Explore Residence Life & Housing

What Should I Bring?

Your residence hall room becomes your home away from home. Bringing items from home to help make the space yours will help keep you comfortable! Here is a breakdown of items we recommend bringing with you to ensure optimal comfort in your room.

Items You Will Need:

• 1 or 2 sets of twin XL bedding including pillowcases, fitted sheet, and flat sheet
  • Regular twin sheets will not fit these longer beds
• 1 comforter/blanket set, sized twin XL
• 1-2 pillows
• 1-2 body towels and wash cloths
• Shower caddy to hold toiletries
• School supplies
  • Notebooks, pens/pencils, stapler, tape, paper clips, correcting liquid, folders, binders
• Warm weather clothing
• Cool weather clothing
  • A very warm jacket is a must! Waterproof or resistant boots are recommended
  • Cool to cold weather clothing is usually needed by October
• Any prescription medications you take
• Laundry supplies 
  • HE detergent is recommended. Laundry pods work well!
• Warm winter coat, gloves, hat, scarf
• Laptop
• Cell phone*
  • Cell phones are hugely recommended. Public phones are not available on campus to call home with. Currently, Verizon is the only carrier that works in the area

Recommended Items: 

• Mattress pad and mattress topper (foam or memory foam)
• Small desk lamp and bulb
• 1-2 power strips
  • Extension cords of any type are not permitted
• Hamper with wheels
• Laundry detergent, fabric softener or dryer sheets/balls
• Fan(s)
• Clothing hangers 
• Shower shoes
• Ice-gripping crampons for shoes/boots
• Rain coat and/or umbrella
• Digital television 
  • Non-digital TVs cannot pick up the television signal
• Personal gaming devices
  • Playstations, Xboxes, Nintendo systems, and the like can operate via the network for online gaming
• Ethernet cable
• Basic first aid supplies and OTC medicines
  • Bandages, antibiotic cream, ibuprofen, cough drops, allergy medicine, etc.
• Flashlight
• Small vacuum cleaner (stick vacuum recommended)
• Fully-collapseable additional seating
  • This includes folding “butterfly” style chairs and folding cloth “sport” style chairs. Only seating that can fully collapse and fold is allowed in residence hall rooms
• Small area rug
• Plastic “drawer” storage bin
• Small personal appliances
  • Keurig or similar coffee maker
  • Electric kettle (no exposed heating element)
  • Microwave under 700 watts (must be equipped with Safety Sensor)
  • Miniature refrigerator 4 cubic ft or less
• Command-style hooks and/or adhesive
  • Blue painter’s tape is also recommended for hanging pictures, posters, and similar
• Over-door or standing fashion mirror
• Boot/shoe tray for wet winter shoes
• Toiletries
  • Shampoo, conditioner, brush/comb, straightener, curling iron, blow dryer
  • Toothbrushes (bring extra!), toothpaste, floss, toothbrush holder
  • Body wash or soap bars
  • Tweezers, nail clippers
  • Facial washes and facial cleansers
  • Menstrual products
  • Tissues 
• Household plants
  • Evergreen trees, boughs, wreaths, and similar items are not permitted
• Vacuum storage bags
  • Vacuum storage bags allow students to more easily store their off-season clothing before it can come home. This is usually a better alternative to large, bulky bins which can be hard to store.
• Cleaning supplies
  • A few cleaning supplies like cleaning sprays or wipes are recommended to keep your space clean and tidy!
  • Air fresheners like the gel cone style and squishy bead style are recommended for freshening your space. Oil diffusers with no exposed heating element and rod diffusers are permitted
• For your car in fall/winter:
  • First aid kit with blankets or space blankets and instant hand/foot warmers
  • Emergency car kit (reflector triangles, flashlight, jumper cables, etc.)
  • Small snow shovel
  • Cat littler for traction
  • In winter, standard snow tires are helpful on vehicles. Studded tires are not permitted in the area after April

Franklin Hall (transfer building with en suite bathrooms):

• Cleaning supplies for bathroom
  • Toilet cleaner + toilet brush
  • Cleaning spray
• Foot towel/bath mat (easily washable is recommended!)
• Small bathroom trash can
• Plastic “drawer” storage containers for bathroom items, toiletries, etc.

