Housing & Dining

Mission

Residence Life and Housing at Paul Smith’s College provides inclusive foundations that engage residents in exceptional living and learning experience that build a sense of home.

Vision

Residence Life and Housing at Paul Smith’s College will create communities in which residents actively learn, confidently lead, and comfortably live.

Values

• Diversity & Inclusion
• Collegiality
• Dynamic Leadership
• Identity
• Community Engagement
• Well-Being

Housing Selection takes place in April each year, and all students are able to choose their housing for the following fall semester. Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors can choose from any upperclass housing but cannot choose first-year housing (Currier, LMS). Seniors choose first, then juniors, then sophomores. A number closer to 1 chooses first for that year.

Your RA is a well-trained, talented student leader who is there to assist you as you navigate life in college and living in the residence halls. RAs are available to help with physical concerns such as work orders, but also personal concerns. Talk to your RA if you need assistance with things like adjusting to college, making friends, and more. Likewise, RAs can assist with referrals to knowledgeable offices with class concerns, tutoring, finding assistance with the Counseling Center, Health Office, and getting involved on campus. While our incredible student leaders are widely available, please note they are also students and are not always available. If you have a concern, you can also reach out to the Residence Life and Housing email address.

Being an RA is a wonderful opportunity for student leadership experience, an incredible resume builder, and an excellent opportunity to be part of a strong, tight-knight group on campus. RA Selection is typically held twice a year: typically towards the end of the semester. The number of RAs being hired varies based on how many open positions are available, and spring hiring is generally largest. Emails and posters go out in advance letting interested students know the opportunity is available and how to apply.

Typically, RA selection begins with interested students applying online. Then, a process known as “Group Process” is scheduled, wherein applicants come together and do a group interview that includes activities, information sessions, and more. This process gives applicants an opportunity to explore the role and highlight their strengths. Next, those who attend Group Process are invited to individual interviews, where they meet with the Residence Life and Housing professional staff and a current RA, if available. From there, deliberation occurs. Candidates are emailed on the basis of: hire, not hired, and alternate position offer. Those who are offered an “alternate” position can choose to accept, and if an offered position is declined or an RA position becomes open, they may be contacted and offered a role.

Resident Assistants are compensated in the form of a large housing waiver. RAs are expected to go through twice-yearly trainings, both of which take place before students return from either winter break or summer break. They are expected to uphold a variety of duties, including: programming events in the residence halls, creating educational bulletin boards, door decoration name tags, duty/rounds rotation, attending RA “in-service” trainings once a week, attending one-on-one meetings with the Area Coordinator, and other duties.

To be eligible to live off campus, a student has to fall under one of the following circumstances:

• 26 years of age or older
• Living at home with parent/guardian within 40 miles from the college
• Married or entered into a civil union/domestic partnership
• Veteran with at least one year of active military service
• Lived within a residence hall on campus for at least 4 consecutive semesters (summer does not count towards consecutive semesters)
• Semester of residency.

It’s no secret: Paul Smith’s College gets a lot of snow each year! With this in mind, we highly encourage students with cars to prepare for the weather and be mindful of driving. Even if your student is familiar with snow, encourage them to take heed: the area near the College is rural and may not be maintained in snow in a way they are used to. Taking it slow and driving carefully is a must in snowy or icy conditions. All students should strongly consider having at least a snow brush/scraper in their car, as well as a shovel of some sort. Campus parking lots are plowed, but individual spaces are not. Students can borrow shovels from Facilities provided supplies are available. Likewise, students should consider an appropriate car emergency kit, consisting of: jumper cables, first aid kit, road flares or triangles, water, blanket (“space” blankets recommended), and clean cat litter. Cat litter can help stuck tires or those in a small rut gain traction.

Many students consider getting snow tires on their cars, even if they have all-weather tires. This is highly recommended, as snow tires are usually more pliable and “grip” to the road better in cold conditions. These tires can be installed at a variety of locations, and many allow the original tires to be stored at the store’s location. Tires cannot be stored in the residence halls. Some students desire to have studded tires, which can grip to icy (not snowy) conditions better than other tires. These tires may be of benefit, but note that the local area demands these tires to be removed by April.

Gas

Local gas stations are most available in Saranac Lake, which is about 17 miles from the College. Students should be careful to make note they have enough gas to get into town to refill. The Brighton Mini Mart in Gabriels, NY offers a single pump at a higher cost if students should need it. Students who do not have enough gas to get into Saranac Lake may take advantage of this pump for a gallon or two on their way there.