Parents Handbook

Princeton’s residential colleges provide a comfortable social structure, academic advising, opportunities to meet faculty members, a variety of intellectual, cultural, social and recreational activities and a strong sense of identity. All undergraduates are required to reside in a residential college during their freshman and sophomore years. Each college consists of a cluster of dormitories with a dining hall, lounges, and seminar and study rooms. Because the residential colleges encompass both living and learning experiences, they contribute in many ways to a student’s education at Princeton.

In the fall of 2007, coinciding with the opening of Whitman, Princeton’s sixth residential college, the residential college system expanded to include more options for all students. While the majority of students housed in the residential colleges are freshmen and sophomores, juniors and seniors also have the option to live in a residential college if they choose. No matter where they choose to live, all juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take two meals a week in the colleges and to participate in a variety of programs and activities there.

The residential college community includes a senior faculty member as master, a residential college dean, a director of studies, a director of student life, a college administrator, secretarial staff, resident graduate students, faculty fellows and advisers and upperclass residential college advisers (RCAs).

The college dean and director of studies are responsible for academic advising and intellectual and cultural programming in the college. They oversee the academic progress of the freshmen and sophomores living in the college, as well as of all juniors and seniors associated with the college. The dean and the director of studies counsel students in academic or personal difficulty, provide academic support and work closely with faculty academic advisers as well as with academic departments. The director of student life supports students in crisis, handles disciplinary matters, oversees the residential education program and works closely with the RCAs and the College Council.

The RCAs are juniors and seniors resident in the college who provide guidance primarily to freshmen in developing thoughtful and responsible decision making in social, personal and academic spheres. Through one-on-one advising, RCAs help students create important connections with University offices and appropriate student organizations. The advisers work in partnership to provide information and support for all students and to offer programs on community issues as well as small-scale social activities. They work together to foster a sense of community and appreciation for diversity and develop a sense of community responsibility among first- and second-year students. They also make students aware of the resources available to them through a variety of University offices, including University Health Services; the programming centers (Pace, Davis International, Fields, LGBT and Women’s centers); student organizations; the Office of Religious Life; and the Center for Jewish Life.

Each college has a group of faculty fellows, appointed by the master, who participate in college events and may often dine with students, as well as a cohort of resident graduate students who contribute to a wide variety of college programs.

The booklet “Rights, Rules, Responsibilities,” which all freshmen receive before they enter Princeton, includes regulations concerning general conduct, campus associations, off-campus activities, University security, the honor system, academic work, disciplinary action and grievance procedures. Students are expected to be familiar with regulations and to respect each other’s rights, privileges and sensibilities.

Alcohol Policy. Alcoholic beverages are not, in general, provided at events sponsored by the University, the residential colleges, University centers, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and the classes where persons under the legal drinking age are present. When alcoholic beverages are served, all applicable state and municipal laws must be observed. The legal drinking age in New Jersey is 21. Violations of University policy include serving alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age on campus or in the local vicinity, purchasing alcohol for a minor, presenting false identification for the purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages, transporting an open container of alcohol by any student across common spaces of the University (for example in lounges, game rooms, courtyards, dining areas or hallways), possessing any container of alcohol by students under the age of 21 in common spaces of the University and serving alcohol in a manner that endangers health and safety. University trustees have funded a special initiative to provide numerous non-alcohol social events throughout the year.

Drug Policy. The University does not permit the possession, use, manufacture or distribution of illegal substances or drug paraphernalia of any kind or in any amount, and it administers its own penalties for such acts. Offenses considered to be serious violations include the manufacture, sale or distribution of illegal drugs; any involvement in illegal drug use or traffic with minors, particularly from the local area; and possession or use of the more dangerous or highly addictive drugs. Students who violate these regulations may also face charges by local law enforcement authorities.

High-risk drinking at colleges and universities, including Princeton, is a complex and serious issue. The Alcohol Coalition Committee (ACC), comprised of Princeton students, faculty and staff, is tasked with addressing high-risk drinking on campus. The ACC defines high-risk drinking as: Any time the health, well-being or safety of the individual drinking or others is compromised or when community standards are compromised. The ACC encourages student participation and leadership on this important issue.

The “Residential Living Policies Guide” is a source of information about room and board at the University.

Early Arrival Policy. Dormitories officially open on Saturday, September 12, 2009; the first day of classes is Thursday, September 17. Undergraduates who are not participating in an official University pre-orientation or orientation program may return to campus during specified hours, beginning Saturday, September 12, through Wednesday, September 16. Students who return to campus prior to September 12 must make arrangements to stay off-campus at their own expense. On-campus housing will not be available. More information is available about the University's early arrival and move-in policies.

