Move-In Information and Important Dates

The following is a guide of what students should and should not have in their residence hall rooms. You should spend some time thinking about what to bring but remember...you do not have to bring every item listed.  Make sure you reach out and talk with your roommate(s) so you can plan what to bring together.

Clothing

No matter how many forecasts you watch, there is no way you can predict the weather in Central New York. The walk from the residence halls to the classrooms will seem much longer if you are not dressed for the weather. Be sure to pack for all conditions. Snow is inevitable here in Utica, so be prepared.

There are also many functions where 'dressy' attire will be needed as well. You may need to "spiff up" for formal gatherings and group functions, so be sure to bring clothes for special occasions.

Room Décor

All residential rooms are an "eggshell" color so your room has a lot of potential. Beds, desks, bureaus, curtains, and a ceiling light are provided for your convenience. You may want to bring desk lamps, a spare lamp, a carpet or throw rugs, plants, and posters or pictures, which can brighten the room and make it more comfortable.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Bell Hall, Boehlert Hall, Pioneer Village, and Tower Hall are air-conditioned.
• You are responsible for all items left in your room during the academic year. You are not allowed to leave items in your room during the summer break. Be sure to check your parents' homeowners' insurance policy for details regarding coverage for your belongings.

Items You May Want to Bring

• Clothes for all seasons such as boots, a winter coat, scarf, gloves, and an umbrella.
• Carpeting. Room sizes vary but a 9-foot by 12-foot rug fits most double rooms in Alumni, Burrstone, North and South Halls. The Bell, Boehlert and Tower Hall singles measure 9 feet, 4 inches by 11 feet, 4 inches and doubles are 11 feet, 4 inches by 17 feet, 4 inches.
• A UL listed multiple outlet surge protector (or two).
• Extra cell phone charger.
• A cable ready television model that can receive more than 55 stations.
• A 16- to 24-foot coaxial cord for your TV. All rooms receive FREE cable service.
• Headphones in case you bring a stereo/television.
• Band-Aids/First aid kit
• A small sewing kit
• An iron and a small ironing board
• Sporting goods (baseball glove, tennis racquet, racquetball equipment, etc.)
• Dishes and cooking utensils that are microwave-safe. A community microwave is provided in all residence halls with the exception of Alumni Hall. Some students also choose to bring their own microwave for their room.
• Dishcloths, dishtowels, dish detergent.
• Desk/Office supplies.
• Stationery, stamps, envelopes, and an address book.
• A small refrigerator, no larger than 3 cubic feet (1 per room).
• Coffee maker with an automatic shut off.
• Bathroom supplies (soap holder and plastic bucket for carrying items to the bathroom).
• Twin XL-sized (80") bed sheets and at least one pillow.
• Towels and washcloths.
• Hangers for your clothes.
• A laundry basket or bag.
• Board games and playing cards.
• A desktop or laptop computer.
• An electric fan.
• An alarm clock.
• Fun tack, masking tape, or "painter's tape" for hanging posters/pictures
• A memo board, whiteboard calendar, or other organizational board.  

PDF VERSION OF PACKING LIST

**Please see our Prohibited Items List below to know what items must be left at home.

Prohibited Items

• Pets are not allowed (the exception being pet fish).
• Hot plates, heating coils, electric frying pans, space heaters, broilers, griddles, toasters, toaster ovens, and other open-coil cooking appliances.
• Incense and incense burners.
• Halogen lamps/Heat Lamps/Lava Lamps.
• Candles, and other open-flame items
• Any kind of extension cords or multi tap outlets (surge protectors are acceptable).
• Firearms, fireworks, and dangerous weapons are also not permitted in the halls.
• Cinder blocks are not allowed because they can damage the room floors.
• Room air conditioners are not permitted in the residence halls.
• Wifi routers and wifi printers (may cause problems with the College's wifi).
• More than one strand of string lights per room (check with your roommate before bringing them)
• Explosives, gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquids
• Tapestries, curtains, jerseys, or any other fabric hung up on the walls without expressed approval from the Area Coordinator based on completion of registration of said item.
• Smoking paraphernalia including but not limited to hookahs, bongs, pipes, etc.

Additional Policies:

• Nothing may be hung from the ceiling nor the fire equipment.
• Residents may not hang their own curtains or other materials over windows. 
• There must be nothing hung within 18 inches of the ceiling.
• Nothing can impede the flow of the sprinklers should they need to activate (leave a 24 inch space around all sprinklers).
• Special policies apply to Alumni Hall and Pioneer Village. Please see the PDF Prohibited Items List for more information.

PDF Prohibited Items List

When in doubt, contact the Office of Student Living and College Engagement regarding any changes/modifications to your room and to see if items are permitted on campus.

Contact your Area Coordinator for more information or clarification.

Thinking about bringing a tapestry? Here is all you need to know in order for your tapestry and/or cloth decorations to be approved:

• Your item must be sprayed with fire protectant spray. Your Area Coordinator has spray and will work with you to properly spray your item.
• Your tapestry must abide by all other fire codes such as location on the wall. This information will be given to you during your first floor meeting.
• You will need to email your Area Coordinator to setup a time to have your items registered. The registration process must be done by Friday, September 13, 2019 at 10 a.m. or your tapestry may not be approved or allowed.

To register your items or if you have any questions about prohibited items or tapestries, please contact:

• North & South Halls - Sam Ashley (saashley@utica.edu)
• Burrstone & Boehlert Halls - Mathew Vincent (mjvincen@utica.edu)
• Bell, Tower, & Alumni Halls - Lauren Waszkiewicz (lecranda@utica.edu)

Utica College Office of Student Living & College Engagement Residence Hall Fire Safety Policies

Lighting

• Halogen lamps are prohibited
• All lamps must be equipped with proper lamp shades and light bulbs with the appropriate wattage for the fixture
• String lights of no more than 1 strand are allowed.  However, if multiple strands are plugged in together or other items are plugged into the lights, it is considered the same as an extension cord and is therefore prohibited

Extension Cords, Surge Protectors, etc.

• Extension cords are prohibited
• Multi-plug and cube adaptors are prohibited
• Power strips must be surge protected and cannot be plugged into one another (piggybacking)

Tapestries and Posters

• Hanging fabrics require application of fire retardant by an Area Coordinator
• No draperies, tapestries, or any other decorative materials should hang from ceilings
• Doors and walls should not have more than 50% of the wall or door area covered with combustible decorative material such as posters, pictures, fabrics
• Doors cannot be wrapped entirely with wrapping paper

Open Flames/Appliances

• Candles, incense, and similar open flame-producing items are not allowed in campus residence halls
• Smoking is prohibited in the residence halls
• Cooking or cooking appliances are prohibited in residence hall rooms and common areas. Some examples are hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, rice cookers and grills

Trash & Storage

• No excessive accumulations of trash, rubbish or combustible waste materials shall be allowed
• Storage shall be maintained 2 feet or more below the ceiling

Exit Routes

• Personal items should not be blocking the doorway of room
• Personal items (trash, shoes etc.) or furnishings should not be stored in corridors or any exit path
• Doors should be able to open easily and fully with no obstructions

Fire/Sprinkler System

• It is prohibited for anyone to tamper with, remove, or disturb any fire protection system or component.
• Nothing is to be hung from a sprinkler pipe, head, or protective cage including clothes hangers, towels, wires, plants, air fresheners, etc.