Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question about or a problem with...

Sending and receiving mail

How do I send mail?

Building 10, 11, and 12 have outgoing mail slots in the wall where the mailboxes are found. Residents of other buildings have routinely left mail near their mailbox so that the postal worker would be sure to see it. This method works but is not recommended because it offers no security. The recommended method for sending mail is to drop it off in one of the buildings with a mail slot.

What is my mailing address?

<Name>
<Building#> Lawrence Drive, Apt <#>
Princeton, NJ 08540

What should I do about my mail when I leave for a longer period?

The small mailboxes for the apartments fill up if you don't empty them at least every one or two weeks. Once the mailbox is full, USPS will not deliver any more mail to your mailbox. To avoid this, you can have the post office hold your mail (officially, mail be held for a maximum of 30 days, but if you ask nicely at the Palmer Square post office they usually allow a few extra days) or request that the post office forwards your mail to another address (eg your department, but please check with them first). You can find more information about delivery options at the post office website. Please note that Princeton University has a unique zip code, so if you want to forward mail to your department address, the post office will only accept paper forms, thus you won't be able to set up forwarding online.

How can I receive large parcels?

Please understand that Lawrence Apartments does not have a central mail room (like, for example, the Graduate College) where you can receive packages without having to sign for them yourself. USPS will deliver small or foldable items (letters, junk mail, small packages) to your mailbox. If the parcel does not fit into your mailbox, USPS will usually place it before the mailboxes in the lobby.
If you are using expedited services which require a signature, the carrier won't be able to deliver the package unless you are there to sign for it. UPS usually tries to leave the package with your neighbor and leaves a notice on your door. Please don't rely on this regularly, unless you check with your neighbor beforehand — especially if the package is large or you can only pick it up from him/her at odd ours or with a large delay. If you are not at home, most carriers attempt delivery another time.
Because of ongoing requests, the Lawrence Committee and Housing has reexamined this issue in 2007. It has been determined that picking up packages needs to be the responsibility of the student if he/she is not at home or a slip has been left after three attempts. Yes, this can be an inconvenience, but unfortunately comes along with apartment style living. There will be no plans to improve this process. Redirecting packages to the Porters Lodge at the GC is not an option. The Porters Lodge already deals with a large package delivery on a weekly basis. Additionally, August and September are extremely high months with new students arriving and could not support another residential community.
As a possible solution, note that most students can receive mail at their department, which has the advantage that you don't have to be present to sign for it. Some carriers (eg UPS) even allow the redirection of a package in transit, so in case you realize you won't be able to pick up the package, you can still redirect it to another address. Please contact your department about their mail policy.

Can I send furniture etc to myself before arrival?

Even if your package doesn't not require a signature, there is no place to leave it if it is very large. Hallways serve as escape routes in case of an emergency, and fire safety regulations demand that they are not obstructed. This means that you cannot send yourself furniture or other large items before your arrival unless you arrange with somebody to pick it up. Sometimes you can ask the carrier to hold your package until you arrive.

Where is my New York Times?

If your newspaper is no longer delivered to your address, you must update your address with the newspaper. Make sure to indicate that you are in a new building if that is the case.
Some buildings at Lawrence that have double entrances, split by even and odd numbered apartments. These buildings do have signs posted at the front door indicating which apartment is within each entrance. Housing decided that additional signs will not be posted, therefore, residents need to be instructed to contact the newspaper company/delivery personnel. They need to read the signs on the doors to ensure newspapers are being delivered to the correct building. Responsibility needs to be placed on the company.

Utilities and repairs

PSE&G can't seem to locate me in their computer system, is my address correct?

A common problem faced by every student who moves into Lawrence. PSE&G has an unknown address for your meter, and they will not recognize the address you give them. Please contact Winona Wilson in the housing department: she can give you the necessary info you will need so PSE&G can change the account to your name. Yes, your address is correct, at least the USPS, FedEx, UPS and other delivery companies recognize the address as the University has given it to you (ie X Lawrence Drive, Apartment Y).
Note: If you live in Lawrence buildings: 8 – 14, all utilities are included. You don't have to contact PSE & G at all.