Freshmen and Sophomores. Freshmen are assigned randomly to a residential college (where they live until the end of the sophomore year) and to a room and roommates by the residential college staff and the Housing Office, who try to match roommates’ lifestyles and habits as much as possible. Many rooming arrangements require a period of adjustment, but in time friendships usually evolve. If it becomes clear that a particular set of roommates is mismatched, members of the college staff work with the students to try to resolve differences. When necessary, room changes are arranged through the college master.

For sophomore year, students select their own rooming groups and choose rooms in their residential college through a lottery known as “Room Draw,” which takes place in the spring.

Juniors and Seniors. Juniors and seniors may draw into residential colleges or upperclass dormitories elsewhere on campus. Dormitory accommodations for upperclass students include various configurations for group and individual living. Seniors generally have the option of selecting single rooms, while only a limited number of singles are available to juniors. Each year a number of rising juniors are placed on a waiting list and are assigned space in late July.

Some of the eating clubs on Prospect Avenue also have living quarters for their officers and extra space that they offer other students.

Juniors and seniors may live off campus if they wish, although houses and apartments in town are in short supply and rents are high.

Accessibility and Special Services. The Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS) serves students with disabilities that require housing and dining accommodations. Incoming freshmen must complete the Disabilities and Other Special Needs form in the matriculation packet while upperclass students submit special needs housing applications in early February. Both ODUS and the Office of Disability Services can provide information and resources on campus accessibility.

Furnishings. The University provides a desk, a chair, a dresser and a bed for each resident; furniture may not be removed from any dormitory room. Students must provide their own linens and pillows. Bed linens should fit a 36-by-80-inch twin mattress. Many students add mirrors, bookshelves, rugs, plants, end tables and lamps. Halogen lamps are not permitted in student dormitories because of the serious fire hazard they present. Students should only purchase lamps that use incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Students are permitted to have under-the-counter refrigerators (not exceeding 5.2 cubic feet) in their rooms, as long as the units do not impede the flow of traffic to the exits. Regulations concerning lofts, room decoration and painting are outlined in the “Residential Living Policies Guide.”

Personal computers, stereos and televisions are permitted in student rooms. If the student brings a computer from home, he or she will subscribe to Dormnet, a data service that allows access to campus and global network computing and information resources directly from a student’s room. Students can also purchase computers from the Student Computing Initiative that have been subscribed to Dormnet. Students who own television sets may subscribe through OIT to dorm cable video service. Students should keep all electronic equipment secure by locking their rooms, marking items with identification numbers and storing equipment in designated high-security storage rooms over semester breaks. Adequate insurance coverage for personal items should be reviewed prior to the start of the school year. A separate mailing this summer informs students of a new insurance offering.

Spring Term Checkout. Students must check out of their rooms by noon on Saturday, May 22, 2010. If a student is scheduled for a Saturday morning exam on this date, checkout must be completed no later than noon on Sunday, May 23, 2010. Specific questions regarding checkout procedures and dates should be directed to the Undergraduate Housing Office.

Telephones. The University’s Telephone Services provides local and long distance service, as well as voice mail and EVM (Enabled Voice Mail) in all undergraduate dormitories. EVM sends an audio copy of voice mail messages to the student’s e-mail inbox as a file attachment. Students are responsible for supplying their own telephone. Telephones may be brought from home or purchased through the Telephone Services Office. Touch-tone phones are required in order to use the University’s phone system and to take advantage of CallerID, a feature available at no extra charge. The number of phone lines in student rooms is based on occupancy: 1-4 students = 1 line, 5-8 students = 2 lines, 9+ students = 3 lines. Every dorm room is equipped with a multi-line jack. The phone must be plugged into jack “A” and set to touch-tone.

A Personal Authorization Code (PAC) is available to all incoming students. It is a unique 7-digit number used to place long distance calls on campus phones. Students can sign up for a PAC online. There is no charge to acquire the PAC and ownership of the number does not obligate the student to use it. It is important to safeguard the number as the student is responsible for any long distance calls placed using this code. PAC numbers remain the same throughout a student’s stay at Princeton, and will be reassigned only if lost or stolen. The rate for domestic long distance calls is $0.07 per minute. International rates may be viewed online.

