Residential Life for New Students

Living at Connecticut College

Welcome to living on campus! A residential campus provides the opportunity for students to continually refine and apply their learning outside of the classroom. We believe the residence halls are the largest learning labs you will find on campus. Through engaging in the opportunities available at Connecticut College students can expect to gain valuable life skills in preparation for life beyond college. The work of the Residential Life office is driven by our mission, guiding principles and student learning outcomes. 

Mission:  The mission of the Residential Life Office is to foster responsible citizenship by cultivating safe, inclusive communities that advance learning in and outside of the classroom.

Guiding Principles: The Residential Life office supports the mission and values of Connecticut College through the following…

• Challenge and support students in the navigation of community living and development of life skills
• Employ a representative group of students and hone their leadership skills in order to support the mission of the Residential Life office
• Create and execute housing processes which meet the needs of our engaged and diverse student body
• Report and respond to students in need through our daily practices and on-call crisis intervention system
• Collaborate with faculty and other offices to develop programs to support a curriculum outside of the classroom which enhances each student's sense of belonging and engagement.  
• Uphold the Honor Code by empowering students to hold one another accountable

Learning Outcomes:

Challenge – Students will embrace learning opportunities and challenges that support their growth.

Each student will be able to:

• explore identities of themselves and others.
• engage in learning opportunities that lead them from the familiar to the unfamiliar.
• recognize challenges as opportunities for growth.
• engage diverse viewpoints that challenge their perspectives

Ownership – Students will apply personal and institutional values to make informed decisions, own their choices, and acknowledge their impact on others.

Each student will be able to:

• acknowledge their role as a member of a larger community.
• demonstrate intellectual independence to shape the direction of their learning.
• take responsibility for their decisions and actions.
• demonstrate the capacity for reasoned dialogue in the face of differing perspectives. 

Reflection – Students will engage in self-reflection as well as reflection about the larger society as they strive to build lives and communities of meaning, balance, and purpose.

Each student will be able to:

• assess personal strengths and opportunities for growth.
• continually evaluate their goals and priorities in structuring a balanced life.
• understand and explain the connections across their educational experiences.
• communicate the outcomes of their learning.

Engagement – Students will develop intercultural, interpersonal, and professional skills through experiences on and off campus.

Each student will be able to:

• develop meaningful relationships and partnerships.
• learn to work through conflict in a constructive manner.
• collaborate to advance mutually agreed upon goals.
• build and sustain healthy and just communities.

Connecticut College is a residential campus. Ninety-eight percent of students live on campus in 23 residence halls, known as houses, all within a five-minute walk of their classes.

Our residence houses are not just "a place to sleep," but active learning communities. You'll engage in challenging intellectual discussions with your peers, attend philosophical talks by professors and collaborate on creative projects.

Each house has a different personality from year to year - it is the people that live in them that build the community - led by our student staff of Floor Governors and Housefellows.

Some houses have themes or special interests ranging from quiet and substance-free living to language and community engagement themes. Continuing students are able to propose their own themes and these can change from year-to-year based on student interest. 

Your house common room is your living room. You and your fellow residents will set house rules together and plan events and social activities. The community is what you make of it together. 

The Basics

• New students usually live in doubles, triples or quads.
• Continuing students typically live in doubles or singles.
• Your room will come with an extra-long twin bed, dresser, closet space, desk, chair, and wired and wireless internet connections.
• Landline room phones are an option if you want one. Contact the IT Service Desk or email phone@conncoll.edu.
• All residential houses are mixed gender, although some specific floors are single gender. All residential bathrooms are gender-inclusive.
• Your Camel Card gets you into your house; you’ll also have a key for your room.

Room and roommate assignments

If you are a new student entering in the fall, you will receive your room assignment and roommate information by email in late July. (Be sure to keep us apprised of your correct email address!)

When you enroll, you'll be able to access the Camel Experience where you will access the New Student Housing Form. The form asks you about your likes and dislikes, personal habits, study habits, and so on to help us match you with your roommate(s). First-year students will be assigned to doubles, triples or quads.  

New Student Arrival Day

Your housing assignment will determine which entrance you should use on arrival day and most roads on campus will be one-way and some parking areas will be used for drop-off only. In August, we will provide you with information and maps about how to access campus on arrival day. Campus Safety officers and students leaders will be at various spots on campus to direct drivers.  Student leaders will be stationed near each residence house to assist you in the move in process.