Living at Whitman
Living at Whitman is an extracurricular activity! Here is what students like about living on campus: Living on campus has helped me adjust to college; I have made friends and learned more about myself. Jewett Hall resident You ll be so busy here, so immersed in activities and campus life, that before you know it Whitman will become your great new home. You will discover opportunities to learn more about yourself, to meet people whose backgrounds are different from your own and to grow intellectually. No matter where you live, you will be a part of a close community that makes it easy to form friendships. You will share exciting ideas generated in classes, different points of view, social activities and just plain fun. There is so much going on here that it is often difficult to choose! In addition to campus-wide activities such as speakers and concerts, there is always something to do in the residence halls. Common hall and section activities include study breaks, professor lectures, trips to the college s mountain cabin, formal dinners and many more. Residents are encouraged to attend section meetings where you can learn about what is going on, hear important announcements and plan activities. Each residence hall also has its own Hall Council, an organization open to all residents, in which students have the opportunity to plan all-hall activities and address hall concerns. Living in the college community is an essential part of a Whitman education. For this reason, we require all students to live on campus for their first four semesters, with the exception of students who are over 21 or married. Being surrounded by people in the same situation as you. Having a support system in place for those days when things aren t going well, and having so many people close by for easy study breaks or study help. A sense of community, of belonging, of camaraderie and security. Sophomore resident 2 Living at Whitman 2 Living at Whitman
Residence Life Staff Living in the residence halls at Whitman are more than a bunch of first-year students; student staff members also live in the sections to guide you, plan activities for you, and basically make your transition to college as easy and rewarding as possible. They are a great resource they can provide you with information on many topics and are well qualified to address a variety of concerns. Each hall staff is led by a Resident Director (RD) who is a college graduate with residence life experience. Some halls also have a Senior Resident (SR), a student who assists the RD and runs Hall Council, a student-run hall improvement group. Each section also has its own Resident Assistant (RA) and Student Academic Adviser (SA). Before you arrive on campus your new RA and SA will send you a letter to introduce themselves. They are both student staff members who will live in your section. Your RA can help you with questions about college policies, lost keys and many other topics. Most important, your RA wants to get to know you and is willing to talk to you about anything from getting along with your roommate to getting involved on campus. Your SA is available to help with the academic side of student life, from registration to studying for finals. Your SA also wants to get to know you, and is another experienced student in your section who can help answer your questions about Whitman. Living at Whitman 1 RAs and other staff clearly have residents as their top priority. First-year Jewett Hall resident I believe that Whitman s Res Life is one of its strongest assets. The staff seems to get along and each of its members are helpful and dependable individuals who make a first-year s college experience a positive one; one that is comfortable and one that nurtures academic success as well as friendships. First-year Anderson Hall resident
Whitman has nine residence halls and 11 interest houses, plus sorority sections and fraternity houses. Each of the residence halls has its own character. All provide settings to match your day-to-day needs, whether you want to study in a quiet nook or discuss the meaning of life at 2 a.m. You also will be close to academic buildings, extracurricular activities and local shopping areas wherever you live. Residence Halls Jewett Anderson Prentiss Lyman Douglas North College Marcus Tamarac House Interest houses Building occupancy 170 140 150 94 70 75 40 25 22 80 Built 1964 1954 1926 1923 1970 1926 1928 1966 1921 varies Co-ed sections x x women only x x x x x x x Direct network access x x x x x x x x x x Wireless network access x x x x x x x x x x Drink/snack machines x x x x x x x x x Fireplace in lounge x x x x x x some Fire safety sprinkler system x x x x x x x x First-year students x x x x x Voicemail x x x x x x x x x x Games area x x x x x x x x x In-hall dining facility x x x Kitchen (not all have ovens) x x x x x x x x x x Laundry facilities (free) x x x x x x x x x x Meal plan required x x x x x x fy-soph x most Moveable furniture in rooms x x x x x x x x x Piano in lounge x x x x x x x x some Single-gender sections x x x some Smoke alarms x x x x x x x x x x Study rooms/lounges x x x x x x Transfer students x x x x x x x x Two-room doubles x x some TV lounge with cable x x x x x x x x x x Upper-class students x x x x x x x x Wheelchair accessible mostly x x 1st floor x 1st floor 1st floor Women only x 4 Living at Whitman