Charges for long distance calls are billed on a monthly basis and included on the Student Account bill. The charges will appear on the bill listed as “Telephone Charge/Credit.” Call details will not appear on the Student Account bill and the Student Accounts office will not have access to that information. Students may view call details online at the University’s Information Warehouse. Access to the information warehouse requires a netID and password. For help or any questions you may have please contact 258-2440 or e-mail bludwig@princeton.edu.

Visit the Telecom website for more answers to your questions.

Mail. Mail is delivered once each day to student mailboxes, which are located in the Frist Campus Center. Undergraduates are assigned one mailbox for the duration of their enrollment. Students should use this address format: name, mailbox number, Frist Center, Princeton, NJ 08544. A zip-code-plus-four-digits system has been established for student addresses; these numbers, address change forms and other information can be found on the Mail Services website. Overnight carriers (for example, FedEx, DHL, UPS, USPS) are required to deliver directly to the recipient’s campus residence if the mail piece is addressed to the student at his/her room and dormitory. Mail pieces addressed to a student’s address in Frist Campus Center are handled as a parcel post delivery; that is, notification of receipt is sent via e-mail while the package is held for pickup. Mail Services does not guarantee delivery consistent with the carrier’s responsibility.

Shipping. There are several ways to send large items to and from school. Packages sent to students through U.S. mail are held for pickup in the Frist Campus Center package room. When a package arrives, the student is notified via e-mail.

Students may also ship items directly to their rooms on campus through United Parcel Service (UPS). Because UPS is a private business, arrangements for shipment (such as size and weight restrictions as well as the method of delivery) should be made directly with them. The UPS local office number is (800) 742-5877. Please time shipments to arrive after students arrive on campus. UPS does not deliver on Saturday and will not leave a package if someone is not at the room to sign for it.

For outbound shipments to any national or international destination, the Shipping and Packing Agency operates throughout the academic year from the Frist Campus Center. For details, students should call (609) 258-1026.

Fire Regulations. Princeton’s fire regulations are designed to prevent injuries to members of the University community and damage to facilities. Regulations are listed in the “Residential Living Policies Guide”; see Fire Safety.

No heat-producing electrical appliances are permitted in University dormitories, except for the following: irons, electric blankets, electric curlers, hair dryers and approved kettles, hot-air popcorn poppers and coffee makers. Details on the latter three items can be found in the “Residential Living Policies Guide.” Only the exact models listed by number are permitted in dormitories. Others will be confiscated, and fines will be assessed. University policy and the New Jersey Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Act prohibit cooking in dormitory rooms. Students are not permitted to have individual microwave ovens in their rooms. In addition, they are not permitted to have candles, alcohol and oil lamps, incense or anything similar. These items will be confiscated, disposed of, and fines will be assessed.

Maintenance and Inspections. Inspections are conducted prior to occupancy and immediately following checkout to determine the condition of every room or suite. Charges for damage to the room or missing furniture are applied to students’ accounts after checkout.

A room condition report is left in each room or suite at the beginning of the school year. It is the responsibility of students to check their rooms for any damage or missing items of furniture not noted on the report. If damage or deficiencies are found, students should contact the Inspection Office immediately to request a reinspection; otherwise charges are made to the occupants’ accounts.

Unannounced fire-safety inspections are conducted for each room several times a year; violations result in warnings or fines. Students should refer to the “Residential Living Policies Guide” for details.

Laundries. There are 30 laundry rooms in the dormitories. The washers and dryers operate without need of money. The cost of operation is included in the room rent charge. A year-round laundry service is available through the Student Laundry Agency. For information, students should call (609) 258-4906.

Storage Facilities. Students may contact the Moving and Storage Agency to store items during the summer months. Information is available starting in April.

Pets. Only fish may be kept in dormitory rooms, in tanks that are 10 gallons or less. No other animals are permitted in the dormitories. Specific details can be found in the “Residential Living Policies Guide.”

Parking. Freshmen and sophomores are prohibited from bringing cars to campus. Currently, upperclass students are permitted to park their cars in assigned student parking lots. The parking and registration charge for the academic year is $165.

Regardless of class year, all students living in a residential college are required to purchase a dining plan. First- and second-year students must select the Unlimited, Block 235 or 190 meal plan. Upperclass students residing in the colleges must sign up for a minimum of a Block 95 plan. Meal plans are optional for students residing outside of the residential colleges. Students with a dining contract may dine in any residential college or the Center for Jewish Life. The Center for Jewish Life is a certified Kosher dining facility. When considering which type of agreement to purchase, it is important to remember that there are only a limited number of kitchen facilities in the dormitories suitable for the preparation of full meals.

