartment finder system which can be accessed through the department's web page. In addition, information is available for you to research questions about small claims court, housing codes, leases, tenants rights, etc. The following are a few hints for you as you begin your search for off- campus housing.
Leases: Contract periods for off-campus housing vary in length, from twelve-month and nine-month to summer only and three-month leases. As you consider various places, find out what types of leases are available.
Looking: Check bulletin boards around campus for apartment ads. Also watch Tech News classifieds. In addition, the
Residential Services Office maintains a listing of available off-campus housing.
Be Prepared: You'll want to plan realistically for expenses such as utilities, transportation, repairs, laundry, and food. Also, try to pick your roommates carefully and ahead of time.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: July 21, 2008 11:34:15