Expect More. Achieve More.
Welcome to On-Campus Living at Bridgewater State University from the Director
Greetings!
On behalf of the staff in the Office of Residence Life and Housing, I would like to welcome you to your 2012-2013 residential living experience at Bridgewater. We are pleased that you will become a member of the residential community. Residence hall living is a unique and valuable educational experience. Living on campus provides many exciting opportunities and benefits and we hope you will choose to take advantage of everything we have to offer.
The residence hall staff is a dedicated, supportive and highly qualified group of individuals who will help to make your transition to living in the residence hall community a positive experience. The staff is available to help you resolve problems; refer you to the many services available on campus and to help you get to know one another.
The RLH Press is filled with important information that you need to know while living on campus. It outlines many of the services and programs provided in the residence halls. The residential experience is designed to promote personal growth and to encourage mutual responsibility in the successful development of the residence hall community.
If you have any questions or require assistance with your living situation, the staff is ready and eager to respond to your needs. We look forward to partnering with you to make living on campus a successful endeavor. Once again, welcome to the residence hall community at Bridgewater. Be safe, have fun and make the most of your residential experience.
Sincerely,
Beth Moriarty
Beth Moriarty, EdD
Director, Residence Life and Housing
Bridgewater Community
The Office of Residence Life and Housing is in close contact with other departments at Bridgewater State University as well as off-campus agencies. These connections are important to its work with resident students.
Some of the offices and departments with which residence life and housing works most closely include the police department, ResNet, student conduct, health services, food services, counseling center, career services, and student involvement and leadership. Together, we assess student needs and offer a myriad of services, such as shuttle buses, escort vans, support groups and workshops; and provide structured activities and leadership opportunities that challenge resident students while offering support for growth, development and success.
Independence can have a significant impact on lifestyle choices. University life offers more freedom than other environments. There are no curfews for residents. Students are responsible for managing their time including their daily class schedules, hours in the dining hall and their level of participation in the countless activities offered on campus.
On-Campus Living
On-campus housing provides students with an educational advantage. Resident students have the opportunity to make the most of their university experience in an environment with easy access to campus academic support resources, the Academic Achievement Center and the Maxwell Library.
More than convenience, living on campus is an important part of social and academic growth. Research has shown that students who live on campus perform better academically. Living in close proximity to other students who are taking the same classes develops social networks where it is easy to collaborate and organize study groups. Resident students are empowered to further their individual development, contribute to the positive development of their community, value diversity and increase their commitment to learning.
The Office of Residence Life and Housing offers living and learning communities that strive to meet students’ social and academic needs. We support a community based on individual responsibility, where there is an appreciation of individual differences and a respect for individual rights. The staff offers a wide variety of activities, events and programs designed to offer not only fun, but opportunities for student interaction, development and leadership.
Understanding that college often provides the first experience for students to live away from home, the staff is trained to help make that transition as easy as possible. In partnership with students, the office provides facilities that are safe, clean, comfortable and conducive to academic, personal and social achievement. We offer a variety of housing options from traditional residence halls to upper-class suites and apartments.
The Residence Halls
The Office of Residence Life and Housing oversees all aspects of on-campus living. Approximately 2,800 undergraduate students resident on campus in 10 residence halls, which are differentiated by type of living arrangement and class standing. The following are brief descriptions of the halls:
- Shea and Durgin Halls house 700 first-year students. The building consists mainly of double and triple rooms on two corridors with common bath facilities and lounges in the center of the corridors on each floor and wing. Study lounges are available throughout the building.
- Woodward Hall houses 240 first-year students. Facilities include quadruple, triple and double rooms with common bath facilities on each floor. Study lounges are available on each floor. Woodward also houses the first-year residential communities.
- Great Hill Student Apartments houses 198 students. Students live in six person apartments with single rooms. Each apartment has its own bath and kitchen facilities. A common building houses mail and laundry facilities. Students who are 21 and over are allowed to have limited quantities of alcohol.
- Pope Hall houses 337 students. The building consists mainly of double and triple rooms on both sides of a corridor with common bath facilities on each floor and wing.
