SUNY New Paltz Freshman Dorms: A Comprehensive Guide
Choosing where to live is a big part of the college experience, especially for incoming freshmen. SUNY New Paltz offers a variety of residence halls, each with its own unique character and amenities. This guide provides an overview of the freshman dorm options available at SUNY New Paltz, covering everything from room styles and facilities to important policies and procedures.
Residence Hall Overview
SUNY New Paltz boasts fourteen residence halls, each designed to provide a comfortable and supportive living environment for students. All buildings offer student-oriented facilities and services, including:
- Laundry room
- Computer lounge
- Study lounge
- Main lounge for hall government meetings and activities
- Television lounge
- Kitchen area for use by all residents
- WIFI throughout the building
Residence Hall Styles and Complexes
The residence halls are divided into complexes, each with a distinct style:
Parker Complex: Traditional Corridor Style
The Parker Complex consists of Bliss Hall, Bouton Hall, Capen Hall, Gage Hall, Scudder Hall, and Shango/College Hall. These halls feature traditional corridor-style hallways with single-sex bathrooms shared by the residents of each section.
Peregrine Complex: Suite Style
The Peregrine Complex includes Ashokan Hall, Awosting Hall, Minnewaska Hall, Mohonk Hall, and Shawangunk Hall. These halls offer suite-style living, providing a more private and communal experience. Esopus Hall and Ridgeview Hall offer corridor style rooms. Each hallway/house contains four clusters of rooms in Esopus Hall. Ridgeview Hall rooms have a similar style to Esopus Hall. Each hallway/house contains 8 - 9 bathrooms, each of which service 2-3 bedrooms.
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Lenape Hall: Unique Triple Rooms
Lenape Hall consists of two types of designed triple occupancy rooms. Lenape Corridor Style rooms are large L-shaped rooms with a bathroom shared by the three students living in the room. All rooms in Lenape Hall are designed as triple rooms and are larger than other rooms on campus. Lenape Hall has three wardrobes as the building consists entirely of designed triple rooms that are larger than all rooms on campus.
Living-Learning Communities
Communities at New Paltz is a living/learning community program specifically designed for First-Year students. This program offers three distinct living experiences featuring specific inter-disciplinary themes: Leadership, Health & Wellness, and Service Learning. First-Year students who choose to participate in one of these interest-based Communities will connect with other students who share similar interests, while gaining an introduction to the larger SUNY New Paltz campus and the surrounding New Paltz community. Students will have a unique opportunity to learn, explore, and connect with others in the context of an engaging academic and residential community. Students with a confirmed spot in one of the Communities on a first-come, first-served basis and will be assigned a room in Esopus Hall during Summer Orientation.
Key Policies and Procedures
Residency Requirement
All single, full-time (12 or more credit hours) matriculated first-year undergraduate students must live in University residence halls while enrolled for classes at SUNY New Paltz. Students living on campus may not drop below 12 total credit hours at any point during any semester, without prior consent from the Office of Residence Life.
Residence Hall License
All residents must read and submit a Residence Hall License. First year students may also complete their license during Orientation. All students who submit a License at the beginning of or during the academic year will be required to remain in the residence halls for the entire period covered by the License. The Residence Hall License is in effect for the entire academic year (Fall and Spring Semesters), terminating at the end of the Spring Semester. Students shall not assign or sublet this License to any part or all of the Premises. Subletting includes short-term or temporary rental arrangements including, but not limited to, those offered through peer-to-peer accommodation services such as Airbnb, Craigslist, or Couchsurfing.
Advance Room Deposit
Prior to receiving or choosing an assignment, a $100 Advance Room Deposit must first be paid online through my.newpaltz.edu, by calling the Office of Student Accounts at (845) 257-3150, or visiting the office (HAB 210).
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Housing Key and ID Cards
A Housing Key is a random 5-digit number assigned to a student for use during room selection. A Housing Key is generated automatically when a student submits a Residence Hall License online. Students must carry their ID cards and keys at all times. A student must present their ID card any time they are asked to do so by any college official. Cards/keys issued to a student are not to be duplicated, loaned, given, or transferred to another individual under any circumstances. A lost ID card must be reported to the ID/Meal Plan Office. They will de-activate the card and re-program the room or suite door.