Things You Don’t Need to Bring:

• Toilet paper
  • Toilet paper is provided to students at no cost and is of good quality!
• Window treatments like shades, blinds, or curtains
  • All rooms are equipped with window treatments. No additional treatments (shades, curtains) can be installed. 
• Additional furniture
  • Mattresses, beds, desks, chairs, dressers, and the like are provided. No additional furniture is welcome in the rooms.
• For a list of prohibited items, please click the “What Not to Bring” tab.

What Not to Bring

A number of items are not permitted to be brought to campus or in the residence halls in the interest of safety. Please see the below list to learn more about what is not permitted on campus and/or in the residence halls. Prohibited items that are found in the halls are subject to confiscation by Campus Safety. Possession of prohibited items can, in addition to confiscation, lead to documentation via the Student Conduct Office. If you have questions about an item being permitted or not, please reach out to residencelife@paulsmiths.edu early so we can best assist you!

Prohibited Items:

• Multi-bulb “medusa” style lamps
• Halogen bulbs
• Lava lamps
• Beanbag, recliner, or wicker-style furniture
  • Only furniture that is fully collapsible, such as “butterfly” and “camp” style chairs are permitted.
• Futons, couches, or love seats
• Mattresses or bed frames not provided by the college
• Wardrobes, dressers, and other large furniture not provided by the college
• Dartboards and darts
• Taxidermies
• Wall tapestries, flags, or any type of fabric wall hanging
• Curtains or additional window treatments
  • Window treatments are provided in every room
• Nails, screws, self-adhering cork or tile, and other types of fastener hardware
• Natural evergreen trees, boughs, and wreaths
  • Synthetic, small “holiday” style trees are welcome provided they are under 2 feet tall
• Pets
  • Pets are not permitted in the residence halls unless the animal can live underwater 24/7 in 10 gallons or less
  • Unapproved “emotional support animals” are not welcome in residence halls
  • Unapproved animals in the residence halls are subject to removal and/or fines
• Fireworks, sparklers, and similar
• Candles, incense, wax melters, candle melters (including bulb style), and plug-in scent releasers
• Extension cords
  • Power strips are welcome, and should have a fuse within them
• Multi-plug or “cube” power adapters 
• Air conditioner units of any kind
• Portable heaters of any kind
• Electric blankets
• Personal routers 
  • Wireless internet and Ethernet ports are available to all students. Additional routers causes significant network disruption
• Amplified musical instruments (subwoofers, etc.)
• Binary exploding targets (example: Tannerite)
• Weapons, guns, knives or utility pocket knives over 3 inches, etc. 
• Illicit drugs and paraphernalia
  • Marijuana is not permitted on campus for any reason
  • Prescriptions should be kept securely away and hold the individual’s prescription on the original container 
• Items with exposed heating elements
  • Toasters, toaster ovens
  • George Foreman-style grills
  • Charcoal grills 
  • Single burners
  • Electric pans
  • Hot Pots
  • Crock pots (can be used in suite kitchens only)
  • Air fryers
• Microwaves over 700 watts
• Microwaves not equipped with a Safety Sensor
• Refrigerators over 4 cubic feet
• Culinary knives must be stored inside their original case
• Class-use axes must be in a case 
• Class-use chainsaws must be unassembled and have the gasoline removed in a case
• Vaporizer units (“vapes”) due to their risk of fire/explosion cannot be stored or brought into residence halls
• Propane, gasoline, and similar items may not be stored in the residence halls

Note: Individuals living in suite-style buildings (Overlook, Upper St. Regis, Lower St. Regis) are welcome to have crock pots in use only if the unit is being used in their kitchen area.

Other Considerations

Paul Smith’s College has a unique location and amenities which provide students with an abundance of opportunities. Take a look at the information below regarding extra items you may desire to bring to campus, and how to do so.

Kayaks & Canoes:

It’s no secret: our campus is surrounded by, and located on, incredible bodies of water. Students love this great opportunity, and often desire to bring their own crafts to enjoy the water. You are welcome to bring your own kayak or canoe to campus. However, you cannot store it in a residence hall room, common area, or under stairwells. Space for watercraft is available at the campus’ boat launch area. It is recommended your craft is registered with Campus Safety if you intend to store it in this public space, and that it is secured with a lock/chain. Don’t have your own? Not a problem! Kayak and canoe rentals are available free of cost to students. It is highly recommend that students bring their water crafts home in October, as the weather begins to get too cold to enjoy the water safely. 