What is my responsibility to fix in the apartment?

Please see the maintenance page.

How can I watch cable TV?

After several years of requests, it seems the University does not think Lawrence needs Tigernet. (Tigernet is a University subsidized package of several cable TV channels.) The community room in building 14 has basic cable and its rate of usage does not encourage the purchasing of a second package for the community room in building 1. Please use building 1 for DVDs for that reason.

Can I install a satellite dish?

Residents are not allowed to have satellite dishes installed. You should consider getting cable TV instead.

What is wrong with the elevator?

The elevators in buildings 10 and 12 are equipped with an unusual safety feature. If the door tries to close and it is forced open three (3) times, the elevator will shut off. The elevator can only be restarted by a qualified person. To avoid this occurrence, please use the Door Open button rather than just holding the door.

Community room

Am I allowed to use the community room?

Of course! The community room/kitchen is unlocked for use of all our residents.
If you would like to host an activity or event in the Lawrence Community Room in Building 1 or Building 14, please contact your Community Programs Coordinator, Olivia D. Martel for room availability, information, and room policies & procedures.
If you have a larger event planned, you must contact Olivia D. Martel and fill out an Events Registration Form.

Shopping and transportation

Where can I buy furniture?

You have two options: buying furniture new or used (mostly from other students).
There are furniture stores in town, although they tend to be expensive. Skillman's is on Alexander Road, but apart from sales, it is outside the price range of most graduate students. You will find White Lotus Futons on Alexander Street, but keep in mind that you have to bring the furniture home (there is a Green Line bus stop within walking distance).
There are two IKEA stores an hour away (one in Philadelphia, PA and one in Elizabeth, NJ -- the one in Elizabeth has a low sales tax), although you need a car to get there. There are places around where you can rent a car if you don't have one.
Students also sell their furniture, unfortunately, they usually do so when they move out in the spring or early summer. You can check out flyers students post around Lawrence or check out Tiger Trade, an on-line classified pages where students, faculty and staff list stuff for sale.

What are the transportation options in Princeton? How do I get to campus? Do I need a car? Where can I rent one?

The optimal form of transportation depends on your preferences and the occasion.
Walking to campus from Lawrence (say, the Dinky Station) usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes for most people. It is a great way to exercise if you like walking. If you can, try to go along Elm Drive instead of Alexander Street: the scenery is nicer and you will inhale less pipe exhaust.
Many people in Lawrence have a bike, and most of them use it for getting to campus every day. You can get a bicycle at Kopp's or Jay's, most bikes sell around $300. If would like to get a used bike, check TigerTrade. Most services in Princeton are expensive, and bike repairs and adjustments are no exception. Keep this in mind when you consider getting a bike from Wal-Mart, $70 bikes can't be excepted to last as long as more expensive ones. Every fall and spring the University has a bike give-away, if you can wait until that happens. It is usually advertised via your campus e-mail. These are bikes that have been abandoned and the University has collected, so they are of varying quality. If you want a bike, get there early as they sometimes open the doors before they say, and all the decent bikes go quick.
The University operates several free shuttle lines, including lines to the academic portions of campus, other graduate housing complexes, and even some local shopping centers. For more information, consult the Tiger Transit website.
Whether you should buy a car depends on your habits and budget. Single students with little grocery shopping to do usually manage to get by without a car (with occasional help from others, eg when transporting furniture). If you are from outside the US, make sure that you want to pay the cost of insurance and repairs before buying a car. You can also rent one, for example, at Zipcar or Larini's (gas station on Alexander Street).

Where can I find grocery stores?