Meal Plan
All students residing in University housing must participate in the meal plan program. Beginning the second year or when the student turns 21, whichever is sooner, students can choose other meal plans.
Room Condition Form
When students move into their halls, they will find staff ready to check them into their rooms. Each student will complete a Room Condition Form that specifies the current condition of the room and the furniture provided. All residents are held accountable to the original Room Condition Form. It is the responsibility of the student to check it over carefully, noting any damages at the time of check in.
Room Changes
Room changes are permitted (based upon space availability) after the second week of classes. If a student desires to change their room assignment, the proper paperwork may be obtained from the RD of the hall which the student would like to move into. All room changes cease before the last two weeks of classes.
Room Consolidation
Room charges are based on two persons per room occupancy. Room consolidations are required in semesters where there are many rooms in which only one student resides. The Office of Residence Life understands that the house and hall community is very important. It will be the student’s responsibility to find a roommate of their choice before the consolidation process takes place. Students who do not find a roommate will be paired up randomly. After Advance Room Selection takes place in April, each returning resident who does not have a roommate will receive notices to informing that consolidation will take place and that the student will be randomly paired with another resident of the same building who does not have a roommate.
Read also: Tuition at SUNY New Paltz
Amenities and Services
Laundry Facilities
Each residence hall contains laundry facilities. Residents do not need money to use the machines as the cost to operate them is included in the room rent. These facilities are only for residents living within the residence hall.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Custodial personnel are trained to clean public areas on a daily schedule. Residents are responsible for keeping their rooms clean. Peregrine Complex (suite style) residents are also responsible for keeping their suite and bathroom areas clean. Vacuum cleaners, mops, brooms, and other cleaning supplies are available for student use. There is a trash room with large trash containers in each building. There are dumpsters at the rear of each building. Dirt and other debris are not to be left in the hallways or bathrooms.
Room Furnishings
Each room is furnished with two beds and mattresses (sheet size: twin extra-long), two desks, two chairs, and two dressers (three of each in a triple). A special loft system is provided to students in a triple room. Each building (except Lenape) has two closets or wardrobes for hanging clothes. All rooms with built-in closets have closet drapes.
Decorations
Students are permitted to decorate their rooms within fire/safety guidelines. Residents are reminded that they are responsible for any damage to the walls as a result of hanging objects. Room/suite walls are not to be vandalized or written upon.
Accessibility and Accommodations
SUNY New Paltz supports Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on the basis of race, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, marital status or sexual orientation in education, employment or in any of its policies or programs. All actions toward employees and students are based upon performance related criteria. Facilities for students using wheelchairs are located in Ashokan, Awosting, Capen, Esopus, Lenape, Minnewaska, Mohonk, Ridgeview, and Shawangunk halls. Ashokan, Awosting, Esopus, Lenape, Minnewaska, Mohonk, Ridgeview, and Shawangunk halls are equipped with elevators. Capen is equipped with a laundry room on the first floor and a lift giving students using wheelchairs access to the main lounge study area.
Service Animals and Personal Care Assistants
Students with a diagnosed need for a service animal should notify the Disability Resource Center and the Office of Residence Life at the time they make their Advance Room Deposit. A service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
Residential students must be able to live independently, however if they need the assistance of an aide or personal care assistant (PCA), they must notify the Disability Resource Center and the Department of Residence Life at the time they apply for campus housing. The student must also submit the Disability Based Accessible Housing application which is available from the Disability Resource Center (see the link below). All late applications will be placed on a Wait List with no guarantee of on-campus housing. It is recommended that the student find local housing to attend classes, or study remotely online if they are on the wait list for on campus housing. If the student needs academic accommodations while on campus or studying online, they must have their clinician complete the Disability Verification Form available from the Disability Resource Center.
Any student in need of assistance to live independently, must register their PCA or Aide with the Disability Resource Center and The Office of Residence Life. At least three (3) weeks before move-in the student must submit a copy of their confirmed contract with an aide or agency. That contract must identify the name of the person/agency and hours that an PCA or Aide will be available to the student. SUNY New Paltz cannot provide personal care or health aides to assist students with daily living activities and personal care.