- Scott Hall houses 270 students. The building features double and triple rooms on both sides of a corridor with common bath facilities on each floor and wing. The first floor of Scott Hall is home to the Social Justice Learning Community.
- Miles and DiNardo Halls house 400 residents in suite-style accommodations, which include two bedrooms and a common living room. Common bath facilities are located on each floor and wing, with the first floor of each building designated as a 24-hour quiet area.
- East Hall houses 300 students in suite-style accommodations with private bathrooms in each suite. The building is air-conditioned and features study lounges on each floor.
- Crimson Hall houses 400 students in suite-style accommodations with living rooms and private bathrooms in each suite. The building is air-conditioned and features study lounges on each wing and kitchens on each floor.
Residential Facilities
The residence halls are each equipped with the following:
- Mail Boxes: All resident students receive mail in their building. Mailboxes are assigned by mail services and students receive their combinations via their MyHousing account.
- Laundry Facilities: Coin-operated and Connect Card-compatible washers and dryers are available in each building..
- Vending Machines: Juice, soda and snack machines are located in each hall.
- Common Area Space: Study lounges, television lounges, kitchens and game rooms are located in the buildings. The equipment and types of rooms may vary from hall to hall. Recycling bins are located in each residence hall for paper, plastic and glass recycling.
| The Office of Residence Life and Housing is open weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM. The staff is on call after 5 PM and on the weekends to respond to any emergencies. A resident director is on call and maintainer/trades staff in each area is available to respond to students needs. All are reachable through University police or the on-duty resident assistant. |
Furniture and Appliances
Residence hall rooms are furnished with extra long twin beds, desks with chairs and bureaus. Students may bring additional furnishings according to the following guidelines:
- No furnishings may be made of flammable material.
- No personal upholstered furniture is allowed in the residence halls.
- Check with your roommate(s) first to find out what they are bringing. You don't want to duplicate or not have enough space in the room.
- Please note the beds are twin extra long - the mattress size is 36 inches by 80 inches by 6½ inches.
- A microwave oven (no larger than 1,000 watts), one blender and one coffeepot are permitted in each room.
- UL-approved holiday lights may be used for decorative purposes.
- Refrigerators are allowed in student rooms. The total amperage for refrigerators in each room may not exceed 1.4. Apartment residents may also have one toaster. Irons should be used only in designated laundry areas. Refrigerators are allowed in student rooms, but the total amperage for refrigerators in each room may not exceed 1.4.
The following items are prohibited from the residence halls:
- All cooking and food preparation appliances (except as noted above)
- Air conditioners / space heaters
- Open flames (candles, incense burners, grills, etc.)
- Decorative alcohol containers.
- Upholstered furniture.
Students should be aware of fire safety when decorating their rooms. No items should be posted on or suspended from the ceiling. Room doors should have only 30 percent of the surface covered with decorative items.
Additional Occupancy - Temporary Spaces
The demand for housing at Bridgewater State University exceeds the number of spaces available for resident students. Experience has shown that a significant number of students scheduled to live in the residence halls either never show up or withdraw after the semester begins. The additional occupancy program offers housing to as many students as possible and keeps room rates down. A set number of rooms are designated as additional occupancy rooms at the beginning of the year. As spaces become available through 'no-shows' or withdrawals, the empty spaces are filled from additional occupancy rooms and normal capacities are achieved.
Students will receive a 20 percent rebate for each week during the fall semester they are involuntarily living in a temporary additional occupancy room or swing space. This rebate will be credited to their account at the end of the fall semester. Historically most students in additional occupancy rooms and swing spaces have been offered normal occupancy rooms by the beginning of the second semester. For questions about additional occupancies, check out the Additional Occupancy Program section at www.bridgew.edu/rlh/roommates/addtocc.cfm.
Residence Life and Housing Staff
The Office of Residence Life and Housing staff, comprised of full-time professional, clerical and maintenance staff in addition to a part-time student staff, responds to the needs of the resident population.