There is a convenience store, Wawa, at the corner of University and Alexander. You can buy snack foods, milk, OJ and a few necessities. More exotic food items, such as vegetables, cannot be found there.
Wild Oats on Nassau Street sells high-quality organic food at corresponding prices. Ask for the 10% student discount, you will need to show your student ID. The Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company sells mostly fresh seafood, vegetables and bread. You can also buy good quality bread at the Witherspoon Bread Company on Witherspoon Street. All of these stores are around or close to campus.
At the Princeton Shopping Center, you will find McCaffreys. This is a medium-sized store which has a good selection and reasonable prices. The Princeton Shopping Center is worth exploring, as it is within biking distance of Lawrence Apartments.
Other biking options for Lawrence include a Whole Foods (more expensive, but closer, and a Wegman's). Head south on the tow-path. About 2-3 miles away, you can get to the Whole Foods. You need to exit the tow-path at the first bridge (to the left), bike on the gravel/grass path, continue to go straight on the road. Turn right into the entrance to the A-1 limo rental, take the first left. This shopping plaza has a staples as well. If you are up for a longer bike ride, continue taking the tow-path south until a road crosses it. Turn left on the road, and at the first light turn left (Nassau Park Boulevard). After several shops on the left (Babies-R-Us, Dick's sporting Goods, Target) there is a Wegman's grocery store.
If you have a car, you can find many stores along Route 1.
Recently we started collecting bike routes used for shopping by residents here. Contributions are welcome.

Miscellaneous issues

Is there storage space available?

This depends on what building you live in.
Building 1: Storage bins are located in rooms on the ground floor (behind the soda machine).
Building 2-7: Storage bins are located in building 2 for all residents of buildings 2-7
Buildings 10 &12: If you live in a one bedroom apartment, there is a storage bin in building 12.
Your apartment key opens the padlock on your storage bin.

What permissions must guests to my apartment acquire?

You may invite any friends or relatives to your apartment without consulting anyone. If you should need another set of keys, ask the superintendent. If your guest will be keeping a car at Lawrence for an extended period of time (weeks) you will want to obtain a temporary parking permit from the parking office in New South. Short visits of up to a few days require no special permissions, but be sure to leave a note on the dashboard of the vehicle indicating how to contact the vehicle's owner.

Is it possible/necessary to reserve the barbecue grills?

There are three grill areas in the Lawrence Complex: behind building 10, behind building 14, and behind the bike shelter in the old Lawrence complex. There is no process or need for reserving the grills, rather they are on a first come, first serve basis. We haven't heard of much conflict.

Solicitation

Sometimes our residents are disturbed by unwanted solicitation. Calls have been made to Patriot Media and the two restaurants (I believe chinese and italian) that often leave menus at Lawrence reminding them of our no solicitation policy. At this point, students should be instructed to contact Public Safety if the problem persists. Although we have called Patriot Media, we suspect this problem will arise in September with new students moving in. Please call Public Safety to respond to the issue as it arises.

Traffic light sensor on Lawrence Drive

Due to low traffic on Lawrence Drive, the traffic light that leads to Alexander Road is activated by a sensor. In the past, residents have experienced problems (the traffic light not switching to green), these were reported to Housing and the Township and we believe that at this point the sensor is working again. If you experience problems, please contact Olivia D. Martel.

Is there a way I can donate gently used clothing?

There is a large white metal "dumpster-style" donation box in parking lot #23, located in box E-7 of this map.

How can I get a key to the garden?

The key that opens the building doors opens the padlock on the garden door.

What should I do if I find that I am not receiving emergency notifications?

For spouses, faculty, and non-students who will not get emergency emails by default, please email Patty Smith to be put on a "please-include" email list to receive these emergency messages.

How can I get quarters for the washing machines and driers?

Your best option is probably going to a bank (you don't have to have an account there) or the post office and exchange $10 for a roll of 40 quarters. The Graduate College Porter's Lodge also has quarters, but they only exchange small quantities and only during morning and afternoon hours.

Are Lawrence residents eligible for NJ State Tax credit?

First, please understand that the Lawrence Committee is not qualified to advise you about tax laws and procedures, especially as the latter might change and we have neither the expertise nor the resources to keep up. The information below is provided "as is", and it is your responsibility to check that it is correct.
According to the Office of the General Counsel, you are eligible for a tax rebate if you live in Lawrence. Please follow the link above for details and instructions. Please understand that the Lawrence Committee is unable to offer any further help regarding the preparation of you tax forms.

Copyright Lawrence Committee, Princeton University, 2006.

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