Anderson Hall Anderson Hall houses approximately 140 first-year students in doubles and triples. The hall features a central lounge with floorto-ceiling windows, a fireplace, and a big back yard complete with a sand volleyball court and basketball court. Anderson residents appreciate their relatively quiet location as well as proximity to academic buildings, other residence halls and the campus center. The building is divided into six single-gender sections, two on each floor, each housing 10-30 students. Each section has a bathroom and a lounge with a kitchenette. Laundry facilities, a TV lounge, study rooms, a game room and bike storage are located in the basement. What students love about Anderson: I feel safe living here. It s also a comfort to know that I have a supportive community here. Living with a community of people who discuss class work among each other. Having an entire hall of people who are going through the same things has been a great experience and resource. Desk Desk Bed 12 6 x 15 Bed Closet Chest Closet The connected feeling I experienced. Also, the atmosphere encouraged socialization. I made friends in my section that I never would have had the chance to meet otherwise. I have LOVED living here. Room sizes vary. Living at Whitman 5
Jewett Hall Jewett is a traditional college residence that houses approximately 170 first-year students in doubles and triples. Located on the northeast edge of campus overlooking Ankeny Field, Jewett residents enjoy a close proximity to academic buildings, student residences and dining facilities. The hall is divided into sections, each housing 18-35 students. Each section has a study room, bathroom and a section lounge with a kitchenette. Laundry facilities, a TV lounge, a game room, several conference and study spaces, and a large main lounge are located on the first and second floors of the building. What students love about Jewett: Meeting and then living with so many new people, finding similarities. Close proximity at all hours to friends is a great source of ever-present support, comfort and happiness. Jewett rooms are memorable for their built-in desks and storage, as well as their couch-beds (beds that are easily pushed in to form comfortable sitting areas). In addition, Jewett desks come with built-in study lamps so you do not need to bring your own. Awareness of activities and social opportunities. Living on campus has ensured a certain kind of involvement that I wouldn t have otherwise. Getting to live in a place with people very different from me, but also with similar goals and ambitions. Desk 11 5 x 17 Bed Bed Chests Closets I love it here! I love forming a close bond with my section. Note: Shaded furniture is built in, unshaded furniture is moveable. Room sizes vary. 6 Living at Whitman
Lyman House As one of the oldest residences on campus, Lyman is known for its quirky charm. Lyman is a mixed-year hall that houses a total of 94 students in doubles and triples, typically less than one-half of whom are first-year students. The fireplace in the main lounge serves as a focal point for informal gatherings. Lyman is located right on Ankeny Field next to several academic buildings and student residences. North Hall Nestled into a historic, residential neighborhood on the northern edge of campus, North Hall features a huge yard with a pond. North Hall has the widest hallways and the largest single rooms on campus. North Hall is a mixedclass hall that houses 75 students; half first-year and transfers, the other half returning students. Residents also enjoy playing pool in the game room, watching movies with friends, cooking Saturday night dinners together and talking in one of the lounges. What first-year students love about living in Lyman and North: Getting to know all kinds of people, and being able to say hi to them every day and do things together. The incredibly close bond I have with my hallmates. I would never have met these people had I not lived with them. Being with lots of other kids who are going through the same things I am. There are lots of great resources close by.... I love North and am so glad I wound up there! For a list of room sizes, please visit www.whitman.edu/north-hall. Living at Whitman 7
Prentiss Hall With its brick façade and tall windows, Prentiss Hall is a stately residence built in 1926 and completely renovated in 1992. Prentiss features an attractive arrangement of inner and outer rooms for all doubles, many study rooms and an AV seminar room. About 150 women live here including national sororities and sections of mixed-year independent women, typically made up of more than half first-year students. What first-year women love about Prentiss: All independent sections (which house first-year and returning women) have a lounge with a kitchenette and two bathrooms. In addition, laundry facilities, a bike room, a dance room, a TV lounge, a reading room and a large Great Hall are located on the basement and first floors. Prentiss residents also appreciate the great location: right next to the dining hall and Anderson Hall, and close to academic buildings and the campus center. Meeting tons of people, the camaraderie in my section. I m close to everything I need, and I always have someone in my classes nearby. The atmosphere in our hall has been the main thing behind my academic success. Also, the rooms are homey ; I almost don t feel like I m at college. The community here is great. My first year probably wouldn t have been as successful without it. I have had a fabulous experience with Residence Life staff. They are caring but also good at keeping a reasonable noise level, etc. They are fun to be around, and just generally great people. Desk Bed Closet Closet 18 4 x 14 6 Chest Desk Room sizes vary. Chest Bed 68 Living at at Whitman
