What to Bring With You
What Should I Pack?
This question is the one that every new Salem student asks! Below you will find a list of helpful items, as well as items that are not permitted. Before you arrive, we suggest that you contact your roommate so you can coordinate who is bringing which items, thus reducing duplication of items and eliminating an overcrowded feeling.
The following items would be helpful to you:
- Alarm clock
- Linens - including towels, blanket/comforter, extra long twin sheets, pillow case, pillow, mattress pad
- Cell phone
- Calling card with 1-800 access for long distance calls (a touch tone phone is provided on each Residence Hall floor)
- Waste basket
- Power strips with built-in circuit breakers (regular extension cords are prohibited)
- Window fan
- Small refrigerator (4-6 cubic feet)
- Important phone numbers and information - car insurance, health insurance, physician
- Medications and prescriptions
- Decorative items - pictures, posters (please use only painter's tape for hanging)
- Toiletries and cleaning supplies - shampoo, soap, broom, laundry detergent, etc.
- School supplies
- Coaxial Cable (for television - cable is provided in all residence hall rooms)
- Ethernet Cord (for computer)
- Area rug - all residence hall rooms have tile flooring
The following items are NOT permitted:
- Hot plates /George Foreman Grills
- Appliances with open heating coil
- Electric blankets
- Regular extension cords
- Incense /candles
- Pets (except fish)
- Microwaves (one is provided for your use in each residence hall)
- Air conditioners (except when permission is granted for medical reasons that are documented by a letter from a physician. Please send this documentation to the Office of the Dean of Students prior to arrival on campus. If this documentation is received, you must provide your own air conditioner. It should be 110 volts and no more than 8,000 BTUs.)
Who is the Residence Life staff?
In addition to your roommate and other students living in your residence hall, there will be Residence Life Staff present to help you with your campus living experience.
Residential Coordinators (RCs)
The Residential Coordinators (RCs) are professional staff members who live in the residence halls. The RCs' role is to holistically support your academic and social success by connecting your residential experience with cognitive and personal development.
Resident Assistants (RAs)
The RCs supervise a trained staff of student leaders called Resident Assistants (RAs). The Residence Life staff strives to provide programming and events that help you connect your classroom learning with your living environment. RAs also provide programming aimed at developing you and your peers socially and building community within the residence halls. RAs act as an additional resource for your academic, personal and social concerns.
Desk Workers
In Babcock and Gramley Halls, trained student workers operate a front desk located in the lobby during evening hours. The front desk area serves as the information center for the hall. Supervised by a student Desk Manager, this staff is present to assist you with checking in your guests, community development and programming in the lobby areas. Additionally, items such as hall T-shirts, snacks and toiletries can be purchased in these areas.
What will my room be like?
- Two twin beds (Extra-long sheets are necessary)
- Two chairs
- A double sided dresser or two chests
- One sink
- Two desks
- A double closet
Approximate room dimensions:
Babcock Hall:
- 1st Floor: 11'6” x 15'5” (Window: 43'6” x 62'6”)
- 2nd Floor: 11'6” x 15'5” (Window: 45' x 62'6”)
- 3rd Floor: 11'6” x 15'5” (Window: 37'6” x 57')
Strong Honors House*:
- 2nd Floor: 14' x 17'5” (Window: 33'5” x 58'5”)
- 3rd Floor: 14' x 15' (Window: 30'5” x 45'5”)
Gramley Hall:
- 1st Floor: 11'4 x 15' (Window: 47” x 69”)
- 2nd Floor: 11'4 x 15' (Window: 47” x 69”)
- 3rd Floor: 11'4 x 15' (Window: 47” x 69”)
Clewell Hall*:
- 1st Floor: 12 x 12'1” (Window: 39'5” x 61'5”)
- 2nd Floor: 12' x 13' (Window: 39'5” x 61'5”)
- 3rd Floor: 11' x 13' (Window: 34' x 53'5”)
*Strong Honors House is available for approved Honors students through an application process. Clewell Hall is for upperclass students. Typically, transfer students are housed in Clewell Hall.
What will my residence hall be like?
All Salem residence halls have a few things in common in terms of their facilities. Each residence hall has laundry machines. Our machines are card activated and do not take cash. Laundry cards can be purchased in the basement of Babcock Hall.
Each residence hall has a lobby and a lounge. The lobby is located just inside the main entrance and is used to entertain guests. The lounge is on the basement level of the building and has a flat-screen television and a DVD player. Lounges are typically used as gathering places for meetings and as a place to study. All residence halls have shared kitchen spaces for residents to use. Additionally, each floor has a microwave. Vending and ice machines are located in a central area in each building.