For each PCA or Aide to be residing (whether part-time or full time) with the student at the College, a copy of their criminal background check must be submitted to the Office of Residence Life. If the student is working with a contracting agency, the student must obtain a copy of the criminal background check(s) performed by or on behalf of the agency and provide it to the Office of Residence Life. If the Aide or PCA has not submitted a criminal background check or if there is any question or concern about the Aide or PCA’s criminal history, they will not be permitted on campus until such time as it has been completed and submitted. The student will be responsible for making their own alternate arrangements.
Break Housing
The following residence halls remain open during academic year break times (i.e. winter recess and spring break), unless otherwise designated by the Director of Residence Life. Students who need to stay on campus during these times must live in one of the 10-month buildings. International students, athletes, and residents who will student teach during the spring semester are strongly encouraged to sign up for one of these halls. Those students who stay during the winter break will be charged a daily rate. There is no extra charge to stay during spring break. Overnight guests are not permitted during breaks. Ashokan, Bouton, Gage, and Mohonk are the only residence halls that will be open during Winter Recess and Spring Break, unless otherwise designated by the Director of Residence Life. Students who require on-campus housing during these times must select one of these halls as their housing choice. International students, athletes and student teachers are strongly encouraged to sign up for one of these halls.
One residence hall is available during the summer to students enrolled in courses. Students must take at least 1 summer course taught on campus for each summer session they intend to stay in the summer building.
Community Standards
Courtesy and Quiet Hours
To make positive contributions to your hall’s community, you must recognize and respect the rights of your neighbors. All residence halls have a mandatory Courtesy Hour policy. The residents of each house/wing, with the assistance of the Resident Advisor, enforce the Quiet Hour and Courtesy Hour policies. In addition, students are expected to be considerate of the rights of other students who may be studying or sleeping at all times. the next day. At all other times, Courtesy Hours exist, i.e., reasonable quiet should prevail.
Residence Hall Student Association (RHSA)
The Residence Hall Student Association (RHSA) is a representative body that provides resident input into all phases of residence hall life. This is accomplished by providing a method whereby residents can work together to facilitate program activities, have a voice in the University administration, and recommend changes in residence hall policies. RHSA plans and supports programs throughout the year that offer a variety of social, cultural, recreational, and educational activities.
National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH)
The chapter members represent the top 1% of the student leaders on campus and are those who have contributed extraordinary amounts of personal time and energy in order to make the residence halls more than a “dorm.” SUNY New Paltz’s chapter of NRHH was founded in 1986, and can never exceed 32 members.
Staff Support
Resident Advisors (RAs)
An RA is a student staff member who lives in each house/wing of the residence halls and maintains a comfortable environment for 25-40 students. They assist, support, and develop living/learning communities through various programmatic initiatives. RAs provide administrative support for the department and the college community. Complex directors select individuals for RA and Senior RA positions because they are outstanding students and leaders. Each is a New Paltz student with experience living in residence halls and dealing with academic, personal, and social problems. They are trained to handle emergencies, provide assistance regarding room changes, and work order requests.
Complex Directors
All Complex Directors have completed a Bachelor’s degree and are often pursuing or hold a Master’s degree.
Office of Residence Life
The Office of Residence Life is located in Capen Hall. The Director and Assistant Directors have offices in Capen Hall and are available for appointments by arranging meetings through the office staff or by calling (845) 257-4444. The Office of Residence Life at New Paltz is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all of its operations and facilities. SUNY New Paltz does not provide housing for graduate students. An exception is made only for undergraduate students who live on campus in the Fall Semester and become graduate students in the Spring Semester of the same academic year.
Additional Information
Recycling
The Village of New Paltz has a “source separate” Recycling Law which requires all residents to separate recyclable items from their trash before disposal. This includes rinsing bottles and cans and removing all caps from these containers.
Mediation Services
This service is designed as an alternative approach to solving problems that develop between members of the University community. Instead of going through the campus judicial system or local courts, individuals meet with trained mediators to work towards a solution. at (845) 257-4945 when classes are in session.
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