- The director leads and directs the department and supervises and coordinates all aspects of the residence hall systems to ensure that residential facilities are safe, well maintained and conducive to study.
- The associate director organizes and directs residential life functions within the department. They provide leadership and direction in the areas of recruitment, selection, training and evaluation of para-professional and professional staff members and Residence Hall Association.
- The facilities manager oversees day-to-day operations including housekeeping, maintenance, repair, contracted services and the coordination of renovation work.
- The assistant director of assignments is responsible for all aspects of room assignment process including new student assignments, the waitlist, returning student room lottery and works with students to resolve roommate conflicts.
- The assistant director for housing operations oversees the organization and direction of system-wide housing operations functions including off-line key systems, room inventory process, damage billing, departmental web page maintenance and summer conference housing program coordination.
- The residential learning community coordinator/resident director is responsible for the direction, organization and administration of the Residential Learning Communities and academic initiatives of the department. Additionally oversees the daily functioning and management of a residence hall.
- The institutional maintenance foreman (IMF) determines work priorities, manages inventory, delegates assignments; plans, organizes, coordinates and supervises comprehensive services and activities related to custodial and trades operation.
- The resident directors (RDs) are full-time, live-in professional staff members trained to deal effectively with issues of student life and residence hall administration. RDs are responsible for the quality of life in their assigned hall and supervise a staff of resident assistants. RDs participate in a duty rotation, beginning at 5 PM when offices close and remain accessible until the next day at 8 AM when offices reopen.
- Clerical staff is responsible for managing administrative aspects of the program including purchasing, correspondence and responding to questions by phone or in person.
- Maintainer staff members are assigned to each residence hall facility and are responsible for the cleaning of all common areas (bathrooms, hallways, lobbies, etc.).
- Senior resident assistants (SRAs) and the resident assistants
(RAs) are students chosen for their leadership and interpersonal skills. Living on the floors with residents, RAs provide support on a variety of subjects ranging from personal and academic counseling to conflict mediation, program implementation and floor security.
RAs in each building share evening duty responsibilities. At least one RA is on duty in each residence hall every evening beginning at 7 PM and remains available until the next day at 7 AM. - The Graduate intern for residential learning communities assists with the management of the residential learning communities and is responsible for the recruitment, selection, training and supervision of the programming assistant staff.
- Programming assistants are students hired to provide social and educational events for the residents living in the residential learning communities. Programming assistants work with the residence hall staff and RLC faculty to actively engage students and enhance the sense of community on the floor.
- Office assistants are students hired to provide customer service and refer students when appropriate. The Office of Residence Life & Housing, as well as each residence hall has office assistants working various hours to provide extra support and assistance throughout the year.
A Living and Learning Experience
Once you join the residential community, you will enter a living and learning environment where an appreciation for individual differences and a respect for individual rights is the focus. Students will learn a great deal outside of the classroom. The staff in the residence halls fosters learning through multiple floor meetings, educational and social programs, policy enforcement and daily interactions with residents. You are encouraged to be an active and contributing member of your community. This will keep you informed about policies; and it will help you understand your rights as a community member. In addition to attending floor meetings and programs, students should expect to receive important information through email, postings on bulletin boards, flyers, newsletters and social media.
The First Year Residential Experience (FYRE)
The first year at a university presents unique challenges such as making the transition from high school to college, but there are also opportunities such as making lifelong friends. The Office of Residence Life and Housing has a program specifically designed to assist first-year resident students with these challenges as well as introduce them to the abundant opportunities at Bridgewater.
The First Year Residential Experience (FYRE) is a comprehensive program that helps prepare students and guides them through their first year of college. FYRE offers first-year students at least three events per week over the crucial first six weeks of the school year that focus on the many adjustment issues that first-year students face. These programs are created to ease first -year students' transition into university life. FYRE's large scale social programs offer first-year students from each of the residence halls the opportunity to connect with each other and interact in a social setting.
FYRE also offers first year students the opportunity to apply for the exclusive Leaders Emerging And Developing Series (LEADS). LEADS is designed to assist emerging student leaders develop their leadership skills and assist them to take leadership roles among their peers.