Motorized Boats, ATVs, Etc.:

Currently, students and guests cannot use ATVs (four-wheelers, three-wheelers, etc.) on any campus property, trails, or roads. However, if you enjoy using them and desire to do so off-campus, you can store your vehicle on campus if it is stored on a trailer bed or in the back of a truck. Motorized watercraft cannot be launched from anywhere on campus, including at the boat launch (only non-motorized craft can). However, like ATVs, these vehicles can be stored on campus if they are on a trailer bed or in the back of a truck. 

Cooking Supplies:

Like to cook? Great! Many residential buildings have kitchens in them for student use. If you enjoy cooking, it may be worthwhile to bring some kitchen supplies with you to enjoy these spaces. It is strongly recommended to store these items in your room. Paul Smith’s College is not responsible for item loss. Students often bring baking sheets, a set of utensils/plates/cups, a pot, a pan, cutting board, cooking spoon, measuring cups, and a colander as these items are versatile enough to cook anything from cookies to pizza to spaghetti and sauce! Currently, the following buildings have full public kitchens for residents: LMS Hall, Hillside Hall, Saratoga Hall, Overlook Hall (suite kitchens), Upper St. Regis Hall (suite kitchens), and Lower St. Regis Hall (suite kitchens). The following halls have a refrigerator/freezer and microwave available: Currier Hall, Lambert Hall, Franklin Hall, and Essex Hall. 

The campus’ Dining Hall also boasts an interesting station where students can cook their own dishes with provided ingredients and a chef available to assist them if they require help. This “U-Cook” area sees a variety of student made dishes, both humble and tasty as well as highly-skilled and technical! Popular dishes in this space include: grilled cheese anytime, homemade chicken alfredo, spicy vegan tofu and veggie stir-fry, broccoli and beef stir fry, and so much more. 

Camping Gear:

Paul Smith’s students can be seen camping all year round (and we really mean all year!). This popular endeavor often means students desire to bring camping gear, which is generally permitted in the residence halls provided it is not a prohibited item. (Prohibited items include: utility knives over 3 inches, propane or camp stove fuel, charcoal grills, and similar.) If the item can be safely stored in your residence hall room, you are welcome to bring it. The campus offers a Gear Exchange, where students can “rent” items for camping if they need extra or do not own them. Camping, including in tents, is not welcome on campus grounds or inside the residence halls. 

Hammocks:

A popular fair-weather hobby of many students is hammocking between two sturdy trees and enjoying the breeze. Collapsible hammocks are typically the easiest to store as they can be folded back into small pouches. Cumbersome wooden hammocks cannot be set up outside and kept there. Hammocks can be found readily and rather inexpensively at retailers and online. Hammocks should not be set up in residence halls due to the risk of damage.

Passports + Canadian Travel:

Paul Smith’s College is a relatively short trip to Montral, Canada at about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Many students enjoy day trips with friends across the border, and the College occasionally offers trips over the border via Student Activities. In order to go to Canada, students will require either an Enhanced Driver’s Licence (EDL) or a passport.  Not all states offer EDLs, and if they do, only offer them to in-state residents (for example, a student from Florida cannot obtain an New York EDL, since they are not a New York resident). Obtaining an EDL or passport is a worthwhile endeavor, especially if the process is begun before the student arrives on campus, as these can take a few weeks or months to process.

It is recommended students begin the process of obtaining an EDL on their driver’s license, learner’s permit/junior driver’s license, or non-driver ID early at their local DMV. The nearest DMV to Paul Smith’s College is located in Saranac Lake, NY with limited hours. A larger, full-service DMV is located in Malone, NY. Likewise, obtaining a passport is best started at home, though the Lake Placid, NY Post Office is able to issue them.

Renter’s Insurance:

Renter’s insurance is a wise and inexpensive investment recommended for all students to obtain before and while residing in the residence halls. (Renter’s insurance is not required, but still extremely highly recommended.) Most individuals can add renter’s insurance to their existing policies for car/homeowner/motorcycle/boat/etc. insurance for a small additional monthly cost. Call your provider to see what they can offer! It is also possible to have renter’s insurance even if you do not have insurance elsewhere. Popular insurance companies likely offer renter’s insurance by itself, but may require a call or in-person visit if you do not already have a line of insurance with them.