Meal plans do not cover the fall recess, winter recess, intersession and spring recess periods. Special agreements are available for the following periods: fall recess, intersession and spring recess. The agreements may be purchased one week prior to each break and through the entire break period. The cost of the agreement is charged to the student’s University account. These agreements may be canceled before the first meal is served. No refunds are issued once the agreement begins. Further information regarding special agreements is posted on the Dining Services website.

Meal hours are posted on the dining services website and at each dining unit. In general, breakfast in the residential dining halls is served from 7:30-11 a.m.; lunch from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; and dinner from 5-8 p.m. On weekends, brunch is served on Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Students who miss a meal in the residential colleges are eligible for the Late Show program, which features late lunch Monday through Friday and late dinner Monday through Thursday. The meals are served at the Frist Campus Center Food Gallery at the following times: lunch 2-3:30 p.m. and dinner 8:30-10 p.m.

One meal credit (swipe) may be used in each late meal period. The cash credit allowance is $5.95 for lunch and $6.95 for dinner. Dining Services will limit participants to the purchase of two prepackaged items during the Late Show.

Many upperclass students join one of the 10 eating clubs on Prospect Avenue, which operate independently of the University. Five of the clubs are nonselective and new members are accepted using a random lottery. The other five clubs are selective and new members are chosen by current members. All of the eating clubs are coed and offer shared meal plans that allow members to eat meals in both their eating club and University dining venues.

Some upperclass students decide not to join an eating club or sign up for a University dining plan. Instead they become “independents” and prepare their own meals in dormitory kitchens. The University also has co-ops at Two Dickinson Street, Brown Hall and 1901 Hall. Co-op members often shop and cook as a group.

Downtown Princeton has many interesting shops, including the Princeton University Store, or U-Store. One of the oldest independent co-ops in the country, it is governed by a board of trustees comprised of students, faculty, alumni and administrators. Members of the co-op receive a 5 percent discount on most purchases in the store at 36 University Place, in the insignia store at 114 Nassau Street and online. Memberships may be opened at any U-Store register, or online.

The 36 University Place location is a convenience store which sells toiletries, snacks, drinks, fresh fruit and vegetables and prepared food from local eateries. In addition, this location offers stationery and school supplies, dorm-approved appliances and dorm furnishings, bedding and linens, batteries, digital photo needs, computer software and tech gear as well as Princeton apparel and gifts. There is also an ATM, a full service pharmacy, a Clinique counter and a printing and copying shop. This location is open from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. when classes are in session.

The 114 Nassau Street location offers a wide variety of insignia apparel and a distinctive selection of Princeton gifts. This location is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Labyrinth Books, located at 122 Nassau Street, is an independent bookstore that serves both the University and the local Princeton communities. The store provides faculty and students with all course book needs as well as sells new releases, discounted remainder-titles and used books. Labyrinth specializes in academic as well as general-interest books across diverse fields of interest from the humanities, sciences and social sciences, literature, art, architecture and photography to foreign language and children’s books. It also offers a full program of author events. For hours, events and programs and other information, please visit the store’s website or e-mail info-pr@labyrinthbooks.com.

Princeton Shopping Center, located about two miles from campus, is accessible by bus. Among its many tenants are a supermarket, a drug store, a computer supplies store, clothing stores, a bakery, several restaurants, a laundromat, a dry cleaner and a bank. Several major malls are located within five miles of the campus along Route 1 and are accessible by bus.

Banks and Credit Unions. Many local stores do not accept checks unless they are written on local bank accounts; consequently, a local checking account is convenient for students to have. Many banks offer low- or no-cost checking if a minimum balance is maintained. Banks within walking distance of campus are:

• Bank of America, 90 Nassau Street, 08542. (609) 430-2069
• Chase Bank, 16 Nassau Street, 08542. (609) 683-6060
• PNC Bank, 76 Nassau Street, 08542. (609) 497-6700
• Sovereign Bank, 188 Nassau Street, 08542. (609) 924-4498
• The Bank of Princeton, 21 Chambers Street, 08542. (609) 921-6800
• Wachovia, 194 Nassau Street, 08540. (609) 921-6000

In addition, the Princeton University Federal Credit Union offers limited services at its on-campus location in the Frist Campus Center, 100-Level. The main, full-service office is located at 104 Carnegie Center, Suite 103, Princeton, NJ, 08540; (609) 945-6200 or (800) 456-5038.