Housing and Move-In

The Office of Campus Life supports the advancement of the academic mission of the college through the residential program. Our philosophy of residential living is grounded in the history of Dickinson College. As a residential college, we provide housing options for the years that students live at Dickinson. As an integral part of the out-of-classroom experience, students living in college residences will increase their cognitive, interpersonal and intrapersonal development and complexity. Students need space for physical and intellectual activities to fully benefit from this experience.

Your Housing Assignment

One of the major areas of interest for new students is finding out where they will be living. In order to prepare for making your housing assignments in the summer, we ask that you complete the housing survey and selection form on Dickinson Gateway by June 3. If you have any questions about this form, or housing in general, please contact the Orientation office at 717-245-1555 or e-mail orientation@dickinson.edu.

Once you have completed the housing survey, we will assign you a room and a roommate(s) in early August. When you receive your roommates' contact information, call them! Be sure to talk about what items each of you are bringing so you can make best use of the space in your room. We recommend not only focusing on social networking sites to learn about your new roommate. Take time to build a relationship outside of Facebook. When working with your roomates to determine what to bring, consider our Packing for College list.

For additional information on housing facilities and roommate relationship consult the Campus Life site.

Your Neighborhood

All new students are placed into one of three residential communities called Neighborhoods. Living in a neighborhood means that you will have the structures to create your community through governance, social event planning, community forums and town hall meetings. Students are placed into residential neighborhoods by first-year seminars, clustered together based on common themes. At Dickinson, the learning experience flows seamlessly into the residence halls as you bring concepts from your first-year seminar home to reflect and engage with your peers.

Gender-Neutral Housing

Please note that Dickinson College is now offering gender-neutral housing to all students. This is an expansion of the previous program which offered this option to upper-level students. This option allows two or more students to share a multiple-occupancy bedroom, suite or apartment regardless of students' sex or gender. Gender-neutral housing is intended for students who wish to share a living space with friends regardless of gender identity; it is not intended for romantic couples. Please review the gender-neutral housing policy page for further information.

Housing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Dickinson College is deeply committed to the full participation of students with disabilities in all aspects of college life, including residential life. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Dickinson College has established the following Housing Accommodations Procedures to ensure that students with documented disabilities receive housing assignments that reasonably meet their needs as required by law. For information about documenting a disability please contact Disability Services at 717-245-1080 or e-mail disabilityservices@dickinson.edu.

Equipment Purchase and Rentals

Dickinson College offers opportunities for students to rent mini-fridges and purchase linens and carpets through the Dickinson College Bookstore. There is also an opportunity for students to insure their personal belonging while on campus by purchasing rental insurance.

What to Expect on Move-in Day

Students are permitted to check in to their residence halls from 8 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2013. Students arriving outside of those times must pick up their key in the Office of Campus Life in the lower level of the HUB.

Students will pick up Orientation information and a room key at his/her assigned residence hall. Upper-level students and staff will help him/her move in.
Traffic will move very quickly at each move-in location. Your vehicle should not be left unattended and should move with the flow of traffic at all times. Once you permanently park your vehicle in a designated lot you will have the opportunity come back to set up your room.
Some of the streets surrounding the campus will be closed. Follow the detailed driving directions provided to proceed to yout assigned residence hall. We will post signs near campus to direct you to the correct location. An officer will be on hand to assist drivers.
Students who have unfinished business/paperwork that must be completed prior to check in should first report to the information tents on Britton Plaza (on High Street in front of the HUB).
Note: If a student attempts to check in without completing all necessary business, a staff member will direct him/her to the information tents.
As more information becomes available, it will be posted on the Orientation site. Please check back regularly to make sure you have the most current information.

Learn More

Get detailed information regarding first-year residence halls on the Campus Life housing page.