Checks and Debit/Credit Cards:

Most local merchants in the area take both cash and debit/credit cards. Apple Pay and similar services are much less frequently accepted. It is usually very helpful to bring some sort of debit/credit card with you to campus, and keep it secure. Likewise, checks are useful for paying bills or expenses. Banks in the area include: TD Bank, NBT Bank, Community Bank N.A., and a variety of local credit unions. NBT bank offers an ATM on campus. Please note that this on-campus ATM does not accept deposited checks, but NBT has a cell phone app that allows for mobile deposits.

Cars and Bicycles:

Any resident, including first-year students, are welcome to bring their personal vehicles to campus. There is no cost to park on campus but all residents must register their vehicles with Campus Safety once they arrive. Students are given stickers for their back windows to identify themselves as a student vehicle and must do so yearly. Campus Safety’s website has an Online Vehicle Registration portal, which can save you time before coming to campus! 

Bicycles are welcome on campus, though there is little storage for bicycles in inclement weather. Bike racks are available across campus and locking your bicycle is recommended. It is also recommended to bring the bike home in late fall to prevent it from rusting under snow. Bicycles are not permitted to be stored in residence hall rooms, common areas, or under stairwells. It is recommended that before bringing the bicycle to campus, the item’s serial number and photos are recorded. The College is not responsible for lost or stolen items, including bicycles. 

Fishing Gear: 

With so many lakes around, it is hard not to take advantage of the excellent fishing opportunities all over the area. Fisherfolk of all kinds are welcome to bring their gear, provided it can be safely stored in their room. Items cannot and should not be left outside or in common areas. A number of local vendors sell live bait and a number of fishing gear specialty stores dot the area. A NYS fishing license is required to fish anywhere in New York State. These can be purchased at many different locations, including bog box stores and online. Fishing licenses from other states are not valid in NY. Fish caught cannot be descaled in any residence hall.

Hunting Items and Hunting:

Paul Smith’s College is unique in that it allows students to bring items to its Armory (overseen by Campus Safety) for hunting purposes. Before you read further, please note: no weapons are allowed on campus for any reason, whatsoever, and the Armory has specific policies that must be adhered to to have restricted items brought into the Armory space. If you desire to hunt, the Armory can take certain weapons used for hunting and safely store them, then distribute them to you to hunt off-campus. This is only available in the fall semester. Hunting is not allowed anywhere on any PSC-owned grounds, and per state law, a valid hunting license is required. For more information, contact Campus Safety and check out their website. Weapons of any kind are never permitted in the residence halls or campus buildings.

Animals that are hunted cannot be dressed (skinned, gutted, cut up, etc.) in any residential or public space on campus. Areas designated for this purpose exist in specific locations on the fringes of campus. Once the animal is fully dressed and packaged, its meat can be stored in residential rooms such as personal refrigerators. No animal taxidermies, including pelts, antlers, hooves, and similar, are welcome in the residence halls, including those that are mounted. It is not recommended to keep animal remains, carcasses (“roadkill”), skulls, or meat in personal vehicles or truck beds.

Mail:

You do not need to get a PO box when you live on campus, as the Student Mailroom handles your mail and provides you with a mailbox. The Mailroom is located in the Student Center on the bottom floor and during the semester has hours where student Mailroom Attendants process student mail and packages. Mailboxes are available to open using a combination lock (provided) any time. Packages must be picked up when the Mailroom is staffed and students are required to present either their campus ID or their legal ID to get a package. You will know you have a package by checking your mailbox – there will be a colorful slip inside letting you know one is here for you! 

Once you are given your student mailbox number (late summer), we recommend distributing your new on-campus address to family, friends, and updating your shipping information for retailers and mail sources that are important to you. The Mailroom has attendants working Monday through Saturday.

A USPS Post Office is located on campus next to Campus Safety if you desire to send mail or packages out, purchase stamps, or other USPS-related tasks. This Post Office has limited hours and accepts cash and credit/debit. A blue post box is available to send out mail 24/7.