Residential Learning Communities (RLCs)
Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) are designed to give students with a particular academic focus or similar interests the opportunity to live together in a residence hall community. Students that choose to live in an RLC benefit from targeted programming and access to resources that will help them to become more successful during their time at the university.
Living in an RLC affords students the chance to connect their academic goals with their co-curricular interests. The staff in residence life and housing partners with faculty from to create a true living and learning environment conveniently located in a residence hall community. First year resident students can opt to live in one of the three current RLCs at BSU.
Honors Residential Learning Community
The First Year Residential Honors Community provides first year honors students with the opportunity to live among other budding scholars in a setting that compliments the student learning process outside of the classroom. This unique living and learning community is designed to foster a sense of belonging among its residents. Living in the Honors Learning Community gives the students the distinct advantage of being able to make connections with the honors faculty that support this program. The residents of the First Year Residential Honors Community will also have two Resident Assistants that are upper-class students who are also in the Honors Program.
Students that live in the community attend targeted
programming created by their peers and the faculty partners. These social and
educational programs are intended to engage the residents in their community and
assist them in creating relationships with faculty members and other honors
students outside of the classroom. Living in the First Year Residential Honors
Community also affords its residents a chance to participate in a one-credit
course that prepares students to become successful honors students at BSU. Science & Mathematics
Residential Learning Community The Science and Math Residential Learning
Community in conjunction with the STREAMS (STudent
Retention
Enhancement
Across
Mathematics
and
Science)
Program offers students majoring in Math or Science the opportunity to live
among other students that have also declared Math or Science as their major.
This residential learning community allows first year students to live and
engage with upper-class Science and Math students that have chosen to live in
this community to provide support to the first year students. This RLC will
provide its residents with Resident Assistants and Residential Mentors that are
also Math and Science majors. Students who choose this option will be able to study and
do research alongside their neighbors. They will benefit from having access to
upper-class students that are actively engaged in research projects.
Additionally, students will participate in formal study meetings with the
faculty. The Science & Mathematics RLC is open to students majoring in
Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Geography,
Mathematics, and Physics. First Year Service-Based
Residential Learning Community The First Year Service-Based Residential Learning Community
is for students who are dedicated to becoming engaged in their community and
making a difference through service. Students that live in this community will
have opportunities to learn from and serve alongside faculty and staff, who are
experts in areas such as homelessness, mentoring, child literacy, food shortage,
affordable housing and environmental issues. Residents of this community have
the option to sign up for a one-credit course that complements the Service-Based
Learning Community experience. Students who reside in the Service-Based Learning Community
select from a variety of community service opportunities with a primary focus on
poverty, youth, and the environment. Students can participate in a variety of
service opportunities including monthly service projects in Woodward Hall,
events off campus that are sponsored by the university’s Community Service
Center, as well as selecting to attend relevant on campus lectures. Students, faculty and staff plan various events for the
residents in the service-based learning community. Students hear from guest
speakers from the campus community as well as from those in the local
community. Reflection is an important part of the learning process. Social Justice Residential
Learning Community The Social Justice Residential Learning Community (RLC) is
a dynamic living and learning environment for upper-class students that want to
make an impact on their communities. Students learn through participation in meaningful
dialogues with faculty, peers and community members. They learn from their
experiences in the classroom, within the residence hall and outside of
Bridgewater State University. Social Justice RLC residents acquire an
understanding of social justice movements and social issues through their
interactions with the Institute for Social Justice, the Community Service Center
and their peers in the RLC. The Social Justice RLC is located on the first floor of
Scott Hall. Members of the Social Justice RLC will live together, take a
course together and participate in impactful service projects during the course
of the school year. Research supports the idea that being involved helps you graduate. There are
numerous ways to become involved on a university campus. Residents are
encouraged to become active in their residence hall communities, which helps
students academically as well as socially. In an effort to provide
resident students with the opportunity to contribute to and learn through
serving in their community the Office of Residence Life & Housing supports the
Residence Hall Association (RHA). RHA is governed by students and works closely with university staff to
provide leadership opportunities for residents; plan and implement activities;
and recommend policy changes affecting the residence halls. RHA oversees expenditures of the residential activity fee. See your resident director (RD)
or your resident assistant (RA) when you move in for more information on how you can become a member. For more information, visit
www.bridgew.edu/rlh/rha.cfm.
