This information is geared towards prospective and accepted students who would like to know more about living in the Berklee Residence Halls before arriving, but it can also be of use to returning or continuing students who have questions.

Whether you stay in the Residence Halls or in an apartment off campus, your living situation is as much a part of the learning process of college as the classroom. It is an exciting time of self-discovery, and discovery of the world in general. Students at Berklee are exposed to a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and musical styles. For many students, this is their first experience with the responsibility of independence, and the art of compromise that comes with living with other people.

The Berklee residence halls seek to provide a safe, convenient environment for students to conduct their studies, and also to develop as individuals. You will have the opportunity to meet and work with student musicians from all over the world. We encourage everyone to approach the experience with an attitude of excitement, openness, and tolerance. Those living on campus will have access to activities designed to foster a sense of community, and to inform students about issues that may be relevant for their communities and interests.

The Berklee Residence Halls
The Berklee College of Music Residence Halls are located in Boston's Back Bay/Fenway neighborhood, one of the most interesting and enjoyable sections of the city. Boston and Northeastern Universities, Boston Conservatory, Fenway Park, Symphony Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the city's best music stores, and many other cultural, educational, and entertainment centers are all within walking distance. Close by are stops on the subway and bus lines which take you to all parts of Boston and Cambridge, from the theater district to Harvard Square.

Our residence halls have two- and three-person rooms, practice facilities, study space, and coin laundry machines. Every room has a bed, desk, chair, and dresser for each student, and shared closet space. Beds can be bunks, lofts or individual beds depending on the building and room. All mattresses are extended twin size (36" x 80"). Rooms are carpeted, and windows have shades.

You should plan to provide a pillow, blanket, bed linen, towels, and desk lamp (if you like to use one). The phone system allows up to two phones in each room, so you may want to bring a touch-tone telephone as well. There are individual college computer network connections for each student in each room.

Since we are in the midst of the city, where safety and security are important considerations, each Residence Hall has an access control officer on duty twenty-four hours a day. While Berklee's location in the middle of Boston is a tremendous asset, it also means that our space is limited. We have only a small number of single rooms (which go to continuing residents), and are unable to offer accommodations for married couples.

Residence Life
In addition to those of us who work in the Housing Office, Berklee has an excellent staff of professional employees known as resident directors and student employees called resident assistants. These are people who live in the residence halls and assist residents with questions and concerns.

They also encourage and develop residence hall activities to introduce new residents to each other and to all that the Boston area has to offer. The resident assistants are chosen because they are successful Berklee students with interest and skills in helping other students.

You will have opportunities to meet the staff people living in your area when you move in, and you'll find them to be a very valuable source of help and information throughout your stay on campus.

Meals
A portion of the money you pay for housing covers the cost of our food service plan, which provides three meal periods a day weekdays, and two meal periods a day on weekends and holidays. Meals are served on an all-you-can-eat basis, with several choices of entree, vegetarian options, and full salad bar at lunch and dinner.

In order to keep the food cost as reasonable as possible, and because we cannot risk the fire and sanitation hazards associated with students cooking in their rooms, all first-year residents are required to be on the full meal plan. It isn't possible to contract for residence hall housing without meals.

The Commonwealth Avenue and Hemenway Street Residence Halls each have a small kitchen available for residents who wish to supplement the meals provided in the dining hall.

It is possible for some students living off campus to purchase meals directly from Berklee Dining Services. For more details about this option you should contact the managers of the dining hall at (617) 747-2510, and see the Aramark Dining Services at Berklee web pages.

Telephones and Internet Connections
All residence hall rooms are wired to the college telephone system. On-campus calling, local calling (in the immediate Boston area), and a personal phone mailbox for each resident are provided as part of your housing fee. All you need to do is bring a touch-tone telephone. The college does not provide long distance service, but you can dial toll free numbers (800, 888, 877, etc.) for access to calling card, credit card, and prepaid phone card long distance services.

Also included in your housing fee is access to the internet through Berklee's network. You do not need a separate internet service provider, and there are no charges for time online. There are network connections for each student in each room. Most Macintosh computers can connect directly to the network, and PCs can connect using an Ethernet card. The system is supported by Berklee's Information Technology Department.

Mail, Luggage, and Storage
Each Berklee student, both resident and nonresident, has a mailbox at 168 Massachusetts Avenue. Your mailbox number will be assigned by the college, and you will receive the number at registration. You can ship items before you have the number, but having the number will allow the Student Mailroom to deliver them more quickly. If you plan to ship any belongings, they should be addressed to:

Your Name
Your Box#
Berklee College Student Mailroom
168 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, MA 02115

Because of limited space, we have no storage facilities for residents. Everything you bring or have sent will have to stay with you in your room.

The exception is that a limited number of lockers are available for rental by drummers and percussionists (administered by the Housing Office) and acoustic bass players (administered by the Performance Division) after they have completed registration at the beginning of the semester. The locker rental fee is $25 per semester.

Bass drums of over 22" or sets of more than four pieces will likely not fit in the lockers. Most drummers who live on campus keep all or part of their set in their room to allow easier access to the practice rooms within the Residence Halls. Because of the high demand for lockers, they may not be available to all drummers/acoustic bass players, and lockers are not available to other instrument principals.

Because we are a city school, space is limited in our residence rooms. It is wise not to bring any more personal property than you absolutely need. Once you've seen your room and compared notes with your roommate(s), you can decide what additional items you want to purchase or have sent from home.

Care of Rooms
While our staff cleans the public areas of the Residence Halls, you and your roommates will be responsible for the cleaning of your room. This would include the bathroom if it is within your room. Bathrooms shared by multiple rooms are cleaned by Berklee's custodial staff.