Wifi, Internet, and Cable:

Despite the rural location, PSC offers fast wireless and Ethernet-connected speeds. Cell phones, laptops/computers, gaming devices, and similar electronics can operate with ease across campus in academic spaces and in the residence halls. All residence halls, except for Overlook Hall, have Ethernet ports. Residential buildings have access points for wireless either in their suite area, hall ways, or in individual rooms. For gamers, some devices or games may have some aspects of online gaming or communication limited via the NAT type, which is set to NAT Type 3 (high) for security. 

Cable television is provided on campus via Charter Spectrum. A digital television is required to pick up the cable signal. Many students enjoy also having their own personal streaming service account (Hulu, Netflix, HBO Go, etc.) and use it while on campus. All residence halls have a public lounge television for anyone to use if they desire. Many students enjoy hooking their laptops to these televisions via a long HDMI cable to watch movies with friends. Bringing one is recommended!

On-Campus Vendors:

The Pack Basket School Store: The College’s store, located in the Student Center’s lowest floor, is a popular spot for students. Here, a wide variety of useful items are sold but are not limited to school spirit gear. Students can purchase snacks, maple syrup, toiletries, personal care items, school supplies (including unique ones specific to PSC), milk, butter, frozen meals, cooking ingredients, and much more. This retailer takes cash, credit/debit, and Bobcat Bucks – the College’s reloadable on-campus monetary system.

The Student Bakery: The Bakery is a notoriously delicious campus hot spot operated by students in a variety of culinary and baking programs across campus. These talented chefs prepare tasty goods available for purchase when the Bakery is open (times vary by semester, due to class scheduling). Interested in picking up a BBQ chicken pot pie, a raspberry cheese danish, or handmade doughnut? Of course you are! This vendor now accepts cash and debit/credit with a minimum $5 purchase for cards. 

The Bobcat: The Bobcat is a unique PSC feature: for those over 21 years, this on-campus bar serves wine, cider, and beers for a fair price. The Bobcat is located at the top floor of the Student Center. Generally, it is open on Fridays and Saturdays during the school year. Individuals under 21 years are not welcome to be in the bar area. Programs and events are often held in the space (which hosts the bar area separately from the event space) such as Open Mic Night and more. 

The Student Mailroom

All on-campus students are given a student mailbox located at the Student Mailroom in the lowest floor of the Student Center. Mailbox numbers for new students typically are distributed to deposit-paid, housed students in late summer before the beginning of the year. There is no additional cost to have a student mailbox.

What’s My Mailbox Like?

Your student mailbox is similar to a small Post Office box, where letters and paper mail can fit easily. Each box has a combination-style lock that opens the unit. It is recommend to keep this combination private. Packages do not fit in these boxes and must be picked up when the Mailroom is open.

How Do I Send Mail There?

Sending mail or packages to your on-campus box is easy! Please be sure to properly address your packages: frequently, family and friends send packages or mail to the College with a student’s residence hall room name or number. This is not how mail is delivered and will slow down the delivery of your mail. When you receive your mailbox number, it is a good idea to give it to family and friends so they know how to send mail to you! Please address your packages with your legal name, as we do not have nicknames on file.

Example:
Student First & Last Name
7777 State Route 30
Student Mailbox (your number here)
Paul Smiths, NY 12970

How Do I Get My Mail?

Traditional mail like letters, magazines, and the like can be accessed via your mailbox whenever you’d like. To pick up a package, you must do so when the Mailroom is open and attended by Mailroom Staff. (Hours for the semester are posted and students are notified at the beginning of the semester.) You will know you have a package by a brightly-colored package slip in your mailbox. This tag should be brought to a Mailroom Staff at the desk, who will ask for ID — your student ID or your legal photo ID. They will get you your package and have you sign for it. Then, are all set!

Can I ship items before I arrive?

The answer is: somewhat. Please do not send mail to the campus before you have been given a mailbox number, as it will be returned to sender. Once you have been given your mailbox number, you can send mail and packages to the campus. These items cannot be picked up until the Mailroom has opened for the semester (time to be determined). Do not send time-sensitive items or perishable items before the semester begins! Students often ship mini fridges (under 4 cubic feet), microwaves (under 700w), online purchases, and similar to the Mailroom before arriving to save space in the car. Your package must be correctly addressed to avoid being returned to sender!