All residence halls are locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure resident student safety. Access to the halls is monitored during evening hours when classes are in session. At Shea, Durgin, Woodward and the Great Hill Student Apartments, access is monitored 24 hours a day. The Bridgewater State University Police Department oversees the Residence Hall Security program. Student security officers (SSOs) are stationed at the front desk area of the halls to sign in guests and assist in monitoring building security. Institutional security officers (ISOs) perform an expanded function in Shea, Durgin, Woodward and the Great Hill Student Apartments. Resident students must present their Connect Card each time they enter the building. Upon entering the building, front desk staff will inspect bags and parcels brought into the residence halls. Unchecked bags or parcels will not be permitted into the residence halls. BSU students who do not live in the building but are being signed in as guest
must present their Connect Card before they are signed into a residence hall. Non-student guests, including parents, siblings and friends, must present a valid photo identification that contains a date of birth or they may be denied entrance to the building. Resident students with 24-plus earned credits are allowed to have vehicles on campus. Every motor vehicle parked on campus must have valid decal or temporary pass. Decals do not guarantee space in a specific lot. Resident students with decals may park only in designated resident lots. Parking decals and other Parking and Connect Card related information can be obtained from the Parking Services and Connect Card Office by calling 508.531.2897 or by visiting www.bridgew.edu/PSCC/. The Connect Card is the official Bridgewater State University identification card and a convenient method to access a wide range of services on campus. The card can be used in
university dining facilities for your meal plan and as a debit card in dining facilities, the Bookstore, on beverage and snack vending machines, laundry machines, public copiers, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and the mailroom (to purchase stamps). The Connect Card is the
university library identification card and is used to control access to residence halls. The
university has expanded the Connect Card program to participating off-campus merchants, including CVS Pharmacy, Subway, Papa Gino’s, D’Angelo’s and many others. You can find out more about those locations by visiting the Connect Card Web site at http://www.bridgew.edu/PSCC/ConnectCard.cfm. Students will receive more information about the Connect Card when they attend Orientation. The ResNet program provides on-campus residents with a comprehensive premium package of services. The three main ResNet services include internet, telephone and cable TV. There is a mandatory $160 fee for these services; it is separate from the housing fee. ResNet program: On campus, BSU Health Services office visits are provided free of charge to all students. We provide a full-service clinic, including but not limited to: walk-in appointments, scheduled appointments, physical exams, gynecologic exams, prescriptions, testing for streptococcus, mononucleosis, pregnancy and urinary tract infections. Immunizations are available (some are free and provided by the state, and others can be ordered and paid by the student). A wide variety of ‘send-out’ testing can be done; however, you and/or your insurance company are responsible for payments to the outside laboratory. Consultations on reproductive health, contraception, smoking cessation, weight reduction and eating disorders are available. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Thursday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM in Tillinghast Hall, ground floor. During the academic year, additional hours may be available on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Summer hours are 8 AM - noon; 1-4:00 PM (administrative services only).
508.531.1252. Student Health Insurance Massachusetts State law requires full-time or three-quarter time students (9 credits or more for undergraduates, 7 credits or more for graduate students) to have a Student Health Insurance Plan which meets at least the minimum of the Massachusetts Law. All full-time and three-quarter time students WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE INSURANCE PREMIUM on their tuition bill. It is you responsibility to waive (prove alternate insurance) to have this charge removed. If you have adequate coverage from your
employer, a spouse or under a parent’s plan, you must submit an ELECTRONIC
WAIVER specifying the specific plan that provides you coverage. The waiver
can be found at
https://www.universityhealthplans.com/intro/BridgewaterSC.html. Once the
electronic waiver is completed, THE STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM CHARGE WILL
BE REMOVED FROM YOUR BILL. Failure to submit a yearly electronic
insurance waiver by the deadline (September 30th for Fall entry, February 15th
for January entry) through the BSU Health Services website means you ARE
RESPONSIBLE for the Student Health Insurance premium on your student account.
