1.
What should I bring/not bring to Stephens with me?
What To Bring:
- Alarm Clock
- Area and Bath Rugs
- Curtains and/or Blinds
- Chairs (for guests and lounging)
- Storage Containers
- Desk & Floor Lamps (no halogens)
- TV, Stereo, Radio, DVD Player
- Movies
- Personal Computer & Printer
- Surge Protector & Extension Cords
- Refrigerator (maximum size: 4.2 cubic feet)
- Room Decorations (posters, picture frames, etc.)
- Mattress Foam or Pad
- Twin sheets, Pillows, Blankets (Electric Blankets are OK)
- Toiletries (including Toilet Paper for suite-style rooms; it's provided in community bathrooms)
- Hair Dryer, Curling/Flat Irons
- Heating Pad
- Hangers
- Small Fan
- Cleaning Supplies (brooms and vacuums can be checked out in each hall)
- Iron & Ironing Board (and other Laundry Supplies)
- Sewing Kit
- Tool Kit
- Small First Aid Kit
- Flashlight
- Coffee Pots (without heating coils)
- Candle or Cup Warmers (no candles with wicks)
- Personal Trash Can and Bags
What Not To Bring:
To reduce the risk of fire hazards, the following items are permitted for use IN THE HALL KITCHENS ONLY:
- Popcorn Poppers
- Coffee Pots
- Hot Plate and Hot Pots
- Toasters
- George Foreman Grills
Don't bring these items at all:
- Alcohol, Illegal Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia
- Candles with wicks (candles with wicks removed are ok for decorations and use with a warmer)
- Incense
- Microwaves
- Toaster Ovens
- Refrigerators larger than 4.2 cu. ft.
- Fireworks
- Firearms (and other deadly weapons)
- Halogen Lamps
- Space Heaters or Air Conditioners
2. What's provided in my room already?
Stephens provides each student with a bed frame, mattress, desk, chair and a dresser. Rooms will be furnished according to the number of people occupying each room. Any student wishing to have furniture removed from her room prior to arrival on campus should call Student Services at 573-876-7212 to request those items not be placed in the room. Any furniture removal requests made after arrival to campus should be made through campus facilities at [email protected]. **Students are NOT permitted to move unwanted furniture into hallways; doing so means you will be assessed a fee of $10 per item per day for items improperly stored in the hallway.
Stephens provides and installs blinds for first-floor residence hall rooms only. Students wanting assistance in installing blinds on upper-level floors can contact campus facilities at [email protected].
3. How big are the rooms?
Rooms within each hall may vary in exact dimension and shape, but the average square footage is as follows:
Pillsbury Hall - 13.5 ft. by 14.5 ft.
Roblee Hall - 13 ft. by 14 ft.
Tower Hall - 14.5 ft. by 13 ft.
Searcy Hall - 11.5 ft. by 13.5 ft. (baby single: 11.5 ft/ by 10.5 ft.)
Hillcrest Hall - 13 ft. by 14.5 ft. (baby single: 13 ft. by 10 ft.)
Students will need to wait until their arrival to campus to determine exact window dimensions as these vary by room and hall.
4. How do I request a roommate or switch roommates?
Students are allowed to request their roommates. If you know the person you want to room with, both of you should first agree upon housing preferences such as residence hall, air conditioning, guest and quiet hour designations, then both of you will need to submit your housing application with your roommate request to the Director of Residence Life (whose office is located in Stamper Commons).
After the start of the school year, there is a 3-week waiting period for room changes. Students who are wanting to switch roommates, must meet with the Director of Residence Life to request a Room Change Form. Students must be able to explain their reasoning for the request. If a new roommate is selected both students must agree to the new assignment. If the room change request is granted, the student will have a limited time to complete the room change process, which involves checking in/out of their former/new rooms with the residence life staff of their building, exchanging room keys, and returning a completed Room Change Form to the Residence Life office. It is the responsibility of each individual student with the assistance of the Residence Life Department to find a replacement roommate if the original roommate moves out and they do not wish to keep a single room. The Residence Life department may be able to provide roommate options for these students. Students will be assessed a single room fee if a new roommate is not secured within 2 weeks from the time the original roommate vacates the double room.
5. What's a Resident Assistant?
RAs are fellow students selected to serve as role models and support staff within the residence halls.Their primary responsibilities are to build community and promote and ensure safe and comfortable living environments on campus. This is achieved through social and educational activities that help students get acquainted with one another, alleviate stress, adapt to life on campus and in Columbia, as well as develop personally. RAs strive to meet the needs of their fellow students, so feel free to share with them your interests and concerns. Hall staff also support students by connecting residents with resources for academic, social, emotional and medical guidance; they are also trained in conflict resolution, handling policy violations and responding to emergencies as well as ensuring the general safety and well being of students and the halls.
6. Can I have guests in my room?
Yes, non-resident guests are permitted under the following conditions:
- Permission of roommate(s) has been granted.
- Guests are properly signed in at the residence hall front desk.
- Guests are escorted at all times.
- All guest policies outlined in the Housing Contract and Residence Hall Manual must be followed.
7. What if I need to cancel my residence hall contract?
Residence hall contracts are binding for the entire academic year (fall and spring semesters) or remaining portions. Contracts will be fully enforced unless one of the following occurs:
- A student graduates at the end of the fall semester.
- A student withdraws from the college.
- A student is asked to leave the college.
8. What's security like on campus?
In addition to front desks located in each hall
where residents check in their guests, Stephens College monitors a 24-hour
direct line to security, which can be reached by any residence hall
phone, your room phone or the many security phones located on campus
grounds. Campus security is available in case of emergencies and to
walk you home from any building on campus. The Stephens College campus provides 24/7 security coverage. See Security for a detailed explanation of what this includes.
For other Frequently Asked Questions & Answers about being at Stephens, see FAQs.