You guys are doing a fantastic job. Compared with (my previous school) you seem to know how to keep a campus happy. Thanks! Transfer student Additional Housing Options Douglas Hall is a favorite among sophomores, juniors and seniors. It offers nine suites housing eight students each, an arrangement that fosters a more private lifestyle as well as close ties among residents. There are two bathrooms, a kitchenette, lounge and laundry facilities in each suite, and 10 single rooms available in the hall. The suites are built around a central courtyard that is the site of barbecues and informal gatherings. College House, nearest to Bratton Tennis Center, offers furnished double, triple and quad apartments for about 40 students. As a sophomore, junior or senior you may choose to cook your own meals in your apartment. House social activities may include movies, potluck dinners with faculty and excursions. Marcus House, located directly across the street from the Reid Campus Center, is another choice for returning and transfer students. A shady yard with a stream and pond provide an idyllic setting for quiet conversation and studying. Indoors is a large kitchen and eating area, a central living room, and TV and games areas. The house offers singles, doubles and triples for more than 25 students. Returning sophomores, juniors and seniors have the additional options of applying to live in one of the college s 11 interest houses; Tamarac, an outdoor-living themed hall; or in one of the fraternity houses or sorority sections. Living at Whitman 9
Furnishings In general, it is a good idea to talk with your roommate and see your room before you bring any large items. Many of the things you might want can be purchased in Walla Walla. There are several national chain stores in town including Walmart, Kmart, Rite Aid, Shopko, Macy s and Staples. There are also numerous locallyowned stores in town and a bookstore on campus. Note: The college is not liable for loss or damage to personal items. You are encouraged to carry private insurance on your possessions. When you arrive on campus, your room will be furnished with the following items: Bed and mattress Prentiss standard twin All other halls extra-long twin (80 inches) Mattress cover Desk and desk chair Wardrobe with storage and shelving Chest of drawers Window blinds Bulletin board Telephone with voicemail DO bring: Bedding (pillows, extralong twin sheets, blankets, bedspread) Towels Clothes Hangers Study lamp (except in Jewett) Wastebasket Laundry bag Laundry basket and detergent Fan Might be nice: Lounging pillows Alarm clock Personal computer Throw rug Dishes and silverware Plants Mugs Posters or paintings Do NOT bring: Pets (except for fish) Firearms A bed A desk A powerful stereo system A full-size refrigerator Halogen floor lamps Double-sided permanent foam sticky tape/ squares 10 Living at Whitman
Bon Appétit Food Service Whitman College uses Bon Appétit food service to provide fresh, high-quality food to students. Dining halls are located in Jewett, Lyman and Prentiss Halls. Anderson residents generally eat in Prentiss dining hall, located just across the courtyard. Several meal plans are available for first-year students to choose from. For more information, you can browse their website: www.whitman.edu/bon-appetit. Reserving Your Room If you are a first-year or sophomore student and required to live on campus, a room and board plan will automatically be reserved for you. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to reserve a room on campus. When you are notified of admission to Whitman, you should receive a roommate assignment questionnaire along with other important information and forms. Complete the roommate assignment answer sheet on the back cover and send it to: Office of Admission 345 Boyer Ave. Whitman College Walla Walla, WA 99362 In late July or early August, you will be notified of your hall assignment, your roommate s name and address, and your room phone number. You should go directly to your residence hall when you arrive on campus. Housing selection for returning students takes place each spring semester. Whitman is Connected! Every residence hall has WiFi service as well as ethernet ports for wired connections to the Whitman network. Whitman Technology Services has a Help Desk that you can call if you have trouble. In addition, there are several computer labs on campus, one of which is open 24 hours a day, with computers, printers and a staff available for your convenience. No Quarters Necessary! Laundry facilities are provided for no additional charge in each of the residence halls and houses on campus. You do need to provide your own laundry detergent. Frequently Asked Questions Q: I m an athlete/debater and need to arrive early. Who do I contact to find out where I m staying? A: Please contact your coach. Coaches make all arrangements for students who arrive early to campus. Q: Do I need to bring a car? A: Most Whitman students find that they do not need a car. A great grocery store and many other stores downtown are within walking distance of campus. Everything in Walla Walla is within biking distance. Walla Walla also has a bus system that goes out to various shopping centers on a fixed route for 50 cents each way. If you do bring a car, parking is free, but may be on the street or in a lot a block or two from your building. Q: How are the residence halls and houses cleaned? A: A professional custodial staff cleans all of the residence hall public areas including hallways, lounges and bathrooms on a daily basis (Monday-Friday). All students are responsible for their own rooms or apartments. Vacuums and cleaning supplies are provided in each hall for student use. Living at Whitman 11
Campus Highlights Pinging Will Keim riding my bike around campus watching sunsets from the wheat fields my RA playing Frisbee on Ankeny Field care packages from home intramural sports Wednesday night study breaks trips to the Tri-Cities reading under a tree talking about books with my friends baby ducks quiet places to sit by the stream dances Coffeehouse concerts study groups Interest House Block Party saying hi to my professors around campus Outdoor Program trips couches in the library watching movies in the section lounge saying hi to complete strangers decorations in the bathroom stalls section dinners feeling connected baking cookies Choral Contest trips to the college cabin hall film festivals fondue parties Voices of Whitman For additional information about living on campus at Whitman please contact: Residence Life and Housing Office 345 Boyer Ave. Walla Walla, WA 99362 509-527-5297 Website: www.whitman.edu/residence_life Email: on_campus_housing@whitman.edu 2014