Community Expectations
Living in a residential community for the first time is both an exciting and challenging experience. Many students come to Forbes never having shared a room before; for many, this is also their first taste of real independence and autonomy. It is an opportunity for careful experimentation and the reestablishment of personal and intellectual boundaries. This requires an open mind, and the willingness to engage respectfully with those around you—even if their opinions, background, and behaviors seem initially strange to you.
In an effort to make this transition easier for incoming students—and even returning ones—we suggest that you take a look at the linked Rooming Resources information. It will help to introduce you to the University’s expectations, and also give you some tools with which to manage your residential life.
We also strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the University’s policies on academic honesty, community standards, and alcohol. These can all be found under the Community Standards link. It is very important that you are aware of the fundamental rules of this community before you join us, as it will be assumed you understand them from the outset.
Visit the ODUS (Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students) to familiarize yourself with the Rights, Rules, Responsibilities and Residential Living Policies Guide.
What to Expect
Bhangra & Earthtones give dance lessons on the terrace
Princeton has always believed that students learn as much from their residential experiences as from their formal academic work. Life outside the classroom provides many opportunities for undergraduates to apply their talents, broaden their perspectives, deepen their values, and reexamine their goals.
As part of the residential community at Princeton, you will share space with people who have different backgrounds, different opinions, and different beliefs than your own. Although these differences might initially seem unexpected or even discomforting, learning from differences and learning to respect differences are essential aspects of your college education. Princeton expects all students to make a good faith effort to address differences among roommates in respectful ways -- and when differences produce conflicts, to work deliberately to resolve those conflicts.
In fact, we recommend that at the beginning of the year, each rooming group sit down to talk about expectations and ground rules for living together.