[Please note that full-time students are not eligible for Commonwealth Care.] If you do not have health insurance and you need to purchase it, please
review the brochures for the BSU sponsored plan, which is available at
https://www.universityhealthplans.com/brochures_pdf/MSU_SOB1213.pdf. The
enrollment link can be found at
https://www.universityhealthplans.com/secure/enrollment.cgi?school_id=212 Immunization requirements
Massachusetts State Law requires certain immunizations before attending
college. Proof of immunization must be provided by a physician or a prior
school and must include the dates of: 1)two doses of measles, mumps, rubella
(MMR) vaccine, 2) one dose of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (TDaP)
vaccine within the last ten years, 3) three doses of hepatitis B vaccine
and 4) two doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or physician signed
documentation of chicken pox. Alternate proof of immunity for measles,
mumps, rubella, hepatitis B or varicella can be provided by laboratory
documentation of positive (blood) titers. Titer tests can be expensive and are
not always covered by insurance. BSU Health Services has limited inventory of
free vaccine available for Massachusetts residents and students less than age 19.
Residence Hall Association
Front Desk Security
Parking
Connect Card
ResNet (Resident Network)
All resident students are encouraged to
periodically visit the ResNet Website at http://resnet.bridgew.edu/
for updates and information. Also for friendly
reminders and updated information check our new
Facebook page. Find us on Facebook by searching
for Bridgewater State University - ResNet. The
ResNet staff can be contacted by email at
resnet@bridgew.edu
or 508.531.7999.
Things to Know
Health Services
Before residing on campus, all newly entering residential students must provide evidence of one dose of meningitis vaccine within the last 5 years. An option has been written into the meningitis law that allows residential students to submit a signed waiver taking responsibility for declining the meningitis vaccine. Any residential student who has not provided these records will not be allowed to move into a residence hall. Health and Counseling and the meningitis waiver forms can be found at www.bridgew.edu/HealthServices.
Computers
Bridgewater State University requires every full-time undergraduate student to have a notebook computer. Wireless Internet access is available in all residence halls as well as throughout the campus. For more information about the notebook computer program, visit www.bridgew.edu/notebooks/.
E-mail Accounts
All Bridgewater State University students are assigned a BSU email account once they become a student. It is imperative that students activate their account and check it regularly. E-mail is an official means of communication to Bridgewater State University students. Students are notified of deadlines, events and important emergency information via their email account. Students are strongly encouraged to check this e-mail account regularly. Students who may have concerns with their e-mail account can contact the Help Desk at x2555.
Student Code of Conduct
A significant element of Bridgewater State University's mission is educating students “to act responsibly within a context of personal and professional ethics.” The behavior of any individual may bring either benefit or detriment to the community. The Bridgewater Student Code of Conduct identifies the rights and responsibilities of students to establish behavioral standards that encourage students to act in ways respectful of the personal dignity and rights of all members of the community. Residence Life & Housing staff work closely with the Office of Student Conduct to enforce this code. Violations of the code of conduct are dealt with in a manner to preserve the rights of both the individual and the community and to foster adherence to established responsibilities. More information about policies and procedures can be found in the student handbook online at www.bridgew.edu/Handbook/Code.cfm.
Last Modified: June 27, 2012
Contents
- Bridgewater Community
- On-Campus Living
- Residence Life and Housing Staff
- A Living and Learning Experience
- The First Year Residential Experience
- Honors Residential Learning Community
- Residence Hall Association
- Service-Based Learning Community
- Front Desk Security
- Parking
- Connect Card
- ResNet (Resident Network)
- Things to Know
- Health Services
- Computers
- E-mail Accounts
- Student Code of Conduct
Additional Links
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