Current Student Resources

 

Welcome, returning students! The Residence Life and Housing Office has set up a web area chock full of resources for you as you live on campus. Please utilize these resources to enhance your time on campus. Follow the links for resources, and remember: your Resident Assistant (RA) is available to you in your building, and so are the staff members in the main office. Find us in the JWSC in room 005, or shoot us an email at residencelife@paulsmiths.edu. 

This area of our website is under construction. Please check back as we update our web content!

 

FAQ

 

Check out these frequently asked questions (FAQ) for answers to common questions! If you have a question not answered here, we recommend reaching out to your RA. If you still require assistance, please reach out to residencelife@paulsmiths.edu. For emergencies, contact Campus Safety at 518-327-6300.

Q: What does the Residence Life and Housing Office oversee?
A: The Residence Life and Housing Office oversees student residential housing on campus, providing enriching activities and programs in the residence halls, overseeing the student Resident Assistants (RAs), Residence Halls, and more! Feel free to reach out to us: if we aren’t quite the office to assist you best, we will connect you to those who are. Our email is residencelife@paulsmiths.edu.

Q: What can my RA help with?
A: 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.

Q: How do I put in a work order?
A: Work orders can be put in by clicking this link!

Q: What is the cost of my housing and meal plan?
A: You can check out the cost of room and board for the year via the Student Accounts Office. Their website updates this yearly and is reflected under the “Tuition and Fees” tab.

Q: How do I move my room?
A: Generally speaking, room moves are uncommon and are heavily reliant on circumstance and room availability. Reach out to your RA and they can best assist with this topic, including potentially facilitating roommate mediation and connecting with Residence Life and Housing.

Q: How long can my guest stay? How do I register my guest?
A: The current guest policy as defined in the Community Guide notes guests can stay for a maximum of six nights per semester, no more than three consecutive days at a time. Any one host student may have up to two guests at a time. A guest is defined as anyone who is not assigned to live in that space and are staying overnight, generally considered after 11:59pm. A guest is also considered a PSC student, even if they live in the same building. For example: if Jules lives in Hillside 111 but stays the night with her friend Alix in Hillside 112, she is still considered an overnight guest because she doesn’t live in Hillside 112.

To register a guest, speak to any RA and fill out a guest pass for your guest(s). All overnight guests, including fellow students, must be registered via a guest pass and no more than six per semester will be issued. Please note: abuse or overstay of the guest policy will result in action via the Student Conduct Office. The host student is responsible for all actions of their guest and any guest must be with their host at all times. All roommate(s) and suitemates must agree to the guest pass and sign off on it.

Q: Do I need to get a parking pass every year?
A:
Yes! You need to get a new parking pass each year, in the fall. This process is really easy and requires you to simply go online and register your vehicle with Campus Safety (link). A new sticker is produced each year. There is no fee for parking, though if you do not have a current parking pass, you will be ticketed.

Q: I lost my key. What do I do?
A: Click this link.

If you are locked out of your building or room while the Office is closed, come see us as early as possible the next business day for a replacement. In the meantime, consider asking your roommate to assist you in re-entering your building and room. Likewise, you can connect with Campus Safety at 518-327-6300 for a lockout request. It may take Campus Safety a few minutes to get to you.

Q: What am I not allowed to have in my room/suite?
A:
A list of prohibited items can be found in the “What Not to Bring” tab on this page. Please note: this is not an exhaustive list and we recommend connecting with us at residencelife@paulsmiths.edu before bringing a questionable item to campus or your living space.

Q: How do I select housing after my first year on campus?
A: 
Housing Selection takes place in April each year and all students are able to choose their housing for the follow fall semester. Incoming Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are able to choose from any upperclass housing but cannot choose first year housing (Franklin, Currier, LMS). Housing Selection is done by a “lottery” – students are given a random lottery number based on their class year. Seniors choose first, then Juniors, then Sophomores. A number closer to 1 chooses first for that year.

Here’s an example: Rajesh is going to be a sophomore in the new year; last year, he lived in LMS. This is his first housing selection. He checks his email in late March and finds he is assigned a lottery number for the sophomore class of 25. Rajesh’s friend Mariana is also going to be a sophomore next year, and her lottery number is 70. Rajesh will be able to pick his housing before Mariana, because his lottery number is lower (closer to 1 chooses earlier).

Students not in first-year housing (Franklin, Currier, LMS) are able to “stay” in their room by filling out the “Room Stay Application Form” which reserves that space for them. Once you have opted to select a room stay, you cannot select housing at Housing Selection. Likewise, those who opt to “room stay” in their current space can “pull” one peer with them, even if that person is not doing a room stay or has a late lottery number. This process takes place before Housing Selection and deadlines for this process are posted in March and are well-advertised.

Here’s an example. Martin lives in Essex 202, and wants to live there again for the new year. He fills out the “Room Stay Application” on time. Martin will therefore be living in Essex 202 again for the new year. His roommate will not be living in Essex 202 again, so an open space is available there. Because of this, Martin decides with his friend Lin to “pull” Lin into Essex 202 with him. They fill out the appropriate forms online in time. Now, Martin and Lin will live together. Neither attend Housing Selection nor are given a lottery number, since they’re all done with the housing process!

Q: How do I live off-campus?
A: This depends! Are you a student who entered the College before Fall 2019, or after Fall 2019? Click this link.

Q: How do I become a RA?
A: 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.

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

 

Essex & Hillside Halls, the Suites (rooms 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.

 

The Suites (Overlook, Upper, Lower St. Regis Halls):

  • Cooking supplies (connect with your suitemates to agree on who brings what!)
    • Baking sheets, brownie pan
    • Pots, pans
    • Utensils like forks, knives, butter knives, spoons
    • Cooking utensils like spatulas, wooden spoons, can opener, potato peeler, measuring cups/spoons, whisk, ladle, slatted spoon, colander, etc.
    • Ice cube trays, spices, dish soap, oven mitts, kitchen towels, dish washer detergent/pods, paper towels, etc.
  • Living room extras
    • Collapseable* optional seating like butterfly or camp-style chairs
    • Decorations (excluding tapenstries or fabric hangings)
    • Throw pillows and blankets
    • Living room television
  • Boot tray and/or door mat
  • Cleaning supplies – kitchen & bathroom
  • Additional larger trash can (13 gallon recommended)

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.

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.

How do I send mail to the campus?

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. 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 to campus?

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!

Can I have an on-campus box if I’m living off campus?

Yes, you can have an on-campus mailbox if you are a current student approved to live off-campus. Email jsusice@paulsmiths.edu to request one, and please do so in advance. If you have moved off-campus, and not immediately requested to keep your former on-campus mailbox, you may lose your former mailbox number and a new one will be re-assigned to you. If you are an off-campus student with no on-campus mailbox and mail is sent to the Student Mailroom, it may be returned to sender. The Mailroom cannot forward packages for off-campus students without additional mailing costs.

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 Option (online vendors):

Student First & Last Name
7777 NY-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.

I need my mail forwarded!

The Student Mailroom is able to forward some mail: generally, unless previously notified, mail addressed to a former student (or someone who has moved off campus) is returned to sender. Packages mailed to the campus in error are taken by the Area Coordinator and reasonable attempts to contact the student/alumni are made. The cost associated with forwarding a package are the responsibility of the student/alumni: packages shipped via USPS are typically able to be forwarded at no cost. If you have mailed a package to the campus in error as a current student between breaks and require it to be forwarded, the above situation stands and you are encouraged to contact jsusice@paulsmiths.edu.

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 jsusice@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.