I’m having trouble entering the campus address on (website):

This happens sometimes! Amazon.com and USPS.com are sometimes challenging to work with for our student mailbox numbers. If this happens to you, try changing the address around a little bit, such as below. 

Alternate Address Options (online vendors):

Student First & Last Name
7777 NY-30
#(box number here)
Paul Smiths, NY 12970

Student First & Last Name
7833 New York 30
#(box number here)
Paul Smiths, NY 12970

If an online vendor continues to give you trouble, please reach out to us at residencelife@paulsmiths.edu and we can try to find other solutions with you to get your package here. 

Can someone else pick my mail up for me?

No, only you can pick up your mail. Please do not share your box combination with others. Packages can only be released to the owner of the package via photo ID. If a medical or extenuating circumstance requires mail pickup by others, communicate with the Area Coordinator of Residence Life and Housing at residencelife@paulsmiths.edu. 

What happens if my mail is not sent right?

Our Mailroom staff works hard to figure out what belongs to who even if address information isn’t all there. However, incorrectly addressed packages increase the chance a package will be delivered late or returned to sender. Please ensure your full, legal name, correct box number, and correct general address are on the package! Packages and mail that cannot be identified is generally brought to the Office of Residence Life and Housing, where it is then examined to attempt to find the owner. If none can be found, the item is returned to sender.

What can I ship to the Mailroom?

Nearly anything can be shipped to the Mailroom, provided it is: legal to ship, legal to have, allowed to be on campus (no weapons, etc.), is not harmful, and not dangerous. We request that items that may cause disruption, such as animal urine and scents, are purchased from reliable suppliers to ensure their intense smells do not leak. Packages should be sent in good condition (well-taped boxes, not overstuffed, etc.) to avoid issues or breaking. Paul Smith’s College and the Student Mailroom are not responsible for items damaged or lost in the shipping process. Student packages and mail are treated with great care in their time at the Mailroom.

Can I buy stamps, send mail, etc. from here?

No, you cannot. The Student Mailroom does not sell stamps, package supplies, or mail items/mail out. However, a USPS Post Office is located on campus by Campus Safety that can assist you. The Post Office is open with an attendant with limited hours (click here to learn more). You can purchase stamps, shipping supplies, mail packages, buy Post Office Money Orders, and more during these open hours and they accept cash and credit/debit. To mail standard mail, a blue large mailbox sits outside of the Post Office and collects mail Monday through Saturday.

Helpful Facts:

• Students sometimes wonder why a package may say it’s delivered but is not yet at the Mailroom. Here’s why! Before your item or mail comes to the Student Mailroom, it first goes through either the on-campus USPS Post Office or goes to our Facilities Department, which sorts and handles all campus mail. Vendors like Amazon will reflect this delivery and say it’s on campus, even though it is not yet in the Mailroom. From Facilities, the mail then comes to the Student Mailroom where it is sorted. In short, if your package says it’s delivered but you do not yet have a package slip, don’t fret! It likely just hasn’t quite made it’s way to you yet. 
• If you forget your mailbox number or combination, or struggle to open it, a Mailroom staff member can assist you. If you have forgotten your combination and the Mailroom is not open, email residencelife@paulsmiths.edu via your PSC email and we can resend. Please give us time to respond to you.
• The Mailroom cannot sign for packages via certified mail or similar needs. If a package needs to be officially signed for, you may have a cream-colored tag from USPS in your mailbox describing what to do to pick up that mail. This is really easy with a post office right on campus!
• If you are sending mail with items such as money, gift cards, checks, passports, and other items of value, it is recommended to insure these parcels and/or send via USPS Certified Mail and/or a means that provides tracking information.
• If you are a parent, family member, or friend reading this and considering sending your student a package or care package … definitely do it! It is always a wonderful gesture for students to receive care packages! It is helpful to let students know you plan to send them one, though, so they can be on the lookout for a package. This is especially true with perishable items.
• If you’d like to send a pre-made care package full of wonderful treats, you can do so via OCM, who team up with our College Store to provide cool options. You can order these treats from their website. 

Campus Photos

This area is a work in progress. Please check back shortly to see photos of the campus, including student spaces, amenities, and interesting spots!